I still can’t believe what unfolded at the Rent Saturday: the UConn Huskies scored 63 points, setting records for points in a quarter (35) and half (56). Despite the outburst, I am not recommending any Huskies on the College Fantasy Football Waiver this week. I need to see if the performance is repeatable.
I left the game at the end of the third quarter and made it home in time to catch the kickoffs of the late afternoon games. It would be hard to outline a more perfect fall afternoon in the Northeast. I am joined by Luke Probasco and Volume Pigs to identify the preeminent gemstones on the college fantasy football waiver wire this week…Let’s Go!
Week 2 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 15%
Total Fantasy Points: 65.2
FPPG: 32.6
The Pittsburgh Panthers reshaped their offense in the offseason, and the improvements are paying early dividends for college fantasy footballers. Last year, coach Pat Narduzzi’s team averaged a paltry 60 plays per game. After hiring offensive coordinator Kade Ball and acquiring quarterback Eli Holstein, the Panthers have significantly increased the number of plays per game to 77. In 2024, Pittsburgh has evolved into a goldmine for fantasy production.
I reserved my enthusiasm for Holstein after his opening week performance against Kent State in which he produced 31.5 Fantasy Points (FPs). Well, I am on #TeamEli after he guided the Panthers to a come-from-behind victory on the road against Cincinnati. Entering the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh trailed by fourteen points and rallied behind Holstein with two touchdown drives and a game-winning field goal with 17 seconds remaining.
After two weeks, Holstein is ranked as the CFF QB17 and eclipsed 30 FPs in back-to-back games. Against the Bearcats, the freshman passed for 302 yards and three scores. With offensive player makers Desmond Reid, Konata Mumpfield and Kenny Johnson, Holstein commands an explosive unit. In the next two weeks, Pittsburgh hosts West Virginia and Youngstown State. Neither opponent trots out a furious defense to slow Holstein for CFF diehards.
Notebook: “First half, I was just thinking too much, trying to do too much, especially with the three high safeties that they play. Towards the end of that first half, I just (started) playing football…and in the second half, we played a lot better and ended up winning the game,” Holstein mused after the victory (post-gazette.com).
Tucker Gleason, Toledo (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 20%
Total Fantasy Points: 56.1
FPPG: 28.0
In NBA Jam rules, Tucker Gleason is “heating up!” He has scored 27.7 points in Week 1 and 28.4 points on Saturday. It has been back-to-back weeks of three passing touchdowns. If you need Gleason for Week 3, Mississippi State does not scare me. The Rockets’ field general is a pickup for that special time of the year we call…MACtion.
Notebook: “(QB) Gleason threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns, his second straight game with three scoring tosses. He connected on a career-long 73-yard TD strike to Junior Vandeross in the third quarter.” (utrocket.com)
Kyle McCord, Syracuse (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 38%
Total Fantasy Points: 78.3
FPPG: 39.1
The Orange needed to remake the program over the winter and it appears mission accomplished. Last year, Syracuse played four quarterbacks and ended the campaign with a tight end (Dan Villari) playing the position. It was a disaster for the offense and team. Enter new coach Fran Brown and transfer Kyle McCord from Ohio State.
After two games, McCord looks like the highly-touted, four-star signal caller that the Buckeyes recruited. He has led the Orange to consecutive victories. He leads the nation in aerial strikes (8) and is third in passing yards (735). He is CFF QB7 on the season with 78.3 FPs. With TE Oronde Gadsden and WR Trebor Pena (see profile below), McCord and the Orange offense should continue flying high and producing fantasy points. After a Week 3 bye, the Orange are at home against Stanford and Holy Cross before traveling to UNLV. None present a major defensive challenge.
Notebook: “The 16-yard scramble on third and three meant a lot to our program. Like I’m always telling Kyle in practice when he’ll run inside, I’m cursing at him and chasing him, saying, ‘You should be running, you’re afraid to run.’ I want to see the Little League kid, not this college guy you think I want. I want the Little League football player. So, when he did that [ran for the first down], it did something to the program,” coach Brown affirmed after the victory (247Sports.com).
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks
- Anthony Colandrea, Virginia
Fantrax Rostership: 22%
Total Fantasy Points: 69.4
FPPG: 34.7
Can’t wait for more of this⬇️⬇️#UVAStrong | #GoHoos⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wAcUaIshQN
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) September 6, 2024
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Who is the top quarterback on the CFF waiver wire this week?
- Anthony Colandrea, Virginia: 26%
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson: 10%
- Kyle McCord, Syracuse: 58%
- Will Rogers, Washington: 6%
Scholar’s Selection: Give me Anthony Colandrea, who is available on over 75% of free agent pools.
