I am surprised nearly every Saturday throughout the fall. After Week 4 of college football, the results of three games remain shocking. Syracuse went into Death Valley and smacked Clemson 34-21, leaving the Tigers with three losses. Indiana welcomed Illinois to Bloomington and smoked the Illini 63-10. After trailing by 11 in the second half, Memphis beat Arkansas 32-31.
While the games provided wall-to-wall excitement, there were also college fantasy football implications. Can CFF diehards start quarterback Cade Klubnik any longer? He is currently CFF QB78. Luckily, the Tigers are off this week, and a decision can be postponed. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza—CFF QB3 for the season—is a rising fantasy star after throwing for 537 yards and 10 touchdowns in the past two weeks. Memphis RB Sutton Smith is available in over 60% of leagues and must be snatched up immediately.
There’s no such thing as too much football! 2025 is the perfect time to add the college game to your fantasy football repertoire. Whether you want to create your own league or join an existing league, the Fantrax College Football Commissioner is the place to go!
Of course, there were other amazing games and player performances on Saturday. I am joined by VolumePigs and Chris Battistel to find those important CFF waiver wire gemstones…Let’s Go!
College Fantasy Football: Week 4 Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech (Battistel)
Fantrax Ownership: 28%
Total Fantasy Points: 115.5
FPPG: 27.9
PFF Grade: 76.3
Kyron Drones has just put up back-to-back 30-plus Fantasy Point (FPs) outings, getting back to that form of two years ago. With six passing touchdowns, nearly a thousand passing yards, and the ability to move the chains with his legs, Drones is settling in for another potential shootout against North Carolina State and QB Cedrick Bailey this weekend. The Wolfpack have allowed 100 points over their last three matchups while surrendering 290 passing yards per game.
Looking at quarterbacks that utilize their bottom half, the sample size is small. Against NCSU, Chandler Morris averaged 18.7 yards per carry (ypc.) and scored five FPs by his legs on only three carries. Robby Ashford had the rushing touchdown, but averaged only 3.4 yards per carry. Both signal callers put up over 250 yards through the air. The Hokies’ quarterback is a good enough passer to also burn the Wolfpacks’ secondary. In the past two games, he has thrown for 573 yards and five aerial strikes while dashing for 82 yards and three scores, producing 79 FPs.
Peaking ahead at the remainder of the schedule, CFF coaches want Drones to have another Top 12 outing in order to possibly flip him in a trade. Virginia Tech’s next seven matchups have surrendered only 187 passing yards per game combined. Yes, that’s combined.
You see him go??#ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/SrX1r0uSsm
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 20, 2025
Alonza Barnett, James Madison (VolumePigs)
Fantrax Ownership: 21%
Total Fantasy Points: 59
FPPG: 19.7
PFF Grade: 53.6
After splitting work with Matt Sluka to start the year, Alonza Barnett took full command of the offense this past weekend, being the only quarterback to call signals for the Dukes versus Liberty. His passing yardage wasn’t anything spectacular (213 yards), but he offers value with his legs, scoring twice on the ground on five carries. Against the Flames, he produced over 30 FPs, and he did so five times last year. The remaining schedule sets up well, and if it does indeed turn out that Barnett is officially the starter, he could prove valuable in conference play for CFF managers.
Notebook: “I just did my job. Just had to keep the defense honest here and there. That’s what I did,” Barnett revealed after the game (dnronline.com)
Will Hammond, Texas Tech (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 13%
Total Fantasy Points: 71.4
FPPG: 17.8
PFF Grade: 93.8
Did the Red Raider faithful and CFF fanatics witness the changing of the guard at quarterback in Lubbock, TX? Starter Behren Morton left Saturday’s matchup against Utah twice and did not return to the game. Redshirt freshman Will Hammond took over the reins of the offense and led Texas Tech to a 34-10 victory over the Utes. He completed 13-of-16 passes (81.3%) for 169 yards and two aerial strikes. He also scampered for 61 yards on eight carries, producing 24.9 FPs.
A four-star recruit, Hammond accumulated more than 8,700 passing yards and 84 touchdowns in high school. Piloting one of the nation’s top offenses, he totaled an additional 2,344 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns. In four varsity seasons, the dual-threat was responsible for 121 touchdowns. In his redshirt season at Texas Tech, he completed 35-of-57 passes for 471 yards and two touchdowns, while scampering 17 times for 49 yards and two scores.
Texas Tech does not play this week, and early reports are positive regarding Morton’s health. Yet, CFF coaches heard similar reports from Mississippi regarding Austin Simmons last week. On Saturday, Simmons did not play, and Trinidad Chambliss (featured in last week’s column) made his second start against Tulane. Do not make the same mistake with Hammond as Simmons and pick up the Red Raiders’ future fantasy dignitary.
