College Fantasy Football offers a delightful opportunity to learn all of the players across the nation and become a superior Devy and Dynasty player as well as a better Draftnik. I adore this hobby and want to assist players throughout their drafts this summer. For the eighth season, my CFF All-American sleepers column will assist readers to uncover undervalued players.
Fortunately, Nicholas Ian Allen, @CFBWinningEdge, has been kind enough to provide projections for all ten of my preseason undervalued players in CFF drafts.
Also make sure to check out my CFF player rankings to see where all of the sleepers listed below fit into the big picture.
Enjoy my fellow CFF diehards!
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.
College Fantasy Football Sleepers for 2021
QB Emory Jones, Florida
Current ADP: Round 10, No. 120 Overall
When seeking sleepers in college fantasy football, I look for an amalgamation of player skills, offensive scheme, and coaching philosophy. At Florida, CFF diehards have a near-perfect match of the aforementioned formula for success in 2021.
Quarterback Emory Jones was a four-star prospect by 247Sports as a high schooler. In 2017, he played in the Elite 11 Final All-Star camp, and in 2018, participated in the Under Armour All-America Game. At 6’2” and 210-pounds, the redshirt junior is a dual-threat playmaker who finally gets to call signals in Gainesville, FL.
Coach Dan Mullen’s offensive scheme is electric, scoring nearly 40 points per game last year while capturing the SEC East. More athletic than former Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, Jones brings a new dynamic to the Gators’ offense in 2021. The new starter at Florida has a huge ceiling and is underrated in college fantasy football drafts.
2021 Projections*
Passing Yards: 2,922
Rushing yards: 346
Total Touchdowns: 35
Fantasy PPG: 27.4
QB Frank Harris, UTSA
Current ADP: Round 17, No. 193 Overall
If the reader has followed my analysis this year, you already know that I have chatted, and written, about the Roadrunners’ offense. UTSA scored 28.2 ppg. and totaled 415.3 ypg. last year and clever CFF managers want a piece of coach Jeff Traylor’s scheme.
Of course, RB Sincere McCormick is the most desired playmaker at UTSA. Yet, I am captivated by QB Frank Harris, who came alive down the stretch last season. For two years, Harris struggled to stay on the field because of injuries, and in 2020, the redshirt senior suited up a career high 11 games.
The Roadrunners’ signal caller completed 159 of 250 passes for 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns. His completion percentage (63.6%) established a school single-season record. He also added 528 rushing yards and nine scores. He produced over 29 fantasy points in five games, scoring a season-best 43.9 versus UTEP. Harris is a remarkable third quarterback on CFF rosters.
2021 Projections*
Passing Yards: 2,374
Rushing yards: 245
Total Touchdowns: 24
Fantasy PPG: 21.3
QB Sean Clifford, Penn State
Current ADP: Round 17, No. 200 Overall
When the CFF Best Ball season kicked off, I did not plan on targeting Sean Clifford. Nonetheless, when seeking a third signal caller, the Nittany Lions’ dual-threat quarterback remained available late in drafts, and I could not bypass the opportunity to add him on my rosters.
During his campus tenure, Clifford has started 20 games, and 11 times, he has surpassed 25 fantasy points scored, eclipsing 40 points twice. In 2019, he produced 43.3 points against Maryland, and in 2020, registered 41.8 points against Indiana.
At 6’2” and 220-pounds, the redshirt senior has 11 career games with two or more passing touchdowns, eight with three or more, and two with four or more. He has thrown for at least 250 passing yards and three aerial strikes five times. Surprisingly, Clifford has four career touchdown passes of 70 or more yards and completed 63 career passes of 20 or more yards. When factoring in fantasy ceiling, Clifford stands out among late-round fantasy quarterbacks.
2021 Projections*
Passing Yards: 2,850
Rushing yards: 470
Total Touchdowns: 31
Fantasy PPG: 27.1
Twitterverse on Fire!
With training camps opening in a few weeks across the nation, Who Ya Got as a late-round quarterback in CFF drafts?
- Sean Clifford, Penn State: 15%
- Tyler Shough, Texas Tech: 32%
- Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State: 30%
- Frank Harris, UTSA: 23%
“Tyler Shough: When you have a QB in an Air Raid offense that can run too, is that not a match made in heaven?” @JustinNottingh6
“Sean Clifford will get a boost from a new offensive coordinator and the weapons around him remain strong. In his last three games last year, he had ten touchdowns.” @aceholesrule
“I really like Frank Harris’ potential. If he can be consistent, he’ll be a great waiver wire pickup.” @CffNation
RB Greg Bell, San Diego State
Current ADP: Round 10, No. 111 Overall
It has been a long road for Greg Bell to fantasy relevance. After high school in 2015, Bell enrolled at Arizona Western Community College and was a back-to-back JUCO All-American. He rushed for 2,404 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Next, he chose Nebraska over Arizona and Arizona State in 2018. After four games, Bell left the Cornhuskers and did not suit up in 2019.