“Kyle McCord is crushing it early, and the ACC teams do not strike fear in me.” @ProbascoLuke
“Anthony Colandrea for me. I like his wheels and skills!” @aceholesrule
“It’s a tossup, but I am leaning with Anthony Colandrea. Surrounding cast isn’t that great, but he is very accurate and smart with the ball. I’ll take those traits.” @RunTheWaggle
Running Backs
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 25%
Total Fantasy Points: 42.5
FPPG: 21.2
Finding a workhorse running back is tough to find on the CFF waiver wire. Last week, I thought Anthony Tyus had the potential to be that guy. This week it is Demond Claiborne. Through two weeks, he has earned 19.5 touches per game, averaging 117.5 yards.
System-wise, CFF diehards typically don’t want a running back in the Dave Clawson offense. However, Claiborne has been a bright spot in 2024. He is currently accounting for 69.1% of the running back carries (38 of 55). I believe they will continue to feature Claiborne as the season goes on.
Notebook: After Claiborne executed a great block to spring Taylor Morin on a big run, coach Dave Clawson said “That’s just another sign that Demond is all in. A lot of skilled guys think it’s about getting the ball and catching passes and you hope at a certain point they figure out it’s about team success and all the little things they can do. But when a player of his ability makes an effort play, those are the goose-bump moments for me.” (heraldcourier.com)
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 30%
Total Fantasy Points: 60.3
FPPG: 30.1
Northern Illinois pulled the upset over Notre Dame on Saturday. Clemson scored a shocking 66 points against Appalachian State. Nevertheless, the biggest college fantasy football bombshell occurred in Iowa City, Iowa: The Cyclones and Hawkeyes combined for 39 points and bettors who took the Over at 36.5 rejoiced. I benched all my players on Iowa State and Iowa. Yet, the contest produced alternative-reality gemstones led by Hawkeyes’ running back Kaleb Johnson.
Upon reflection, I might have been a year too early on Johnson. After scampering for 774 yards as a freshman in 2022, the Iowa ball carrier attained a roster spot on many of my 2023 CFF teams. Regrettably, Johnson did not even come close to matching his production, and he went undrafted in the vast majority of college fantasy football leagues this summer.
After two weeks, it is apparent that Johnson is a vastly improved runner and one of the top waiver wire gemstones this week. He has rambled for 306 yards, averaging 8.4 YPA, and scored four times. He has produced 25.7 and 34.6 FPs and the CFF RB7 in 2024. At 6-2 and 225 pounds, Johnson welcomes contact and excels between the tackles. With Troy on the docket next for Iowa, the punishing runner should be added in leagues in which he is sitting on the waiver wire.
Notebook: “(Johnson has) played well for us the last two years, but he’s playing at a much higher level right now. I think that’s experience and maturity. He made some really nice plays today, and it’s one thing to be encouraged about,” coach Kirk Ferentz stated of Johnson’s performance after the loss (dailyiowan.com).
Braedon Sloan, Ball State (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 3%
Total Fantasy Points: 32.9
FPPG: 32.9
Sloan—the EKU transfer, who came in with over 500 yards last season—was undoubtedly the designated workhorse on Saturday for Ball State. He carried the ball over 20 times plus saw six targets. If that’s the type of usage Sloan is going to get in MAC play, count me in. They play Miami this week so he’s probably in for a dud. A long-term CFF acquisition for sure this week.
Notebook: “I think (the offensive line) is going to be a real special year in the run game. It is hard to win at any level in football. To come out with a win (against Missouri State) is very special. When you get into the locker room with the music going, people dancing and everything, it is exciting,” Sloan uttered afterward (ballstatedaily.com).
Cam Porter, Northwestern (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 8%
Total Fantasy Points: 33.4
FPPG: 16.7
Porter Airlines took flight last weekend with a nice two-score performance on 16 carries and 20 total opportunities including targets. Northwestern plays Eastern Illinois, an FCS school, this upcoming weekend. Porter is a good play as long as the Wildcats aren’t in a game where they’re outmatched. He has more of a one-week rental appeal than a long-term solution at running back.
Honorable Mention Running Backs
- Henry Parrish, Mississippi
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 49.2
FPPG: 24.6 - Treshaun Ward, Boston College
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 44.3
FPPG: 22.1
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
At running back, who is your top ball carrier on the CFF waiver wire this week?
- Henry Parrish, Mississippi: 10%
- Kaleb Johnson, Iowa: 25%
- Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh: 50%
- Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest: 15%
Scholar’s Selection: Isn’t it obvious from my profile above? I am making Kaleb Johnson my top priority in all my leagues this week.
