Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, and for the past thirty years, it marked the start of the fantasy football season. In the Nineties, I would rush to the local book store and immediately go to the magazine racks looking for the first magazine of the year to purchase.
Among my best friends, July 4th would mark the beginning of fantasy football conversation at my Mom and Dad’s annual barbeque. I still look back fondly to the days before the internet and Twitter.
In 2021, the college fantasy football season is still second-fiddle to NFL fantasy football. Independence Day is a great time to begin researching for the upcoming campaign. I have participated in 10 CFF Drafts already this season and updated my player rankings for readers over the holiday.
College Fantasy Football provides alternative-reality zealots, NFL Draftniks, and Dynasty and Devy owners a competitive advantage against their opponents. What are you waiting for this summer? Get off the sideline and into the game on Fantrax. We guarantee that you will not regret playing in a CFF league this fall.
In an attempt to assist readers in upcoming drafts, I provide a list of players at each position who I have selected most often and their current ADP based on data provided by Jared Palmgren (@CFF_Jared).
One of the most exciting aspects of college fantasy football is the huge number of changes at the top of the rankings each season. In 2021, it will be even more challenging with a record number of players entering the transfer portal, and the NCAA granting players another season of eligibility.
Enjoy my fellow CFF diehards!
2021 Quarterback Outlook
At quarterback, astute CFF diehards always seek dual-threat signal-callers to anchor their rosters. Among the Top 10 QBs, six players produce prodigious points on the ground: Malik Willis, DJ Uiagalelei, Bryce Young, Dustin Crum, Dorial Thompson-Robinson, and Brennan Armstrong. I always want to acquire one of the elite scramblers on my CFF team and will surely target the aforementioned quarterbacks in the first two rounds.
There are also new starters on all four CFP teams from last year: Alabama (Young), Clemson (Uiagalelei), Ohio State (C.J. Stroud), and Notre Dame (Jack Coan). In the Top 204, there are eleven field generals among the Group of Five programs and all will impact CFF teams this season.
Scholar’s Most Drafted Quarterbacks:
Player, Team: % Selected, Current CFF ADP Overall
Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech: 50%, 167
Michael Pratt, Tulane: 50%, 187
Sean Clifford, Penn State: 40%, 199
2021 Running Back Outlook
At running back, a star-stuttered group adorns the top of the rankings. Last year, Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, Mohamed Ibrahim, Sincere McCormick, and Ronnie Rivers all were weekly starters and returned in 2021. Also, a crop of rising stars joins the cadre of fantasy runners: Bijan Robinson, Tank Bigsby, Jarek Broussard, Kevin Harris, and Jahmyr Gibbs will be in demand in upcoming CFF drafts.
Scholar’s Most Drafted Running Backs
Player, Team: % Selected, Current CFF ADP Overall
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M: 40%, 22
Jerrion Ealy, Mississippi: 30%, 56
Frank Gore, Jr., Southern Mississippi: 30%, 133
Top 10 Transfers in 2021
- RB Eric Gray, Tennessee to Oklahoma
- RB Ty Chandler, Tennessee to North Carolina
- RB Kenneth Walker, III, Wake Forest to Michigan State
- WR Andrew Parchment, Kansas to Florida State
- QB Tyler Shough, Oregon to Texas Tech
- RB Keaontay Ingram, Texas to USC
- QB Bailey Zappe, Houston Baptist to WKU
- QB Grant Gunnell, Arizona to Memphis
- QB Tanner Mordecai, Oklahoma to SMU
- RB Re’Mahn Davis, Temple to Vanderbilt
2021 Wide Receiver Outlook
Seeking a home run hitter at wide receiver? There are plenty of astounding options to choose from this year. David Bell, Treylon Burks, Garrett Wilson, Romeo Doubs, and Calvin Austin all illustrated incredible upside potential in 2020. And there are underclassmen sure to impact CFF rosters: Kayson Boutte, John Metchie, III, Drake London, and Marvin Mims.
Let’s not forget about the upperclassmen returning to campus. Khalil Shakir, Zay Flowers, Jaivon Heiligh, Justin Hall, Chris Olave, Ty Fryfogle, and Jahan Dotson will be available in the middle rounds in CFF drafts and become weekly starters.
