I appreciate having Indigenous People’s Day off from school. As a history teacher, I reflect on the impact indigenous people made on our nation’s culture and chronicle. I also have additional time to research and write the College Fantasy Football waiver wire column.
CFF leagues have passed the halfway mark of the season, and players should be examining their rosters and the waiver wire for better options. The bye weeks are in full swing moving forward, and it is imperative to plan ahead in order to have thorough and competitive starting lineups.
If you need a bye-week starter, or injury replacement, I have pinpointed the top-notch players to target on the college fantasy football waiver wire.
Week 6 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Fantrax Ownership: 16%
Yards Per Attempt: 7.1
P-TD%: 4%
On Saturday morning, reports from Texas Tech indicated that Donovan Smith would not play and Behren Morton would start for the Red Raiders at quarterback. In CFB DFS contests, razor-sharp players inserted Morton into their lineups at a near minimum cost ($4,500), scoring 35.7 points on DraftKings. Even in season-long CFF leagues, Morton is rostered on a greater percentage of teams than I would have guessed. Luckily, he is still available in 84% of leagues and a worthwhile pick-up now.
Two weeks ago, offensive coordinator Zach Kittley discussed Morton’s skills and potential: “Behren is still a young guy and just learning. His biggest thing that we talk about is just the operation of the offense, the little things, where to signal, what o-line code. He is very talented as everybody knows. If something happens or whatever, I don’t have any hesitation throwing Behren out there. I’m still just trying to develop him into the mental mindset more so than the physical traits moving right now,” Kittley stated two weeks ago (247Sports.com).
In the 41-31 loss against Oklahoma State, the redshirt freshman illustrated Kittley’s well-founded confidence. He completed 39-of-62 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Morton also rushed for 46 yards and scored once.
At 6’2” and 210-pounds, Morton was the highest-graded quarterback recruit (a four-star prospect) to sign with Texas Tech according to 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 6 pro-style quarterback in the nation and No. 17 player in Texas. As a senior, he threw for over 3,600 yards and 37 touchdowns and added 893 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He also played hoops in high school.
There is no question that CFF diehards want the starting quarterback in Kittley’s high-flying scheme, and Morton will flourish down the road in Lubbock, TX. If a CFF owner is in need of a starter, he is surely worth acquiring on the waiver wire and might be a league-winning difference-maker.
Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose
Fantrax Ownership: 26%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.1
P-TD%: 3.7%
One of my pet peeves in CFF leagues is when Top 36 QBs remain on the waiver wire far too long. Chevan Cordeiro is the 29th most productive fantasy signal caller and the ideal third quarterback on a fantasy roster. In the past three games, he has produced 30.4, 36.1 and 46.4 fantasy points. Why is he not scooped up in all 2-QB leagues?
A dual threat, Cordeiro has logged 12 total touchdowns: six rushing and six receiving. He has passed for 1,308 yards and scrambled for 186. San Jose has posted a 4-1 record while scoring 28.8 points and totaling 380.6 yards per game. The Spartans travel to Fresno State and New Mexico State in the next two weeks and both games are optimal spots for Cordeiro to continue scoring a plethora of fantasy points.
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks
Jason Bean, Kansas
Fantrax Ownership: 2%
Yards Per Attempt: 11.0
P-TD%: 15%
Cooper Legas, Utah State
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Yards Per Attempt: 6.2
P-TD%: 5.6%
Running Backs
Sieh Bangura, Ohio
Fantrax Ownership: 14%
Scrimmage Yards: 464
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 93.4
After six games, the Bobcats’ offense has produced plenty of fantasy points from a solid trio of playmakers: QB Kurtis Rourke, WR Sam Wiglusz and RB Sieh Bangura. The Ohio offense averages 446 total yards and 33.2 points per game. It is fantasy gold for CFF diehards. The Bobcats exceeded 40 points in the opening game of the year against Florida Atlantic, and in two of the last three games, the team has logged over 50 points
While Rourke and the passing game earn the headlines, the ground attack led by Bangura deserves more attention. The redshirt freshman averages 4.9 yards per carry and has gained 356 yards on 72 totes with five touchdowns. In the last two games, Bangura has rambled for 189 yards and four touchdowns and snatched six passes for 55 yards and a score.
“I’m very happy for him (Bangura). He’s got a bunch of family here (versus Akron) today. Talking to him over the course of the week, he’s very happy. He’s still got a little bruise on that foot, but he’s a tough young man and he’s got a bright future,” coach Tim Albin expressed after the victory (ohiobobcats.com).
In the upcoming three games, Ohio travels to Western Michigan and welcomes Northern Illinois and Buffalo to Athens, OH. All three opponents are good matchups, and Bangura will surely be called upon to lead the ground game.
Brenden Brady, UTSA
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
Scrimmage Yards: 522
Touchdowns: 5
Total Fantasy Points: 102.6
The Roadrunners have a Top 12 Total Offensive unit in the nation, posting 498.3 yards and 37.3 points per game. UTSA is 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Conference USA behind a strong passing attack. Quietly, the ground game has also been productive with Brenden Brady, who is the No. 39 ranked CFF running back.
