College Fantasy Update

In Tuesday news QB Connor Bazelak was named Missouri’s starter, North Texas RB Oscar Adaway is expected to be out again this week, while Auburn said they were hopeful to get all of their injured players back this week. New Mexico QB Brandt Hughes was also announced to be out for the season with a shoulder injury.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 6:

QBs:

• Josh Adkins, UTSA – will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery for collarbone injury
• Christian Anderson, Army – status will be determined at the of the week whether can play on Saturday
• Austin Aune, North Texas – QB1 on depth chart, no more OR with Jason Bean
• Connor Bazelak, Missouri – will start this week
• Jack Coan, Wisconsin – out indefinitely after successful foot surgery
• Frank Harris, UTSA – looked good taking most first team reps in practice, described as a gametime decision
• Will Heckman, Washington State – QB juco transfer is listed as a DB on the roster
• Brandt Hughes, New Mexico – out for the season with a right shoulder injury
• Jabari Laws, Army – still not ready to play (has been out all season)
• Paul Piferi, Purdue – moves from QB to TE
• Chubba Purdy, Florida State – “getting close” to a full return as he continues to make progress
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – didn’t practice Monday, hopeful for today/Wednesday
• Tyler Vitt, Texas State – back at practice after missing time in covid-protocol – both he and Brady McBride expected to play this week
• Aidan Willard, Oregon State – medically retires

RBs:

• Oscar Adaway, North Texas – not on depth chart, reported to be out again this week (undisclosed)
• Keyon Brooks, Vanderbilt – good chance to return this week
• Marcus Crowley, Ohio State – minor setback in recovery from torn ACL, unclear timeline to play
• Harold Joiner, Auburn – enters transfer portal
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week
• Morian Walker, Nevada – grad transfers to Nevada from Utah State

WRs & TEs:

• Elijhah Badger, Arizona State – academically ineligible this season
• Devin Boddie, Vanderbilt – good chance to play this week
• James Bostic, Vanderbilt – good chance to play this week
• Zack Dobson, West Virginia – receives waiver to play after transfer from MTSU
• Jsi Hatfield, East Carolina – did not play last weekend, not on depth chart this week
• TE Tre McKitty, Georgia – is practicing, hopeful to play Saturday
• Jyaire Shorter, North Texas – confirmed to be out this week
• Eli Stove, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week
• Seth Williams, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week

I take a look at some key stats & fantasy takeaways that stood out for 12 different teams last weekend. The “Stat to Know” from each team is bolded, as well as players who are mentioned.

Week 5 Passing Leaders (yards):

• 474 – Shane Buechele, SMU
• 435 – Mac Jones, Alabama
• 411 – Kenny Pickett, Pitt
• 339 – Austin Aune, North Texas
• 337 – Myles Brennan, LSU

Week 5 Rushing Leaders (yards):

• 208 – Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech
• 196 – JD King, Georgia Southern
• 150 – Sincere McCormick, UTSA
• 145 – Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
• 144 – Spencer Brown, UAB

Week 5 Receiving Leaders (yards):

• 243 – Reggie Roberson, SMU
• 186 – DJ Turner, Pitt
• 181 – John Metchie, Alabama
• 148 – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
• 147 – Kearis Jackson, Georgia

Fantasy Takeaways from Week 5 (teams listed in alphabetical order):

Alabama – I’ll admit, I came into this season thinking of QB Mac Jones as perhaps more of a game manager than a gunslinger, but he passed for 20/27, 435 yards & 4 TDS last Saturday. He is completing 74.5% of his passes this season. Going back to 2010, Alabama has only had five 400+ yard passing games, and 3 of those were by QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2019.

East Carolina – after two games 4 different players have between 16-19 rushing attempts (3 RBs & QB Holton Ahlers) with the leading rusher actually being RB Keaton Mitchell who has 66 yards on only 9 attempts. Stay away from ECU RBs unless a leader emerges.

Florida State – RB Lawrance Toafili rushed for 12/99 and 1 TD this week. On the season he is now the team’s leading rusher (163 yards) while averaging 8.2 yards a carry and also has 4 catches for 47 yards. Yes the opponent this week was Jacksonville State, but he was also the leading rusher against Miami last week (8/64) when La’Damian Webb was out.

