John Laub presents the Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters, a look at the top college fantasy football sleepers for Week 5 of the NCAA Football season.
College Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 5
QUARTERBACKS
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA at Arizona: O/U 72 & Arizona -7.0
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 36%
I cannot believe that I am typing an analysis of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and advising readers to insert the Bruins’ signal caller into lineups. A week ago, I could not fathom that Coach Chip Kelly did not bench Thompson-Robinson after ineffective performances and an 0-3 record. I even ranted on the CFF: On Campus podcast in regard to Kelly’s decision to remain committed to Thompson-Robinson.
Well, I was clearly wrong. UCLA trailed Washington State by 32 points in the second half and the team’s season appeared to be headed toward the abyss. Shockingly, the narrative of the campaign miraculously changed for Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins. The sophomore signal caller passed for 322 yards and totaled six touchdowns (4 passing and two rushing) to complete a miraculous 67-63 victory on the road. For his record-breaking performance, Thompson-Robinson netted Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. “It’s the best feeling in the world (a victory), especially as a quarterback…to have them behind my back throughout this whole journey of starting out bad and now we are starting to come along. It’s really big,” Thompson-Robinson articulated on the Pac-12 Network after the game in the dailynews.com by James H. Williams.
For the season, he now ranks among the Top 20 CFF quarterbacks with over 1,000 yards passing and 13 total touchdowns. CFF diehards took notice this week. His Fantrax ownership increased from 13% to 36% after waiver wire claims.
I am always willing to reflect on my analysis and change my perspective when new facts arise. Thompson-Robinson conclusively opened my eyes to his incredible abilities and upside fantasy potential. Any quarterback in a contest with an over-under above 70 points must be inserted into lineups notwithstanding being an underdog on the road. I plucked the blazing Bruin off the waiver wire in three leagues and look forward to watching the UCLA-Arizona game on Saturday.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #129 (372 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 33.3 ppg.
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Jorge Reyna, Fresno State at New Mexico State: O/U 60 & Fresno St. -17.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 20%
Last year, Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion provided a nice streaming option for CFF diehards. For two seasons, Jorge Reyna stood on the sidelines and patiently waited for his turn to lead the Bulldogs’ offense. In April, Coach Jeff Telford named the senior the starting quarterback, and Reyna has shined with the opportunity. “It’s important going into the summer to have leadership at that position. Jorge had a really great spring. He has command of the offense…He has played his role well in the past and has earned the right to be the starting quarterback,” Tedford stated in an April press release.
A dual-threat quarterback, Reyna has exceeded 26 fantasy points in all three games, completing over 60% of his passes for 856 yards and seven touchdowns. The Senior has also rushed for 105 yards and scored once. Reyna is a sharp passer, who scans the field for his second and third options, maintains drives and keeps plays alive. “…he can scramble and pick up hidden yardage, stuff that you don’t necessarily see on the stat sheet. Rushing yards for a quarterback and being able to keep plays alive is so critical, and he does a great job of it,” former Bulldog (and first-overall NFL Draft pick) David Carr stated in the fresnobee.com by Robert Kuwda.
With many teams on byes and D’Eriq King taking a redshirt season, the Fresno playmaker provides a nice streaming option this week against New Mexico State. The Aggies just surrendered 355 passing yards and three touchdowns to Tevaka Tuioti of New Mexico. I expect a similarly productive evening from the Bulldogs’ aerial assault Saturday.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #124 (315.8 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 51.5 ppg.
Tanner Morgan, Minnesota at Purdue: O/U 56 & EVEN
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 3%
When I sat down to begin my research of the matchups, I did not expect the Minnesota-Purdue game to gain my attention. Nonetheless, here I am, and Tanner Morgan is an intriguing starting option for CFF owners in need of assistance at quarterback.
A sophomore, Morgan has produced over 22 fantasy points in each of the past two games and has a fashioned a 6:2 TD:INT ratio while completing over 66% of his passes. The Golden Gophers are undefeated, and Morgan is 7-2 as a starter during his tenure on campus. “The kid is a winner on the field and off the field. He’s a 4.0 student. He connects people in his social life, he is a great friend and he’s a winner on the football field with his leadership,” Coach P.J. Fleck decreed in an interview with the albertleatribune.com.
