Sport: NCAAF

I have participated in thirteen College Fantasy Football Drafts so far, and at least five more await before the season kicks off. Many of the best ball drafts have been over 25 rounds, which forces managers to deep dive into the player pool to find value. In previous CFF articles this summer, 82 players have been profiled and over 300 ranked. To cap off the research, the All-American sleepers pinpoint undervalued players based on Fantrax ADP

There’s no such thing as too much football! 2025 is the perfect time to add the college game to your fantasy football repertoire. Whether you want to create your own league or join an existing league, the Fantrax College Football Commissioner is the place to go!

CFF Championships are won in the later rounds of drafts and on the CFF waiver wire during the season. Therefore, I analyzed Fantrax ADP to uncover 10 players who present a nice return on draft capital, identifying those with a current ADP below 100.

Last season, this column had some very nice hits for CFF managers: QB Rocco Becht, RB Dylan Sampson, WR Denzel Boston, and TE Justin Joly. In 2023, QB Preston Stone, QB Diego Pavia, RB Kimani Vidal, and WR Isaiah Williams were profiled. As any honest CFF analyst would admit, I also had my misses. Let’s hope there are more hits than misses this season. Happy drafting, my fellow CFF diehards.

All-American Sleepers in 2025 College Fantasy Football
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Team Offense (Rank): 426 ypg. (34)
Passing Yards: 261 ypg. (34)
Points Scored: 41.3 ppg. (2)
2024 FPPG: 22.4
Fantrax Overall ADP: 201

Over the past four seasons, coach Curt Cignetti has guided his teams to a 42-8 record at James Madison and Indiana. Last year, the Hoosiers earned an invite to the College Football Playoffs (CFP) before losing to Notre Dame. From a fantasy perspective, Cignetti’s quarterbacks have been very productive in the past three seasons: Todd Centeio, Jordan McCloud, and Kurtis Rourke all provided CFF managers with a cornucopia of production. In 2025, there is no reason to believe that Cignetti’s scheme will not produce yards and touchdowns in abundance again.

Fernando Mendoza exchanged the California sunshine for the Indiana snowstorms. At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza redshirted as a freshman and started 19 games for the Golden Bears. In 2024, he passed for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 107 yards and two scores. As a transfer, he was the No. 3 ranked quarterback, and Cignetti identified Mendoza as the next leader for the Hoosiers’ offense. I have drafted Mendoza in six leagues this season as my third or fourth signal caller. His fantasy ceiling warrants a much higher ADP.

Notebook: “His arm talent is great. It’s one of the best in the nation. Anticipation-wise, it is going great. He was new to the offense (this spring) so sometimes things would be late, but for the most part he has been looking really good. This summer, I could tell he has been putting the time in with the playbook and watching film…Fernando has been looking smooth,” teammate WR Elijah Sarratt stated in regard to his new quarterback (iuhoosiers.com).

QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech

Team Offense (Rank): 463 ypg. (9)
Passing Yards: 297 ypg. (9)
Points Scored: 37.6 ppg. (4)
2024 FPPG: 24.9
Fantrax Overall ADP: 240

The Texas Tech athletic program received a projected $55 million in NIL deals, and the football team lavishly dipped into the transfer portal. The Red Raiders acquired a top-ranked transfer class after being allocated up to $20.5 million, according to reports. The program is poised to contend for the Big 12 title in 2025. Throughout the offseason, there has been ambiguity surrounding Behren Morton’s health, which may have pushed his ADP downward. I have selected the Texas Tech signal caller in three of the past four CFF drafts as my fourth quarterback and could not be happier.

Morton attended high school in Eastland, Texas, and was one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation. He passed for more than 8,800 yards and 84 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions. On the ground, he scampered for more than 1,200 yards and 24 scores. In 2021, he redshirted as a freshman. He did not really take control of the offense until 2023 and has been the team’s starter for the majority of the past two campaigns. He has tossed 42 aerial strikes while completing over 62% of his passes for 5,092 yards. Unfortunately, he has not been as productive on the ground but has crossed the finish line five times. The senior signal caller has produced 18.4 and 24.9 FPPG in the past two seasons. With all of the additions on the roster, Morton will establish career highs across the board and become the fourth Texas Tech passer to exceed 10,000 career passing yards.