Georgia State – RB Destin Coates rushed for 23/113-2 last weekend, and over 2 games is 57/263-3. The RB with the 2nd most attempts has 10. Coates is as much a featured back as any team has in the nation right now.

Kentucky – As you may have seen in the “Interesting Stats” post, Kentucky rushed for 400 yards yet lost the game this week. RB Kavosiey Smoke left the game with a rib injury and will be out a few weeks, so I think RB Chris Rodriguez’ (17/133-2 last week) stock is only improving.

MTSU – QB Asher O’Hara is back after a terrible start to the season. This week he threw for 217 yards and 1 TD, and rushed for 25/98 and 1 TD. The next leading rusher for MTSU had 6 carries for 10 yards. I was concerned he had no rushing game to support him the first two games of the year, but that clearly didn’t matter last weekend.

Mississippi State – Let’s look at the WRs now that we have 2 games of data – as a longtime fan of Mike Leach offenses I am also distinctly aware that often different WRs pop up from week to week. Of the 43 completed passes this week, 19 went to RBs. Among WRs only Osirus Mitchell (5/61) & Jaden Walley (6/56) had decent statlines, with WR JaVonta Payton getting the only TD (2/23-1). As a point of reference, Washington State had only one 1000 yard receiver in 2019, and none from 2016-18. I’m not saying a WR won’t break out, perhaps Mitchell, but I am saying history usually doesn’t support one true dominant WR.

North Texas – I mentioned this in the Interesting Stats from Week 5 post as well, but WR Jaelon Darden had 13/104-1 on a huge 20 targets last week. With WR Jyaire Shorter getting injured last week (he is out this week) that may help maintain Darden’s volume.

Ole Miss – QB Matt Corral not only threw for over 300 yards again this week (320 with 4 TDs), he also rushed 13 times for 51 yards. After two games, Corral is tied with RB Jerrion Ealy for the team lead in carries with 26. That stat has me high on Corral but also wary of any RBs right now.

South Carolina – When RB Marshawn Lloyd went down coaches said to expect RB by committee. In the season-opener carries were split, but this week RB Kevin Harris had 22/100-1 while also catching 4/27-1. RB Deshaun Fenwick was next this week with 6/32. On the season Harris has out-gained Fenwick 155-63. Looks like Harris may be establishing himself as RB1 with Fenwick as a nice change of pace back who has 9 catches for 69 yards.

Tulsa – How is Tulsa doing replacing the injured RB Shamari Brooks? This week RB TK Wilkerson rushed for 22/86-1, while RB Corey Taylor went for 11/60. In Tulsa’s first game Taylor was very limited as he was just coming out of covid-quarantine. The opening game leader RB Deneric Prince, was 8/41 this week. I might take a flyer on Wilkerson if you need a RB.

Virginia – QB Brennan Armstrong was 24/43-270-3 against Clemson. But what really stood out to me was that he rushed 22 times for 89 yards. The next leading rusher was RB Wayne Taulapapa with 13/47. Armstrong has more rushing attempts than any other Cavalier over 2 games plus is averaging 44 passes a game. I like that volume.

Tons of injury updates on Monday – in some of the biggest news QB Alan Bowman (Texas Tech) is day to day, QB Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) sounds questionable this week but nothing severe, RB Kylin Hill (Miss State) sounds hopeful to play, while SMU’s RB TJ McDaniel and WR Reggie Roberson didn’t have detailed updates but were said to both potentially be long term injuries.