Purdue quarterback Elijah Sindelar has not cleared the concussion protocol and his status remains unclear for Saturday. The Boilermakers are loaded with WR Rondale Moore and TE Brycen Hopkins. On the other side of the field, Minnesota employs one of the most dynamic receiver duos in the nation with Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson. With so many elite game breakers on the field, I believe that this contest easily exceeds the 56 points Vegas projects, and Morgan is a sneaky starter for CFF managers in need of a victory.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #102 (263.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 30.7 ppg.
Additional QB Sleepers:
- Zach Wilson, BYU at Toledo: O/U 60.5 & BYU -2.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 19%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #113 (283 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 24.3
RUNNING BACKS
Ahmari Davis, New Mexico at Liberty: O/U 70 & Liberty -7.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 33%
After three games, Ahmari Davis has fashioned a roller coaster season. He scored 29.5 fantasy points to open the season, followed by a disaster with only 2.2 points, and last week, he produced another terrific outing with 25.3 points. Will the trend continue in Week 4? I do not think so.
A fan of Marshawn Lynch, Davis stated that he wanted to play in “Beast Mode” against New Mexico State on the game-clinching drive: Mission Accomplished! He rambled for a career-high 133 yards and scored twice on 28 carries. A senior, Davis landed in New Mexico via the JUCO route and gained only 185 yards in 2018. He has already exceeded last season’s rushing total with 262 yards and reached the end zone four times.
New Mexico travels to Liberty and rushing yards and points should be easy to accumulate for the Lobos. CFF diehards agree with me: Ownership jumped from 12% on Monday to 28% on Thursday. Do not hesitate to place Davis into starting lineups this weekend as he surpasses the century mark on the ground for the third time this season
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #121 (229.5 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 26 ppg.
DK Billingsley, Troy at Arkansas State: O/U 61 & Troy -6.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 19%
If you follow many CFF fanatics like myself, you already know that there is a Twitter buzz on DK Billingsley. Despite all of the recent hullabaloo, the Troy runner is still under-owned across our incredible hobby. It is time to grab Billingsley before his ownership catches up with the chatter across the Interverse.
When the Trojans lost B.J. Smith for the season, Billingsley ascended to the top of the depth chart. A redshirt sophomore, he leads the team in carries (43), yards (227) and touchdowns (4). He has produced double-digit points in each game, including a career-best 22.5 fantasy points to kick off the campaign. Against Akron on Saturday, he recorded his first career 100-yard game on 22 carries. “I knew DK was capable, and he showed it. He protected the ball, so that was good. He did a great job running the football for us and did a great job in protection as well. So, I’m very pleased with him,” Coach Chip Lindsey said after the victory over Zips in the montgomeryadvertiser.com by A. Stacy Long.
Other than a game with Missouri in two weeks, Troy’s schedule provides many favorable matchups ahead with Sun Belt foes on the docket. The window to buy Billingsley is closing quickly and will surely shut after he rambles for over 100 yards for the second consecutive contest against Arkansas State.
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #112 (208.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 34.3 ppg.
Jaylen Warren, Utah State vs. Colorado State: O/U 71.5 & Utah State -24
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 65%
I spend hours looking over season-long statistics and noticed how high Jaylen Warren ranks among running backs: He is the 19th most productive runner on a points per game basis, averaging 21.6 in three games. Without question, he is a weekly starter and should be owned in over 90% of leagues.
Entering the season, many CFF experts expected Gerold Bright to replace Darwin Thompson who is currently playing in the NFL for the Chiefs. However, Warren would not surrender the top spot on the depth chart. He has rumbled for 320 yards and reached the promised land four times.
He played at the JUCO level last season, and finally, earned a scholarship from an FBS program. According to Warren, he is currently living a dream. He has rose to the occasion and blossomed for the Aggies. “I knew it was something I was gonna have to fight for…Every back here is great, in my eyes. So, I’m like, ‘If I get the ball, I gotta make the most of it, ’cause if I don’t, I’m not gonna be in the spot I would like to be in,’” Warren said two weeks ago in a conversation with Eric Walden in sltrib.com.
If you are lucky enough to play in a league with Warren on the free-agent market, he is a must pick up and start this Saturday against Colorado State.
