Category: College Football

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On Saturday we had both games & scrimmages which felt odd. Missouri had a number of players sit out their scrimmage with injuries, but none were shared as being significant at this time. Georgia QB JT Daniels is expected to be medically cleared by their opener. Saturday afternoon featured a scare with SMU WR Reggie Roberson being carted off the field, but he was able to return to the game. Arkansas State RB Marcel Murray didn’t suit up after being listed as questionable.

On Sunday Rice shared that it will not begin fall football practice until late September at the earliest, calling into question their early October (and possibly more) games. Duke named QB Chase Brice the starter.

List of Injuries & Updates from September 5-6:

QBs:

• Arkansas State – plans to keep playing both QBs
• Jason Bean, North Texas – started game after being listed with OR on depth chart with Austin Aune
• Chase Brice, Duke – the Clemson transfer was named starter
• JT Daniels, Georgia – expected to be medically cleared for opener, but not a certainty
• Jabari Laws, Army – announcers said he was “banged up” and not playing Saturday, Christian Anderson started (as was in the depth chart)
• D’Wan Mathis, Georgia – got first teams reps in practice along with JT Daniels
• South Carolina – Collin Hill and Ryan Hilinski competing, hope to name starter next week

RBs:

• Simi Bakare, Missouri – sat out scrimmage, hamstring
• Cameron Fleming, Memphis – left game with leg injury, no updates
• Jahmyl Jeter, Texas State – waiver for eligibility denied, team will appeal
• Marcel Murray, Arkansas State – did not play with thigh injury after being questionable this week
• ZaQuandre White, South Carolina – expected to return to practice Tuesday after hamstring issue
• Len’Neth Whitehead, Tennessee – recovering from foot injury, hopefully ready by end of year
• Elijah Young, Missouri – sat out scrimmage, shoulder

WRs & TEs:

• Jalen Brooks, South Carolina – no update on waiver for eligibility
• TE Matt Bushman, BYU – successful Achilles surgery
• Xavier Coleman, UAB – report is opting out
• Kevin Davis, UAB – report is opting out
• Markus Grossman, UAB – report is opting out
• Damon Hazelton, Missouri – sat out scrimmage, soft tissue
• Malcolm Johnson, Auburn – reclassifies, begins practicing
• Cordell Littlejohn, FAU – opts out of season
• Maurice Massey, Missouri – sat out scrimmage, knee
• Mike Pettway, Washington State – transfer portal
• Reggie Roberson, SMU – carted off field but returned to action, after game it was reported that he had been kicked in the foot but is fine

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Following are the fantasy-relevant depth charts released by the teams, along with any notes and last year’s stats, for the games of Thursday Sept 3 through Monday September 7th.

(Charts/Notes only included for FBS teams. Stats listed are from 2019)

Thursday September 3rd:

Central Arkansas (FCS) vs UAB

Central Arkansas (FCS) – FCS so no preview, they played last weekend, if you saw the game you saw an FCS-level team, although having one game under their belt is a small advantage

UAB Depth Chart:

• QB: Tyler Johnston (2250-17)- returns to starting after late-season injury last year
• RB: Spencer Brown (566-5)
• WRs: Austin Watkins (57/1092), Myron Mitchell (34/554), Rob Johnson OR Trea Shropshire
• TE: Hayden Pittman (21/166) OR Gerritt Prince (4/23)

South Alabama vs Southern Miss

South Alabama Depth Chart:

• QB: Desmond Trotter (820-8)
• RB: Carlos Davis (269-2)
• WRs: Jalen Wayne (5/62), Kawaan Baker (35/574), Jalen Tolbert (27/521)
• TE: Brandon Crum (6/65)

Southern Miss Depth Chart:

• QB: Jack Abraham (3496-19)
• RB: Don Ragsdale – expected to lead a likely rotation
• WRs: Tim Jones (73/902), Jason Brownlee, DeMarcus Jones
• TE: Grayson Gunter (Arkansas transfer)

Saturday September 5th:

Eastern Kentucky (FCS) vs Marshall

Marshall depth chart:

• QB: Grant Wells – Isaiah Green reportedly withdrew from the transfer portal but does not appear to be on the roster
• RB: Brenden Knox (1387-11)
• WRs: Broc Thompson (19/334), Willie Johnson (13/349), Talik Keaton (9/140)
• TE: Xavier Gaines (27/306)

Middle Tennessee State vs Army

MTSU depth chart:

• QB: Asher O’Hara (2616-20, 1058-9)
• RB: Javy McDonald (204-1)
• WR (H): Chaton Mobley (208-3, 8/126)
• WRs: Jarrin Pierce (42/562), CJ Windham (13/233), Jimmy Marshall (35/513)

Army depth chart:

• QB: Christian Anderson (135-1, 429-4)
• FB: Sandon McCoy (576-10)
• RBs: Artice Hobbs (158-2), Brandon Walters (1-0)
• WR: Cam Harrison (25/433), Isaiah Alston
• TE: Jake Lauer

SMU vs Texas State

SMU depth chart:

• QB: Shane Buechele (3929-34)
• RB: TJ McDaniel (236-3), although team has said will be a committee of up to 4
• WRs: Reggie Roberson (43/803), Rashee Rice (25/403), Danny Gray
• TE: Kylen Granson (43/721)

Texas State depth chart:

• QB: Brady McBride (Memphis transfer)
• RB: Brock Sturges
• WRs: Jeremiah Haydel (32/324), Marcell Barbee, Drue Jackson, Chandler Speights (1/12)
• No TE listed: Micah Hilts – out with torn pec

Houston Baptist (FCS) vs North Texas

North Texas depth chart:

• QB: Austin Aune (136-1) OR Jason Bean (176-3)- both expected to play
• RB: Tre Siggers (853-11) OR DeAndre Torrey (380-2)
• WRs: Jaelon Darden (76/736), Jyaire Shorter (24/473), Deonte Simpson (18/240) OR Austin Ogunmakin (6/88)
• TE: Jason Pirtle (17/263)

Arkansas State vs Memphis

Arkansas State depth chart:

• QB: Logan Bonner (1052-10) OR Layne Hatcher (2946-27) – Bonner will start, both expected to play
• RB: Marcel Murray (820-6) OR Jamal Jones (375-3) – Murray was listed as day to day this week with a leg issue
• WRs: Jonathan Adams (62/851), Brandon Bowling (28/263), Dahu Green (5/86)
• TE: Reed Tyler (8/113)

Memphis depth chart:

• QB: Brady White (4014-33)
• RB: Rodrigues Clark (85-1)
• TB: Kenneth Gainwell (DC released before opt out) 2) Kylan Watkins (325-3)
• WRs: Damonte Coxie (76/1276), Tahj Washington (3/32), Calvin Austin (17/315)
• TE: Sean Dykes (2/9)

Stephen F Austin (FCS) vs UTEP

UTEP depth chart:

• QB: Gavin Hardison (335-1)
• RB: Quardraiz Wadley
• WRs: Justin Garrett (40/446), Jacob Cowing (31/550), Walter Dawn(6/78)
• TE: Trent Thompson (2/31)

Monday September 7th:

BYU vs Navy

BYU depth chart:

• QB: Zach Wilson (2382-11)
• RB: Lopini Katoa (358-4) OR Tyler Allgeier (119-0)
• WRs: Gunner Romney (31/377), Neil Pau’u, Dax Milne (21/285)
• TE: Matt Bushman (injured since DC), Isaac Rex 2nd on depth chart (1/23) & Masen Wake expected to get majority of TE reps.

Navy depth chart:

• QB: Dalen Morris
• SBs: Myles Fells (130-0), CJ Williams (298-3) OR Chance Warren (70-2)
• FB: Jamale Crothers (734-14)
• WRs: Mychal Cooper (18/380), Ryan Mitchell (8/183)

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(Thur-Fri updates combined – continually updated)

On Thursday came the news that several Texas State players were in quarantine and would miss the game on Saturday, including QB Tyler Vitt. QB Brady McBride had already been named the starter, but it is unclear if Vitt’s being unavailable played a role in that. Also on Thursday QB Jarret Doege was named West Virginia’s starter.