In coach news Arizona’s Kevin Sumlin has tested positive for coronavirus.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 5:

QBs:

• Josh Adkins, UTSA – confirmed to have a broken collarbone
• James Blackman, Florida State – described as “banged up” on the tv broadcast of the game Saturday (heard on re-watch)
• Alan Bowman, Texas Tech – no broken bones, described as day to day
• Brendon Clark, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Jack Coan, Wisconsin – foot injury in practice Saturday, reported to need foot surgery and will miss start of season (Sunday)
• Malik Cunningham, Louisville – no limitations going into Friday’s game
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas – left Saturday’s game with an injury, expected to be back Oct 17 (after the bye week)
• Frank Harris, UTSA – says he feels 100%, will be evaluated in practice this week
• Devin Leary, NC State – QB1 on depth chart, no more OR
• Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – expected to be back Oct 17 (after the bye week)
• Graham Mertz, Wisconsin – taking first team snaps after Jack Coan injury
• Dalen Morris, Navy – will start this week, is ready to go
• Will Rogers, Mississippi State – expected to be available this week
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – no broken bones was the only , has a chance to play this Saturday
• Jordan Travis, Florida State – will start this week
• Malik Willis, Liberty – ready to play this Saturday, will wear a brace on left arm

RBs:

• Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – expected to practice Monday after foot injury last weekend
• James Charles, FAU – questionable after injury last weekend
• James Cook, Georgia – day to day after injury last weekend
• Chris Curry, LSU – will be available to play this week, missed last game with an injury (some reports had said illness)
• Emari Demercado, TCU – left game on Saturday with and went to locker room with an illness (saw this re-watching the broadcast)
• BJ Emmons, FAU – questionable after injury last weekend
• Anthony Grant – former Florida State RB transferring to Garden City Community College
• Peter Hayes, Akron – enters transfer portal
• Kylin Hill, Mississippi State – expected to be available this week
• Roschon Johnson, Texas – shoulder, should be available early in the week
• Khalan Laborn – transferring from Florida State to Garden City CC
• TJ McDaniel, SMU – injury details not confirmed, but has the potential to be long term
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – was ruled out in pregame Saturday, expected to be ready to play by next weekend (Sunday)
• Jahmir Smith, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Kavosiey Smoke, Kentucky – out a few weeks with a rib injury suffered Saturday
• DJ Williams, Auburn – was limited in practice last week leading to reduced role last weekend (Sunday)

WRs & TEs:

• Rico Arnold, Charlotte – left game Saturday with back injury, will get MRI (Sunday)
• Kevin Austin, Notre Dame – should return for around 15-20 plays this weekend as he works his way back
• Treylon Burks, Arkansas – expected to practice Monday after knee injury last weekend
• Demetrius Douglas, Minnesota – stepping away from program, ending career
• Wykeen Gill, Kansas State – out for the season
• Jace James, Northwestern – medically retires from football
• Lawrence Keys, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Joshua Moore, Texas – expected to be available (Knee)
• Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – should be able to play this week
• Reggie Roberson, SMU – injury details not confirmed, but has the potential to be long term
• TE Hank Tuipulotu, BYU – will rejoin the team soon after back to back ACL injuries
• RJ Sneed, Baylor – likely won’t practice this week (team is off this weekend)
• Jordan Whittington, Texas – practiced Sunday, expected to be available to play
• Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State – should be back soon after unavailable last weekend

Some of these 16 stats from Week 5 are just for trivia, but most are good to know as you look at fantasy trends/leaders across the season or for specific positions or teams (if you enjoy this post please share it!).

UTSA RB Sincere McCormick rushed for 22/150-1 this week, and is the only player in the nation two have 2 150+ yard rushing games this season.

While teams have played different totals of games, it is still impressive that UCF has 2 of the top 5 FBS receiving yardage leaders in the nation – #2 Marlon Williams (388 yards) & #5 Jaylon Robinson (366 yards).

North Texas WR Jaelon Darden was targeted an amazing 20 times as he had 13 catches for 104 yards last weekend (13 receptions tied Marlon Williams (UCF) as a season-high). Boston College also had an impressively targeted-duo – TE Hunter Long (16 targets, 9/96) & WR Zay Flowers (14 targets, 8/61). For those who may recall, I raved about Long last week as well.

Last week I shared a concerning stat about Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard having the two worst 20 rush attempt performances of his career. Well playing against Kansas cures many a cold streak as he rushed for 20/145 and 2 TDs. The 7.3 yards per carry last weekend was the 5th best of his career when he gets 20+ attempts.

BYU QB Zach Wilson has thrown the ball 71 times this season with only 11 incompletions, a wild 84.5% completion rate. 2nd in completion % is Matt Corral, Ole Miss (76.7%), and 3rd is Mac Jones, Alabama (74.5%). As a reference point, LSU QB Joe Burrow led the nation last season (76.3%).