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #123 (239.5 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 40.3
Additional RB Sleepers:
- Kobe Lewis, Central Michigan at Western Michigan: O/U 59.5 & Western Michigan -17.0
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 22%
Opponent Defense vs. Run: #115 (211.8 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 31.5 - Moe Neal, Syracuse vs. Holy Cross: FCS Opponent
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 42%
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jhamon Ausbon & Quartney Davis, Texas A&M at Arkansas: O/U 57.5 & Texas A&M -23.0
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 27% & 15%
Last week, I suggested that readers insert either Deshaunte Jones (2-100-1) or Tarique Milton (3-142-1) of Iowa State into their lineups. Both players provided fireworks for CFF diehards who took my advice. This week I am imploring owners to acquire either Jhamon Ausbon or Quartney Davis of Texas A&M.
By no stretch of the imagination are the Razorbacks a shutdown defense. Last Saturday, Tre Walker of San Jose State burned Arkansas with 12 receptions for 161 yards. Two weeks ago, Colorado State also enjoyed a successful afternoon: Rams’ receivers Dante Wright and Warren Jackson combined for eight receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Texas A&M should effortlessly exploit their meager secondary.
Both Aggies’ wideouts enjoy a height and weight advantage over their opponents as well as an enhanced skill set. Both Ausbon and Davis are listed at 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds while the Arkansas starting corners, Montaric Brown and Jarques McClellion, are only 6-feet-0 and less than 181 pounds. The tremendous twosome at Texas A&M has combined for 41 receptions for 590 yards and four touchdowns. I foresee a productive afternoon for both playmakers on Saturday versus Arkansas.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #93 (252 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 27.3
Ja’Marcus Bradley, UL-Lafayette at Georgia Southern: O/U 56 & UL-Lafayette -3.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 33%
In my backyard, I have a hammock hanging from the porch and enjoy sitting in it with my dogs at my feet and an iPad in my hands. Of course, I spend hours researching College Fantasy Football statistics, and the Sun Belt offers so many fascinating options for CFF zealots.
Ja’Marcus Bradley is the 33rd rated receiver with 20 catches for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He has been a bit of a hit-and-miss type player this year, relying on touchdowns to boost his scoring. Nevertheless, the Ragin Cajuns’ home run hitter is an efficient producer of fantasy points, scoring 3.55 points per reception.
Overcoming a difficult childhood, Bradley is one of the good guys in college football and worth rooting for as a fan. At 9-years old, he lost his mother, who died giving birth to his younger brother. His great-grandmother raised him and taught him many important lessons in life, which he employs on the gridiron. “On the funeral day everybody was crying and stuff and I looked at my grandma and said, ‘Grandma, why are you not crying?’ And she said, ‘No matter how hard it is, don’t let the people on the outside see how panicked you are, wait until you get behind closed doors, and then cry alone.’ That kind of stuck with me. So I’m not too quick to show my emotions and stuff, and I’m really closed off,” Bradley recalled in an interview on thevermilion.com.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, the redshirt senior presents a major challenge for smaller defensive backs in the conference, and the Ragin Cajuns’ target Bradley more than any other member of the team. Bradley has harvested a 24% target share and snatched 16 of 21 targets (75%). Shy and quiet off the field, Bradley lets his performance speak volumes on game day and CFF fans should insert him into their lineups this weekend.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #123 (315.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 36 ppg.
TE Matt Bushman, BYU at Toledo: O/U 60.5 & BYU -2.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 22%
I do not usually identify tight ends to start in my weekly column, but I am making an exception this week. It has not been easy for CFF managers to find a productive starter at the position, and if you are like me, you have been streaming tight ends over the first month of the campaign.
Finally, Matt Bushman produced for his patient fantasy owners against Washington last weekend with six grabs for 89 yards and a touchdown. For the season, the junior is the eleventh ranked tight end with 15 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown.
The Cougars do not employ a game-breaker at receiver, and Bushman is the best pass-catcher on the team. Toledo has not been able to slow down opposing aerial attacks, and the BYU tight end will take advantage of the middle of the defense with over six catches while reaching the end zone once again.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #113 (283 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 24.3
Additional WR Sleepers:
- Jaelon Darden, North Texas vs. Houston: O/U 59 & North Texas -7.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 14%
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #120 (301.5 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 33.8 ppg.
Are you on board with John’s Week 5 College Fantasy Football Sleepers? Then you’ll probably appreciate his CFF Waiver Wire Recommendations.
Also, be sure to check out Justin Heisey, The Gridiron Scholar John Laub, and InThisLeague’s Scott Bogman’s podcast CFF: On Campus for weekly College Fantasy Football news and analysis on Apple Podcasts or Spreaker.
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