Notebook: “Sure, being on the Maxwell Watch List is great—but what really counts is how he plays when everything’s on the line. If Morton can stay healthy and keep making those clutch plays, this might just be the season that puts him—and Texas Tech—right in the mix for the Big 12 title,” writer Thomas Gorski penned as training camp opened (si.com).

QB Hunter Watson, Sam Houston

Team Offense (Rank): 348 ypg. (102)
Passing Yards: 168 ypg. (122)
Points Scored: 23.8 ppg. (99)
2024 FPPG: 21.9
Fantrax Overall ADP: 250

New head coach Phil Longo—former offensive coordinator at Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin—returned to lead Sam Houston in 2025 after coaching the Bearkats’ offense for three seasons (2104-2106). In 2016, the Sam Houston (FCS level) offense ranked among the best in the country, averaging 547 yards per game under Longo’s guidance.

In CFF, identifying high-ceiling dual-threat quarterbacks can provide a huge boost to weekly fantasy production. Very quietly, Hunter Watson produced over 20 FPs nine times last year, including surpassing 25 FPs in six games. He passed for over 1,800 yards and posted a 12-8 TD:INT Ratio. More importantly, from a fantasy outlook, the redshirt senior sprinted for 647 yards and nine scores. Watson looks like one of those G5 competitors who can smash opponents on the ground and in the air in the new coach’s scheme.

Notebook: “I was impressed with the way (Watson) stood in the pocket and made plays on third down. His ability to run the ball showed which didn’t surprise me. We were excited about him already and went all in from there,” former Bearkats’ offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen said last December (kbtx.com).

CFF Diehards on Fire!

Based on recent CFF ADP, identify the quarterback you want to select in drafts:

  • CJ Carr, ND (236): 8%
  • Behren Morton, TTX (240): 44%
  • Miller Moss, LOU (250): 31%
  • Luke Altmyer, ILL (272): 17%

“CJ Carr for me. Notre Dame will win a ton of games, and Carr will have a tremendously underrated year.” @aceholesrule

“It’s close between CJ Carr and Behren Morton, but I think Carr has a slight edge in my eyes, especially in a 6-point passing TD league. Their schedule sets up quite nicely, especially for a CFF QB3/4.” @eliotmays

“Give me Miller Moss. Higher ceiling in the Louisville offense that won’t see too many tough defenses on that ACC schedule.” @mattpow1

“It’s between Behren Morton and Miller Moss. Morton finished QB41 last year and his numbers will improve without RB Tahj Brooks. Moss has the appeal of a Jeff Brohm QB and might be the best signal caller that Brohm has had at Louisville. I give the slight edge to Moss.” @CFBHeadgear

“Give me Behren Morton and the Texas Tech system.” @CFFLists

“Behren Morton or Miller Moss. Morton’s got a really solid collection of weapons and a nice conference to play in. Moss has a QB-friendly system and a fun group to throw the ball to for YAC.” @JordanVanekDFS

Scholar’s Preseason P4 CFF All-American Team

  • QB Cade Klubnik. Clemson
  • QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
  • RB Bryson Washington, Baylor
  • RB Darius Taylor, Minnesota
  • WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
  • WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
  • WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
  • TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
  • Flex Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

RB Kyson Brown, Arizona State

Team Offense (Rank): 429 ypg. (28)
Rushing: 200 ypg. (20)
Scoring: 32.9 ppg. (30)
2024 FPPG: 6.1
Fantrax Overall ADP: 149

Last summer, the Sun Devils were expected to finish in last place in the Big 12 by many prognosticators. Coach Kenny Dillingham ignored the narrative and guided his team to the Big 12 Championship and CFP invite, posting an 11-3 record. One of the keys to the team’s success was running back Cam Skattebo, who is now with the New York Giants.

Who would replace Skattebo in Dillingham’s offense? Early in the offseason, I grabbed transfer Kanye Udoh on a couple of CFF teams. However, it has become apparent that Kyson Brown is the heir apparent for the lead role in the Sun Devils’ backfield. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Brown is a speedster who was clocked at 10.95 in the 100m and averaged 9.5 YPC during his senior year of high school. He was nicknamed ‘Skip’ by teammates, and it has carried over to college. Last year, he rushed for 352 yards, corralled 13 passes for 189 yards, and scored three times. Brown is in a prime position to out-produce his current ADP.