SMU WR Reggie Roberson caught 5 balls for 243 yards and 2 TDs last weekend, which was the highest yardage total of the season. Two other receivers topped 180 yards this week – DJ Turner, Pitt (8/186), John Metchie, Alabama (5/181), the 3rd and 6th highest totals of the season.

8 non-option QBs led their teams in rushing in week 5 – Asher O’Hara, MTSU (98), Nick Tronti, FAU (94), Brennan Armstrong, UVA (89), Max Duggan, TCU (79), Tyrrell Pigrome, WKU (55), Matt Corral, Ole Miss (51), Colby Suits, ULM (51), & Kenny Pickett, Pitt (40).

Texas A&M RB Ainias Smith, a converted WR, had 29 rushing yards & 123 receiving yards last weekend. Only 3 players have 75+ rushing yards and 150 receiving yards total this season – Smith (80/150), Travis Etienne, Clemson (243/172) & Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State (205/234).

5 QBs are averaging 40+ pass attempts a game this season – KJ Costello, Miss St (59.5), Dillon Gabriel, UCF (46.3), Brennan Armstrong, Virginia (44.0), Collin Hill, South Carolina (43.0), Myles Brennan, LSU (41.5)

Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert rushed for 208 yards on 20 carries on Saturday, the highest rushing total of the weekend, and 3rd highest total this season. JD King of Georgia Southern rushed for 21/196, 5th highest total this year.

Only 3 players have 2 10+ reception games this season – Shi Smith, South Carolina, Elijah Moore, Ole Miss, and Marlon Williams, UCF.

SMU QB Shane Buechele passed for 474 yards in week 5, the 2nd highest total so far this season. Alabama QB Mac Jones’ 435 yards was the 3rd highest total this year.

Kentucky is the first team to rush for 400 yards in a game this fall and lose, only happened three times in 2019 – Georgia State, Army, Ole Miss

Mississippi State QB KJ Costello completed 43 passes last weekend, highest for the school going back to 2000. The next highest total is Dak Prescott who had 38 in a 2015 game. Costello’s previous game total of 36 is 3rd.

Amongst players with at least 10 receptions this season, BYU WR Gunner Romney leads the nation averaging 23.3 yards per catch. 2nd is Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama (21.8) and 3rd is Reggie Roberson, SMU (21.5)

A bonus Boston College TE Hunter Long stat – only 7 receivers have 3 75+ yard receiving games this season, he is the only TE on the list.

I break down the injury news from this past weekend with notes on each player who may have been dealing with injuries.

A few notes about this list, being on it does not for sure mean a player is “injured”, but rather:

• They may have missed the game due to a known injury (ok, this does mean they are injured)
• They may have gone out of the game due to injury and not returned (sometimes with an official announcement from the team)
• They may have left the game but returned, or at least attempted to return (sometimes these guys end up banged up enough to miss future games)
• They may have had a vague twitter mention about possibly being injured or leaving a game, so it’s something on my radar

I’ll continue to post any updates I see during the week, those will be added to daily updates as well as the injury database.

If you are aware of a fantasy-relevant injury from this weekend that you don’t see here (or don’t see listed in the database), or think anything shared here is incomplete, please tag me on twitter with a link and let me know, thanks!

List of Potential Injury News from Saturday Oct. 3 (alphabetical by last name):