Notebook: “(Will) is a dude…The one thing we really feel, and I know that this is ‘coach speak’ to a lot of people, but the standard is the standard. You walk on that field and you’re wearing a double T, there’s only one way to play, which is to go out and execute the game plan. He did a great job, and we’ve got some big playmakers” coach Joey McGuire stated after Hammond led the Red Raiders to victory over Utah. (deseret.com)
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks
Chandler Morris, Virginia
Fantrax Ownership: 24%
Total Fantasy Points: 109.2
FPPG: 27.3
PFF Grade: 85.1
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Fantrax Ownership: 30%
Total Fantasy Points: 116.1
FPPG: 29.0
PFF Grade: 71.5
College Fantasy Football Diehards on Fire!
After a month into the season, who has been the most impressive freshman quarterback?
- Bryce Underwood, Michigan: 26%
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California: 26%
- Malik Washington, Maryland: 42%
- Bear Bachmeier, BYU: 6%
“Bryce Underwood for me. When you come in with this much hype, it is tough to deliver, and he certainly has for Michigan.” @aceholesrule
“JKS for me. The whole flip to Oregon, then going back to Cal, made me question the decision-making. But I have been impressed with his play thus far!” @ProbascoLuke
Running Backs
Sutton Smith, Memphis (VolumePigs)
Fantrax Ownership: 39%
Total Fantasy Points: 81.6
FPPG: 20.4
PFF Grade: 69.2
Sutton Smith was supposed to be the starter last year…and he did start the season for the Tigers before falling to a season-ending injury after three carries. It cleared the way for CFF stud Mario Anderson, who had a fantastic 2024 campaign. This year, in a strange turn of events, a similar phenomenon played out with starter Greg Desrosiers falling to injury early in the opening game, and Smith, who I thought would end up starting sooner rather than later, took the torch and ran with it (literally).
The Memphis gamebreaker is averaging 20 FPPG through the first four weeks, and when analyzing the Tigers’ schedule, things are setting up nicely for Smith to continue that trend. It should be noted that Desrosiers did return from injury this past weekend, but Smith annihilated him on efficiency and production. Don’t overthink it—this is Smith’s team, and he can be a great option in CFF lineups.
Notebook: Reflecting on his 64-yard game-winning touchdown, Sutton uttered that “We kind of got the look we wanted. I saw a lot of green, but I saw a linebacker in my face. I knew I had to make him miss. At Memphis, we pride ourselves on running the football.” (gotigersgo.com)
SUTTON SMITH @sutton5_ #ALLIN | @ESPNCFB
📺 | https://t.co/6320mLMr9u pic.twitter.com/cImqDrxSBw
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) September 20, 2025
Dylan Riley, Boise State (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Total Fantasy Points: 79.3
FPPG: 26.4
PFF Grade: 83.4
Throughout the offseason, CFF managers sought the answer in the Boise State backfield to replace Ashton Jeanty. Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod topped the depth chart and were highly coveted. Watching the snaps and attempts over the past two games, Dylan Riley clearly has corralled the duties for the Broncos.
After scoring a whopping 57.5 FPs on Saturday, Riley has earned the right to more opportunities ahead of Gaines and Sherrod. The second-year ball carrier dashed for 171 yards and five touchdowns on 19 carries in Boise State’s 49-37 victory over Air Force. The week before against Eastern Washington, the 5-10 and 190-pounder scampered for 123 yards on only six carries while crossing the finish line once. For the season, he has averaged 9.8 ypc and logged three catches for 89 yards. Do not wait to see more—put a healthy FAB bid in for Riley. He might be a league-winning runner in the Boise State ground game.
Notebook: After his eye-opening performance, Riley stated that “The coaches see me working throughout practice(s) and see what I do. And at that point, they just gave me my chance, and once you give me my chance, I’m gonna take it and run with it.” (idahostatesman.com)
FIVE TOUCHDOWN NIGHT FOR DYLAN RILEY
📺 CBS Sports Network#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent | @Stor_It_SS pic.twitter.com/jOR5F6z0EC
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) September 21, 2025
Turbo Richard, Boston College (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 32%
Total Fantasy Points: 66.7
FPPG: 22.2
PFF Grade: 64.2
Two weeks ago, I looked at Turbo Richard’s Fantrax roster share, and he was on 23% of rosters. Boston College had a bye in Week 4, and I did not feature the Eagles’ runner. In the past week, CFF diehards have added Richard on another 10% of teams. It is time to add him to an additional 10% of leagues by the end of the waiver wire claims.