Scouting Notebook: Burrito Express co-owner Angel Marin inked a NIL deal with Kyson Brown: “We started selling lemonade at our brick-and-mortar locations, and we wanted to do something with it. Sipp–it sounds perfect. (Kyson) is super excited for it. We’re creating a new label, so his picture will be on the lemonades. He’s going to get a little piece of each lemonade that we sell at all the locations. If he gets to a certain threshold, he’ll get a bonus on top of that.” (azcentral.com).

RB Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech

Team Offense (Rank): 369 ypg. (88)
Rushing: 178 ypg. (43)
Scoring: 28.2 ppg. (67)
2024 FPPG: 11.6
Fantrax Overall ADP: 194

Whenever a G5 runner moves up in competition to a P4 program, there is trepidation for the player in regard to succeeding at the next level. Yet, there are always exceptions to the rules, and Terion Stewart might be one of those running backs who makes the leap upward. Analyzing advanced stats on PFF, the Hokies’ runner shines, avoiding tackles and gaining yards after contact—traits that tend to translate at a higher level.

Stewart is an older competitor who started his college career during COVID and stepped away from the game to focus on academics and health in 2023. He will begin his fifth campaign in college at Virginia Tech and is slated to earn the majority of touches in the backfield. Over the past two seasons at Bowling Green, Stewart has rushed for 1,660 yards and 14 scores. Unfortunately, he is not much of a pass catcher with only five career receptions. He earned First Team All-MAC last year and was named to the preseason Maxwell Award watch list this summer. At 5-9 and 222 pounds, Stewart has the size and agility to succeed against ACC competition in 2025.

Scouting Notebook: In Trevor Sikkema’s PFF draft profile, he noted that “The jump in competition for Stewart in the ACC should be fun to watch, especially since the Hokies just helped (Bhayshul) Tuten rush for more than 1,100 yards in 2024. Just based on his tackle-eluding ability alone, Stewart is a name to know heading into the college football season and the 2026 NFL Draft.” (PFF.com)

RB Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M

Team Offense (Rank): 406 ypg. (49)
Rushing: 196 ypg. (26)
Scoring: 30.4 ppg. (50)
2024 FPPG: 17.9
Fantrax Overall ADP: 148

Le’Veon Moss was rocking and rolling last year before a season-ending lower-body injury derailed his campaign. At the time he got hurt against South Carolina, Moss was leading the SEC in rushing with 765 yards on 121 carries. To make matters more worrisome in the offseason, the Aggies’ ball carrier was arrested in mid-July on a disorderly conduct charge. Obviously, CFF drafters have been concerned and pushed Moss’s ADP downward.

When training camp kicked off in College Station, Moss was on the field, and the coaching staff was confident that the senior runner was fully recovered and ready to dominate. At 5-11 and 210 pounds, Moss is one of the betting favorites to lead the SEC in rushing. The Aggies have one of the best O-lines in the nation with all five starters returning, and Moss will see plenty of open lanes. The junior clearly will skyrocket up CFF rankings and will see a significant rise in ADP this month.

Scouting Notebook: “(Le’Veon) will be 100% for sure for fall camp. He is here [at A&M] now. He did not go home for a break. He is here continuing to work with our [physical therapy] department. When you go out there and you watch him run, he looks really good right now. We are excited with how that rehab process has gone,” coach Mike Elko said in early July (GigEM247).

CFF Diehards on Fire!

Based on recent CFF ADP, identify the G5 running back that you want to select in drafts.