• RB Oscar Adaway, North Texas – was listed as unavailable pregame for undisclosed reasons
• WR Jordan Addison, Pitt – left the game and later in the first half had his pads off, postgame quote was that it was thought to be “not too serious”
• QB Josh Adkins, UTSA – started in place of Frank Harris but on his first offensive play was knocked out of the game. It is feared he may have a broken collarbone.
• QB Christian Anderson, Army – left in the first quarter with a leg (?) injury, spent the second quarter in the injury tent. The team officially announced that he would not return to the game
• QB Alan Bowman, Texas Tech – injured his right lower leg after getting hit throwing a pass. Left the game, tried to return doing some warmups before the second half but was unable to go. In postgame it was said he’d get X-rays and possibly an MRI.
• RB Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – left in the 2nd quarter and did not return, saw reports that he apparently got an X-ray and may have been in a walking boot. Broad postgame quote that none of the Arkansas injuries were thought to be season-ending.
• WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas – left the game with an injury, seen on sideline without pads
• RB Daniel Carter, Pitt – limped off the field after his only carry of the game
• RB James Charles, Florida Atlantic – in postgame was said to have gone down with a “stinger” – (same description for FAU RB BJ Emmons)
• RB James Cook, Georgia – left the game with a right hand/wrist injury – in postgame was said to be fine, and “could have returned”
• RB Chris Curry, LSU – did not play, according to a radio broadcast it was an “undisclosed illness”
• QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas – left the game with an injury, did not return
• RB BJ Emmons, Florida Atlantic – in postgame was said to have gone down with a “stinger”
• WR Wykeen Gill, Kansas State – left in the third quarter with an air cast on his left arm
• RB Kylin Hill, Mississippi State – injured on a big hit in the first quarter, was on sideline without his helmet in the first half and then not in the pads in the 2nd (presumption was concussion-protocol)
• WR Keyon Lesane, NC State – was seen going down the tunnel with a trainer, had 1 catch for 12 yards
• RB Travis Levy, Boston College – team officially announced in game that he would not return due to a shoulder injury.
• QB Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – did not play, in postgame said to be “maybe a week away”
• RB Greg McCrae, UCF – was seen on the sideline in the 2nd half with no pads
• RB TJ McDaniel, SMU – was carted off early in the game with an apparent leg injury, did not return
• WR Joshua Moore, Texas – in postgame was said will be evaluated for knee injury suffered in game
• QB Dalen Morris, Navy – didn’t travel with a medical (non-covid) condition. Tyger Goslin got the start.
• WR Reggie Roberson, SMU – left late with an apparent non-contact knee injury, no postgame update
• RB Shaun Shivers, Auburn – broadcast said he was “nicked up” last weekend, did not play
• WR Jyaire Shorter, North Texas – left the game with a foot/leg injury – came back out on crutches with a boot on his foot
• RB Kavosiey Smoke, Kentucky – team officially announced he would not return for the second half, was dealing with bruised ribs
• WR RJ Sneed, Baylor – left the game in the 4th quarter after taking a big hit across the middle, appeared woozy and got assistance leaving the field
• WR Eli Stove, Auburn – Sounds like he was injured early in the game (?) and was described as out mid-game
• RB Bentavious Thompson, UCF – was seen with no pads on the sideline late in the game (similar to Greg McCrae)
• QB Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – left after a late hit and didn’t return. In the second half he was out of uniform with a sling on his right arm. No postgame update.
• WR Marlon Williams, UCF – a bizarre scene at the end of the game as he was injured on the last play. Remained down injured on the field for around 10 minutes, eventually went to a knee and was helped off walking slowly with trainers.
• WR Seth Williams, Auburn – appeared to be hobbling in the fourth quarter, missed time
• QB Malik Willis, Liberty – warmed up with a left elbow brace but did not play. Postgame quote that he “could have played” but more precautionary.

These updates are a mix of inactives, players who returned to action, QB starters, and some simple injury updates (but not all). Look for a separate post later today (Sunday) with in-depth Saturday injury news.

List of Updates from October 3:

QBs: The most surprising news of the day was likely some of the surprise starters – Tate Rodemaker (FSU), Katravis Marsh (USF), and Tyger Goslin (Navy) for Dalen Morris who was out. Listed below are many of the starters in situations that were uncertain going into Saturday.

