Devy Landscape Review: SEC Part One

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Welcome to the Devy Landscape, an article series previewing the upcoming college football season through the lens of the devy format. First, we will look at the SEC, in two parts. We will knock them out in alphabetical order: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, and Mississippi State are up first. The Heavyweights Alabama Crimson Tide Kalen DeBoer has not lived up to the impossible standard Nick Saban set in Tuscaloosa. While the Crimson Tide were playoff participants in 2025, they are no longer the immovable force they were in the pre-NIL era. They are still dripping with talent, however. You can start under center, where former five-star recruit Keelon Russell will battle former four-star recruit Austin Mack , who followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama. Mack was the backup to Ty Simpson in 2025, but it has little bearing on the quarterback competition. He had a year in DeBoer’s system and Russell was a true freshman. Russell is considered a small favorite and checks in at 35th overall in DLF’s devy rankings , but Mack’s stock would skyrocket if he were to win this job. Russell is a legitimate dual threat with elite fantasy upside, whereas Mack is the big pocket passer with a rocket arm. The loser of this battle figures to hit the portal next spring, and both are worthy of a roster spot in deeper superflex formats. Alabama’s running game struggled greatly last fall. The offensive line was a big issue, but Jam Miller – now with the Patriots – was not a game-changer in the backfield. Returning bruiser Daniel Hill is the current starter off a season in which he ran for 284 yards and six scores on a meager 3.8 yards per carry. In the long run, this should be true freshman Ezavier ‘EJ’ Crowell’s backfield. Crowell is DLF’s 48th-ranked player , a runner with excellent size whose vision and creativity make him a college-ready back. He has the best all-around toolkit in this backfield, and while he is not going to dominate work from day one, he is the Tide’s most gifted back by a wide margin. AK Dear and Kevin Riley will add depth for what should be an improved running game. Alabama loses Germie Bernard – now with the Steelers – and Bernard was their go-to weapon in the passing game when they needed a big play. With him gone, Ryan Coleman-Williams (formerly Ryan Williams ) will need to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. He had what could best be described as a case of the yips last fall, but he is still a player who just moves differently and has already had a ton of collegiate production despite accelerating his schooling out of high school. He should have a big rebound this fall as he secures first-round draft capital. Behind Coleman-Williams, the Tide will rely on Lotzier Brooks, who exceeded expectations as a true freshman to be a strong contributor. Brooks may be a slot-only prospect, but he could be incredibly productive there and should operate as an easy button for the offense. Transfer Noah Rogers got hurt this spring – putting the start of his year in jeopardy – opening up opportunities for sophomore Derek Meadows and true freshman Cederian Morgan , along with veteran Rico Scott. This is a deep group, though they need Coleman-Williams to be the star. Florida Gators SUBSCRIBE TO DLF PREMIUM! Gain Instant Access to this resource and so much more!. Premium membership provides access to all of our industry-leading dynasty fantasy football content. You can also get a DLF Premium Membership for FREE! Fi…