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Mike Marteny takes a look at 2024 breakout collegiate stars who will be available in your fantasy football dynasty drafts within the next year or two. Who shined in the 2024 bowl games?
The biggest stars usually shine brightest on the biggest stages. That used to be bowl games. Some of the college stars still strutted their stuff in the postseason, but many opted out to avoid injury. That opened the door for some others who weren't noticed during the regular season because they were backups.
We will introduce you to these college players earlier than many of your fantasy football league mates. We here at RotoBaller are all about giving you an advantage. If you paid attention to this column last year, you would have known about Kimani Vidal and Xavier Worthy long before their performances at the NFL Combine.
I will highlight one quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end every week of the college season who put up some huge numbers. I'll let you know what it means for your dynasty leagues. Do these guys have NFL futures? You'll find out!
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks
Kyle McCord, Syracuse (24-34, 453 yards, 5 TD; 4 carries, -7 yards) vs. Washington State
Kyle McCord has reportedly been “turning heads” at the East West Shrine Bowl and has been the best QB in attendance.
McCord has reportedly been fielding “a lot of requests”’for one-on-one interviews by several teams.
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe McCord will come off the… pic.twitter.com/DuUeBiLzGK
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 26, 2025
This post doesn't surprise me at all. McCord finished the season on a heater with five straight games of more than 320 passing yards and no interceptions. He had the lowest point of any QB this season when he threw five interceptions -- three of which were returned for touchdowns -- against Pitt.
Pro scouts love how he rebounded after that game. After a solid 280-yard performance against Virginia Tech, he began his "March To The Sea" to finish the season. Call it McCord's march to the first round.
Scouts have long loved McCord's size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and arm strength, but he really turned heads with an ACC-record 4,779 passing yards. McCord's stock is rising faster than anyone else's right now.
Honorable mention: Jaxson Dart, Mississippi; Sawyer Robertson, Baylor; Tyler Huff, Jacksonville State
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs
Rahjai Harris, East Carolina (17 carries, 220 yards, TD) vs. North Carolina State
OH MY GOODNESSSSSS RAHJAI HARRIS ?☠️?☠️#AmericanWay x @ECUPiratesFB pic.twitter.com/oykjwXxPpQ
— The American (@American_Conf) December 29, 2024
We've seen flashes of brilliance from Harris before, but it all came together in his final collegiate game against an in-state ACC team. It was the perfect way to cap his career at East Carolina.
Harris has the size (5-foot-11, 214 pounds) to take hits from linebackers but still has the speed you see in the clip above. His speed won't get him as far at the next level, but he could be a solid change-of-pace back.
The bowl performance may get Harris a few interviews. He wasn't involved much in the passing game (six receptions in 2024, 61 in five college seasons), which hurts his pro stock. All Harris needs is a foot in the door, and this game may have given it to him.
Honorable mention: Dylan Edwards, Kansas State; Cam Skattebo, Arizona State; Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers
Giles Jackson, Washington (11 receptions, 161 yards, 4 TD) vs. Louisville
GILES JACKSON. AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/svDHzpVgKZ
— CBS Sports College Football ? (@CBSSportsCFB) December 31, 2024
A look at Jackson's touchdowns in the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl shows a lot of what looks like blown coverages. Maybe he's just that fast. Jackson was a member of the Michigan team that got punished by Alabama in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. Jackson was the star of that game for the Wolverines.
Jackson is small at 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds, but that's not prohibitive. Many receivers his size had success in the NFL. Jackson maintains that world-class speed and has the muscle to grapple with a safety or corner if needed. He's a slot guy in the NFL, but he'll start out returning kicks.
Jackson may never amount to much more than a kick returner, but someone with his speed and hands will get a long look on draft day.
Honorable mention: Jordan Watkins, Mississippi; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; Junior Vandeross III, Toledo
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green (17 receptions, 213 yards, TD; carry, 8 yards) vs. Arkansas State
On this catch…
Harold Fannin became the new FBS single season record holder for receiving yards by a tight end
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 27, 2024
I'm going to miss Fannin in the college game. If I were an NFL general manager and needed a tight end, Fannin would be my top choice. The guy is good at everything. Tyler Warren felt more gimmicky. He's more of a Kyle Pitts type and can be great in the NFL with a coordinator who thinks outside the box.
Fannin is a road grader as a blocker. He has great hands, deceptive speed, and athleticism that most people his size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) lack. My closest comp to Fannin is Antonio Gates. I don't think he'll ever be that good (no one may ever be), but he'll show flashes of what made Gates a favorite for a decade.
Honorable mention: Matt Lauter, Boise State; Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt; Jack Endries, Cal
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