In four of the last five contests, Brady eclipsed the 20-point barrier and scored five rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he has added 12 receptions for 120 yards to the box scores.
Unfortunately, the senior is not efficient with his touches: On 98 attempts, he averages less than four yards per carry and has failed to exceed the century mark in any game. Waiver wire runners are scarce compared to earlier in the season, and Brady is worthy of a stash on the bench as a possible Flex starter later in the campaign.
Dillon Johnson, Mississippi State
Fantrax Ownership: 26%
Scrimmage Yards: 601
Touchdowns: 3
Total Fantasy Points: 105.1
In PPR leagues, I might have had a blind spot for Dillon Johnson because I drafted Jo’quavious Marks in the double-digit rounds. While both are fantasy viable at times, it appears that Johnson has become the more valuable fantasy runner in 2022: Johnson is the No. 35 CFF runner while Marks is the No. 53.
In the last two games, the junior has rushed for 168 yards, snatched six passes for 76 yards and scored three times, recording 42.4 fantasy points. For the season, Johnson has over 400 rushing yards with 27 receptions for 199 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Against Arkansas, he carried a career-high 17 times for a career-best 100 yards with two touchdowns. Since coach Mike Leach took over the program, he became the Bulldogs’ first 100-yard rusher. He also posted his third career multi-rushing touchdown outing.
At 6’0” and 215-pounds, Johnson profiles as a typical SEC ball carrier with size, speed and power. A three-star athlete in high school, he was ranked as a Top 15 prospect in Mississippi and played basketball also. Both runners are scoring-format dependent in CFF leagues; however, Johnson looks like the more dependable fantasy player moving forward in 2022.
Honorable Mention Running Backs
Clyde Price, Akron
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Scrimmage Yards: 181
Touchdowns: 5
Total Fantasy Points: 62.1%
Mike Washington, Buffalo
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Scrimmage Yards: 452
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 86.2
Twitterverse on Fire!
CFF Waiver Wire Battles: Week 6
Who Ya Got at Quarterback?
- Kurtis Rourke, Ohio: 25%
- Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose: 18%
- Drew Pyne, Notre Dame: 11%
- Max Duggan, TCU: 46%
“Chevan Cordeiro: Even though I am also super high on Kurtis Rourke, Cordeiro brings a rushing ceiling to the table that is huge, plus that Mountain West schedule is gravy, with Utah State and Hawaii in the playoffs…$$$.” @JustinNottingh6
“Give me Mr. BIG Kahunas aka Max Duggan…or should I say Mr. 3 TDs! Another 300-yard game and another three touchdowns. And an NFL throw with 1:30 to go for the Win!” @NinoBrown_T2T
Who Ya Got at Running Back?
- CJ Beasley, Coastal Carolina: 20%
- Sieh Bangura, Ohio: 37%
- Dillon Johnson, Mississippi State: 31%
- Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan: 12%
“Give me Sieh Bangura, I am all in on this Bobcat offense and after Bangura’s four-touchdown performance yesterday…well MacAtion, what more needs to be said.” @JustinNottingh6
“Bang-Bang Bangura for me. While I think CJ Beasley is more talented, Sieh Bangura is on a super fun offense.” @aceholesrule
“This one is easy: I need to talk to Samson Evans! Three scores and 90 rushing yards. He carried the Eagles to an upset victory. Jim Nagy get him to the Senior Bowl” @NinoBrown_T2T
“Blows my mind that people still haven’t fully caught onto Sieh Bangura. That offense and his role in it is perfect!” @CFF_Jared
Who Ya Got at Wide Receiver?
- Chimere Dike, Wisconsin: 10%
- Devontez Walker, Kent State: 48%
- Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi: 29%
- Sam Wiglusz, Ohio: 13%
“Sam I Am. Give me the Wig-Man. The Ohio offense is putting up over 340 passing yards a game, over the last three weeks, and Sam Wiglusz is the focal point of that passing attack.” @JustinNottingh6
“Jonathan Mingo for me! Why? I watched Mingo fight through an injury last season just to help his team. If they start throwing first and running less, Mingo will stay hot.” @aceholesrule
“Mingo…Mingo…Mingo! The Breakout that I was looking for all season happened: nine receptions for 247 yards and two scores, and that sweet 72-yard TD. Finally Dart found his Guy!” @NinoBrown_T2T
Wide Receivers
Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Fantrax Ownership: 5%
Targets: 42
Team Target Share: 18.5%
Total Fantasy Points: 108.4
I waxed poetically about the Bobcats’ explosive offensive in the Sieh Bangura analysis above. Sam Wiglusz is the other playmaker who CFF diehards should add to their rosters. Over the past two weeks, the graduate student is the sixth-ranked CFF receiver with 56.9 fantasy points.