Scholar’s Most Drafted Wide Receivers
Player, Team: % Selected, Current CFF ADP Overall
Treylon Burks, Arkansas: 50%, 20
Sam Pinckney, Georgia State: 40%, 134
Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi: 30%, 155
2021 Tight End Outlook
The tight end position always challenges CFF managers but the 2021 group looks promising this early in the process. Jaylen Wydermyer, Sean Dykes, Charlie Kolar, Cole Turner, and Greg Dulcich all are capable of becoming difference-makers this season. And sophomores Michael Mayer and Arik Gilbert could be All-Americans if both reach their potential.
Scholar’s Most Drafted Tight Ends
Player, Team: % Selected, Current CFF ADP Overall
Jaylen Wydermyer, Texas A&M: 60%, 112
Isaac Rex, BYU: 50%, 128
Spring camps and early depth charts changed the rankings, and news and notes throughout training camp will provide additional insights. I am ready for kickoff! Are you?
Update Rankings: August 22, 2021
2021 College Fantasy Football Rankings
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Rnk | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | Malik Willis | Liberty |
2 | Spencer Rattler | Oklahoma |
3 | Matt Corral | Mississippi |
4 | DJ Uiagalelei | Clemson |
5 | Dustin Crum | Kent State |
6 | Bryce Young | Alabama |
7 | CJ Stroud | Ohio State |
8 | Sam Howell | North Carolina |
9 | D. Thompson-Robinson | UCLA |
10 | Dillon Gabriel | UCF |
11 | Brennan Armstrong | Virginia |
12 | Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati |
13 | Carson Strong | Nevada |
14 | Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina |
15 | Preston Hutchinson | Eastern Michigan |
16 | Kedon Slovis | USC |
17 | Jake Haener | Fresno St. |
18 | Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan |
19 | Clayton Tune | Houston |
20 | D'Eriq King | Miami |
21 | Emory Jones | Florida |
22 | Jeff Sims | GeorgiaTech |
23 | Max Duggan | TCU |
24 | Bailey Zappe | WKU |
25 | Malik Cunningham | Louisville |
26 | Max Johnson | LSU |
27 | Chevan Cordeiro | Hawaii |
28 | Phil Jurkovec | Boston College |
29 | Cornelius Brown | Georgia State |
30 | Jayden Daniels | Arizona State |
31 | Sean Clifford | Penn State |
32 | Tyler Shough | Texas Tech |
33 | Brock Purdy | Iowa State |
34 | Michael Penix, Jr. | Indiana |
35 | Casey Thompson | Texas |
36 | Will Rogers | Mississippi St. |
37 | JT Daniels | Georgia |
38 | Jayden de Laura | Washington St. |
39 | Sam Hartman | Wake Forest |
40 | Taulia Tagovailoa | Maryland |
41 | Holton Ahlers | East Carolina |
42 | Haynes King | Texas A&M |
43 | Spencer Sanders | Oklahoma St. |
44 | Michael Pratt | Tulane |
45 | Frank Harris | UTSA |
46 | Anthony Brown | Oregon |
47 | Milton McKenzie | Florida St. |
48 | Tanner Mordecai | SMU |
49 | Grant Gunnell | Memphis |
50 | KJ Jefferson | Arkansas |
51 | Chris Reynolds | Charlotte |
52 | Adrian Martinez | Nebraska |
53 | Graham Mertz | Wisconsin |
54 | Brady McBride | Texas St. |
55 | Levi Lewis | Louisiana |
56 | J.J. McCathy | Michigan |
57 | Jake Bentley | South Alabama |
58 | Drew Plitt | Ball State |
59 | Layne Hatcher | Arkansas State |
60 | Austin Aune | N. Texas |
61 | Sean Chambers | Wyoming |
62 | Hendon Hooker | Tennessee |
63 | Grant Wells | Marshall |
64 | Bo Nix | Auburn |
65 | Tanner Morgan | Minnesota |
66 | Jaren Hall | BYU |
67 | Connor Bazelak | Missouri |
68 | Gunnar Watson | Troy |
69 | Jack Plummer | Purdue |
70 | Nick Starkel | San Jose State |