“Desmond Reid for me. I like this offense and his touch percentage is outstanding.” @aceholesrule
“The correct answer is Demond Claiborne. Please see my profile above.” @ProbascoLuke
“Desmond Reid has shown consistency over the first two weeks and has big-play upside.” @CFFLists
“Curveball, here, because he may see the least volume. But the Mississippi backfield produces. And if Henry Parrish is RB 1, 10 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown with a few receptions is a great floor.” @RunTheWaggle
Wide Receivers
Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 11
Targets: 13
Fantasy Points: 26.4
I was happy to see my man ‘AA’ make it back this week with a nice performance versus Oklahoma State after missing week one with an injury. He was solid last year in his first season of FBS ball, and he looks even better this year, especially with the new offense. Arkansas’ has a cool thing going where they have a team full of basketball players playing receiver, and the way Armstrong is used downfield makes him live for a house call at any moment.
Notebook: “I thought (Andrew) was really good, had a lot of yards after he caught the football, made some guys miss, ran extremely hard… 10 catches for 164 yards, I thought he had a really good day. I was pleased to get him back out there,” coach Sam Pittman observed after the loss (arkansas.rivals.com).
Trebor Pena, Syracuse (Volume Pigs)
Fantrax Rostership: 25%
Targets: 14
Fantasy Points: 59.2
FPPG: 29.6
Volume Pigs breaks down Trebor Pena, who will be highly coveted on the CFF waiver wire this week.
Notebook: Trebor “Moneyball” Pena: Syracuse’s Surprise Pig
https://www.volumepigs.com/p/trebor-moneyball-pena-syracuses-surprise
Dalen Cobb, Georgia Southern (Probasco)
Fantrax Rostership: 14%
Targets: 15
Fantasy Points: 39.6
FPPG: 19.8
History has shown us that a Clay Helton offense can produce multiple fantasy-relevant wide receivers. Which wide receiver has historically been the best to own in his offense? CFF managers want to target the slot wide receiver. Where does Dalen Cobb run most of his route? Yes, the slot!
Cobb is currently second on the team in receiving yards (136), second on the team in targets (15), and first on the team in receptions (11). On The G5 Hive, Cody Anderson (GATATalk Podcast) appeared on the Worker Bee Series. Anderson identified Cobb as his offensive breakout from 2024. As the True Blue (the term used to describe a die-hard or lifelong supporter of the university) would say, GATA!
The lead is OURS.
Dalen Cobb with the 24-yard TD reception.
2Q 0:03 | 𝐆𝐒 17 𝐍𝐄𝐕 14 #HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/IznJPGMSTr
— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) September 8, 2024
Honorable Mention Wide Receivers
- Donovan Greene, Wake Forest
Fantrax Rostership: 13%
Targets: 20
Fantasy Points: 49.8
FPPG: 24.9 - Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
Fantrax Rostership: 16%
Targets: 17
Fantasy Points: 45.9
FPPG: 22.9
CFF Twitterverse on Fire!
Who is your preferred wide receiver on the CFF waiver wire this week?
- DT Sheffield, North Texas: 22%
- Donovan Greene, Wake Forest: 14%
- Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh: 14%
- Trebor Pena, Syracuse: 50%
Scholar’s Selection: I’m all in on the new and improved Pittsburgh offense. I will take a discounted price tag on Konata Mumpfield, who has earned 17 targets in the first two games.
“Trevor Pena has scored two touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. Moving forward, it is hard to replicate, but the targets are there. Trust the process!” @ProbascoLuke
“Been waiting on DT Sheffield for a while. Staying with him.” @RunTheWaggle
Tight Ends
Gunnar Helm, Texas (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 8%
Targets: 10
Fantasy Points: 29
FPPG: 14.5
Finding a fantasy reliable tight end can baffle CFF coaches. Gunner Helm has been targeted 10 times in the first two weeks of the campaign and corralled nine passes for 140 yards and a score. The Longhorns are one of the better offenses in the nation, and Helm provides a much-needed upgrade at the position.
Joe Royer, Cincinnati (Laub)
Fantrax Rostership: 11%
Targets: 14
Fantasy Points: 27.8
FPPG: 13.9
Last week, I really liked QB Brendan Sorsby on the waiver wire and picked him up on three teams. The Bearcats’ signal caller relies on Joe Royer and has thrown 14 passes to him. Royer averages a colossal 17.3 YPR on eighth catches. He has also reached the promised land once. If CFF diehards need a tight end, Royer and Helm are nice options on the waiver wire.
CFF All-Americans: Week 2
- QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson: 57.6 points
- QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: 49.4
- RB Henry Parrish, Mississippi: 43.1
- RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers: 40.1
- WR Mac Dalena, Fresno State: 38.3
- WR Ricky White, UNLV: 34.2
- WR Donovan Greene, Wake Forest: 33.6
- TE Harold Fannin, Bowling Green: 30.7
- Flex Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: 40.0
CFF Player of the Week: Cade Klubnik
Cade Klubnik had SEVEN total touchdowns in the first half 🤯
📺 @accnetwork x @ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/bLI2dDbc8t
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 8, 2024