On Friday morning came the news that Texas A&M TE Baylor Cupp was injured in practice and had shoulder surgery, likely ending his season. Tulane QB Keon Howard was also named the starter.

List of Injuries & Updates from September 3–4:

QBs:

• John Bledsoe, Washington State – enters transfer portal
• Jarret Doege, West Virginia – named the starter
• Keon Howard, Tulane – named the starter
• Jordan Travis, Florida State – returns to practice after missing time
• Tyler Vitt, Texas State – has not been at practice recently – revealed to be in quarantine, will miss this weekend

RBs:

• Zaquandre White, South Carolina – out with hamstring injury, hopeful for next week

WRs & TEs:

• Damonte Coxie, Memphis – witness to alleged shooting of teammate last weekend, team says “will not impact participation” on Saturday
• TE Baylor Cupp, Texas A&M – shoulder surgery after practice injury, expected to miss season
• TE Seth Caillouet, Texas State – in quarantine, out this weekend
• TE Jordan Davis, UCF – rehabbing from ACL injury, unlikely to play this season
• Randrecous Davis, South Carolina – opts out of season
• Dorien Goddard, Virginia – opts out of season
• LC Greenwood, former Oklahoma State WR transfers to Northwestern State
• DaJon Harrison, Texas – opts out of season
• TE Jackson Lanam, Texas State – in quarantine, out this weekend
• Tay Martin, Oklahoma State – eligible after transfer from Washington State
• DJ Matthews, Florida State – has not yet returned to the team as he deals with COVID
• TE Luke Price, Clemson – out for season with torn ACL
• OrTre Smith, South Carolina – opts out of season

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(continually updated)

Wednesday was a fairly quiet day until the surprising news that Georgia QB Jamie Newman planned to opt out of the season. Georgia QB JT Daniels (USC) would seem to be the likely projected starter now. He has recently been practicing and scrimmaging but has not yet been cleared for games.

Also noteworthy was Western Kentucky QB Tyrrell Pigrome (Maryland transfer) was announced as their week 1 starter.

List of Injuries & Updates from September 2:

QBs:

• Shane Buechele, SMU – QB1 on depth chart, (obviously there was no doubt, but I list every time a team names their QB starter to start the season)
• Feleipe Franks, Arkansas – will work with first team in scrimmage
• KJ Jefferson, Arkansas – will work with second team in scrimmage
• Devin Leary, NC State – locked in as starter
• Brian Maurer, Tennessee – limited in fall camp with a hamstring issue
• Daylen Morris, Navy – listed as QB1
• Jamie Newman, Georgia – opts out of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft
• Asher O’Hara, MTSU – QB1 on depth chart as expected
• Tyrrell Pigrome, Western Kentucky – the Maryland transfer has been named the week 1 starter

RBs:

• Marcel Murray, Arkansas State – “day to day” with leg issue
• JR Tran-Reno, Vanderbilt – enters the transfer portal

WRs & TEs:

• Brian Smith, Louisiana-Lafayette – out for season with broken hip
• John “Pop” Williams, Memphis – still on personal leave of absence from the team

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For a while all 8 of the top passers returning from last season were planning to play this fall. This list doesn’t take into account QB rushing or dual-threat capabilities, rather it strictly focuses on passing. So consider this a quick reminder of the returning QBs you may be considering with your first QB selection.

