College Fantasy Football Rankings: August Update!

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

1. RB Eric Gray, Tennessee to Oklahoma
2. RB Ty Chandler, Tennessee to North Carolina
3. RB Kenneth Walker, III, Wake Forest to Michigan State
4. WR Andrew Parchment, Kansas to Florida State
5. QB Tyler Shough, Oregon to Texas Tech
6. RB Keaontay Ingram, Texas to USC
7. QB Bailey Zappe, Houston Baptist to WKU
8. QB Grant Gunnell, Arizona to Memphis
9. QB Tanner Mordecai, Oklahoma to SMU
10. 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

• QB

• RB

• WR

• TE

• K

• DEF

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