Luke Probasco and Volume Pigs assist me in identifying the premier players on the college fantasy football waiver wire this week.
Week 7 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
I really enjoy the past long weekend to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and watch college football. On Saturday, I went to a popular watering hole to enjoy the local seasonal delights (Creamy Pumpkin Soup) and spirits (New England IPA) and parked myself in a bar seat to catch the evening slate of games after dropping my daughter off at a birthday party. I loved watching the Ohio State-Oregon and Mississippi-LSU games on adjacent large-screen TVs. Of course, I was taking mental notes of possible pickups for CFF owners this week…Let’s Go!
Quarterbacks
Spencer Petras, Utah State (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 6%
Total Fantasy Points: 106.8
FPPG: 26.7
PFF Grade:
As a freshman in high school, my best friend’s Mom placed a cup on the table with water in it and asked me if it was half full or empty. She was trying to teach me about perspective in life. Watching Spencer Petras, I remembered that moment after his up-and-down performance against UNLV last Friday.
A graduate student, Petras established program marks with 41 completions and 59 attempts. The former Iowa Hawkeye set a new career-high with 461 passing yards and three touchdowns, scoring 42 Fantasy Points (FPs). Regrettably, he also tossed three interceptions and fumbled once in the loss. In the past three games, Petras has passed for 1,126 yards and eight touchdowns, and since September 25, the Aggies’ signal-caller has been CFF QB23.
Utah State hosts New Mexico on Saturday and enjoys enticing matchups during the stretch run of the season. Viewing Petras as a possible starter, I believe that the cup is half full, and he is worth starting for CFF teams in need.
Notebook: “The best part about it is when Spencer’s on, he is on and he is very talented. I’m proud of how he battled back. Most of the people would’ve just tanked it right there and just had a terrible game,” coach Nate Dreiling said (ksl.com)
Ben Wooldridge, UL-Louisiana (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 23%
Total Fantasy Points: 165.5
FPPG: 27.6
PFF Grade: 74.3
Ben Wooldridge is averaging 29.5 FPs in his last four games. Over that time, he is averaging two passing and one rushing touchdown. He is CFF QB10 during the recent hot streak and it is time to start believing in the Louisiana signal caller in 2024.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have Coastal Carolina next, and the Chanticleers have allowed a rushing touchdown to the quarterback position in two of their last four games. Coastal Carolina allows 2.5 touchdowns through the air and 197 passing yards during that same time period. Over the last four weeks, the Chanticleers have allowed over 28 FPs to the quarterback position. What does that mean for week 8? Based on the numbers, I believe Wooldridge throws for around 205 yards, two passing touchdowns, and adds a touchdown on the ground. Those stats would give you over 25 FPs.
Parker Navarro, Ohio (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 6%
Total Fantasy Points: 128.8
FPPG: 25.7
PFF Grade: 76.5
It’s tough to know what to make of Parker Navarro as he now has back-to-back outings of 30-plus FPs, thanks mostly due to his rushing usage—over 100 yards and a score on 10-plus carries in his last two games.
Looking at the rest of the season, the picture is less clear. MAC players are hard to decipher because I can’t really use the Syracuse game, so we’re left with Southern Alabama and Morehead (FCS program). Navarro didn’t really do much against Morehead (as in, didn’t even really attempt many passes or rushes), I suppose he wasn’t needed in an easy 24-7 victory. Against Southern Alabama, he put up a respectable 26.3 FPs, so I think he’s worth a shot. Defensively, Miami (Ohio) has been kind to opposing quarterbacks and that’s who Navarro gets next on the docket.
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Fantrax Rostership: 38%
Total Fantasy Points: 155.4
FPPG: 25.9
PFF Grade: 90.3
Brendon Lewis, Nevada
Fantrax Rostership: 26%
Total Fantasy Points: 177.4
FPPG: 25.3
PFF Grade: 88.4
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
The CFF waiver wire is getting thin at quarterback: Who Ya Got as a signal caller for teams in need at the position?
