In College Fantasy Football (CFF), many teams have multiple weapons on offense to exploit opposing defenses. And in many cases, these Dynamic Duos play the same position and can star on our CFF rosters.
There are many examples of teammates excelling at the same position for their teams with both being CFF stars.
- Ronnie Brown and Carnell “Cadillac” Williams in 2004 for Auburn combined for 392 rushing attempts, 2,078 rushing yards, and 20 touchdowns.
- Felix Jones and Darren McFadden in 2007 for Arkansas combined for 458 rushing attempts, 2,992 rushing yards, and 27 touchdowns.
- DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy in 2019 for Alabama combined for 145 receptions, 2,419 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns.
- Michael Carter and Javonte Williams in 2020 for North Carolina both combined for 313 carries, 50 receptions, 2,957 total yards, and 33 total touchdowns.
- Jerreth Sterns and Mitchell Tinsley in 2021 for Western Kentucky combined for 237 receptions, 3,304 receiving yards, and 31 touchdowns.
Then toss in this Terrific Trio in 2021 at Ohio St with:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave combined for 232 receptions, 3,627 yards, and 34 touchdowns before heading off to the NFL.
2023 College Fantasy Football’s Dynamic Duos
I included just a few examples to show that an offense has plenty of opportunities for multiple players to be successful.
Let’s look at some Dynamic Duos already known for the upcoming 2023 College Fantasy Football Season, why they are dynamic, and which player I believe will have the better 2023 CFF season.
Whether the dynamic duos have already found a way to coexist on the same team or are expected to do so this season, it’s a great way to analyze some of the top position players in some of the premier offenses in College Fantasy Football.
Running Back Duos
Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, Michigan Wolverines
Blake Corum
Blake Corum is 5’8″ and 210 pounds; a bulldozer in the backfield who is rarely tackled by the first person touching him. In 2022, Corum had 247 rushing attempts for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, going over 100 yards in rushing 8 times. When both runners were available, Corum was the running back that saw more action. Only once in a game, when both were healthy, did Edwards tally more rushing yards than Corum.
The Wolverines see Blake Corum as their primary running back. The only thing holding Corum back from being a dominant player is his lack of usage in the passing game. Corum only had 11 catches for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. The main issue surrounding Corum heading into the 2023 season is his injury that ended last year. Corum had surgery on his left knee to repair a torn meniscus. That injury brought Corum back to Ann Arbor for one more season; Corum was rumored to be declaring for the 2022 NFL draft before his season-ending injury.
Donovan Edwards
At 6’1″ and 204 pounds, NFL scouts have been patiently waiting for Edwards to shine on the brightest stages in the Big Ten, then head off to the NFL. In 2022, Edwards recorded 140 rushes for 991 yards and seven touchdowns. Edwards was also used a bit in the passing game, as he grabbed 18 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
As stated above, when Corum and Edwards were available for duty, Corum was the clear RB #1. So why even have a debate? What Edwards did on the field when Corum was not there has many fantasy managers speculating that the rushing attempts be split evenly heading into 2023.
For the three games, Edwards was the lead back:
- 11/26, at Ohio St: 22 rushes, 216 yards, 2 touchdowns
- 12/3 vs. Purdue (Big 10 championship) 25 rushes, 185 yards, 1 touchdown
- 12/31 vs. TCU (Fiesta Bowl) 23 rushes and 119 yards
Edwards was successful when asked to lead the Wolverine backfield in the games Corum missed due to injury. It makes fantasy managers wonder, if the distribution were even, which player would have the most impactful CFF season.
The Verdict: At many points last year, the “two-headed monster” that is Corum and Edwards in the backfield for the Michigan Wolverines looked unstoppable, with the leading rusher going over 150 yards six times. Last year, the Wolverines had six players lead the team in receiving yards. In rushing yards, it all rested on Corum and Edwards. In the four games with the highest rushing yards, Edwards was responsible for three.
The Michigan Wolverines have a problem that most teams would envy: two players that can handle the workload and are highly successful doing it. Although Edwards played well in the games Corum was not healthy to play in, I still can’t shake the fact that Corum was the coach’s choice when both were healthy. I do see a more evenly distributed rushing attack next year, but Blake Corum will still lead the backfield in fantasy points.
TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, Ohio St Buckeyes
TreVeyon Henderson
TreVeyon Henderson is 5’10” and 214 pounds. Henderson has been on everyone’s radar since he arrived in Columbus as the nation’s No. 1-rated running back prospect in the class of 2021. With his combination of size and speed, Henderson is the type of player that scores a touchdown from anywhere on the field.