• Josh Adkins, UTSA – started with Frank Harris out, injured on first offensive play of game
• Austin Aune, North Texas – gets first start
• Stetson Bennett, Georgia – started and likely won the job going forward
• James Blackman, Florida State – not in early warm ups but came out later
• Ben Bryant, Cinci – not in warmups
• Haaziq Daniels, Air Force – starts the season opener
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas – started
• Max Duggan, TCU – started
• Chris Ferguson, Liberty – started
• Cade Fortin, South Florida – season debut in a rotation
• Tyger Goslin, Navy – started with Dalen Morris out
• Frank Harris, UTSA – was GTD but did not play
• Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech – was available, did not play
• Shane Illingworth, Oklahoma State – started again
• Emory Jones, Florida – not active in pregame
• Devin Leary, NC State – started over Bailey Hockman
• Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – not active in warmups, still not healthy
• Katravis Marsh, South Florida – surprise starter in a rotation
• Dalen Morris, Navy – didn’t travel due to non-covid medical condition
• Chubba Purdy, Florida State – dressed and warmed up
• Chris Reynolds, Charlotte – returned to action
• Tate Rodemaker, Florida State – started
• Will Rogers, Mississippi State – not dressed
• Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State – dressed, did not play
• Jordan Travis, Florida State – played after getting banged up last week

RBs: The biggest news of the day here may have been Oscar Adaway (North Texas) not playing for undisclosed reasons.) Chris Curry (LSU) and Shaun Shivers (Auburn) also unexpectedly did not play.

• Oscar Adaway, North Texas – unavailable
• Otis Anderson, UCF – played after injury last week
• Isaiah Azubuike, Arkansas State – played
• Demarckcus Bowman – transferring from Clemson to Florida
• Marcus Crowley, Ohio State – participating in practice
• Chris Curry, LSU – did not play with undisclosed injury
• AJ Davis, Pitt – not dressed
• Zach Evans, TCU – debuted
• Darrian Felix, South Florida – unavailable
• Gerald Green, Georgia Southern – inactive
• Jalen Hampton, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• Evan Johnson, North Texas – unavailable
• Keshawn King, Virginia Tech – available
• Marcel Murray, Arkansas State – season debut
• Bijan Robinson, Texas – despite multiple end of week reports that he would play he didn’t end up getting game action (was apparently misidentified as playing on the broadcast, didn’t see that)
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – did not play
• Tre Siggers, North Texas – returned to action
• A’Montae Spivey, Arkansas – did not travel
• Harry Trotter, Kansas State – returned to action
• Christian Turner, Michigan – opts back in to season
• La’Damian Webb, Florida State – returned to action
• Terius Wheatley, Virginia Tech – unavailable

WRs & TEs: In receiver news Tim Jones (Southern Miss) was unavailable again while Obi Obialo (Oklahoma) made his debut. Jared Wayne (Pitt) was unexpectedly out, and Dalton Rigdon (Texas Tech) didn’t play after an injury last week. And on Saturday Dahu Green (Arkansas State) and Tarique Milton (Iowa State) returned to action.

• Sean Atkins, South Florida – unavailable
• Elijah Bowick, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• Craig Burt, Western Kentucky – was GTD, did not play
• Dexter Carter, Georgia Southern – inactive
• Leroy Deshazier, Arkansas State – played
• TE Brandon Frazier, Auburn – not available again this week
• Noah Frith, Liberty – out
• Dahu Green, Arkansas State – returned to action
• Shedrick Jackson, Auburn – played
• Tim Jones, Southern Miss – out again
• Tavares Kelly, Virginia – not dressed
• TE Lucas Krull, Pitt – not dressed
• Jaylin Lane, MTSU – on injured list
• TE Nick Lenners, Kansas State – played
• Jaivian Lofton, Liberty – played after being GTD
• McLane Mannix, Texas Tech – available
• TE Tre McKitty, Georgia – tested knee in pregame
• Tarique Milton, Iowa State – returned to action
• Ryan Mitchell, Navy – season debut
• Joseph Ngata, Clemson – returned to action (a target but no catches), “still not 100%” coach quote in postgame
• Tre Nixon, UCF – not suited up
• Obi Obialo, Oklahoma – season debut
• Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – late scratch, unavailable
• Dalton Rigdon, Texas Tech – unavailable after injury last week
• Tyler Page, SMU – available
• Darryle Simmons, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• JJ Sparkman, Texas Tech – unavailable
• Brannon Spector, Clemson – returned to action
• Donald Stewart, Wake Forest – inactive (Friday)
• TE Major Tennison, Alabama – available
• Jared Wayne, Pitt – not dressed
• TE Brayden Willis, Oklahoma – self-reports on twitter he is out after injury last weekend
• CJ Windham, MTSU – returned to action
• Dallan Wright, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• TE Kyi Wright, Pitt – not dressed
• CJ Yarbrough, Liberty – returned to action
• Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State – unavailable
• TE Jake Zilinskas, Pitt – available

(continually updated)

The biggest news on Thursday was Tulane RB Tyjae Spears had knee surgery for a likely ACL tear suffered last weekend and is done for the season. Spears had rushed for 274 yards & 2 TDs this season. Tulane also announced they’ll have a new starting QB, Michael Pratt, for their game next week.