List in Order of 2019 Passing Yards (Passing Yards – Yards per Game) – Players Playing this Fall Bolded

1. Brady White, Memphis – 4014 – 286.7
2. Brock Purdy, Iowa State – 3982 – 306.3
3. Shane Buechele, SMU – 3929 – 302.2
4. Chris Robison, FAU – 3701 – 264.4 (left team)
5. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – 3665 – 244.3
6. Sam Ehlinger, Texas – 3663 – 281.8
7. Dillon Gabriel, UCF – 3653 – 281.0
8. Sam Howell, UNC – 3641 – 280.1
9. Kedon Slovis, USC – 3502 – 291.8
10. Jack Abraham, So. Miss – 3496 – 268.9
11. Holton Ahlers, ECU – 3387 – 282.3
12. Zach Smith, Tulsa – 3279 – 273.3
13. Justin Fields, Ohio State – 3273 – 233.8
14. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota – 3253 – 250.2
15. Charlie Brewer, Baylor – 3161 – 225.8
16. Kenny Pickett, Pitt – 3098 – 258.2
17. Levi Lewis – Louisiana – 3050 – 217.9
18. Ian Book, Notre Dame – 3034 – 233.4
19. Layne Hatcher, Arkansas St – 2946 – 294.6
20. Jayden Daniels, Arizona St – 2943 – 245.3

Some takeaways from the list:

• 7 of the top 8 return, and would be all 8 if not for Chris Robison’s departure from FAU
• 15 of the top 20 return
• Only two players on the list averaged 300+ yards per game – Brock Purdy & Shane Buechele
• For a frame of reference, #20 on the list, Jayden Daniels, was 39th in passing yards in 2019
• #19 Layne Hatcher, is in a QB battle with Logan Bonner who was injured last season
• Just missed by 2 yards – #21 would have been Kyle Trask, Florida who had 2941 yards

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On Tuesday morning came the news that BYU TE Matt Bushman was carted off the practice field with an Achilles injury and was later confirmed to be out for the season. (TE Isaac Rex was 2nd on the recently released depth chart behind Bushman.)

The other big news of the day was confirmation that Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler will be the starter, and that Appalachian State WR Corey Sutton opted out of the season.

List of Injuries & Updates from September 1:

QBs:

• James Blackman, Florida State – named the starter
• Darriel Mack, UCF – opts out of season
• Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma – named starter over Tanner Mordecai
• Bryce Young, Alabama – back in practice after missing time last week

RBs:

• Kendall Abdur-Rahman, Notre Dame – moved to RB from WR
• Raheem Blackshear, Virginia Tech – waiver appeal for eligibility granted after transfer from Rutgers
• Robert Burns, Miami – “got some work in” as he returned to practice off of knee injury, not clear if game-ready
• Osita Ekwonu, Notre Dame – moved to RB from LB
• North Texas depth chart: Tre Siggers OR DeAndre Torrey as RB1
• Josh Oglesby, Arkansas – “dinged up” in scrimmage, unsure how long will be out
• Hinckley Ropati, BYU – reports he suffered a knee injury in final scrimmage and may need surgery
• SMU – potential RB by committee including TJ McDaniel, Ulysses Bentley, Tyler Lavine & TaMerik Williams
• Master Teague, Ohio State – recovered from Achilles injury, would have been ready for season
• Quardraiz Wadley, UTEP – RB1 on depth chart
• Kyren Williams, Notre Dame – emerged as top RB, will still likely be a rotation

WRs & TEs:

• TE Matt Bushman, BYU – carted off practice field Monday with lower leg injury, later Tuesday was confirmed to be Achilles and is out for the season
• TE Micah Hilts, Texas State – torn pec, out, 13/174-1 last season
• TE Marcus Joyner, Old Dominion – plans to grad transfer, 14/146-0 last year
• Corey Sutton, Appalachian State – opts out of season
• DJ Turner, grad transfers from Maryland to Pitt, immediately eligible
• Brandon White, Virginia – enters transfer portal

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While there is usually a lot of turnover in college football rosters, a surprising number of the top rushers from last year return. If you are playing CFF you’ll likely want to grab at least one of these guys with your first RB selection.

