Torn between watching the New York-Atlanta game in England or writing my weekly college fantasy football waiver wire column. Luckily, both the Jets and Falcons offered very little entertainment value. I choose to research the box scores and data base for my selections in the CFF free-agent pool.
Saturday provided one of the great afternoons of the year as a sports fan and college fantasy football diehard. Among the noon kickoffs, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi all scored over 50 points and provided numerous CFF luminaries. In the evening, the merrymaking and fantasy points continued in the Texas A&M upset of Alabama and the Michigan nailbiter over Nebraska.
Of course, the most shocking news occurred in the Red River Showdown when coach Lincoln Riley benched QB Spencer Rattler and inserted freshman signal caller Caleb Williams, who led the Sooners to a dramatic come-from-behind victory. What do CFF managers do now? JD Yonke has you covered in Williams’ profile below.
If you need to replace Rattler, or any other weekly starter on bye, JD Yonke and I have identified the players to acquire on the college fantasy football waiver wire this week.
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.
Week 6 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams, Oklahoma (Yonke)
Fantrax Ownership: 16%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.7
TD%: 5.5%
No need to mince words with this one—Caleb Williams is the waiver wire add of the week in College Fantasy Football. Priority number one, primary target, must-have player—you name it, just pick him up now. Lincoln Riley’s quarterback has consistently been one of (if not the) most valuable roles in all of CFF. That reputation took a hit in the last year and a half with starter Spencer Rattler stumbling in his opportunities, but you can hear the tide turning after Wiliams’s electric performance in the Red River Showdown.
It was a similar sighting for Oklahoma fans Saturday, with Rattler fumbling, throwing an interception, and getting booed after a lackluster performance. Enter Caleb Williams, and BOOM, this offense was back to life. Look at the discrepancy in offensive numbers when the two quarterbacks were in the game, per 247sports:
OU offense with Rattler at quarterback: 151 yards, one touchdown and two turnovers
OU offense with Williams at quarterback: 511 yards, five touchdowns and zero turnovers
Williams ran for a 66-yard touchdown on his very first touch of the game. He displayed the rushing and throwing ability (212 passing yards and two touchdowns) that made him a five-star recruit and the number one dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2021.
This offense is all his now, and Williams could be a CFF league-winner if everything breaks right. Even if he’s not totally ready for the spotlight and doesn’t put up the numbers we’ve seen from OU quarterbacks in the recent past, his rushing ability makes him a valuable fantasy commodity. Add Williams now.
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 25%
Yards Per Attempt: 9.8
TD%: 7.1%
While most of the nation likely watched Texas-Oklahoma, the Razorbacks and Rebels combined for over 100 points and a plethora of fantasy production. KJ Jefferson ignited the Arkansas aerial assault with 326 yards passing and three touchdowns. It was the second time this season that the sophomore surpassed the 300-yard barrier as a passer, connecting on a career-high 25-of-35 attempts.
For the first time on campus, Jefferson rambled for three scores in a game, becoming the first Razorback quarterback to have two games with at least two rushing touchdowns in the same season in over two decades.
Scanning the College Fantasy Football leaders at quarterback, Jefferson ranks among the top fifteen in 2021. So far, the CFF community has disregarded the dynamic playmaker. Why? Other than the Georgia game, Jefferson has logged over 20 fantasy points four times and totaled 14 touchdowns.
A four-star recruit, the Mississippi native chose to leave his home state to play for the Razorbacks. Jefferson was graded as the fourth-ranked, dual-threat quarterback in the country by 247Sports and slotted as the twelfth overall player in the state of Mississippi by Rivals. An elite athlete, he was a four-year varsity letter winner in football and basketball in high school.
There is no justifiable reason for Jefferson to remain on the sideline in so many CFF leagues. The Razorbacks’ signal caller should be rostered on over 50% of leagues by Wednesday afternoon.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got at quarterback after six weeks of the season?
- Hendon Hooker, Tennessee: 49%
- Frank Harris, UTSA: 18%
- KJ Jefferson, Arkansas: 31%
- Other, post below: 2%
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (Yonke)
Fantrax Ownership: 23%
Yards Per Attempt: 9.5
TD%: 8.6
I mentioned in last week’s article that Tennessee is going to have some valuable College Fantasy Football assets for as long as Josh Heupel is the head coach. His high-tempo, high-powered offenses at UCF never averaged below 40 points per game. That’s a proven track record of offensive success that’s going to play well in any scenario, and early returns at Tennessee are certainly positive as well. Yet again, this Heupel offense is averaging over 40 points per game (41.5). They’ve improved their points per game by exactly 20 points from a season ago.