On Friday came a series of updates about Texas QB Sam Ehlinger and RBs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, who are all expected to play Saturday.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 1-2:

QBs:

• Kennique Bonner-Steward, Temple – opts out of season
• Sam Ehlinger, Texas – dealing with minor quad, left hand injuries, expected to play Saturday
• Cade Fortin, South Florida – will be available on Saturday, expected to be in QB rotation
• NC State – won’t reveal starter between Bailey Hockman and Devin Leary until gameday
• Jack Plummer, Purdue – says his ankle is 100%
• Michael Pratt, Tulane – will be the starter next week against Houston (Oct 8)
• Malik Willis, Liberty – looking good in practice, sounding likely to play on Saturday

RBs:

• Demarkcus Bowman, Clemson – enters transfer portal
• AJ Davis, Pitt – improving after injury last weekend, should be back soon, possibly this weekend
• Roschon Johnson, Texas – minor rib injury, expected to play Saturday
• Bijan Robinson, Texas – practiced Thursday, expected to play Saturday
• Tyjae Spears, Tulane – knee surgery for likely ACL tear, done for season

WRs & TEs:

• Kevin Austin, Notre Dame – on track to play Oct 10
• Craig Burt, Western Kentucky – described as a gametime decision but didn’t sound hopeful
• Noah Frith, Liberty – hamstring, out this week
• Donavon Greene, Wake Forest – has rehabbed and practiced, expected to play this week after back bruise last game
• Shedrick Jackson, Auburn – will play this weekend after missing last week
• TE Keilan Knight, UAB – transfer portal (listed as TE on online roster, defender in previous seasons)
• Jaylin Lane, MTSU – not on depth chart this week
• Jaivian Lofton, Liberty – ankle, will try to play this week
• Omar Manning, Nebraska – dealing with nagging injuries
• TE Tanner Mathias, Western Michigan – not on fall roster (possible opt out)
• Tre Nixon, UCF – coach was asked but essentially gave no update, said “nothing has been finalized”
• Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – should be available on Saturday
• Ben Skowronek, Notre Dame – will be healthy for Oct 10 game
• Pop Williams, Memphis – not on roster, appears to still be away on personal leave of absence
• CJ Windham, MTSU – not on depth chart this week

Following are the fantasy-relevant starting depth charts released by the teams, along with any notes and last year’s stats, for FBS teams playing their FIRST games of the season October 3rd.

• Teams are in alphabetical order on the date they play.
• Starters on depth chart are listed, for full charts see posts on twitter
• Stats listed are from 2019

Saturday October 3:

Air Force depth chart:

• QB: Haaziq Daniels OR Warren Bryan
• FB: 1) Timothy Jackson (745-6) 2) Matthew Murla (44-0)
• TB: 1) Kadin Remsberg (1050-8) 2) Joshua Stoner (207-1)
• WRs: Ben Peterson (3/25), Daniel Morris (1/10)
• TE: Kyle Patterson

Florida Atlantic depth chart:

• QB: Nick Tronti (180-2)
• RB: BJ Emmons (237-6) RB2: James Charles (413-5)
• WRs: TJ Chase (7/70 – Clemson), Jordan Merrell, BJ Alexander (Kentucky transfer)
• TE: Michael Irvin (2/33 – Miami)

(following are the upcoming October games for FBS teams from the original 6 conferences playing this fall who have yet to play a game)

Thursday October 8:

Houston depth chart (from prior to previous postponement):