List in Order of 2019 Yards Rushing (Attempts – Yards – Yards per Game) – Players Playing this Fall Bolded

1. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma St – 328 – 2094 – 161.8
2. Jaret Patterson, Buffalo – 312 – 1799 – 143.07
3. Travis Etienne, Clemson – 207 – 1614 – 107.60
4. Javian Hawkins, Louisville – 264 – 1525 – 117.31
5. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis – 231 – 1459 – 104.21
6. Brenden Knox, Marshall – 270 – 1387 – 106.69
7. Kylin Hill, Mississippi St – 242 – 1350 – 103.85
8. Josh Johnson, LA-Monroe – 201 – 1298 – 108.17
9. Caleb Huntley, Ball State – 248 – 1275 – 106.25
10. Xazavian Valladay, Wyoming – 247 – 1265 – 105.42
11. Charles Williams UNLV – 212 – 1257 – 104.75
12. Najee Harris, Alabama – 209 – 1224 – 94.15
13. CJ Verdell, Oregon – 197 – 1220 – 87.14
14. Gaej Walker, Western Kentucky – 241 – 1208 – 92.92
15. Bryant Koback, Toledo – 195 – 1187 – 98.92
16. Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana – 198 – 1147 – 81.93
17. Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – 184 – 1133 – 94.42
18. CJ Marable, Coastal Carolina – 204 – 1085 – 90.42
19. Kobe Lewis, Central Michigan – 182 – 1074 – 76.71
20. Justin Henderson, Louisiana Tech – 188 – 1062 – 81.69

Some takeaways from the above list:

• 6 of the top 8 return (was 7 before the Gainwell opt out), with 12 of the top 20
• #1 on the list Chuba Hubbard, had 1032 more yards than #20, almost doubling #20’s output (1062)
• #20 Justin Henderson was #40 in rushing yards in 2019, so exactly half of the top 40 from last year returned in 2020
• No QBs on this list, although there were 3 in the top 40 last season – Malcolm Perry, Lynn Bowden, & Jalen Hurts

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(continually updated)

A number of depth charts were released on Monday, with a few QB1s named that weren’t locked in ahead of time such as Brady McBride (Texas State) and Arkansas State’s Logan Bonner & Layne Hatcher listed with an OR, although Bonner will start. There is also a lack of clarity about whether Syracuse RBs Abdul Adams & Jarveon Howard have been at practice.

List of Injuries & Updates from August 31:

QBs:

• Logan Bonner, Arkansas State – will start Saturday, Layne Hatcher will also play, listed with OR on depth chart
• Max Duggan, TCU – no injury update, but could possibly return for some of 2020 season
• Tyler Johnston, UAB – confirmed to be QB1
• Brady McBride, Texas State – named QB1
• North Texas – Austin Aune & Jason Bean listed as co-starters
• Tobias Oliver, Georgia Tech – has moved to cornerback
• Desmond Trotter, South Alabama – QB1 on depth chart
• Brady White, Memphis – QB1 as expected
• Zach Wilson, BYU – named starter

RBs:

• Abdul Adams, Syracuse – unclear if has been practicing
• Carlos Davis, South Alabama – RB1 on depth chart
• BYU depth chart: Lopini Katoa OR Tyler Allgeier
• Jarveon Howard, Syracuse – unclear if has been practicing
• JaTarvious Whitlow, former Auburn RB reportedly transferring to W. Illinois

WRs & TEs:

• TE Aaron Hackett, Syracuse – practicing after coming off an injury
• TE TK McLendon, LSU – the TE/DE who was expected to play DE this season has entered the transfer portal after one reception in 2019

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The news of note on Friday included RB/Slotback Keoni-Kordell Makekau of Navy choosing to opt out of the season and WR Brenden Schooler announcing he would grad transfer to Texas from Oregon after a brief stop at Arizona.

Among Saturday’s updates included Marshall’s Grant Wells being named QB1, Georgia QB JT Daniels was active in the scrimmage but hasn’t been cleared for games, & South Carolina WR OrTre Smith has missed recent practices for undisclosed reasons.

The big news on Sunday were the reports that LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase & Memphis RB Kenny Gainwell will opt out of the season and declare for the NFL Draft.