We mentioned running back Tiyon Evans as a must-add waiver wire target last week, but now it’s Hooker’s turn. The dual-threat Virginia Tech transfer has hit the ground running since being named the starter four games ago, finishing with over 30 fantasy points in three of those games. His main appeal comes from his legs, with 233 rushing yards and three scores on the ground in that span. He has enough weapons out wide (Velus Jones is also worth an add—perhaps he’ll feature in next week’s column?) to be dangerous through the air as well, evidenced by his 9.5 yards per attempt.
It’s worth noting that Hooker has played a Charmin-soft schedule thus far, and still has some tough SEC matchups looming including Alabama and Georgia. He can be worth a spot start in some games down the stretch; however, with Ole Miss on deck and a juicy matchup with Vanderbilt during Championship week.
This Tennessee offense is playing at a high-tempo and scoring all over teams. Be wise in the matchups that you choose to start Hooker, but a dual-threat quarterback in this scheme should be on CFF rosters everywhere.
CFF All-Americans: Week 6
- QB KJ Jefferson, Arkansas: 49.5 points
- QB Frank Harris, UTSA: 49.3 points
- RB Tyler Badie, Missouri: 40.6 points
- RB SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech: 37.7 points
- WR Dante Cephas, Kent State: 49.6 points
- WR Xavier Worthy, Texas: 47.8 points
- WR Jerreth Sterns, Western Kentucky: 47.5 points
- TE Isaiah Likely. Coastal Carolina: 55.2 points
- Flex Sean Tucker, Syracuse: 39.2 points
CFF Player of the Week: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
Running Backs
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (Yonke)
Fantrax Ownership: 5%
Scrimmage Yards: 180
Touchdowns: 1
Total Fantasy Points: 30
Despite being only 17-years old, Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen stands at a beastly 240 pounds. He’s a physical runner that bowled over countless Illinois defenders on Saturday en route to a breakout performance of 131 rushing yards and a touchdown. Wisconsin ran the ball for nearly 400 yards on the day, and it was an excellent demonstration of how this offense wants to operate. They want to run, run, and run some more. “I knew I was capable of this,” said Allen after the win. “I just needed the opportunity,” (milwaukeejournalsentinel.com).
Allen got the opportunity that he was looking for and produced in a big way. For a team that’s been uncharacteristically struggling to get the run game going, this game provides a big confidence boost moving forward. Tight end Jake Ferguson agreed: “It shows what our offense is capable of…It kind of gives (us) that confidence we need going into the next weeks,” (milwaukeejournalsentinel.com).
They’ll look to get back to their roots and have Allen be a big part of that going forward given this success that he had in his first crack at meaningful carries. He’ll likely be in a timeshare with teammate Chez Mellusi, who had 145 yards on 21 carries, but Mellusi has been inconsistent to start the year and it’s clear this coaching staff wants Allen to be involved. Jalen Berger, another back vying for touches, was dismissed from the program on Sunday.
Allen isn’t a must-add, but he has substantial upside and very low ownership.
Marquez Cooper, Kent State (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
Scrimmage Yards: 524
Touchdowns: 4
Total Fantasy Points: 79.4
Kent State dominites opponents on the ground, ranking fourteenth in the nation while averaging 239.5 rushing yards per game and scoring 14 touchdowns. Marquez Cooper leads the Golden Flashes backfield and warrants higher rostership in CFF leagues. The only concern is that QB Dustin Crum becomes too greedy in the red zone and monopolizes goalline carries.
In 2020, Cooper paced the team in rushes (56), yards (282) and touchdowns (5). He also scampered for 107 yards and three touchdowns against Akron in the Wagon Wheel victory. In 2021, the sophomore has continued his running prowess, rambling for 479 yards and scoring four times. Cooper has eclipsed 100 yards in three games and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.
Over the past two weeks, the 5’7” and 184-pounder has really taken flight against MAC opponents: Against Bowling Green, he produced 24 fantasy points, and last week versus Buffalo, he posted 19 points. In the next two weeks, Kent State travels to Western Michigan and Ohio and neither defense poses a challenge to the Golden Flashes rushing attack. Cooper will continue to shine against MAC opponents.
Twitterverse on Fire!
In the backfield, Who Ya Got before kickoff in Week 7?