- Spencer Petras, Utah State: 7%
- Tyler Huff, Jacksonville State: 21%
- Hajj Malik-Williams, UNLV: 56%
- Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt: 16%
Scholar’s Selection: I featured Spencer Petras above and already have Tyler Huff on three of my CFF rosters. Diego Pavia (CFF QB38) is clearly undervalued by CFF coaches. Nevertheless, my top signal caller to target is Hajj Malik-Williams. He is CFF QB3 over the past three weeks, scoring 115.4 FPs.
“If I had to choose, I would go to Hajj Malik-Williams! Great wheels and an outstanding No. 1 WR. Spencer Petras and Tyler Huff are outstanding though.” @aceholesrule
“HMW…the dual-threat capabilities are huge. He is making Ricky White back to normal. Three straight weeks with three touchdown passes and 50-plus rushing yards. He has the most talent around him out of the quartet as well.” @_NinoBrown_
“Hajj Malik-Williams is doing everything right, and the offense revolves around him. Besides a Week 10 bye, he has pretty juicy matchups coming up.” @eliotmays
Running Backs
CJ Campbell, Florida Atlantic (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 20%
Total Fantasy Points: 108.8
FPPG: 18.1
PFF Grade: 75.7
A transfer from Florida State, CJ Campbell is a redshirt junior, who has taken over the backfield duties for the Owls. In his last four games, he has logged six rushing touchdowns and fifteen targets while averaging 24.2 FPs. In one of those games, Wagner did not record a target. He has converted eleven of those fifteen targets into receptions.
Why do I highlight the receiving game? The Owls have UTSA this weekend. The Roadrunners are coming off a game in which they allowed the opposing running back, Dean Connors, to go five for 109 yards and a touchdown. Knowing the 5’10” and 202-pounder is a threat in the receiving game, look for him to capitalize against UTSA.
Notebook: “As the oldest of 12 siblings and raised by my grandparents from a young age, I learned the value of hard work and resilience early in life. Last year, when I decided to transfer from Florida State to Florida Atlantic, I took a leap of faith, hoping to secure more playing time and the opportunity to become a leader,” Campbell reflected in a recent interview (fausports.com)
DJ McKinney, Sam Houston (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 3%
Total Fantasy Points: 56.8
FPPG: 9.5
PFF Grade: 70.4
I wanted to highlight DJ McKinney last week but waited because Sam Houston had a bye. Two weeks ago, the redshirt freshman posted his coming out performance with 138 rushing yards and two scores versus UTEP. He added three catches for 28 yards, manufacturing 31.6 FPs. On the second scoring drive, McKinney ignited the Bearkat offense with three touches for 47 total yards and capped it with his first career score. By the end of the contest against the Miners, he had logged a career-best in attempts (14) and yards.
Despite being listed second on the depth chart, McKinney is taking advantage of his opportunities. At 5’9” and 180 pounds, the Tulsa native has averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 2024. In the past three games, he has earned 33 carries for 251 rushing yards. In addition, he has obtained six targets and seized five receptions for 50 yards. Sam Houston plays on Wednesday this week versus Western Kentucky followed by Florida International and Louisiana Tech. McKinney should continue to see touches in the Bearkats’ backfield and assist CFF diehards.
McKinney is just… gone!
📺 | Watch live on @CBSSportsNet#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/boFOEfSsc0
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) October 4, 2024
Ezell Jolly, UTEP (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Total Fantasy Points: 31.1
FPPG: 10.4
The Jolly Good fellow, Ezell has taken command of the UTEP backfield, a program that is run by a staff who gave Jevon Jackson 250-plus carries last year at the FCS level. In his latest appearance, he touched the football 29 times, and in the previous outing, it was 18. These are his only two full games since returning from injury, which appears to have occurred early in the game versus Nebraska in Week One. UTEP and Jolly get a potential gold mine matchup versus FIU on Saturday.
Savion Red, Nevada (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 17%
Total Fantasy Points: 117.3
FPPG: 16.7
PFF Grade: 76.8
Alright Savion Red, you now have my attention after blitzing Oregon State for 137 rushing yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns. Two weeks ago, the Wolf Packs’ runner surpassed the century mark (117) on only 10 attempts against Eastern Washington. In the past three games, Red has produced 71.1 FPs and gained control of the Nevada backfield chores. The Wolf Pack has Fresno State, Hawaii and Colorado in the next three weeks, and Red will continue to produce fantasy points for wise CFF coaches who pick him up off waivers.
