College Fantasy Football Playbook: Bold predictions for 2026!
Yahoo Fantasy's Eric Froton offers three predictions ahead of the college fantasy season and identifies three last-minute waiver targets ahead of Week 1.
Video Transcript
Our long wait is over.
Week one of the college football season is finally upon us, and this is the College Fantasy Football Playbook presented by Allstate.
Here are a few bold predictions for the upcoming 2026 college fantasy season.
Let's start with Jayden Baugh, running back Florida, who I think leads the entire nation in rushing yardage this year.
Now, keep in mind, last year Baugh was saddled by the ill-fated Billy Napier regime.
And after Napier was unceremoniously dismissed, you saw Baugh clear the 17 plus fantasy points per game mark in all of his last seven games.
With new head coach John Sumrall entering the frame, keep in mind Sumrall is known for rostering bell cow running backs and giving them all the opportunities they can handle.
Remember when he was the head coach of Troy, now San Diego Chargers backup Kamari Vidal led the entire FBS in rushing.
I think you see the same sort of production coming from Baugh now that he's at Florida.
Next up, I think UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava ascends after being a post type sleeper and becomes a 25-point per game quarterback for the Bruins.
With Chesney now in town and a much more competent coaching staff there at UCLA, I think you see Nico perform closer to what we saw from Alonza Barnett last year under Chesney at James Madison, where he averaged 24 fantasy points per game.
Now keep in mind, Nico was the only one of 10 returning starting power four quarterbacks that ran for 400 plus yards to not score 20 points per game.
I think you see Nico around the 25 point per game average, which would make him an every week caliber starting quarterback in super flex formats.
For my last bold prediction, I think Colorado to Arizona State transfer wide receiver Omarion Miller takes the number one job at Arizona State and becomes a number one caliber fantasy wide receiver.
Now keep in mind, last year Omarion Miller produced 608 receiving yards in his final seven games with 32 of his 45 receptions coming in that span.
His 34% deep rate and 3.4 fantasy points per touch were both elite marks despite the fact he was in Colorado where they didn't have much of a semblance of an offensive system at all.
Think about what Omarion Miller can do in the Jordan Tyson role with Kenny Dillingham, a certified offensive guru leading the way.
I think Omarion Miller is going to be a number one fantasy caliber wide receiver and he should be prioritized in your drafts.
And now for a few last-minute pickups and risers as we enter the season.
First up, Arkansas running back Sutton Smith.
Now keep in mind, Smith comes over with the new coaching staff of Tim Cramsey, offensive coordinator and head coach Ryan Silverfield from Memphis.
Now it was kind of speculated that Bralon Russell would be the top dog, but Smith in the first depth chart that was released as the running back one role, which is key for this Arkansas offense that ranked number one in the country in rushing success rate last year.
He should be an immediate pickup and a priority on your waiver wire.
Now let's talk about another running back riser in Washington tailback Quaid Carr.
Coming into camp, it was expected either Oregon transfer Jaiden Lamar or holdover from last year at Jordan Washington would be the top dogs in that running back room.
However, sophomore Quaid Carr has made a major impression and risen to the top of the depth chart for the Huskies.
Keep in mind, Jonah Coleman scored 15 touchdowns there last year, and when he was injured, Adam Mohammed came in and rushed for 100 yards in two of his last three games.
This is a very important spot for college fantasy purposes and Carr should absolutely be on your roster.
Lastly, the USC freshman wide receiver group coming in this year has received nothing but praise.
But one in particular stood out against San Jose State and that was Trent Mosley, who caught seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown with Tanu Kines and Terrell Anderson on the mend.
You need to make sure that Trent Mosley is on your team and if he's on the wire, go get him right now.
Those are a few bold predictions and late risers for you to consider in your drafts and on your waiver wire.
And thank you for playing College Fantasy Football.
