College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 0

What an incredible weekend of alternative-reality fun: For the 38th year, my buddies and I held our annual NFL keeper league draft while at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut with adult beverages and summer food, and simultaneously, I drafted my final college fantasy football team for the summer on Fantrax—one of the best Saturdays for sure.

On the downside, it appears that this will be the last Week 0 column since the NCAA proposed changing its schedule and moving Week 1 up on the calendar and concluding the regular season the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It provides each program with two bye weeks and 12 games in 14 weeks.

I’ll personally miss the Week 0 matchups and the sneak peek at some possible CFF luminaries. In 2022, Week 0 provided a glimpse at Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed, who torched Austin Peay for 276 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last year, UNLV RB Jai’Den Thomas ran for 147 yards and three scores, which catapulted him to a productive fantasy season.

For the thirteenth year, I am publishing a CFF Waiver Wire column, and interesting options are already available. Anderson Brookhart, Steve Jackson, and Thomas Johnson will join me throughout the campaign, and we’ll help readers pinpoint the preeminent players on the CFF waiver wire…Let’s Go!

Week 0 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

QB Luke Weaver, San Jose (@CFF_Jacko)

Fantrax Ownership: 15%
Fantasy Points: 31.5
PFF Grade: 90.4

Last week on my Substack, I highlighted Luke Weaver as one of my “Negative One” waiver targets, shortly after San Jose State officially named him the starting quarterback. After watching his Spartans debut against No. 14 USC, I’m all in. Weaver completed 21-of-32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns while adding 42 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Most importantly, he accounted for three total touchdowns without throwing an interception against what will likely be the toughest defense he faces all season.

The fantasy appeal is clear. San Jose State has consistently supported productive fantasy quarterbacks, and Weaver offers a combination that should excite CFF managers: passing volume, rushing upside, and a favorable schedule. After opening against USC, the Spartans face Eastern Michigan, Cal Poly, Hawai’i, UTEP, Nevada, New Mexico, and Northern Illinois. If Weaver can post 276 total yards and three touchdowns against the Trojans, there is a clear path to weekly CFF QB2 production with occasional QB1 spikes as the schedule softens. He is my top quarterback target on this week’s waiver wire for managers who need help at the position.

I’m buying stock in Luke Weaver this season at San Jose 📈

234 passing yards, 21/32, 3 total TD’s.

Say what you want about starters coming out. Weaver and this offense can be interesting in MW play offensively. pic.twitter.com/EsBjzSCzXI

— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) August 29, 2026

RB Jalen Likely, Jacksonville State (Brookhart)

Fantrax Ownership: 4%
Fantasy Points: 8.5
PFF Grade: 61.2

Jalen Likely enters the 2026 season with a major opportunity in front of him, taking over a very favorable Jacksonville State running back room. Last year, Cam Cook was given 325 touches at Jacksonville State, establishing just how much volume is available in this offense. Although 2025 Offensive Coordinator Clint Trickett is now at Maryland, current offensive coordinator Taylor Houseright was the tight ends coach last season and has already spent a year in the system. With a clear path to significant touches, Likely has the opportunity to quickly establish himself as the Gamecocks’ primary ball carrier and become a name to watch in CFF leagues.

Likely’s biggest appeal is the opportunity. Even though Jacksonville State suffered a 33-7 blowout loss to FBS newcomer North Dakota State, Likely showed flashes of what he can provide. The game script forced Jacksonville State to throw the ball for much of the second half, limiting the offense’s ability to establish the run. Despite that, Likely was clearly the coaching staff’s preferred running back, handling 85% of the team’s carry share among backs. He also caught 2 passes on 4 targets, showing he can contribute beyond the ground game.

The passing-game involvement could become particularly valuable with run-first quarterback Caden Creel at the helm. Creel is not the most accurate downfield passer, which could lead to Likely being relied upon as a short-area option in the passing game. If that continues, Likely could supplement a potentially heavy rushing workload with a handful of receptions each week.

The schedule also sets up much better for Likely moving forward. Jacksonville State will not have to face a stout front seven like North Dakota State again. After facing FCS Eastern Kentucky, the Gamecocks have a relatively easy Conference USA schedule for the remainder of the year, creating plenty of opportunities for Likely to produce. If Likely—which seems very likely—earns the majority of the carries and goal-line opportunities, his volume alone could make him the most intriguing waiver-wire addition at running back after Week 0.