Bell finally earned carries for the Aztecs last year and opened the 2020 campaign with four consecutive 100-yard performances. In seven games, the senior rambled for 637 yards and six scores. He added 11 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Bell, 6’0” and 200-pounds, has one more season of eligibility to increase his NFL Draft stock. During spring practices, the senior dedicated himself to improving his pass-catching abilities. “He’s really worked hard from what I’ve seen. He (Bell) really does a nice job of catching the football and he’s really focused on improving his hands and improving himself in the passing game,” stated offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski (dailyaztec.com). In double-digit rounds, I am acquiring Bell in every draft this summer.
2021 Projections*
Rushing Yards: 989
Receptions: 16
Touchdowns: 9
Fantasy PPG: 15.4
RB Frank Gore, Jr., Southern Mississippi
Current ADP: Round 12, No. 133 Overall
In 2020, the Golden Eagles endured an uninspiring 3-7 crusade. Fortunately, Southern Mississippi did discover a rising star in the backfield: Frank Gore, Jr. (I remember watching his father play at Miami over 15 years ago at the turn of the century.)
As a senior in high school, Gore, Jr. rambled for 1,111 yards and scored 13 times. He also played a little quarterback and passed for 213 yards and two touchdowns. A three-star prospect, he selected Southern Mississippi over Florida Atlantic.
Gore, a freshman last year, gained 708 rushing yards and scored twice while averaging 5.9 ypc. He also recorded nine catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. New coach Will Hall must find a viable starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Hall can rely on Gore Jr., and a veteran offensive line to keep the chains moving.
2021 Projections*
Rushing Yards: 928
Receptions: 13
Touchdowns: 8
Fantasy PPG: 14.1
Twitterverse on Fire!
With training camps opening in a few weeks across the nation, Who Ya Got as a late-round running back in CFF drafts?
- Brittain Brown, UCLA: 20%
- David Bailey, Colorado State: 19%
- Cam Porter, Northwestern: 26%
- Zonovan Knight, NCST: 35%
“Brittain Brown! Give me the fella that averaged 6.6 yards per carry and went for 240 yards in his last game!” @aceholesrule
“Zonovan Knight is the safe pick here. Brittain Brown has a bit of competition there now and Cam Porter isn’t in this tier for me. David Bailey could be a monster at Colorado State, that’s the home run but there’s a wide range of outcomes with that one.” @FF_banterman
“Wow! Very even split among these options! As for me, I’ll be taking the upside that Brittain Britain Brown provides, especially at his ADP!” @CFF_Jared
“I want David Bailey, give me that big power back in the MWC…..BOOM, boom, BooM!!!!” @JustinNottingh6
RB Zonovan Knight, North Carolina State
Current ADP: Round 13, No. 156 Overall
Why is the Wolfpacks’ leading rusher being overlooked in college fantasy football leagues? Zonovan Knight paced the team in rushing each of his first two seasons on campus, jetting for 1,533 yards and 15 scores. He also nabbed 27 passes for 181 yards. An electric open-field runner, the junior returned 14 kicks for 373 yards and a touchdown last year. His 26.6 career average on kick returns ranks second in the Wolfpack record books.
At 5’11” and 210-pounds, Knight is a physical runner with great contact balance and stupendous vision at the second level. The North Carolina State ball carrier easily breaks tackles and squirms through traffic. Currently, he owns the top yards per carry average (5.49) in Wolfpack history. In the ACC, he ranks third among returning players in rushing yards (1,533), tied for fourth in touchdowns scored (16), and third in all-purpose yards (2,043).
In spring workouts, Knight missed practices after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. All reports suggest that he will be healthy for training camp and ready to ramble in 2021. I expect Knight’s ADP to rise throughout the remainder of the summer.
2021 Projections*
Rushing Yards: 837
Receptions: 20
Touchdowns: 11
Fantasy PPG: 15.4
WR Sam Pinckney, Georgia State
Current ADP: Round 12, No. 135 Overall
Georgia State joined the Sun Belt in 2013 and has only three winning seasons, including back-to-back ones in the past two campaigns. The Panthers are improving under coach Shawn Elliot, and the offense returns all 11 starters. In 2020, the unit posted 33.3 ppg. and 273.7 passing yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Cornelious Brown, IV, and wide receiver Sam Pinckney ignited the aerial assault last year. Pinckney first blipped on my radar against Arkansas State when he logged six receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns. At the end of the season, the redshirt junior earned Second Team All-Sun Belt after catching 47 passes for 815 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 17.3 ypc. He was also named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
After only playing in 23 career games, Pinckney ranks among the program’s Top 10 leaders in receptions (86), yards (1,357), and touchdown receptions (12). At 6’4” and 210-pounds, there are not many defensive backs in the Sun Belt who can match up with Pinckney’s size, speed, and strength. I am ecstatic when the Panthers’ playmaker is my fourth wideout on my CFF roster.
