Week 1 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

Sometimes it takes two to make a thing go right. This Week 1 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire column was double-teamed by John Laub and Justin Heisey. Obviously it never had a chance.

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Week 1 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

Quarterbacks

Hank Bachmeier, Boise State
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 8%

It is the year of the freshmen quarterback. So many young men proved that they were worthy of starting over the opening weekend of college football. While the nation watched Bo Nix conduct an incredible comeback victory over Oregon, Hank Bachmeier might have been even more remarkable against Florida State: The Seminoles led 31-13 with four minutes remaining in the first half. For the rest of the game, Bachmeier and the offense went to work, scoring 23 unanswered points.

The Broncos’ field general established a new school record with 407 passing yards in a debut at Boise State during the FBS era (1996-present). “What a gutsy performance for him for a first game. He was just in high school last year.

“It was cool to see him after the game and give him a big hug and go, ‘Wow, here we are. We just beat Florida State,’” offensive coordinator Zak Hill stated in the Idaho Statesman. A 4-star prospect in high school, Bachmeier is a classic pro-style quarterback and accumulated more than 13,000 yards passing with 156 touchdowns in high school. The Broncos are loaded at receiver with CT Thomas, Khalil Shakir, and Akilian Butler, and Robert Mahone jump-started the ground game (see below). All of the pieces are in place for continued success throughout the campaign for the true freshman quarterback. — John

Sean Chambers, Wyoming
Ownership Percentage: 8%

I’m just going to keep this write-up simple. Chambers ran for 120 yards against Mizzou’s defense this past week in a win, and he gets his matchups against Boise and Utah State out of the way before the playoffs. Guys, this mobile signal-caller gets the job done for fantasy owners, especially against this level of competition in the Mountain West Conference. — Justin

Tobias Oliver, Georgia Tech
Fantrax Ownerships Percentage: 3%

Until Thursday night, I didn’t even expect Oliver to start, and then I saw him in person against Clemson and was immediately on board. Tech is running an offense solely based around the read-option, and Oliver’s 20 carries against Clemson is a sign of things to come. Oliver goes up against South Florida, The Citadel, and North Carolina in three of the next four weeks, and I’d start him against all three programs. — Justin

Justin McMillan, Tulane
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 4%

Justin McMillan kicked off his senior season with a heavy heart after his grandfather passed away less than 24 hours before the game against Florida International. “I’m really proud of Justin. He fought through a lot of adversity. He handled (his grandfather’s death) as well as he could possibly handle it. The guys rallied around him, and he played an excellent game,” coach Willie Fritz said in an interview with Guerry Smith on nola.com. McMillan completed 14 of 18 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns and added 51 yards rushing and a touchdown. Last year, the graduate student blossomed down the stretch of the season: In the last four games, he passed for 955 yards with seven touchdowns and rambled for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Playing in the American Athletic Conference, Tulane should be in plenty of shootouts this season, and CFF diehards must keep a close eye on McMillan. — John

Twitterverse on Fire!

Identify the freshman quarterback that impressed you the most and are now interested in acquiring off the Waiver Wire?

Results below: Votes (percentage)

• Hank Bachmeier, Boise State: 59 (35%)
• Bo Nix, Auburn: 52 (31%)
• Jayden Daniels, Arizona State: 47 (28%)
• Others: 11 (7%) Carson Strong, Nevada and Sam Howell, North Carolina
  John’s Vote: Jayden Daniels

“I know Bo Nix made some mistakes and was overly aggressive, but he showed signs of being a total stud. Great arm talent and fantastic athleticism…got me real excited.” @TheFF_Educator

Running Backs

Robert Mahone, Boise State
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 17%

I’d like to apologize for warning against Robert Mahone on the CFF: On Campus pod this week. It appears that Mahone put an end to the RBBC approach with a convincing, 142-yard, two-score game against Florida State. He clearly is the next name in a prodigious line of ball carriers that includes Alexander Mattison, Jeremy McNichols, and Jay Ajayi. — Justin

Jonathan Ward, Central Michigan
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 8%

Jonathan Ward is full-go this season and is going to play the best football of his college career. Coach McElwain loves him, and it showed in the game against Albany where he took 22 carries for 158 yards and two scores while also adding three receptions for 53 yards. — Justin

Twitterverse on Fire!

Identify the Group of 5 running back that opened your eyes yesterday, and you want to acquire on the waiver wire?

Results below: Votes (percentage)

• Gaej Walker, WKU: 18 (19%)
• Charles Williams, UNLV: 26 (28%)
• Jonathan Ward, CMU: 39 (41%)
• Others: 11 (12%)
• Treyvon Hughes, UTEP
  John’s Vote: Charles Williams

“I am on the Charles Williams bandwagon!” @aceholesrule

Charles Williams, UNLV
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 11%

Over the past two seasons, Lexington Thomas, the former Rebels’ star, posted back-to-back 1,000-yard crusades and scored 30 times. In 2016, Charles Williams was the top freshman ball carrier in the Mountain West Conference and commenced the next year as the starter in the UNLV backfield. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and received a medical redshirt.