- Rahmir Johnson, Nebraska: 22%
- Snoop Conner, Mississippi: 26%
- SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech: 47%
- Other, post below: 5%
RB SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 24%
Scrimmage Yards: 316
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 70.6%
When QB Tyler Shough suffered a broken collarbone against Texas, I was uneasy that the Red Raiders’ offense would continue to fabricate fantasy value. Henry Colombi now calls signals, and Texas Tech has scored 54 points in its past two games. Simultaneously, SaRodorick Thompson has regained some of the magic from 2019 when he scored 12 times and rushed for 765 yards on 160 carries.
In 2020, I drafted Thompson on many teams, and he fell short of my lofty expectations. Over the past summer, I did not target the punishing ball carrier, and he missed the first two games of the campaign after shoulder surgery in April. Tahj Brooks led the team in rushing in each of the first three games of this year. Unfortunately, Brooks also endured an injury against Texas, which opened the door for Thompson to resume his commanding role in the backfield.
In last week’s blowout loss against TCU, Thompson and Colombi carried the offense, leading the Red Raiders to 31 points. The senior runner punished the Horned Frogs for 118 yards and three touchdowns and added two catches, including a 75-yard catch and run for a score. “I thought (Thompson) was a bright spot. I think he’s getting in that groove,” coach Matt Wells divulged after the game (lubbockonline.com).
On Saturday, Texas Tech faces Kansas: The weakest opponent for the remainder of the season. The Jayhawks are a bottom feeder against the run, surrendering 250 yards per game and allowing 20 rushing touchdowns. Afterwards, conference rivals are more daunting; nevertheless, the 6’0” and 215-pounder should be rostered on more than 24% of leagues.
CFF Waiver Wire Honorable Mention
- QB Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Yards Per Attempt: 9.5
TD%: 10% - RB Shermari Jones, Coastal Carolina
Fantrax Ownership: 9%
Scrimmage Yards: 404
Touchdowns: 4
Total Fantasy Points: 64.7 - RB Nathan Carter, UConn
Fantrax Ownership: 3%
Scrimmage Yards: 451
Touchdowns: 1
Total Fantasy Points: 58.1 - WR Elijah Higgins, Stanford
Fantrax Ownership: 8%
Targets: 50
Team Target Share: 31.1% - WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
Fantrax Ownership: 8%
Targets: 36
Team Target Share: 19.7% - WR Velus Jones, Tennessee
Fantrax Ownership: 7%
Targets: 29
Team Target Share: 18%
Wide Receivers
Tyrese Chambers, Florida International (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 31%
Targets: 36
Team Target Share: 20.2%
After a long week in the classroom, there is nothing better than relaxing in front of the TV to watch college football on a Friday evening with hot pizza for dinner and an IPA to wash it down. CFF diehards like myself were lucky enough to have two games in the early window.
Tyrese Chambers, one of the hottest receivers in the nation, put on a primetime performance as the Panthers hosted Charlotte. With 28 teams on a bye, I needed assistance at wideout and started Chambers on two teams over the weekend. I never expected a 200-yard outing. Against the 49ers, the deep threat snatched three passes and scored twice while posting 201 receiving yards.
In the previous two games, the sophomore logged eight catches for 254 yards and two scores. Over the past three weeks, Chambers is the tenth most productive CFF receiver, scoring 80.5 points. For the season, the numbers are mind boggling: 20 receptions for 672 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 33.6 yards per catch.
A Baltimore native, the 6’1” and 185-pounder enrolled at Fort Scott (JUCO) in 2018 after being named to USA Today’s Maryland First Team All-State as one of the two receivers. He transferred to Sacred Heart in Connecticut the following year and set numerous school records for a Pioneers’ freshman with 50 receptions for 811 yards and eight scores in 11 games. He earned FCS All-American and was named a Jerry Rice Finalist, Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Northeast Conference.
A confident competitor, Chambers decided to take his talents to South Florida. “I know (FIU) had a rough season, but I know that’s not the norm for coach (Butch) Davis and the program. I committed based on the coaching staff and I know what it’s like to believe in yourself when nobody else believes in you—I can’t wait to get down there and help the team get back to a bowl game,” Chambers announced last December (underdogdynasty.com).
There is no question that Chambers is a must add on the waiver wire this week. Florida International does not play this weekend, but hosts Western Kentucky on October 23 as the Panthers continue their defensively-challenged C-USA schedule.