71 | Kenny Picket | Pittsburgh |
72 | Hank Bachmeier | Boise State |
73 | Skylar Thompson | Kansas State |
74 | Devin Leary | NCSU |
75 | Carter Bradley | Toledo |
76 | Joey Gatewood | Kentucky |
77 | Luke McCaffrey | Rice |
Rnk | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | Breece Hall | Iowa State |
2 | Bijan Robinson | Texas |
3 | Sincere McCormick | UTSA |
4 | Mohamed Ibrahim | Minnesota |
5 | Kyren Williams | Notre Dame |
6 | Tank Bigsby | Auburn |
7 | Isaiah Spiller | Texas A&M |
8 | Ronnie Rivers | Fresno State |
9 | Leddie Brown | West Virginia |
10 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Georgia Tech |
11 | Kevin Marks | Buffalo |
12 | Austin Jones | Stanford |
13 | Ulysses Bentley | SMU |
14 | Eric Gray | Oklahoma |
15 | Jerrion Ealy | Mississippi |
16 | Jalen Berger | Wisconsin |
17 | Jerome Ford | Cincinnati |
18 | Camerun Peoples | Appalachian St. |
19 | Duece Vaughn | Kansas State |
20 | Lew Nichols | Central Michigan |
21 | Xazavian Valladay | Wyoming |
22 | Calvin Turner | Hawaii |
23 | Rachaad White | Arizona State |
24 | Kevin Harris | South Carolina |
25 | Christopher Rodriquez | Kentucky |
26 | DeWayne McBride | UAB |
27 | D'Vonte Price | FIU |
28 | Tyler Allgeier | BYU |
29 | Jarek Broussard | Colorado |
30 | Tyler Goodson | Iowa |
31 | Greg Bell | San Diego St. |
32 | David Bailey | Colorado State |
33 | Bryant Koback | Toledo |
34 | Chris Smith | Louisiana-Laf |
35 | Jalen Mitchell | Louisville |
36 | Master Teague | Ohio State |
37 | Zach Evans | TCU |
38 | Zamir White | Georgia |
39 | De'Montre Tuggle | Ohio |
40 | Ty Chandler | Tennessee |
41 | Max Borghi | Washington St. |
42 | George Holani | Boise State |
43 | Destin Coates | Georgia St. |
44 | Jo'Quavius Marks | Miss. State |
45 | Trelon Smith | Arkansas |
46 | Re'Mahn Davis | Vanderbilt |
47 | Zonovan Knight | NCSU |
48 | Tyler Badie | Missouri |
49 | CJ Verdell | Oregon |
50 | Brian Robinson, Jr. | Alabama |
51 | Frank Gore, Jr. | S. Mississippi |
52 | Brittain Brown | UCLA |
53 | Reese White | Coastal Carolina |
54 | MarShawn Lloyd | South Carolina |
55 | Kimani Vidal | Troy |
56 | La'Darius Jefferson | W. Michigan |
57 | Kobe Lewis | Cental Michigan |
58 | TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State |
59 | Micah Bernard | Utah |
60 | Toa Taua | Nevada |
61 | T.J. Pledger | Utah |
62 | Noah Cain | Penn State |
63 | Christian Beal-Smith | Wake Forest |
64 | Jashaun Corbin | Florida State |
65 | Rodrigues Clark | Memphis |
66 | Lyn-J Dixon | Clemson |
67 | Hassan Haskins | Michigan |
68 | Kobe Pace | Clemson |
69 | Chase Brown | Illinois |
70 | Charles Williams | UNLV |
71 | Keontay Ingram | USC |
72 | Rahjai Harris | ECU |
73 | Terion Stewart | Bowling Green |
74 | Kevin Mensah | UConn |
75 | Deshaun Fenwick | Oregon State |
76 | Martell Pettaway | MTSU |
77 | Kyron Drones | Baylor |
78 | Israel Abanikanda | Pittsburgh |
79 | Chip Traynaum | Arizona State |
80 | Peny Boone | Maryland |
81 | Jaren Mangham | USF |
82 | Marcus Williams | La Tech |
83 | Deion Hankins | UTEP |
84 | Kenneth Walker | Michigan St. |
85 | Tyjae Spears | Tulane |
86 | Ronnie Walker Jr, | Virginia |
87 | LD Brown | Oklahoma State |
88 | Donovan Edwards | Michigan |
89 | Sean Tucker | Syracuse |
90 | Marquez Cooper | Kent State |
91 | Zander Horvath | Purdue |
92 | Brad Roberts | Air Force |
93 | Donald Chaney, Jr. | Miami |
94 | Zach Charbonnet | UCLA |
