The first week of College Fantasy Football can set the tone for the rest of the season, with players either living up to the hype or falling short of expectations. Week 1 of the 2024 season delivered a mix of both, featuring breakout performances and stunning disappointments.
I want to clarify that we are only through one week of a very long season, so keep in mind that my analysis in this article is strictly from this week and things are bound to change over the rest of the season. That said, here are five of the most surprising performances from the first week of college football.
Biggest College Fantasy Football Surprises From Week 1
Payton Thorne, QB, Auburn
Stats: 13/21 (61.9%), 329 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, 49 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Total Fantasy Points: 39.8
Rank: QB9
Payton Thorne kicked off his 2024 season with a bang, delivering a career-high in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and total touchdowns scored in Auburn’s 73-3 blowout win against Alabama A&M. This performance was a far cry from his 2023 season where he had some low lows. Thorne looked calm, composed, and in full command of the offense, which is an encouraging sign for Auburn fans and fantasy managers alike. His pocket presence and ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground were on full display.
Despite the weak competition, Thorne’s performance can’t be ignored. His poise and execution suggest he might be ready to lead a more dynamic and balanced Auburn offense under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze. Fantasy managers should take note of his availability in 84% of Fantrax leagues; Thorne could be a savvy addition to your roster, especially if he continues to play with the confidence and decision-making displayed in Week 1. While it’s still early, if Thorne can build on this momentum, he could become a reliable starter in deeper leagues, especially with Auburn’s favorable schedule over the next few weeks (Cal, New Mexico, Arkansas in that order).
Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Stats: 16 targets, 10 receptions, 170 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points (PPR): 44
Rank: WR3
Nick Nash’s breakout performance was one of the most surprising stories of Week 1. The sixth-year senior had a career game with 170 receiving yards and two touchdowns as San Jose State defeated Sacramento State 42-24. To put his performance into context, Nash’s 170 receiving yards in Week 1 account for 17% of his career total of 1,000 yards across 44 games. His 10 receptions in this single game also represent a significant 14.5% of his career total of 69 receptions. For a player who was considered an afterthought in most fantasy drafts, Nash’s explosive start has certainly turned heads.
Nash not only filled the stat sheet but also looked unstoppable on the field, consistently getting open and outclassing Sacramento State’s defensive backs. He was faster, more agile, and showed a great sense of awareness, consistently finding soft spots in the defense. This kind of dominant physical performance suggests Nash could continue to be a go-to target in the San Jose State offense. Despite his standout performance, Nash was only drafted in 23% of fantasy leagues.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Stats: 20 carries, 267 rushing yards (13.3 yards per carry), six rushing touchdowns, three receptions, four receiving yards
Total Fantasy Points (PPR): 66.1
Rank: RB1
Ashton Jeanty was expected to be a top running back this season, but his Week 1 performance exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. In Boise State’s 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern, Jeanty posted a staggering 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns. His average of 13.3 yards per carry was eye-popping, with two runs of over 70 yards punctuating his day (one in the first quarter and one in the fourth). Jeanty showcased his elite speed, vision, and ability to break tackles, looking every bit the part of a future NFL talent.
Jeanty’s performance wasn’t just about raw numbers—it was about dominance. His ability to break tackles, find the open field, and outrun defenders showed a level of explosiveness that few players possess at any level of football. Jeanty’s workload was also noteworthy; with 20 carries, he was clearly the focal point of Boise State’s offense, and his versatility in the passing game adds another layer to his fantasy value. If Jeanty can continue to deliver performances like this, he’ll not only boost his real-life draft stock but also secure his place as a top fantasy asset throughout the 2024 season.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Stats: one target, one reception, 17 yards
Total Fantasy Points (PPR): 2.7
Rank: WR482
On the flip side of the surprise spectrum, Germie Bernard’s Week 1 was a major letdown. The junior wide receiver, who transferred from Washington to Alabama, entered the season as Alabama’s WR1 on the depth chart under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Given his productive 2023 season (34 receptions for 419 yards), Bernard was expected to thrive in Alabama’s potent offense, especially considering his familiarity with DeBoer’s system. However, in the Crimson Tide’s 63-0 rout of Western Kentucky, Bernard was nearly invisible, with just one reception for 17 yards.
While Alabama’s offense had a solid outing with 266 passing yards and three touchdowns, Bernard was nowhere to be found. His lack of targets and involvement was particularly perplexing given his preseason hype and the investment many fantasy managers made in drafting him. For a player with an ADP of around 56, this performance was beyond disappointing, leaving fantasy managers with more questions than answers. Consider benching Bernard in Week 2. I dunno.
Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M
Stats: 12/30 (40%), 100 passing yards, two interceptions, 26 rushing yards
Total Fantasy Points: 6.6
Rank: QB148
Conner Weigman’s Week 1 performance was concerning, to say the least. The Texas A&M quarterback, who showed promise in 2023, struggled mightily in the Aggies’ 23-13 loss to Notre Dame. Completing just 40% of his passes, Weigman looked overwhelmed by the Irish defense. This being his first start since his exit in Week 4 of the 2023 season (due to injury) may have affected his rhythm, but this performance raises serious doubts about his current form. With so much buzz around Weigman potentially being a first-round NFL draft pick in 2025, his performance was nothing short of a massive disaster.
Weigman was started in 27% of leagues in Week 1, and his poor showing likely cost many of those fantasy managers their matchups. His potential as a 2025 NFL Draft pick now looks uncertain, and his status as Texas A&M’s starter could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t bounce back soon. The Aggies have high expectations this season, and a quarterback change isn’t out of the question if Weigman doesn’t turn things around quickly. Keep a close watch on Weigman in Week 2; his future is very much up in the air, and another poor performance could send him tumbling down depth charts (and waiver wires alike).