• QB: Clayton Tune (1533-11)
• RB: Kyle Porter (615-3) OR Mulbah Car (375-3)
• WRs: Jeremy Singleton (26/381), Keith Corbin (11/192), Marquez Stevenson (52/907), Nathaniel Dell OR Tre’von Bradley (16/326)
• TE: Christian Trahan (22/244)

Saturday October 10:

Temple depth chart:

• QB: Anthony Russo – coaches have said he is QB1
• RB:
• WRs:
• TE:

Saturday October 24:

Rice depth chart (PRECAMP depth chart):

• QB: Mike Collins (49-0 – TCU) OR JoVoni Johnson (97-1)
• RB: Juma Otoviano (114-0)
• FB: Brendan Suckley
• WRs: Austin Trammell (60/726), Bradley Rozner (55/770)
• TE: Jordan Myers (16/123)

(Post will be continually updated throughout the week)

As the season gets closer to practices starting on October 14 (official date), we are beginning to get more injury updates from teams as well as waivers for eligibility that continue to get approved.

List of College Basketball Updates, Injuries & Transfers this week:

• Ryan Boyce, Georgia State – eligible after transfer from Memphis
• Flynn Cameron, UC Riverside – eligible after transfer from DePaul
• Javian Davis, Mississippi State – eligible after transfer from Alabama
• Jacobi Gordon, Louisiana – still waiting on waiver ruling after transfer from Cal
• Quincy Guerrier, Syracuse – recovering well from June groin surgery
• Musa Jallow, Ohio State – not medically cleared yet, ankle
• Kobe Julien, Louisiana – expected to be officially cleared Oct. 6th after missing most of last year with knee surgery (12.8 pts)
• Hayden Koval, UNC-Greensboro – eligible after transfer from Central Arkansas
• Zane Martin, Towson – eligible after transfer from New Mexico
• Caleb McConnell, Rutgers – taking a medical redshirt due to a back injury
• Miles Thomas, Tennessee-Martin – enters transfer portal (7.1 pts)
• Seth Towns, Ohio State – likely not ready to play games by late November

For those of you who play College Fantasy Football, these are players who may be “free agents” in your league as the waiver wire claim period has likely already passed. Many other sources already offer waiver wire recommendations, so this is geared a little differently in case you missed out on waivers.

I’m not claiming these guys are going to be stars (but they may be!), but if you are in need at a position I consider them players whose potential value exceeds their Fantrax rostered % (potentially a similar principle for DFS as well).

• For right now this only includes the 6 leagues currently playing
• I strive to only list healthy players who have a game this week, but if not that is noted
• Every player listed this week is under 50% rostered as of mid-day Wednesday

QB Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 44% – Matt Corral, Ole Miss – 395 yards
• 43% – Malik Willis, Liberty – 418 passing, 253 rushing (questionable)
• 23% – Jarret Doege, West Virginia – 513 yards
• 21% – Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – 269 yards
• 5% – Collin Hill, South Carolina – 290 yards
• 2% – Bryson Lucero, UAB – 457 yards

RB Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 49% – Destin Coates, Georgia State – 150 yards
• 46% – Tre Harbison, Charlotte – 87 yards
• 39% – Rodrigues Clark, Memphis – 105 yards
• 35% – Joshua Mack, Liberty – 207 yards
• 35% – Cameron Carroll, Tulane – 251 yards (7 TDS! – bye this week)
• 34% – Oscar Adaway, North Texas – 222 yards
• 21% – Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State – 92 rushing, 153 receiving
• 10% – D’Vonte Price, FIU – 148 yards (bye this week)

WR Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 46% – Rashee Rice, SMU – 240 yards
• 45% – Jordan Addison, Pitt – 169 yards
• 43% – Treylon Burks, Arkansas – 102 yards
• 35% – Shi Smith, South Carolina – 140 yards
• 29% – Jaylon Robinson, UCF – 255 yards
• 28% – Gunner Romney, BYU – 272 yards
• 27% – KeSean Carter, Texas Tech – 163 yards
• 13% – Adrian Hardy, Louisiana Tech – 148 yards
• 12% – JaVonta Payton, Miss State – 122 yards
• 9% – Lavel Davis, Virginia – 101 yards
• 5% – Jaray Jenkins, LSU – 85 yards
• 3% – Dax Milne, BYU – 175 yards