Congratulations, you’ve made it. This is the last weekend without college football until next year. As fall camps are well underway, major news, rumors and developments are coming out by the hour. Whether you’re yet to begin your draft or you’re already searching for ways to improve through trades and free agency, you can never have too much information at your disposal.
In this article, I have highlighted some of the most important pieces of news that may impact college fantasy football from the Power 4 conferences (August 11-15, 2024)
College Football Update with CFF Impact
ACC
Preston Stone healthy and looking to lead the Mustangs in 2024 (Sunday): The SMU quarterback, who suffered a bad injury against Navy in November of last season, is looking ready to go at full steam in 2024. Before his injury last season, he was quite impressive, throwing for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns. Stone will now look to lead SMU to another successful season, except this time while in the ACC.
There’s a three-way quarterback competition at UNC (Monday): Jacolby Criswell, Conner Harrell, and Max Johnson are all making a case for the QB1 job in North Carolina, according to Evan Rogers of 247sports.com. Harrell is the only one of the three that has experience playing under UNC’s head coach and OC, however, this really is anyone’s job at this point in camp.
Big Ten
Tawee Walker competing for RB1 spot (Sunday): The Wisconsin running back, who recently transferred from Oklahoma has been impressive so far in fall practices. He will be competing with Chez Mellusi to earn the lead-back spot. Last year with the Sooners, Walker ran for 513 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Tyler Van Dyke named as Wisconsin’s QB1 (Wednesday): After competing for the starting job with Braedyn Locke in July, Van Dyke is now taking all of the first-team reps with the Badgers offense, and was officially named the team’s starter by OC Phil Longo. Van Dyke was Miami’s quarterback from 2021 to 2023 and has accumulated 7,469 yards and 54 touchdowns in that time. He could be a valuable pick in deeper fantasy leagues.
Darius Taylor leaves practice limping (Tuesday): Minnesota’s lead running back left practice early on Tuesday, per Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer. Gophers’ head coach, P.J. Fleck, said the injury wasn’t serious. However, fantasy managers must monitor this closely as Taylor has an injury history, missing seven games during his breakout 2023 season.
SEC
Elijhah Badger impressive so far in practice (Sunday): The Gators receiver has reportedly had a good offseason after transferring over from Arizona State. Last season with the Sun Devils, Badger had 65 receptions for 713 yards and three touchdowns. He figures to be a big part of Florida’s passing game in 2024.
Reuben Owens out for all of 2024 season (Sunday): According to Max Olson of The Atheltic, Owens suffered a lower-body injury in practice that will require him to miss the entire 2024 season. Tough blow for the Aggies and fantasy players who thought highly of him.
Le’Veon Moss expected to handle a big workload (Monday): With Reuben Owens (lower-body) out for the entire 2024 season, Moss will step in as the lead back for Texas A&M. Last season, Moss rushed for 484 yards and scored five touchdowns. Expect to see those numbers go up substantially.
Jayden Gibson expected to miss entire season (Tuesday): The Sooners’ wideout (knee) is slated to have surgery, ending any chance he may have had to play in 2024. This is particularly bad news for fantasy managers of deep leagues, and Gibson was a breakout candidate/late-round sleeper pick.
Kyren Lacy to lead the LSU receiver room(Thursday): Richie Mills of WGNO.com reports that Lacy is set to lead the Tigers receiving corps in 2024. After the departure of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr declaring for the NFL draft, Lacy is the most experienced LSU receiver. Last season he had 30 catches for 558 yards and seven touchdowns. He could be in store for a monster fantasy season.
Big 12
Tetairoa McMillan almost fully healthy (Sunday): McMillan was spotted participating almost fully in practice (with a non-contact jersey), per Jason Scheer of 247sports.com. McMillan, who was previously sidelined with a leg injury, looks to be on the right track heading into the 2024 season. He should remain as one of the top CFF players this year.
Cam Cook will likely be Texas Christain’s RB1 (Tuesday): Cook will have big shoes to fill as he is set to replace Emani Bailey, who left for the 2024 NFL draft. Cook does not have much experience (16 carries for about 60 yards last season), however, will get a great opportunity and could be a late-round sleeper pick in 2024.