Week 2 of the college football season delivered a mix of thrilling breakout performances and some surprising disappointments, shaking up the CFF landscape. Unheralded players stepped up in a big way, while some expected stars struggled to meet high expectations.
Here’s a look at the most surprising performances that caught my attention.
Biggest College Fantasy Football Surprises From Week 2
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Stats: 25 carries, 187 rushing yards (7.5 yards per carry), two touchdowns, three receptions, nine receiving yards
Total Fantasy Points (PPR): 34.6
Weekly Rank: RB8
Kaleb Johnson, a former three-star recruit, wasn’t highly regarded entering the 2024 season, but he’s quickly making a name for himself. After playing only in the second half in Week 1 and still managing to rush for over 100 yards and score twice, Johnson was given the starting role in Week 2, where he delivered a standout performance. His 25 carries for 187 yards and two touchdowns marked the most productive game of his career, and his 27-yard touchdown run in the first quarter set the tone early as the Iowa Hawkeyes battled the Iowa State Cyclones in a close 20-19 loss.
With Iowa’s quarterback Cade McNamara struggling significantly—completing just 40% of his passes for 99 yards—Johnson became the focal point of the offense, carrying the load with his power. It’s surprising that a player with such potential is rostered in only 32% of fantasy leagues, especially after demonstrating his ability to handle a heavy workload. His performance raises questions about Iowa’s backfield dynamics, as another talented back, Kamari Moulton, started Week 1. It will be very interesting to see how the Hawkeyes go moving forward. I think that Johnson has earned the lead-back role, especially for the near future.
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Stats: 24/26 (92.3%), 378 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, two rushing attempts, five rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 47.6
Weekly Rank: QB1
Cade Klubnik rebounded in a big way after a disappointing start to his 2024 season, showcasing the potential that had many touting him as Clemson’s quarterback of the future. Following a rough Week 1 against Georgia, where he managed only 142 passing yards and 3.9 fantasy points, Klubnik exploded for a nearly flawless performance against Appalachian State, throwing for 378 yards, five passing touchdowns, and adding two rushing touchdowns. His near-perfect 92.3% completion rate was a testament to his improved decision-making and accuracy, areas he’s often been criticized for throughout his career.
Klubnik’s standout play began with a bang, connecting with Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 76-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game. Throughout the contest, he demonstrated poise under pressure, extending plays with his legs and making precise throws on the run. The performance not only silenced his haters but also solidified his status as Clemson’s undisputed starter moving forward. For fantasy managers who took a chance on Klubnik, his Week 2 performance is a reassuring sign of his ability to bounce back and deliver elite fantasy numbers. As the season progresses, Tigers fans and fantasy owners alike have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about his development.
Henry Parrish, RB, Ole Miss
Stats: 14 carries, 165 rushing yards (11.8 yards per carry), four touchdowns, one reception, 16 receiving yards
Total Fantasy Points (PPR): 43.1
Weekly Rank: RB1
Henry Parrish entered the 2024 season as Ole Miss’s second option behind Ulysses Bentley IV, but his Week 2 performance may have changed the depth chart for the time being Parrish, who is rostered in only 20% of fantasy leagues, put on a show with 165 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 14 carries in Ole Miss’s dominant 52-3 win over Middle Tennessee State. His efficiency was off the charts, averaging over 11 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown on nearly a third of his touches. Parrish’s breakout game was unexpected, especially considering he was viewed as a complementary piece in the Rebels’ backfield.
What stands out most about Parrish’s performance is not just his yardage but his ability to find the end zone with ease, turning almost every opportunity into a scoring chance 4/15 touches were touchdown scores. wow). Averaging more than a first down per carry is impressive enough, but to do so while securing four touchdowns speaks volumes about his playmaking ability. With a tougher matchup against Wake Forest next weekend, it will be interesting to see if Parrish can maintain this level of production against stronger defenses.
Preston Stone, QB, SMU
Stats: 2/4 (50%), four passing yards, four rushing attempts, -25 rushing yards
Total Fantasy Points: -2.3
Weekly Rank: N/A
Preston Stone, who entered the season as a highly touted fantasy quarterback, has had an alarmingly poor start to 2024. Despite being drafted in 83% of fantasy leagues, Stone’s production has cratered, and he’s quickly losing snaps to SMU’s backup quarterback KJ Jennings. Stone was expected to build on his strong 2023 campaign, where he averaged 23.7 fantasy points per game in 12 starts. However, his Week 2 performance against BYU—completing just two of four passes for four yards and losing 25 yards on the ground—marked a new low point.
Stone’s declining performance is puzzling, especially given that SMU hasn’t faced top-tier competition yet, with matchups against Nevada, Houston Christian, and BYU thus far. Stone’s struggles have opened the door for Jennings, who seems to be gaining a firm grip on the starting role. For fantasy managers, Stone’s sharp decline is a clear signal to look elsewhere until his situation stabilizes. With SMU’s upcoming schedule only getting tougher, Stone’s prospects for turning things around don’t look promising. Fantasy managers should be cautious and consider benching him until there are signs of improvement.
Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
Stats: 16/29 (55.2%), 256 passing yards, ten rushing attempts, 23 rushing yards
Total Fantasy Points: 12.5
Weekly Rank: QB95
Kaidon Salter was expected to be a fantasy powerhouse heading into 2024 after an impressive 2023 season where he threw for 32 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,000 yards. However, his start to the season has been underwhelming, as he has struggled to meet the high expectations set by his previous performances. In Liberty’s 30-24 win over New Mexico State, Salter completed 55.2% of his passes for 256 yards but failed to find the end zone. His lack of touchdowns was a significant factor in his diminished fantasy output, scoring just 12.5 points despite leading his team to victory.
Salter’s inability to replicate his scoring ability from last season, where he averaged over 30 fantasy points per game, has been one of the biggest disappointments for fantasy managers who drafted him in the early rounds. Not only has he struggled to throw touchdowns, but his rushing stats have also taken a hit, with just 71 rushing yards and no rushing scores through two games. As Liberty faces tougher competition moving forward, Salter will need to elevate his game to regain his fantasy value.