95 | Kennedy Brooks | Oklahoma |
96 | Mateo Durant | Duke |
97 | SaRoderick Thompson | Texas Tech |
98 | John Emery, Jr. | LSU |
99 | Antario Brown | NIU |
100 | Raheem Blackshear | Virginia Tech |
101 | Jaylon Bester | Miami |
102 | Joshua Mack | Liberty |
103 | Tyler Nevens | San Jose St. |
104 | Calvin Hill | Texas State |
105 | Lawrence Toafili | Florida State |
Rnk | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | David Bell | Purdue |
2 | Treylon Burks | Arkansas |
3 | Kayshon Boutte | LSU |
4 | Khalil Shakir | Boise State |
5 | Garrett Wilson | Ohio State |
6 | Calvin Austin | Memphis |
7 | Jaylon Robinson | UCF |
8 | John Metchie, III | Alabama |
9 | Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama |
10 | Romeo Doubs | Nevada |
11 | Marvin Mims | Oklahoma |
12 | Drake London | USC |
13 | Reggie Roberson | SMU |
14 | Zay Flowers | Boston College |
15 | Jaquarii Roberson | Wake Forest |
16 | Justyn Ross | Clemson |
17 | Josh Downs | North Carolina |
18 | Chris Olave | Ohio State |
19 | Jalen Cropper | Fresno State |
20 | Jaivon Heiligh | Coastal Carolina |
21 | Justin Hall | Ball State |
22 | Ty Fryfogle | Indiana |
23 | Jahan Dotson | Penn State |
24 | Jaden Walley | Mississippi State |
25 | Corey Rucker | Arkansas State |
26 | Travell Harris | Washington St. |
27 | Braylon Sanders | Mississippi |
28 | Dante Wright | Colorade State |
29 | Jordan Addison | Pittsbugh |
30 | Jyaire Shorter | North Texas |
31 | Brennan Presley | Oklahoma State |
32 | Jerreth Sterns | Western Kentucky |
33 | Zakhari Franklin | UTSA |
34 | Yo'Heinz Tyler | Ball State |
35 | Tyrice Richie | Northen Illinois |
36 | Elijah Canion | Auburn |
37 | Ainias Smith | Texas A&M |
38 | Quentin Johnson | TCU |
39 | Jermaine Burton | Georgia |
40 | Sam Pinckney | Georgia State |
41 | Kalil Pimpleton | Central Michigan |
42 | Keylon Stokes | Tulsa |
43 | Jordan Whittington | Texas |
44 | Chris Autman-Bell | Minnesota |
45 | Mike Harley | Miami |
46 | Erik Ezukanma | Texas Tech |
47 | Danny Gray | SMU |
48 | John Rhys Plumlee | Mississippi |
49 | Ja'Shaun Poke | Kent State |
50 | Andrew Parchment | FSU |
51 | Nykeim Johnson | Kent State |
52 | Parker Washington | Penn State |
53 | CJ Johnson | East Carolina |
54 | Bo Melton | Rutgers |
55 | Tahj Washington | USC |
56 | LV Bunkley-Shelton | Arizona St |
57 | Joseph Ngata | Clemson |
58 | Xavier Hutchinson | Iowa State |
59 | Jarrin Pierce | MTSU |
60 | Elijah Cooks | Nevada |
61 | Rakim Jarrett | Maryland |
62 | Skky Moore | Western Michigan |
63 | Hassan Beydoun | Eastern Michigan |
64 | Mike Woods | Oklahoma |
65 | Victor Tucker | Charlotte |
66 | Joshua Moore | Texas |
67 | Tyler Snead | ECU |
68 | Ze'Vian Capers | Auburn |
69 | Jonathan Mingo | Mississippi |
70 | Agiye Hall | Alabama |
71 | Jacob Copeland | Florida |
72 | Jacob Cowing | UTEP |
73 | Isaiah Hamilton | San Jose St. |
74 | Rashee Rice | SMU |
75 | Cornelius Johnson | Michigan |
76 | Kyle Phillips | UCLA |
77 | Taj Harris | Syracuse |
78 | Billy Kemp, IV | Virginia |
79 | Cameron Ross | UConn |
80 | Khafre Brown | UNC |
81 | Troy Omeire | Texas |
82 | Kevin Austin | Notre Dame |
83 | Dontay Demus | Maryland |
84 | Marcell Barbee | Texas State |
85 | Duece Watts | Tulane |
86 | Dontayvion Wicks | Virginia |
87 | Javon Baker | Alabama |
88 | Tyrone Tracy, Jr. | Iowa |
89 | Jordan Johnson | UCF |
90 | Jaylen Hall | Western Michigan |
91 | M. Rosemy-Jacksaint | Georgia |