Likely brings exactly the type of opportunity that can lead to a CFF breakout. He has a favorable running back room, immediately earned a share of the backfield, and has already shown involvement as a receiver. If Jacksonville State continues to lean on its ground game, Likely has a legitimate chance to turn this backfield into his own and emerge as a consistent fantasy contributor. Grab Likely off the waiver wire before his workload catches up with his ownership percentage.

CFF Diehards on Fire!

Who is the top target on the CFF waiver wire this week?

• Luke Weaver, San Jose State: 20%
• Jelani Thurman, North Carolina: 46%
• Li’atama Uiliata, Hawaii: 16%
• Jaylen Carter, Memphis: 18%

“Jelani Thurman for me. I find it tough to get a solid TE on waivers, and Thurman was involved the entire game. If you waited on the position in your draft, Jelani could help a great deal.” @aceholesrule

“I’m keeping an eye on WR Onterrio Smith, Jr. at Sacramento State too: 15 targets for 9 catches for 88 yards.” @NFLreader2beat

“Something about those Memphis running backs!” @_RandUniversity

“Thurman for me, 8 targets is really valuable at the tight end spot. And you could tell Offensive Coordinator Bobby Petrino drew up five of those plays specifically for Thurman. I think he will have a bigger role in the offense when it is not raining.” @AndersonBrookh1

“Jelani Thurman for President!” @BarryZyndon

RB Jaylin Carter, Memphis (Laub)

Fantrax Ownership: 4%
Fantasy Points: 15.7
PFF Grade: 65.5

Since the turn of the century, the Memphis football program has produced several standout running backs, including DeAngelo Williams, Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, and Patrick Taylor. This past Saturday night, Jaylin Carter made a notable debut for Memphis, showcasing his potential in college fantasy football against UNLV. He rushed for 97 yards on just 15 attempts, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and scored one touchdown.

Last year, Carter played for Southern Mississippi before transferring to Memphis during the winter. While at Southern Miss, he carried the ball 38 times for 166 yards, caught 20 passes for 133 yards, and scored two touchdowns. Standing at 5-11 and weighing 190 pounds, he is a versatile runner known for his quickness and elusiveness, excelling in open space. These traits align well with new coach Charles Huff’s offensive scheme. Although I would not budget heavily with FAB for Carter due to the depth in the Tigers’ backfield, I plan to add him to my watch list this week.

Notebook: Before the game versus the Rebels, Carter spoke about the Tigers’ backfield: “Our standard in our room is (that) there is no drop-off, and we take that very, very seriously. We had Tony Pollard come in the spring, and he talked to us a lot about how Memphis is big for running backs. We’re taking it very seriously, and everybody in the room, no matter who it is, we all can go out there and play. I’m very confident in that.” (yahoo.com)

TE Jelani Thurman, North Carolina (Johnson)

Fantrax Ownership: 15%
Fantasy Points: 13.4
PFF Grade: 70.8

Let’s kick off this year on the right foot with a potential league winner at the most scarce position in college fantasy football. A few months ago, if you had told me I’d be writing about a tight end coached by William Stephen Belichick in 2026, I would have laughed and told you to stop living in the past. But Jelani Thurman checks multiple boxes for me when it comes to early-season pickups, so let’s take a closer look.

Before the season started, there was significant buzz among beat writers that Thurman was emerging as a key piece in North Carolina’s offense. After struggling to make an impact for three years at Ohio State, where he was a highly-touted recruit (ranked No. 3 in his class for tight ends), he transferred to UNC in search of a fresh start and more playing time. He was also a standout high school basketball player—Bill Belichick loves his multi-sport athletes.

That background alone might not have been enough to take a chance on him, but UNC’s struggles during the Belichick era have made their offense tough to support. However, with injuries in the tight end room, Thurman seized the opportunity with an impressive performance in Week 0 against TCU. He tied for the team lead with 8 targets and was the top receiver with 4 catches for 94 yards.

When you consider all of this, there’s a strong case for Thurman being the top waiver target coming out of Week 0. His pedigree, his coach’s preference for pass-catching tight ends, his dominant target share, and the training camp buzz all make him an enticing option. This is especially true if you’re like me—an owner who perhaps waited a few rounds too long to secure a reliable tight end. Additionally, the fact that he will be facing UConn, Virginia, and Syracuse later in the season, while many of us are battling for playoff spots, makes him an even more appealing pickup.