Notebook: “Savion’s had some good games, but he didn’t play through downs a lot. I talked to him about, ‘Hey, we got to get you in good shape. You got to go (until the play ends).’ And, even on the sideline (today), it was the most engaged he’s been in a game, and I thought that was a real step in the right direction,” coach Jeff Choate said (nevadasportsnet.com).
Honorable Mention Running Backs
Ahmad Hardy, UL-Monroe
Fantrax Rostership: 11%
Total Fantasy Points: 95.1
FPPG: 15.8
PFF Grade: 84.4
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
The waiver wire is loaded at running back this week: Who is your preferred runner to acquire?
- Savion Red, Nevada: 10%
- Tawee Walker, Wisconsin: 47%
- Tre Wisner, Texas: 15%
- Isaac Brown, Louisville: 28%
Scholar’s Selection: So many good options. Last week, I cast my vote for Tawee Walker and am still interested in the Badgers’ ball carrier. Nevertheless, I will be seeking to acquire Tre Wisner on as many teams as possible moving forward. I want upside in one of the more explosive offensive units in the nation.
LOOK OUT HE'S LOOSE 👀 pic.twitter.com/HpkcDJOPjx
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 12, 2024
“Tawee Walker for me! Touches, touchdowns, and the focal point of the offense…what else do CFF diehards want?” @aceholesrule
“Isaac Brown all day! Three straight games of over five-plus ypc. and two games in a row over 100-plus yards. The true freshman has taken over the Cardinals RB room. Every time he touches the ball, it could be a house call, and he has receiving skills.” @_NinoBrown_
“Tawee Walker looked great this week, and I would expect more to come. Wisconsin’s offense just looked different for the first time since Phil Longo took the reins.” @eliotmays
Wide Receivers
Darius Lassiter, BYU (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 2%
Targets: 43
Fantasy Points: 71.1
FPPG: 14.2
PFF Grade: 71.8
As the BYU pro day neared in the offseason, Darius Lassiter’s college tenure remained ambiguous: Would the NCAA grant a waiver for the Cougars’ playmaker? Lassiter had honed his craft across Arizona, Kansas, and Michigan before landing in Utah. In high school, he garnered very little interest and moved from Arizona to Kansas to increase interest from college coaches. Unfortunately, a paperwork snafu prevented him from suiting up, and he went to Butler Community College, a JUCO program.
At 6’2” and 210 pounds, Lassiter never stopped working hard and training. In 2022, he transferred to Eastern Michigan and last year, arrived on the BYU campus. A geology major, the redshirt senior earned honorable mention All-Big 12 last year with 29 catches for 365 yards and four scores.
BYU is one of the remaining undefeated teams in the nation at 6-0, and I was reluctant to believe in QB Jake Retzlaff and the passing game. However, I am not convinced that the aerial assault is for real and worth acquiring a participant in the BYU offense, which is scoring 34.3 points and totaling 248 passing yards per game. I want to add Lassiter. He has collected 24 targets with 13 catches for 206 yards and a score during the past two contests. The senior receiver plays Oklahoma State and UCF in the next two weeks, which are nice matchups for the Cougars’ aerial assault.
Notebook: “I wouldn’t say (that) I was close to wanting to leave (for the NFL)…it was a 50/50 chance whether I stayed or left. I wanted to come back and have this opportunity one more time,” Lassiter voiced earlier in the fall (sltrib.com).
Dane Key, Kentucky (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 26%
Targets: 49
Fantasy Points: 88.2
FPPG: 14.7
PFF Grade: 83.4
I identified Dane Key in my weekly sleepers column on the Rookie Big Board, and he smashed with eight catches for 83 yards and a score. After a slow start to the campaign, the Wildcats’ receiver has blasted off with three consecutive games over 20 FPs. He has earned double-digit targets in each outing and corralled 23 passes for 333 yards and two scores.