92 | Lincoln Victor | Washington St. |
93 | Jadon Haselwood | Oklahoma |
94 | Zavier Betts | Nebraska |
95 | Jahcour Pearson | Mississippi |
96 | Daniel Jackson | Minnesota |
97 | Jadan Blue | Temple |
98 | Alec Pierce | Cincinnati |
99 | Cam Johnson | Vanderbilt |
100 | Corey Gammage | Marshall |
101 | Winston Wright | West Virginia |
102 | Jack Sorenson | Miami |
103 | Johnny Johnson | Oregon |
104 | Samori Toure | Nebraska |
105 | Tay Martin | Oklahoma State |
106 | Nathaniel Dell | Houston |
107 | Jeff Foreman | Arkansas State |
108 | Christian Lewis | Kentucky |
109 | Jameson Williams | Alabama |
110 | Garrett Walchli | Utah State |
111 | Jalin Hyatt | Tennessee |
112 | Ryan O'Keefe | UCF |
113 | Zeriah Beason | Oregon State |
Rnk | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | Jalen Wydermyer | Texas A&M |
2 | Greg Dulcich | UCLA |
3 | Cole Turner | Nevada |
4 | Charlie Kolar | Iowa State |
5 | Sean Dykes | Memphis |
6 | Brant Kuithe | Utah |
7 | Michael Mayer | Notre Dame |
8 | Isaac Rex | BYU |
9 | Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina |
10 | Jahleel Billingsley | Alabama |
11 | Tre McBride | Colorado St. |
12 | Cade Otton | Washington |
13 | Will Mallory | Miami |
14 | Josh Whyle | Cincinnati |
15 | Grant Calcaterra | SMU |
16 | Austin Stogner | Oklahoma |
17 | Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin |
18 | Derrick Deese, Jr. | San Jose St. |
19 | Jeremy Ruckert | Ohio State |
20 | James Mitchell | Virginia Tech |
21 | Arik Gilbert | Georgia |
22 | Branden Galloway | Clemson |
23 | Peyton Hendershot | Indiana |
24 | Marshon Ford | Louisville |
25 | Darnell Washington | Georgia |
26 | Roger Carter | Georgia State |
27 | Casey Kelly | Mississippi |
28 | Hudson Henry | Arkansas |
29 | Joshua Simon | Western Kentucky |
30 | Payne Durham | Purdue |
31 | Brenton Strange | Penn State |
32 | EJ Jenkins | South Carolina |
33 | Keon Zipperer | Florida |
34 | Xavier Gaines | Marshall |
35 | Riley Smith | Boise State |
36 | Sam LaPorta | Iowa |
37 | Luke Ford | Illinois |
38 | Ryan Luehrman | Ohio |
39 | Garrett Walston | North Carolina |
40 | Brady Russell | Colorado |
Rnk | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | Will Reichard | Alabama |
2 | Gabe Brkic | Oklahoma |
3 | BT Potter | Clemson |
4 | Blake Mazza | SMU |
5 | Cameron Dicker | Texas |
6 | Cade York | LSU |
7 | Jake Seibert | Ohio State |
8 | Daniel Obarski | UCF |
9 | Nick Sciba | Wake Forest |
10 | D. Witherspoon | Houston |
11 | Parker Lewis | USC |
12 | Grayson Atkins | UNC |
13 | Anders Carlson | Auburn |
14 | Alec Barbir | Liberty |
15 | Brayden Narveson | WKU |
16 | Jadon Redding | Utah |
17 | Jonathan Doerer | Notre Dame |
18 | Chandler Staton | App. State |
19 | John Hoyland | Wyoming |
20 | Hunter Duplessis | UTSA |
21 | Noel Ruiz | Georgia St. |
22 | Seth Small | Texas A&M |
23 | Jack Podlesny | Georgia |
24 | Jake Oldroyd | BYU |
25 | Blake Grupe | Arkansas St. |
26 | Cole Smith | Cincinnati |
Rnk | Team |
---|---|
1 | Alabama |
2 | Clemson |
3 | Cincinnati |
4 | Iowa |
5 | Georgia |
6 | Coastal Carolina |
7 | Texas A&M |
8 | Oregon |
9 | Ohio State |
10 | Appalachian St. |
11 | Army |
12 | Utah |
13 | Wisconsin |
14 | Miami |
15 | Notre Dame |
16 | Iowa State |
17 | West Virginia |
18 | San Diego St. |
19 | Penn State |
20 | Michigan |
21 | Washington |
22 | Arizona St. |
23 | Florida |
24 | LSU |
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