Notebook: Coach Bill Belichick showered praise on the Tar Heels’ playmaker after the game: “Jelani gave us some explosive plays, especially early in the game, to kind of get us started there. And then the pass and the naked in the flat was a big first down there at the end on the last drive.” (insidecarolina.com)

Jelani Thurman playing well today for North Carolina pic.twitter.com/5aTnAgKnDv

— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) August 29, 2026

WR Onterrio Smith Jr., Sacramento State (@CFF_Jacko)

Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Week 0 Fantasy Points: 17.6
PFF Grade: 73.7

When I scan Week 0 box scores looking for waiver wire gems, my eyes immediately stop at one number: 15 targets. Opportunity is king in college fantasy football, and Smith earned plenty of it in Sacramento State’s FBS debut. His 17.6 fantasy points came without finding the end zone, making this an ideal time to buy.

Sacramento State wasn’t on many CFF radars entering the season, but Smith grabbed my attention immediately. The junior receiver turned his massive workload into 9 receptions for 86 yards while operating as the clear focal point of the passing attack. The Hornets averaged just 18.5 pass attempts per game last season. In the first game under a new coaching staff, the team threw 46 times. If that’s a sign of things to come, Smith’s 15 targets might be the beginning rather than the outlier.

At just 1% rostered, Smith is one of the deeper sleepers on this week’s waiver wire. He’s not a priority add in every 12-team league.  However, Smith draws an enticing Week 1 matchup against FCS Mississippi Valley State, which allowed 39 points per game last season before surrendering 347 yards and three passing touchdowns to Nicholls in its 2026 opener. So maybe you should just grab Mr. 15 targets while you still can on the waiver wire.

WR Trent Mosley, USC (Laub)

Fantrax Ownership: 40%
Week 0 Fantasy Points: 24.8
PFF Grade: 90.7

I am breaking my unwritten rule of 30% rostership when featuring a player in the waiver wire column. But Trent Mosley impressed me so much that I had to provide readers with an analysis of the true freshman. With Tanook Hines sidelined, Mosley started for the Trojans and dominated the Spartans’ secondary with 7 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, scoring over 24 fantasy points. Eclectic in the open field, Mosley also returned two punts for 56 yards.

As a high school recruit, Mosley was a four-star recruit in California and the No. 27th-ranked player in the state. During his last two seasons as a high schooler, he grabbed 108 passes for 1,556 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 52 times for 299 yards and 16 scores. He played on the Lacrosse team, and both his Mom and Dad competed in collegiate sports at the highest levels. If the USC playmaker is available on the waiver wire, make him a priority pickup this week.

Notebook: “That kid is special, man. I see it, y’all see it—he’s just a special player and just the way that Lincoln Riley uses all those guys to just run that offense is great,” USC linebacker Desman Stephens II stated after the victory over San Jose (nypost.com).

CFF Diehards on Fire!

Among players named starters last week, identify the most likely quarterback to impact fantasy rosters by the end of the season.

• Aidan Chiles, Northwestern: 15%
• Aaron Philo, Florida: 18%
• Faizon Brandon, Tennessee: 65%
• Dylan Lonergan, Rutgers: 2%

“Faizon Brandon probably has the easiest path of the bunch. Great QB-friendly system, inexperienced but great traits, and plenty of surrounding cast to keep the chains moving.” @eliotmays

“Gimme Faizon Brandon and that Tennessee system all day…I would not touch Aidan Chiles and that Northwestern schedule with a ten-foot pole.” @mattpow1

“I’m going Aidan Chiles. Faizon Brandon is obviously the top C2C/Devy asset here, but Chiles has rushing upside.” @MMetits 

“Brandon Faizen has been looking absolutely dialed in camp this summer.” @Mattysang

“Homer pick here, but going Aaron Philo. He has dual-threat abilities and a great offensive coordinator in Buster Faulker. Florida has weapons all around for him. Hoping for a big year from Philo. This is also a more manageable schedule this year for Florida compared to years past.” @awoodsports

Waiver Wire Honorable Mention

• QB Marcus Stokes, Memphis
  Fantrax Ownership: 24%
  Fantasy Points: 25.4
  PFF Grade: 65.6
• RB Micah Ford, Stanford
  Fantrax Ownership: 49%
  Fantasy Points: 29.0
  PFF Grade: 68.1
• WR Li’atama Uiliata, Hawaii
  Fantrax Ownership: 10%
  Fantasy Points: 20.2
  PFF Grade: 81.7