  • OJ Arnold, Georgia Southern: 12%
  • Sire Gaines, Boise State: 35%
  • Dylan Carson, Air Force: 24%
  • Sieh Bangura, Ohio: 29%

“OJ Arnold for me! Going at a great discount.” @aceholesrule

“The truthful answer is I’ll take them all, however, Sire Gaines has dipped a bit as of late due to injury concerns, but if he ends up healthy, it’s a great time to buy.” @eliotmays

“Too many people are sleeping on OJ Arnold. Jalen White is gone, and it is Arnold’s backfield now. Arnold is a complete dual-threat back with 23 receptions and two touchdowns. Between weeks 7 and 10 last season, Arnold had 25 attempts for 168 yards and two scores, which is 6.7 ypc. Arnold brings speed, agility, vision, and good footwork to the Eagles’ offense that is returning the majority of its O-Line in 2025.” @TheCFBNation

Scholar’s Preseason G5 CFF All-Americans

  • QB Owen McCown, UTSA
  • QB Blake Horvath, Navy
  • RB AL-Jay Henderson, Buffalo
  • RB Bryson Donelson, Fresno State
  • WR Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii
  • WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
  • WR Corey Rucker, Arkansas State
  • TE John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
  • Flex Eli Heidenreich, Navy

WR Darrell Gill, Syracuse

Team Offense (Rank): 468 ypg. (7)
Passing Yards: 370 ypg. (1)
Points Scored: 34.1 ppg. (21)
2024 FPPG: 8.3Fantrax Overall ADP: 187

In 2024, the Orange trotted out one of the most explosive offensive units each week and posted a 10-3 record under new coach Fran Brown. Syracuse furnished some of the foremost CFF player values: pass catchers Jackson Meeks, Trebor Pena, and Oronde Gadsden all exceeded 70 catches and 900 yards receiving. None of them return this season, which opens opportunities in the aerial assault. CFF managers are clearly concerned about the turnover at quarterback—Kyle McCloud moved on to the NFL—and a difficult upcoming schedule, bypassing Brown’s playmakers.

Drafting underrated receivers who could lead their team in receiving provides a huge boost to CFF outcomes. At 6-3 and 173 pounds, Darrell Gill opens training camp atop the depth chart for the Orange. Last November, the lanky wide out caught my eye against UConn when he burned the Huskies’ secondary with nine catches for 185 yards. For the season, the sophomore caught 31 passes for 570 yards and two scores. Banking on proven systems for fantasy production is a wise decision, and Gill furnishes better numbers for astute owners who select the Syracuse playmaker.

Notebook: “I’m very thankful for Gill. He just listens. He does everything. He’s never on any lists. His name isn’t on the late (for) class (list), not making weight (list). He’s done all the things that are required that don’t require talent…when it’s time for football, he’s able to excel,” Coach Brown divulged last season (syracuse.com).

WR Kenny Johnson, Pittsburgh

Team Offense (Rank): 409 ypg. (44)
Passing Yards: 267 ypg. (24)
Points Scored: 32.9 ppg. (31)
2024 FPPG: 9.2
Fantrax Overall ADP: 256

In the latest CFF draft with Rookie Big Board followers, I waited patiently to see how far Kenny Johnson would fall. In the 15th round, I could not bypass the opportunity to grab the sleek Panthers’ receiver. It was the tenth time this season that Johnson landed on my club. He is the most rostered player on my CFF teams so far, and I still cannot believe that the majority of the CFF community continues to ignore the loud drumbeat coming out of Pittsburgh in regard to Johnson.

At 6-1 and 200 pounds, the redshirt sophomore checks so many boxes as a potential breakout performer.

  • The offense returns QB Eli Holstein and second-year offensive coordinator Kade Bell…Check.
  • Johnson immediately saw action as a true freshman, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC as a return specialist in 2023…Check.
  • Last season, he started 12 games and logged 46 catches for 537 yards and three scores…Check.
  • The team’s leading receiver (Konata Mumpfield) in 2024 is no longer on the team, and Johnson ascends to the top of the pecking order in Pittsburgh…Check.

If Johnson continues to be an undervalued fantasy player, I will continue to select him in every draft that I can this summer.

Notebook: “Kenny’s been outstanding all spring. He is a different receiver than he was last year. Just the details to his route running is probably the main thing and (the) understanding how to stack receivers and get open. He’s gotten a lot better at that wide receiver spot,” coach Pat Narduzzi said in the spring (pittsburghsportsnow.com).