In 2022, Henderson recorded 107 carries for 571 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers do not necessarily represent the player Henderson can be since he only played in 8-out-13 games Ohio St. had in 2022 due to a broken bone in his left foot. To better understand Henderson as a player, we can turn to 2021, where he had 183 rushes for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns. Henderson’s 2021 better exemplifies what Henderson is capable of accomplishing on the football field when he is healthy.
Miyan Williams
Miyan Williams is 5’9″ and 225 pounds. Unlike Henderson, Williams was only a 3-star prospect from high school. To be fair, Williams has used his time at Ohio State well, as Miyan has added close to 30 pounds to his frame. Williams was a non-factor in his first two years in Columbus, only notching 81 carries for 571 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In 2022, it was apparent Miyan Williams was ready to elevate his game and show the rest of the college football landscape he was prepared to be more of a focus for the offense. Although he may not have had the chance with a healthy Henderson available, the more successful running back for the Buckeyes in 2022 was Williams, with 128 carries, 825 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
The Verdict: Heading into the 2023 season, the Ohio St Buckeyes will try to balance the workloads of Henderson and Williams. It is clear that Henderson, when healthy, is the more explosive and effective running back. Henderson will be the more valuable commodity in CFF. However, in CFF drafts, some may wait for Rounds 7 and 8 or later and draft Willilams instead.
It’s certainly an attractive strategy that may pay benefits to those managers that wait. However, I strictly base my decision on the better 2023 fantasy season, TreVeyon Henderson. And not to proclaim the Buckeyes to have a triad just yet, but up-and-coming running back Dallan Hayden impressed many in his freshman season.
George Holani and Ashton Jeanty, Boise St. Broncos
George Holani
George Holani is 5’11” and 208 pounds. Holani exploded for 1,014 yards in his freshman season on 192 attempts and seven touchdowns. His sophomore and junior seasons were injury-riddled and forced Holani to miss multiple games in each season. Back to health in 2022, Holani had 221 carries for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also was involved in the passing game by grabbing 24 receptions for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns. Holani had six games of over 100 yards rushing. For most of the season, Holani was the lead back in Boise and produced strong rushing games for the Broncos.
Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty is 5’8″ and 205 pounds. In Ashton’s true freshman season in 2022, Jeanty rushed 156 times for 821 yards and seven touchdowns. Jeanty was involved in the passing game, with 14 grabs for 155 yards. The pinnacle moment of last year may have been Boise State’s bowl game against North Texas. In that game, Jeanty exploded for 178 yards on 28 rushes and a touchdown. That game will entice fantasy managers to draft Jeanty over Holani for the 2023 season.
The Verdict: Boise State can play the hot hand from game to game between George Holani and Ashton Jeanty. Although using both players sporadically may not be great for CFF managers, that’s what happens when a team has two talented running backs. The Bowl game speaks volumes, as the Broncos used Jeanty as the primary back.
More importantly, if the Boise State Spring game is an indication, the CFF world may have a new star. Jeanty only had five touches in the spring game. With those five touches, Jeanty racked up 167 total yards and 3 touchdowns. To be fair, Holani did not participate in the spring game. But…I can’t ignore that Jeanty appears to be the more explosive player at this point in their careers. I think both will have games worthy of a CFF start, but I am targeting Ashton Jeanty in my leagues this season because he appears ready for take-off.
Wide Receiver Duos
Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka, Ohio St Buckeyes
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marving Harrison Jr. is an elite NFL prospect expected to go within the first five picks of the 2024 draft. Harrison is 6’4″ and 205-pounds and possesses all the necessary physical traits to dominate defenses. Marvin has excellent hands, body control, and enough speed to beat most defensive backs trying to cover him. In 2022, Harrison grabbed 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s best receiver.
In CFF drafts, Harrison should be drafted within the first few picks. A season that tops 85 receptions, 1,300 yards, and 12 touchdowns is reasonable to expect from Harrison. The only thing that may stop him is how he is played by opposing defenses. It will not be a shock to anyone when coaches do everything they can to prevent Harrison Jr from being the sole reason they lose. Even if opposing teams try to limit his impact, Ryan Day and the coaching staff at Ohio St will just come up with new ways to use Marvin Harrison Jr.
Emeka Egbuka
Emeka Egbuka is 6’1’’ and 205-pounds. Like Harrison, Egbuka has all the necessary tools to dominate defensive backs. One thing that stands out as a difference between the two is how Ohio St has used each receiver. Eguka has a bit of the “Swiss army knife” for the Buckeyes and even carried the ball 11 times in 2022 and recorded 2 rushing touchdowns. Last year, Emeka had 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ohio St has been committed to finding unique ways for Egbuka to get the ball. Although many might see Harrison as the “Batman” and Egbuka as “Robin.” I believe they are better seen as equally important to each other’s success.