Xavier Worthy, Texas (Yonke)
Fantrax Ownership: 29%
Targets: 36
Team Target Share:
I’ll be honest, I thought about excluding Worthy from this article as I was under the impression that he was already owned in the majority of College Fantasy Football leagues. His ownership is still showing at 29%, so I’m going to include him in this article on the off chance that he’s still available in your league—because he shouldn’t be, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention him and you didn’t give him an add.
Despite being only a true freshman, Worthy appears to have taken over as the alpha wide receiver for this dangerous Texas Longhorns. He leads the team with 22 targets over the past three games and has clearly developed chemistry with quarterback Casey Thompson. Hopefully, you listened to this column and picked up Casey Thompson while that was still a possibility (5 touchdowns last week). If you missed your chance, there’s still time to atone and add Worthy.
Worthy was named PFF’s true freshman of the week after accumulating 9 receptions for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Red River Showdown. Those numbers in a rivalry game, as a true freshman? This kid is clearly something special and adds a downfield component that keeps teams from stacking the box to defend running back Bijan Robinson. He should continue to see a healthy amount of looks down the field, evidenced by his 18.0 average depth of target in the past three games.
This offense is averaging 53 points per game since Thompson took over at quarterback. Steve Sarkisian has them absolutely humming. Worthy was his biggest recruiting win over the offseason, but the results on the field have been an even bigger success. They’ll continue to score points in bunches and Worthy will be a big part of the offense.
Update: Longhorns wide receiver Jordan Whittington will have surgery on a clavicle injury and has no timetable for his return. This would be positive news for Worthy, who will have less competition for targets in Whittington’s absence.
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got as a free agent this week at wide receiver?
- Demario Douglas, Liberty: 7%
- Xavier Worthy, Texas: 77%
- Jalen Nailor, Michigan State: 14%
- Other, post below: 2%
“Dante Cephas, Kent St: Earlier this year I mentioned N. Johnson as the Golden Flashes’ receiver to target and boy was I wrong. Good thing Cephas is rostered in less than 5% of leagues. Run and grab this guy: 13 catches with three scores. Krum and dem boys are heating up as we get into the MAC schedule.” @CFF_Legend
“I like the Dante Cephas call. How about another Cephus as well? Joshua Cephus for UTSA has been rock solid with at least six catches for 50 yds in every game and three games with eight catches, including the last two.” @copieps
Alec Pierce, Cincinnati (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 8%
Targets: 30
Team Target Share: 20.8%
With two televisions in my football-watching chamber, I also tuned into the Cincinnati contest while watching the Florida International game. For three years, I have sought a receiver to hitch with QB Desmond Ridder. Yet. None of the Bearcats’ playmakers warranted a starting position on a College Fantasy Football squad. In 2021, CFF managers might have finally found their man.
Alec Pierce leads Cincinnati in receptions (21) and yards (387). He has also scored twice and averaged 18.4 yards per catch. In the first two games of the campaign, Pierce only earned six total targets. Over the past three, Ridder targeted the senior playmaker eight times in each game. Pierce has produced 19.6, 20.4 and 21.3 fantasy points on 17 catches for 323 yards and two scores.
At 6’3” and 213-pounds, the Bearcats’ home run hitter began to play well in 2019 as a sophomore with 37 receptions for 652 yards but only played in six games last year. During his campus tenure, he has averaged over 18 yards per catch and crossed the finish line seven times.
Cincinnati is ranked among the Top Five teams in the nation, and All-American quarterback Ridder will continue to put points on the board. The remaining AAC schedule does not pose any challenges for the Bearcats and the passing game will flourish for the remainder of the crusade. Pickup Pierce this week off the waiver wire.
Dante Cephas, Kent State (Yonke)
Fantrax Ownership: 3%
Targets: 43
Team Target Share:
Three percent? Three-percent ownership for Cephas? While that’s laughably low, you should be giggling with glee at the opportunity for adding a receiver of Cephas’s caliber to your College Fantasy Football team.
If people didn’t know who Cephas was before last week, they certainly do now after his 13-catch, 186-yard, three-touchdown performance against Buffalo this weekend. This high-powered Kent State offense didn’t put up their usual numbers during a tough non-conference schedule, so apparently most people forgot just what they are capable of. Don’t make the same mistake! This is a dangerous offense that averaged an incredible 49.8 points per game a season ago and returns quarterback Dustin Crum.
Kent State needed a receiver to step up as the go-to-guy in 2021, and Cephas has done just that. Over the past three games, he’s accumulated a whopping 29 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers at three percent ownership!!! Pick him up now. Cephas should be owned everywhere and I expect him to dominate during a soft MAC schedule.
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