WR Kwazi Gilmer, UCLA

Team Offense (Rank): 329 ypg. (118)
Passing Yards: 242 ypg. (47)
Points Scored: 32.9 ppg. (126)
2024 FPPG: 6.5
Fantrax Overall ADP: 282

I have to give credit to my friend and CFF expert Mike Bainbridge at theCFFsite for bringing Kwazi Gilmer to my attention as a late-round sleeper. He selected the UCLA receiver in a couple of best ball drafts, and I had to take a deep dive. I saw the Tweet below posted by Gilmer and his creativity captivated me off the field. Nevertheless, his skill set on the gridiron makes him an All-American sleeper.

At 6-2 and 180 pounds, Gilmer was a highly-touted playmaker from Los Angeles and earned four stars by Rivals. He decided to stay close to home after being ranked as No. 27 wide receiver and No. 17 prospect in California. As a true freshman last year, he played in all 12 games and started seven for the Bruins. He recorded 31 catches for 345 yards and two scores. In the classroom, he earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Coach DeShaun Foster begins his second season. In the spring, he upgraded the QB position with Tennessee transfer QB Nico Iamaleava, and Gilmer blasts off in an improved passing game.

Notebook: Former UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers stated last November: “(Kwazi) is phenomenal. For being 18 years old, the maturity and confidence that guy has on the football field is really unheard of, you know? He’s becoming a guy that I can really, really trust and then really have a lot of faith…any time the ball’s up in the air, Kwazi’s going to come down with it. He’s a great route runner, and the best thing about him is he always plays fast.” (latimes.com).

WR Yannick Smith, East Carolina

Team Offense (Rank): 436 ypg. (24)
Passing Yards: 264 ypg. (27)
Points Scored: 32.0 ppg. (34)
2024 FPPG: 6.7
Fantrax Overall ADP: 142

When I first started playing CFF, East Carolina dispensed some of the most exciting pass catchers. Pirates’ receivers Justin Hardy (2011-14) and Zay Jones (2013-16) each exceeded 380 catches and 4,000 receiving yards during their tenure at East Carolina. C.J. Johnson (2019-22) also bestowed memorable moments for CFF diehards. In 2024, the Pirates’ aerial assault took flight in the second half of the campaign behind quarterback Katin Houser and receivers Anthony Smith and Chase Sowell, who transferred to Iowa State in the offseason.

At 6-3 and 207 pounds, Yannick Smith steps into a starting position for the Pirates with both Sowell and Winston Wright gone. As a freshman last year, Smith logged 25 catches for 434 yards and scored three times. Averaging 17.4 ypc., 18 of 25 receptions went for 10-plus yards and seven for over 20. In high school, he was a two-sport athlete (basketball) and a three-year letterman in football. He was a four-star recruit and chose East Carolina over Kentucky, Liberty, and James Madison, to name a few. I’m looking forward to watching Smith excel in his second season on campus.

Notebook: Writer Andrew Ivins broke down Yannik Smith as a high school prospect: “A late-blooming wide receiver prospect with tons of potential given the combination of his natural bounce, sturdy frame and ball skill. He constantly wins with his release and has the foot speed to challenge off-man coverage as he eats up cushion…he has what it takes to emerge as a true difference-maker on the outside.” (hoistthecolors.com).

CFF Diehards on Fire!

Based on current Fantrax ADP, identify the next value at wide receiver in CFF drafts:

  • Ian Strong, Rutgers: 27%
  • Malachi Fields, Notre Dame: 15%
  • Kenny Johnson, Pittsburgh: 28%
  • Que’Sean Brown, Duke: 30%

“Give me ‘Mr B1G’ aka Ian Strong. The Scarlet Knights’ receiver was dominant versus Big Ten competition last season, scoring all five of his touchdowns. He also showed out against Kansas State in the bowl game and was a constant downfield threat for Rutgers. Strong will be the WR No. 1 for the Knights and continue his success with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.” @__NinoBrown__

“Ian Strong for me! Despite the efforts of Jared Palmgren and myself, Strong still goes at quite the value.” @aceholesrule

“Ian Strong all day. Kenny Johnson and Que’Sean Brown UPSIDE CFF picks but Strong is his team’s WR No. 1 with a returning quarterback.” @MMetits

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