“Chuck, he’s gone through a lot. He’s really matured. He’s a great guy off the field and in the classroom, and you’re seeing that energy and that leadership every single day in practice,” coach Tony Sanchez said during the spring in the reviewjournal.com. A scholar in the classroom, Williams was named 2018 Academic All-MW.

Out from under the shadow of Thomas, the junior rushed for 143 yards on only 15 carries and scored three touchdowns against Southern Utah on Saturday. It was the fourth time in his career that he eclipsed 100 yards in a game. With QB Armani Rogers and Williams, the Rebels shine at run-pass options (RPOs), and the offense should put points on the scoreboard regularly all season. Do not read anymore…rush to the waiver wire and place an offer on Williams. — John

Isaih Pacheco, Rutgers
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 1%

Historically, investing in Rutgers’ offensive players is not likely to lead CFF fanatics to a championship. Nonetheless, whenever a player rushes for 156 yards and scores four touchdowns, he needs to be placed on rosters.

Against UMass on Friday night, Isaih Pacheco became the first Scarlet Knights’ ball carrier to total four rushing touchdowns since Ray Rice in 2007. He also totaled a career-high in rushing yards on 20 carries. “He is a hard runner, a tough runner. He runs behind his pads and he’s got that gear to take it to the end zone and take it to the distance when he sees a hole. But it’s a combination of everybody working together,’’ coach Chris Ash remarked to Keith Sargeant on nj.com. At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, the sophomore rushed for 551 yards and three touchdowns last year. The upcoming schedule does not provide many easy matchups for the Scarlet Knights, but Pacheco warrants a waiver wire acquisition bid. — John

Wide Receivers

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 17%

For an offense in need of a zesty sauce, JUCO transfers can deliver the secret ingredient. The Sun Devils must replace first-round pick N’Keal Harry, and Brandon Aiyuk enthralled college football diehards with a 77-yard catch-and-run screen pass for a touchdown versus Kent State. The senior played two seasons at Sierra College and earned First Team California Community College Football Coaches Association All-American as an All-Purpose athlete. He totaled 2,499 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns at Sierra.

Last year, he played in all 13 games for Arizona State and finished with 33 catches for 474 yards (second on the team) and three touchdowns. In the Las Vegas Bowl against Fresno State, he recorded a season-high nine catches for 61 yards.

Now, he replaces Harry as the team’s primary target as the ‘X’ receiver. At 6-foot-1 and 206 yards, Aiyuk changed his diet, reduced fried foods, lifted more weights and improved his speed during the offseason in hopes of fulfilling his NFL dreams. Playing in the same scheme for a second consecutive season has also boosted his confidence.

“If you look at the big picture offensively, he’s more comfortable in the scheme because he knows it better. And then he’s had success, so he’s got confidence. If you put those two things together, where you have knowledge and confidence, you have a chance to get better,” wide receiver coach Charlie Fisher affirmed to Trevor Booth on sundevilsource.com. I am procuring as many shares of Aiyuk as possible this week. — John

Quintin Morris, Bowling Green
Fantrax Ownerships Percentage: 10%

Bowling Green is passing the ball again, and Quintin Morris is likely the biggest fantasy benefactor. Darius Wade transferred in from Boston College and tossed three touchdown passes with two heading in Morris’ direction. I shied away from Morris because I didn’t think they were going to pass this season. I was wrong, go get him. — Justin

Deshaunte Jones, Iowa State
Ownership Percentage: 5%

Iowa State’s offensive play calling was as conservative as it possibly could have been but that didn’t stop Deshaunte Jones from snagging 14 passes for over 100 yards. As it seems now, Jones is the next man up for Iowa State and if Campbell realizes that Brock Purdy can throw downfield, then he is an especially dangerous option this season. — Justin

Dante Wright, Colorado State
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 0%

In the Rocky Mountain Showdown, the Buffaloes and Rams combined for 83 points and provided lots of CFF goodness. Freshman Dante Wright, who totaled 131 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on only seven touches, delivered plenty of the fireworks himself.

“Dante is a stud. To be a true freshman on this stage, he performed well. He was making plays tonight like he was all camp. He is a really special player,” Rams’ signal-caller Collin Hill proclaimed in the denverpost.com. In high school, Wright was named the Pensacola News Journal Player of the Year in back-to-back crusades. He also played defense, picking off four passes in 2018. At 5-foot-10 and 165 yards, the true freshman offers an explosive weapon in the Rams’ offense and will likely make an impact on CFF rosters this season. — John

Honorable Mention CFF Gemstones

• QB Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 19%
• QB James Blackman, Florida State
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 17%
• QB Elijah Sindelar, Purdue
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 9%
• RB Christopher Brown, Jr., California
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 7%
• RB Treyvon Hughes, UTEP
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 1%
• WR Devin Duvernay, Texas
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 8%
• WR Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 11%

The CFF All-Americans: Week 1

• QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma: 62.2 points
• QB Jamie Newman, Wake Forest: 40.65 points
• RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin: 41 points
• RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State: 40.1 points
• WR Cedric Byrd II, Hawaii: 46 points
• WR Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State: 33.5 points
• TE Jason Pirtle, North Texas: 25.6 points
• Flex Isaih Pacheco, Rutgers: 39 points

Got another name for our Week 1 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire? Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out our 2019 College Fantasy Football Rankings!

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