A transfer from Ohio State, Wiglusz is shining on the big stage for Ohio after remaining on the sideline for the Buckeyes. “I’m so happy for Sam. I mean he’s an Ohio guy, a graduate, going to grad school here at Ohio University and he wanted to get on the field. He’s been at Ohio State behind three first-round draft picks and I am glad he’s a Bobcat because he is producing and just a great young man. He’s got that edge about him. He wants the ball, and as a coach, you appreciate that,” coach Albin stated after the contest (ohiobobcats.com).
Taking advantage of the opportunity and playing time, Wiglusz leads the Bobcats in receptions (35), yards (434), and touchdowns (5) on the season. With Kurtis Rourke throwing the football effectively, Wiglusz is a terrific option at the Flex position in starting lineups.
Devontez Walker, Kent State
Fantrax Ownership: 15%
Targets: 46
Team Target Share: 30.5
Total Fantasy Points: 114.7
It is easy to employ hyperbole when writing about a player’s speed on the gridiron. Running away from would-be tacklers often depends on the level of competition and can make a player appear faster. However, Devontez Walker is very fast and there is evidence to prove the statement.
Against Georgia three weeks ago, Walker was clocked at 23.22 miles per hour, running away from Bulldogs’ defensive backs on a 56-yard touchdown sprint. In six games this year, he has scored three times from beyond 47 yards and averages 16.0 ypc. It is not an exaggeration to label the Goldens Flashes’ speedster a home run hitter.
“To have the explosive touchdowns that he’s had against the quality opponents that we’ve played speaks volumes to who he is and the way he’s developed himself mentally, physically, emotionally, to be able to perform regardless of the arena. He’s one of the most humble, soft-spoken, hungry kids that we have in the organization,” coach Sean Lewis stated (record-courier.com).
At 6’3” and 192-pounds, the redshirt sophomore was a three-star prospect in high school and unfortunately, suffered a knee injury and went under the radar in the recruiting process. He eventually enrolls at North Carolina Central, but never plays a down after the FCS season was canceled during COVID. Afterward, Walker enters the transfer portal and signs with Kent State.
In 2022, Walker is paired with teammate Dante Cephas to form one of the top Group of 5 receiver duos in the country. Walker has latched onto 32 passes for 512 yards and five touchdowns. It is insanity to allow Walker to remain available on over 80% of waiver wires past this week.
Honorable Mention Wide Receivers
Chimere Dike, Wisconsin
Fantrax Ownership: 3%
Targets: 37
Team Target Share: 25.3%
Total Fantasy Points: 93.9
Jaylin Lane, Middle Tennessee
Fantrax Ownership: 10%
Targets: 43
Team Target Share: 19.9%
Total Fantasy Points: 89.1
Monaray Baldwin, Baylor
Fantrax Ownership: 24%
Targets: 16
Team Target Share: 10.7%
Total Fantasy Points: 66.2
Tight Ends
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Fantrax Ownership: 39%
Targets: 33
Team Target Share: 18.9%
Total Fantasy Points: 83.3
The tight end position is always challenging in CFF leagues, and the 2022 season has not changed the narrative. Brant Kuithe and Michael Trigg suffered season-ending injuries and Zack Kunitz, Benjamin Yurosek, Jaheim Bell and Arik Gilbert have not come close to their preseason rankings.
Luckily, both Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers, who were ranked as the top two tight ends in the offseason, have justified the preseason hype. The Top 12 CFF tight end rankings are dominated by undrafted players: Joel Wilson, Caden Prieskorn, Griffin Hebert and Corey Dyches. Among the remaining leaders, Ja’Tavion Sanders, who is the No. 5 player, remains available in over 60% of leagues.
A five-star prospect by 247Sports, Sanders was ranked No. 1 among athletes, No. 3 Texas prospect, and No. 13 nationally in the Class of 2021. An All-America selection, he made the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game and was named all-state and two-time all-district honoree, helping his team to the 5A Division 1 state title in 2020.
As a freshman last year, he played in all 12 games for the Longhorns and earned Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. As a sophomore, Sanders has blossomed over the past two games: The 6’4” and 242-pounder has corralled 10 passes for 149 yards and four scores, recording 48.9 fantasy points. Pick up the Texas playmaker immediately.
TE Corey Dyches, Maryland
Fantrax Ownership: 12%
Targets: 27
Team Target Share: 13.1%
Total Fantasy Points: 72.2
CFF All-Americans: Week 6
- QB Chevan Corderio, San Jose State: 40.1 points
- QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State: 36 points
- RB Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh: 68 points
- RB Sieh Bangura, Ohio: 36.5 points
- WR Chimere Dike, Wisconsin: 46.5 points
- WR Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi: 45.7 points
- WR Quentin Johnson, TCU: 40.6 points
- TE Michel Mayer, Notre Dame: 34.8 points
- Flex Devontez Walker, Kent State: 38.6 points
CFF Player of the Week: Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh