RADIO
Welcome back to another season of Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch, where I highlight the best and brightest performances from the college football week that was. Penn State put up a school-record 718 yards of total offense against Kent State. Did any of them make the list?
We will introduce you to these college players earlier than many of your fantasy football league mates. We here at RotoBaller are all about giving you an advantage. If you had paid attention to this column last year, you would have known about Kimani Vidal and Xavier Worthy long before their performances at the NFL Combine.
I will highlight one quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end every week of the college season who put up some really big numbers. I'll let you know what it means for your dynasty leagues. Do these guys have NFL futures? You'll find out!
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Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks
John Mateer, Washington State (26-46, 390 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT; 18 carries, 111 yards, TD) vs. San Jose State
John Mateer : 26/46 for 390 yards, 4 TD's, 2 INT's & a 78 QBR; 18 carries for 111 yards & a TD (Career-highs in completions, pass attempts, passing yards, TD passes, total TD's & total yards) pic.twitter.com/uzGWMflgl4
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 21, 2024
Washington State's quarterback room last year was Cam Ward, Emmett Brown, and Mateer. Mateer was the only one who stayed. Both of the others are having great seasons as well, but Mateer's rushing ability is setting him apart. As we have seen with many recent dual threats that make the jump to the NFL, the rushing ability doesn't always transfer.
However, Mateer is big enough (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) to take hits in the NFL and get back up. The fact that he still has this kind of speed is almost unfair.
Mateer is only a sophomore, so he does have time to improve his decision-making. He threw an interception in the first overtime when the Cougars just needed a field goal for the win. It ended up working out, but right now his accuracy and decisions are a liability instead of an asset. These things can be improved. He has the physical ability to play at the next level.
Honorable mention: Blake Horvath, Navy; Cam Ward, Miami (FL); Jacolby Criswell, North Carolina
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (21 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD; 2 receptions, -1 yards) vs. Minnesota
Kaleb Johnson
Patience, lets the blocks develop
Gets skinny through the hole
aaaand see ya3rd TD today pic.twitter.com/fOvaQfZq2f
— Rob (@Quintorris_) September 22, 2024
I'm not going to come in here and trash the Minnesota defense. It did a really good job on Omarion Hampton in the opener, a guy who should be an early second-round pick. Johnson doing this to a good defense speaks volumes about his ability.
He was good in the last two years for an awful Iowa offense. A new coordinator has helped the Hawkeyes offense and it is finally starting to hit its stride. Johnson is a big reason for that. This performance puts him firmly on NFL watch lists. If he declares for 2025, the running back class is going to be one of the best in decades.
Johnson has great moves for his size (6-foot, 225 pounds). He can take hits from linebackers but is shifty enough that most don't get a good hit on him. Johnson already has as many receptions this year as he did in his first two years combined, so Iowa is showcasing him for the next level. He might end up being the best back in a crowded class.
Honorable mention: Nate Noel, Missouri; Micah Bernard, Utah; Xavier Brown, Virginia
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers
Devonte Ross, Troy (11 receptions, 229 yards, 3 TD) vs. Florida A&M
???????? ?? ???????.
Devonte Ross breaks the single-game receiving yards record (229) - breaks Danny Grant's record (225) set in 1968. pic.twitter.com/8rb8ALsywQ
— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) September 22, 2024
This is nothing new for Ross. He has torched defenses for the last couple of years. He had a huge day against Iowa earlier this month.
Troy's Devonte Ross, who lit up Iowa for TD plays of 63, 77 and 62 yards on Sept. 14, had 11 catches for 229 yards and 3 TDs Saturday vs. Florida A&M. One of his TDs was for 98 yards. His one punt-return was for a puny 18 yards.
— Mike Hlas (@Hlas) September 23, 2024
I know ... that's cool and all, but will Ross have a career in the NFL? He is undersized at 5-foot-11 and only 161 pounds. He does have elite speed, but he'll be injured weekly if any NFL player gets a good hit on him. Ross will need to add muscle without sacrificing his speed. Many before him have managed to do that.
Ross reminds me a lot of Percy Harvin. Harvin didn't have much of a pro career because of injuries and Ross may suffer the same fate. I wouldn't write him off yet because he's shifty and has great hands. A good strength coach and a team willing to let him grow could result in Ross working his way into a slot receiver role in the NFL.
Honorable mention: Nick Nash, San Jose State; Tai Felton, Maryland; Jack Bech, TCU; Tre Harris, Mississippi
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green (8 receptions, 145 yards, TD) vs. Texas A&M
Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. in back-to-back weeks vs. P4 teams:
19 catches
282 yards
2 touchdownsEven against top competition coming from a MAC school, the dude produces. One of the best TEs in the country and one of the best tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/2n6shZjM3s
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 23, 2024
Fannin was back in action this week, which means he populates this list again. Brant Kuithe and Rivaldo Fairweather were the tight ends to watch coming into the season, but Fannin has left them both in the dust thus far.
A good NFL Combine for Kuithe or Fairweather could tighten the gap, but Fannin is going to be one of those guys. He looks a lot like Dalton Kincaid or Kyle Pitts out there. One has succeeded in the NFL. The other was under the influence of a terrible Falcons staff.
Honorable mention: John Copenhaver, North Carolina; Nicky Dalmolin, Duke; Tanner Koziol, Ball State
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