A sophomore, Richard arrived on campus last summer and quickly moved up a crowded depth chart behind Kye Robichaux and Treshaun Ward. Richard saw limited action as a freshman, playing in eight games and rushing for 278 yards and two touchdowns. With Robiochaux and Ward gone, the sophomore has taken over the backfield duties with 48 snaps and 43 attempts for 153 yards, which leads the team.
More importantly, from a fantasy perspective, he has also collected 15 targets, accumulating 12 catches for 148 yards and two scores. The 5-8 and 200-pounder from the Carolinas is a three-down back who will continue to thrive in the Eagles’ offense. In the next two weeks, Boston College hosts California and travels to Pittsburgh, both of which are enticing matchups with bye weeks on the horizon.
Notebook: Richard discussed the NFL runners he watches and models his game after: “(Jahmyr Gibbs) and his shiftiness, being able to make people miss in space. I like to watch Alvin Kamara because he has good contact balance, so I’m able to bounce off tackles, run through tackles, and try to model my game after them,” the Boston College back stated during training camp (eagleinsider.com).
Jekail Middlebrook, Middle Tennessee (Battistel)
Fantrax Ownership: 12%
Total Fantasy Points: 51.5
FPPG: 12.9
PFF Grade: 70.4
Jekail Middlebrook is the de facto No. 1 RB for Middle Tennessee, but the fantasy points have yet to reflect his usage. His first few matchups have been detrimental to his performance for fantasy managers due to the Blue Raiders abandoning the run game while working from behind against difficult opponents.
Now is the time when holding the bag is going to pay off. Averaging 9.8 carries, 6.8 targets and 13.8 touches per game, all while leading the FBS in RB targets, Middlebrook’s next three matchups are going to be very exploitable: Kennesaw State, Missouri State and Delaware are the next three opponents for the Blue Raiders. Kennesaw State allows 179 yards per game, and Missouri is worse. With his pass-catching usage out of the backfield to complement his running, Middlebrook is poised for a few great weeks.
Honorable Mention Running Backs
Braylon McReynolds, UL-Monroe
Fantrax Ownership: 7%
Total Fantasy Points: 39.8
FPPG: 13.3
PFF Grade: 77.7
Rodney Fields, Oklahoma State
Fantrax Ownership: 16%
Total Fantasy Points: 24.2
FPPG: 12.1
PFF Grade: 67.2
Notebook: “(Rodney) ran the ball well and had success, and he was healthy for the first time in a while…He’s been healthy for the last four or five practices that we’ve had and running full-speed. I was pleased with the way he ran tonight,” coach Mike Gundy stated after the loss against Tulsa (okstate.com).
Gavin Sawchuk, Florida State
Fantrax Ownership: 26%
Total Fantasy Points: 59.6
FPPG: 19.9
PFF Grade: 84.5
Notebook: “(Coach Gus Malzahn) has produced great running backs in the past, and having that opportunity to be a part of a system like that where he likes to run the ball, he likes to get creative with the running back in space and in the passing game. The coach does a lot of film study, a lot of game planning that goes behind a lot of what he calls, and I love it,” Sawchuk said in late August (gazette.com).
College Fantasy Football Diehards on Fire!
In the backfield, who are you trying to acquire on the waiver wire in CFF?
- Rodney Fields, Oklahoma State: 17%
- Turbo Richard, Boston College: 23%
- Dylan Riley, Boise State: 32%
- Gavin Sawchuk, Florida State: 28%
“Gavin Sawchuk: When he landed at FSU, I was more bullish on him than others. The young man can run and is getting the rock.” @aceholesrule
“It is Turbo Richard for me. With 2 20-plus point outputs and Cal on deck…sign me up!” @ProbascoLuke
Wide Receivers
Jaden Barnes, Appalachian State (Battistel)
Fantrax Ownership: 34%
Targets: 33
Fantasy Points: 75.7
FPPG: 25.2
PFF Grade: 82.9
Finding the leading receiver for Appalachian State has paid off nicely for fantasy managers in years past, and in 2025 that hasn’t changed. The Mountaineers have a stud in Jaden Barnes. The 5-8 slot receiver has turned into a fantasy star through three games. Averaging 25.2 FPPG, he is CFF WR5. Barnes is still widely under owned by CFF players. He enters the week outpacing big names like Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, and Denzel Boston in targets, two of whom were taken in the first two rounds of CFF drafts in the summer.
The Mountaineers draw Boise State this week, a defense that, when not playing a team in the FCS, has been porous against the pass, carrying an average PFF coverage grade of 52.1. Not great for the faithful but stupendous for CFF managers. For Barnes holders, it is great news considering App State is sitting second in the nation, averaging 51 pass attempts per game. The volume is undeniable and the production is underrated. Pick up and plug in Barnes, not just for this week, but for the rest of the campaign.
