We have a new piece here at RotoBaller to highlight those college football players that are turning heads at the collegiate level that could be playing for your favorite team, and fantasy team, sometime very soon. You don't want the first time you hear of a player being their name called at the NFL draft, right?
We are going to help you get acclimated with these college players earlier than many of your fantasy football leaguemates. We here at RotoBaller are all about giving you an advantage.
I will highlight one quarterback, one running back, and one wide receiver in every week of the college season that put up some really big numbers and let you know what it means for your dynasty leagues. Do these guys have NFL futures? You'll find out!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (21-26, 361 yards, 6TD at Michigan State)
Stroud became the first quarterback in Big Ten(14) history to have three games with six passing touchdowns. Two of them are against Michigan State. He has led Ohio State to more than 45 points in five straight games, becoming the first Big Ten(14) team since Michigan in 1946-47 to accomplish that feat. Scouts have been drooling over Stroud since he was backing up Justin Fields in 2020.
Stroud has to be the Heisman Trophy favorite so far. He has thrown 24 touchdowns in just six games. With Bryce Young missing some time and no one else putting up numbers anywhere near Stroud (no quarterbacks anyway, and we all know this is a quarterback's award), expect to see Stroud take home the hardware in December before becoming a first-round pick in April.
Honorable mention: Jaxson Dart, Mississippi; Tyler Van Dyke, Miami(FL)
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs
Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh (36 carries, 320 yards, 6TD vs. Virginia Tech)
Abanikanda becomes the first guy to make this feature twice. When you go breaking school records set by Tony Dorsett, I think you've earned it. Abanikanda was the offense for Pitt against Virginia Tech after struggling against the Georgia version of Tech last week. This kind of workload – and the success that came with it – will grab the attention of a lot of scouts.
Teams say that they want to use multiple backs, but as you can see with the Steelers, that isn't always the case. If you get a guy like Najee Harris that can handle it, most NFL teams will ride the one back. Abanikanda doubled his touchdown total on the season in this one. Expect him to be on a lot of radars come April. He has good speed and is hard to bring down. Just ask Virginia Tech...
Honorable mention: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA; Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers
Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi (9 receptions, 247 yards, 2TD at Vanderbilt)
Mingo had a career game against Vanderbilt one week after he was almost blanked against Kentucky. He set the Ole Miss school record in receiving yards in this game. The senior from Brandon, Mississippi has been on the radar for a while. He has always had the talent but has battled many nagging injuries throughout his career. If he can stay healthy this season, he could fly up draft boards.
Mingo turned down offers to Georgia, Auburn, and Mississippi State to play for the Rebels. He has the size (6'2", 225 pounds) that scouts covet and has great hands. Early on in his career, Mingo was used mostly on short passes. They are using him to stretch the field at times this year.
Honorable mention: Quentin Johnston, TCU; Trea Shropshire, UAB
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame (11 receptions, 118 yards, 2TD vs. BYU)
Mayer broke a couple of school records held by Tyler Eifert in this one. He is Notre Dame's career leader in receptions and touchdown receptions among tight ends after this game. Mayer is the leading receiver for the Irish this season and will continue to be a huge part of every game.
Scouts love Mayer because he isn't just an extra big-bodied wide receiver like a lot of tight ends are. He's a good blocker as well. If he decides to come out after this season, Mayer could be a late day-two pick.
Honorable mention: Dominick Mazotti, San Jose State; Will Mallory, Miami(FL)
Be sure to stay tuned all season long to see these coming attractions!
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