Against Ohio, Key jump-started his campaign with a 145-yard performance, and the junior wideout earned the highest grade among all receivers in the nation by PFF. Since the turnaround, Key is CFF WR21 with 68.3 FPs and is on pace to set new career marks in receptions and yards at the current pace.
In the next three weeks, Kentucky travels to Florida, hosts Auburn, and goes on the road to Tennessee. Without a dependable ground game, the Wildcats will continue putting the ball in the air, and Key will be targeted often.
Notebook: “Dane is a heck of a receiver; really glad he’s wearing blue and white. He’s just a true team player, really glad he is on our squad,” Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff asserted (kykernal.com).
Dean Patterson, Florida International (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 5%
Targets: 43
Fantasy Points: 87.4
FPPG: 14.6
PFF Grade: 74.1
Dean Patterson is averaging 14.6 FPs per game; however, he is averaging 19.5 FPs per game in his last four. During the stretch run, he is averaging five receptions on seven targets for 77 yards and half a touchdown.
In Week 8, Florida Atlantic has UTEP and the Miners have a problem stopping the run. Fortunately, FIU is not great in that department. They average 104 yards rushing and 226 yards passing per game. I look for FIU to lean on Patterson once again. I believe we will see 15-plus fantasy points from Patterson.
Honorable Mention Wide Receivers
Jordan Tyson, Arizona State (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 13%
Targets: 43
Fantasy Points: 86
FPPG: 14.3
PFF Grade: 65.7
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Do you need a wide receiver in CFF this week? Who is the option on the waiver wire?
- Dean Patterson, Florida International: 8%
- Jackson Meeks, Syracuse: 35%
- Dane Key, Kentucky: 15%
- Antonio Williams, Clemson: 42%
Scholar’s Selection: Looking to improve your receiver corps? I favor the wideout with the best passer calling as a tie-breaker. Therefore, it comes down to Jackson Meeks or Antonio Williams. I have the most confidence in Cade Klubnik, and Williams is the target hog in the Clemson aerial assault. At only 38% rostership, Williams should be over 60% after this week’s waiver wire transactions.
“Dean Patterson for me. I like the targets and love the schedule.” @aceholesrule
“Gimme MEAN DEAN Patterson! Over the last three weeks, he is averaging 14 YPC and five receptions a game! DP has gotten eight targets for each of the last four games, and he is the hot hand for the Panthers WR room that has a favorable schedule down the stretch…UTEP, New Mexico State, Kennesaw. Get ready for lift off” @_NinoBrown_
“Antonio Williams would be my target. As long as he is not lined up in the slot (Week 5, 85%), he’s been a touchdown magnet.” @eliotmays
Tight Ends
Jermaine Terry, Oregon State
Fantrax Rostership: 1%
Targets: 14
Fantasy Points: 21.6
FPPG: 3.6
PFF Grade: 59.3
I don’t know what happened two weeks ago, but after starting the season with four straight zeroes in the stat sheet, Terry has now seen six and eight targets as a tight end. Isolating the last two games, he averages over 10 FPs in PPR formats. Maybe he wasn’t actually playing in the first four games? I don’t know, maybe a Beaver fan out there can educate me. Either way, there is a trend forming here.
Terrance Carter, Louisiana
Fantrax Rostership: 9%
Targets: 28
Fantasy Points: 70.6
FPPG: 11.8
PFF Grade: 82.1
CFF All-Americans: Week 7
QB Bryson Daily, Army: 47.7 Points
QB Evan Bullock, Louisiana Tech: 46.5
RB Savion Red, Nevada: 39.9
RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa: 39.8
WR Chrishon McCray, Kent State: 47.3
WR DT Sheffield, North Texas: 35.6
WR Jerjuan Newton, Toledo: 34.9
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State: 46.1
Flex Tawee Walker, Wisconsin: 39.1
CFF Player of the Week: Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Tommy U 🚀 to Big Play McCray for the 63 yard Flashes TD!#KentGRIT ⚡️ | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/QwruB69ECd
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 12, 2024