KJ Duff, Rutgers (VolumePigs)
Fantrax Ownership: 12%
Targets: 36
Fantasy Points: 69.6
FPPG: 17.4
PFF Grade: 80.9
Some readers will snicker, but this Rutgers’ passing game is legit. Even with Ian Strong in the lineup, KJ Duff continues to produce consistently around 11-15 FPPG. The Scarlet Knights keep the same three receivers on the field for the majority of the game, and it clearly has benefits for CFF. In the first four games, Duff has produced 16.4, 19.1, 17.9 and 16.2 FPs. The Rutgers’ receiver is not a high-ceiling playmaker, but he is a floor option for those in need of WR plug-ins during bye weeks.
Notebook: “I always say it’s just experience. Even from the beginning of the season to the end of the season last year, I felt like a whole different person. So, having that experience under my belt, I am just excited for the season,” KJ Duff stated over the summer (onthebanks.com).
Ryan Davis, Utah (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 7%
Targets: 35
Fantasy Points: 59.1
FPPG: 14.8
PFF Grade: 68.2
In a best-case scenario, volume and efficiency are correlated, and fantasy points are abundant. Unfortunately, the two are not always in sync. Utah’s Ryan Davis is an example in which the volume foreshadows big performances, but the efficiency is a drag on fantasy. He is tied for eleventh in the nation with 35 targets but ranks as CFF WR56. Davis has caught 29 passes (83% catch rate) for only 241 yards and a touchdown. In the past three games, he has exceeded 17 FPs in each with only one touchdown. With a pedestrian 8.3 yards per catch, the Utes’ playmaker has huge growth potential if efficiency grows to match the volume.
At 5-11 and 180 pounds, the redshirt senior played at New Mexico with quarterback Devon Dampier during the past two campaigns, and the pass-catching duo transferred to Utah together in the offseason. As a member of the Lobos, he tallied 97 receptions for 1,282 yards and four scores, averaging 13.2 ypc. In 2024, he established career-highs with 54 catches for 747 yards with three touchdowns and recorded two 100-yard games, setting a career-best with nine catches and 146 yards against Colorado State. With the upcoming byes, Davis provides a nice floor for fantasy production.
Notebook: “Last year, I played with coach Beck and coach Simon with coach (Bronco) Mendenhall at New Mexico and had the great opportunity to play for them. I love the offense that Beck has. You have to be smart to play it. You have to know certain things, find certain holes and everything because we have a lot of options on different routes and depending on what the defense does,” Davis said in the spring. (deseret.com)
Honorable Mention Wide Receivers
Zion Booker, Tulsa
Fantrax Ownership: 8%
Targets: 38
Fantasy Points: 61.3
FPPG: 15.3
PFF Grade: 72.4
Brady Boyd, Utah State
Fantrax Ownership: 6%
Targets: 33
Fantasy Points: 57
FPPG: 14.2
PFF Grade: 69.2
Jordan Napier, San Diego State
Fantrax Ownership: 20%
Targets: 27
Fantasy Points: 50.1
FPPG: 16.7
PFF Grade: 78.1
College Fantasy Football Diehards on Fire!
Who is the most intriguing wide receiver in the free agent pool this week?
- Chas Nimrod, South Florida: 25%
- Ryan Davis, Utah: 17%
- KJ Duff, Rutgers: 25%
- Trell Harris, Virginia: 33%
“Ryan Davis for me. In a PPR league, he catches a ton of 5-yard passes! What else can Devon Dampier do?” @aceholesrule
“Love Trell Harris.” @CffDfs
“We’ve been saying it’s finally OK to grab Rutgers receivers! The best overall WR corp they may have ever had. Strong WR No. 1, but KJ Duff is going to get his targets too.” @CFFLists
“Intriguing quartet! It’s Chas Nimrod for me. This USF offense is EXPLOSIVE!“ @ProbascoLuke
CFF All-Americans: Week 4
- QB Bryson Barnes, Utah State: 54.5 FPs
- QB Demond Williams, Washington: 50.7 FPs
- RB Dylan Riley, Boise State: 57.5 FPs
- RB Jonah Coleman, Washington: 40.3 FPs
- WR Eric McAlister, TCU: 51.4 FPs
- WR Trell Harris, Virginia: 36.5 FPs
- WR Terrell Anderson, NCSU: 34.6 FPs
- TE Rahan Jones, Arkansas: 24.7 FPs
- Flex Caleb Hawkins, North Texas: 37.3 FPs
CFF Player of the Week: Eric McAlister, TCU
1️⃣ brings it in for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/gOfDwxk6tT
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) September 20, 2025
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