The Verdict: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are both productive CFF receivers and presumptive 1st round picks in next year’s NFL draft. While both are capable of handling primary duties in the receiving game, what makes them so dynamic is when they are both winning at the point of attack. Against Michigan, Harrison had 7 grabs for 120 yards and a touchdown. In the same game, Egbuka had nine grabs for 125 yards and a score. In the National Semi-Final game against Georgia, the Dynamic Duo combined for 13 grabs, 218 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
After the season, Marvin Harrison will statistically have the better season, although they will be similar. In your CFF drafts, be happy if you can draft either one because both are worthy of WR #1 on and CFF roster.
Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, Washington Huskies
Rome Odunze
Rome Odunze is 6’3″ and 212 pounds. Odunze has both short area and breakaway speed. Rome is also exceptional at making contested grabs and winning at the line of scrimmage. Rome Odunze exploded on the scene last year with 75 receptions, 1,145 yards, and seven touchdowns. In the explosive Huskies offense, Rome has shined with Michael Penix Jr. as a quarterback; the previous season, Odunze had 41 receptions, 415 yards, and four touchdowns. Odunze has his sights set on having an even bigger season in 2023.
Jalen McMillan
Jalen McMillan is 6’1″ and 183 pounds. Although McMillan does not possess the “ideal” size for an NFL receiver, what does that mean anyway? McMillan’s frame is similar to DeVonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles and produces at the highest levels. With McMillan’s speed and elusiveness, he is hard to jam at the line of scrimmage. And when the ball is in the air, his catch radius is well above average. McMillan also plays with a competitiveness that shows up at the biggest moments. In their November matchup with #6 Oregon, McMillan made eight grabs for 122 yards.
The Verdict: Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze are both elite wide receivers that will be taken by the end of the 2nd round in every CFF draft. Both players can make tough grabs and produce big games on any given day while complementing each other. This is a situation where both players will have seasons that will mirror each other; 70-80 receptions, 1,200 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Both players will be valuable assets to your CFF lineups, and it’s a coin flip on which player has the better season. I think we, as CFF managers, are lucky to witness both playing at such a high level.
Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats
Jacob Cowing
Jacob Cowing is 5’11” and 175 pounds. Cowing had 85 receptions, 1,034 yards, and 7 touchdowns last year for the Wildcats. Before transferring to Arizona, Cowing was a star receiver at UTEP. In 2021 at UTEP, Cowing tallied 69 receptions, 1,354 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Wherever Cowing has been, quarterbacks have frequently used Cowing as a reliable receiver. Heading into this season, Cowing will have a new running mate; Dorian Singer has left Arizona to team up with Caleb Williams at USC. One thing that remains at Arizona is Jayden de Laura, who is still under center calling the plays for the Wildcats.
Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan is 6’5″ and 205 pounds. McMillan possesses all the physical traits NFL teams look for when drafting a first-round receiver. In 2022, McMillan was the third option behind Cowing and Singer. Even with less frequent opportunities, McMillan led the Wildcats in receiving touchdowns with eight. McMillan is the perfect red zone target a quarterback needs to be successful. McMillan grabbed 39 passes for 702 yards as a true freshman. McMillan looks to expand his role this year with the departure of Dorian Singer and his 100 targets.
The Verdict: Jacob Cowing and Tetairoa McMillan are both talented receivers who go about their business differently. Cowing uses his speed and technique to find open spaces for de Laura to throw into. McMillan is a big target that can high-point the ball with size and length. Cowing has a predetermined role and has proven reliable in the Arizona offense.
McMillan has all the tools at his disposal but will need to fend off recent Colorado transfer Montana Lemonious-Craig to be the second option in this passing attack. Although McMillan may be a favorite in the red zone, Cowing will see more targets on the field and grab 95-100 catches for 1,200 yards. With similar touchdown numbers, Cowing will be the more useful CFF wide receiver on the Arizona Wildcats offense.
If these Dynamic Duos are any indication, we are in for a treat this upcoming CFF season. And more importantly, what other Dynamic Duos are ready to electrify fantasy managers?
Could Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell out of Texas challenge Harrison and Egbuka for the top wide-receiving duo in CFF?
Or will Dorian Singer and Mario Williams from USC claim the top spot?
Hold on tight because this CFF season is going to be dynamic!