2021 Projections*
Receptions: 55
Receiving Yards: 938
Touchdowns: 6
Fantasy PPG: 15.7
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Current ADP: Round 12, No. 136 Overall
Last time that I was this excited for a Horned Frogs’ receiver, Josh Doctson wore the Purple and White in Fort Worth, TX. In 2021, Quentin Johnston deserves the adoration of the college fantasy football community.
At 6’4” and 193-pounds, 247Sports graded Johnston as a four-star prospect, No. 13 wide receiver, and No. 9 overall player in Texas coming out of high school. As a true freshman last year, he secured 22 passes for 487 yards and two touchdowns. Johnston produced a team-best 22.1 ypc., which was the highest by a true freshman in Big 12 history.
The sleek playmaker also logged back-to-back 100-yard outings to finish the season. He recorded three catches for 114 yards versus Oklahoma and five receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana Tech. During the season, he also scored two rushing touchdowns on only three carries. There is no denying Johnston’s talent and CFF potential as the prime target in the TCU passing game.
2021 Projections*
Receptions: 41
Receiving Yards: 718
Touchdowns: 5
Fantasy PPG: 11.9
WR Parker Washington, Penn State
Current ADP: Round 16, No. 189 Overall
In CFF Best Ball drafts, I like to stack undervalued aerial assaults. In 2021, one of my favorite inexpensive stacks is the Nittany Lions trio of QB Clifford, WR Parker Washington and TE Benton Strange. Of course, I would like to add WR Johan Dotson, but he is off the board in the first five rounds and the other three are nearly freebies.
Coming out of high school, Washington was graded as a four-star prospect and No. 37 recruit in Texas by 247Sports. As a true freshman last year, he started all nine games and was named Freshman Second Team All-American by The Athletic. He recorded 36 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns, generating 13.6 ypc.
The Devy community has identified the 5’10” and 212-pounder as an early breakout prospect and scooped him up already. In 2020, Penn State finished second in the Big Ten in total offense, scored nearly 30 ppg. and piled up over 430 ypg. Do not overlook the Nittany Lions’ offense for CFF starters, and Washington is a terrific high-ceiling wideout in 2021.
2021 Projections*
Receptions: 45
Receiving Yards: 660
Touchdowns: 7
Fantasy PPG: 12.9
TE Grant Calcaterra, SMU
Current ADP: Round 15, No. 172 Overall
Over the past six months, coach Sonny Dykes has really upgraded the SMU roster. A former four-star recruit, Grant Calcaterra suffered multiple concussions and retired from football for a short time. The former Sooners tight end originally planned to return to the gridiron at Auburn, but decided to transfer to SMU instead.
In 2018, Calcaterra was named First Team All-Big 12 after securing 26 passes for 396 yards and six touchdowns. During his career, he has 41 catches for 637 yards and nine scores. On the Mustangs, Calcaterra replaces the departed Kylen Granson, who accumulated 14 touchdowns on 78 catches over the past two campaigns, and should shine in Dykes’ Air Raid scheme if he can stay on the field.
2021 Projections*
Receptions: 38
Receiving Yards: 562
Touchdowns: 5
Fantasy PPG: 10.4
9 More Underrated Playmakers
For readers, Nicholas Ian Allen has identified nine more underrated playmakers, who are among the Top 25 CFF players at their positions, based on his 2021 projections.
Quarterbacks
Cornelious Brown, Georgia State
Current ADP: Round 15, No. 168 Overall
Passing Yards: 2,787
Rushing yards: 399
Total Touchdowns: 28
Fantasy PPG: 25.6
Lane Hatcher, Arkansas State
Current ADP: Round 16, No. 185 Overall
Passing Yards: 3,396
Rushing yards: 73
Total Touchdowns: 34
Fantasy PPG: 26.6
Levi Lewis, Louisiana-Lafayette
Current ADP: Round 16, No. 192 Overall
Passing Yards: 2,622
Rushing yards: 431
Total Touchdowns: 30
Fantasy PPG: 25.6
Running Backs
Bryant Koback, Toledo
Current ADP: Round 7, No. Overall 81
Rushing Yards: 1,081
Receptions: 35
Touchdowns: 10
Fantasy PPG: 20.2
D’Vonte Price, Florida International
Current ADP: Round 12, No. Overall 140
Rushing Yards: 1,273
Receptions: 20
Touchdowns: 10
Fantasy PPG: 18.4
Reese White, Coastal Carolina
Current ADP: Round 14, No. Overall 159
Rushing Yards: 941
Receptions: 21
Touchdowns: 14
Fantasy PPG: 18.2
Wide Receivers
Jyaire Shorter, North Texas
Current ADP: Round 7, No. Overall 84
Receptions: 74
Receiving Yards: 1,224
Touchdowns: 8
Fantasy PPG: 20.4
Jerreth Sterns, Western Kentucky
Current ADP: Round 9, No. Overall 103
Receptions: 80
Receiving Yards: 1,050
Touchdowns: 7
Fantasy PPG: 18.9
Braylon Sanders, Mississippi
Current ADP: Round 11, No. Overall 129
Receptions: 80
Receiving Yards: 1,184
Touchdowns: 8
Fantasy PPG: 20.9
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