List of Injuries & Updates from August 28-30:

QBs:

• Joey Cambron, MTSU – transfer portal
• JT Daniels, Georgia – not cleared for games but cleared for practices and scrimmages.
• Drew Gunther, transfers from Syracuse to Bowling Green
• Jack Smith, Arizona State – enters transfer portal, missed 3 years due to back injury
• Grant Wells, Marshall – named the starter
• West Virginia preseason depth chart – Jarret Doege OR Austin Kendall
• Bryce Young, Alabama – didn’t scrimmage today (reports are he has missed recent practices) but expected back Monday.

RBs:

• Leddie Brown, West Virginia – RB1 on preseason depth chart
• Kenny Gainwell, Memphis – reports will opt out and declare for the NFL Draft
• Keoni-Kordell Makekau, Navy – opts out of season
• Larry McCammon, Florida Atlantic – rolled his ankle in Saturday scrimmage
• A’Montae Spivey, Arkansas – “dinged up”, held out of scrimmage
• Malik Staples, Western Kentucky – moves from LB back to RB where he played in 2016 for Louisville

WRs & TEs:

• Ja’Marr Chase, LSU – reports will opt out and declare for the NFL Draft
• DeAngelo Gibbs, Tennessee – sit out this fall, focus on academics
• Rahmon Hart, transfer from Ball State to Duquesne
• Tyquan Johnson, South Carolina – enters transfer portal
• TE Isaiah Miranda, Boston College – enters transfer portal
• Brenden Schooler – will reportedly grad transfer to Texas after leaving Oregon and making a brief pit stop at Arizona before their season was postponed
• OrTre Smith, South Carolina – missed practice recently due to an undisclosed issue

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A number of elite receivers entered the NFL draft after last season, with Ja’Marr Chase of LSU being the clear top returner (until the Aug. 30 news he would opt out) . If you are playing CFF and like to balance your draft with a combination of proven talent and potential breakouts, you’ll likely want to grab at least one of these guys with your first WR selection.

List in Order of 2019 Yards Receiving (2019 Stats – Receptions – Yards – Yards per Game) – Players Playing this Fall Bolded

1. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU – 84 – 1780 – 127.1
2. Tutu Atwell, Louisville – 70 – 1276 – 98.2
3. Damontie Coxie, Memphis – 76 – 1276 – 91.1
4. DeVonta Smith, Alabama – 68 – 1256 – 96.6
5. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota – 60 – 1219 – 93.8
6. Tamorrion Terry, Florida St – 60 – 1188 – 91.4
7. Tre Walker, San Jose St – 79 – 1161 – 116.1
8. Jared Smart, Hawaii – 87 – 1129 – 75.3
9. Warren Jackson, Colorado St – 77 – 1119 – 111.9
10. Austin Watkins, UAB – 57 – 1092 – 78.0
11. Jaden Blue, Temple – 95 – 1067 – 82.1
12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC – 77 – 1042 – 80.2
13. Keylon Stokes, Tulsa – 62 – 1040 – 86.7
14. David Bell, Purdue – 86 – 1035 – 86.3
15. Dyami Brown, UNC – 51 – 1034 – 79.5
16. Dazz Newsome, UNC – 72 – 1018 – 84.8
17. Whop Philyor, Indiana – 70 – 1002 – 83.5
18. Sage Surratt – Wake Forest – 66 – 1001 – 111.2
19. Elijah Cooks, Nevada – 76 – 926 – 71.2
20. Tyler Vaughns, USC – 74 – 912 – 70.2

Some takeaways from the Top 20 list:

• #1 Ja’Marr Chase had more than 500 more yards more than #2 on the list, and almost doubled #20 on the list (1780 to 912)
• 4 of the top 6 are playing, and 9 of the top 16 are playing this season, was 10 before the Chase opt out
• Jaden Blue (Temple) had the most receptions of any returning player with 95, next is Jared Smart (Hawaii) with 87
• UNC & USC are the only schools with 2 players on the list
• Of the 9 who ARE playing here is the conference breakdown: ACC-4, AAC-3, SEC-1, CUSA-1
• For a reference point, Tyler Vaughns was #50 on the 2019 yard receiving list, so 30 of the top 50 from last year graduated or went to the NFL