As college football practices intensify, CFF managers are awaiting updates that will shape their draft strategies and player evaluations. The first three days of this week bring lots of exciting news, as many players are starting to fully practice and ramp up for the season.
These updates influence not only the actual teams but also provide crucial insights for fantasy managers aiming to gain an edge in their leagues.
Latest College Football News with CFF Impact
Here are some updated news pieces you should know about from the Power Five conferences. These all come from Jul 29 – Aug 1.
ACC
Oronde Gadsden could be ready for the start of the season: The consensus CFF fantasy TE1, who only played in two games last season due to foot injuries, is moving well ahead of Syracuses fall camp, according to Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com. In 2022 he was fantastic: He had 61 catches for 969 yards and scored six touchdowns. His status surely will continue to be monitored, however, things are looking good as the Orange are set to begin their season against Ohio on Aug. 31.
Michael Kern and Hank Bachmeier actively competing for starting spot: Connor O’Neill of Rivals.com reports that Kern has been active at the start of camp and is competing for the starting quarterback spot with Louisiana Tech transfer Hank Bachmeier. The coming weeks should give a clear indication as to who will be leading the offense at the kickoff of the 2024 season, but nothing has yet been said by head coach Dave Clawson.
Donavon Greene participating in practice this week: The Wake Forest WR is fully healthy for the first time since around this time a year ago. Although he has had his share of injury problems, when he plays, he is quite good. In 2022, he recorded 37 receptions, 642 yards, and scored six touchdowns.
SEC
Jabre Barber ahead of rehab schedule: The Aggies WR underwent foot surgery during spring practices, and according to TexAgs.com, will be ready to play sooner than originally anticipated (possibly by the start of the season). Last year with Troy, Barber had 75 receptions, 999 yards, and five touchdowns.
Bru McCoy is healthy again: McCoy fractured his right ankle in late September of last season. Now, he is healthy again, and figures to be an integral part of Tennessee’s offense. In only five games last season, he accumulated some nice stats: 17 receptions, 217 yards, and one touchdown scored.
Big Ten
Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke competing for Wisconsin starting QB job: The outcome of this battle will have serious fantasy implications. Van Dyke has much more experience, which includes 581 completions for 7,469 yards and 54 touchdowns across his 32 games at Miami. Locke, however, has much less experience, although it all came last year with Wisconsin. In 152 attempts (76 completions), he accumulated 777 yards and threw for five touchdowns compared to one pick.
Big 12
Kole Taylor is not limited in practice: Taylor, who underwent surgery this offseason, seems fit and ready for the season. He is consistently ranked as one of the top tight ends in the Big 12 and will look to build on his 2023 season, where he caught 35 targets for 444 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Pac-12
Leo Pulalasi looking to become team’s RB1: After undergoing foot surgery back in April, Washington State head coach Jake Dickert says that Pulalasi is a full go for fall camp. He will be competing against Djouvensky Schlenbaker to become the team’s lead running back.