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Mike's fantasy football dynasty watch, taking a look at 2025 breakout CFB players for your future fantasy football dynasty drafts. Who stood out Week 1 of the 2025 season?
Welcome back to another season of Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch, where I highlight the best and brightest performances from the college football week that was. We had a full Week 1 with some teams playing some bad opponents. Some of these performances may be taken with a grain of salt.
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 had paid attention to this column last year, you would have known about Harold Fannin Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt long before their performances in training camp.
I will highlight one quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end every week of the college season who put up some really big 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
Maverick McIvor, Western Kentucky (24-31, 305 yards, 5 TD) vs. North Alabama
After lighting it up at Abilene Christian, the sleeper (but not to NFL teams) QB Maverick McIvor has already made some noise for the @WKUFootball.
Last year, he ranked 12th in the nation (FBS + FCS) with 3,814 yards to go along with 30 TDs, and he joins a WKU aiming to be the… https://t.co/b2kwvO8mYc pic.twitter.com/xt5b5KKrmK
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) August 25, 2025
I'll be honest. McIvor isn't just on here for his Week 1 performance. His Week 0 line against Sam Houston (33-51, 401 yards, 3 TD, rushing TD) was at least as impressive. Through two games, McIvor has 706 passing yards and eight touchdowns without a turnover. That kind of ratio plays anywhere.
The 6-foot-2 senior transfer from Abilene Christian has the size and the bulk (214 pounds) to play against NFL linebackers. He's more Peyton Manning than Jalen Hurts, which could be a detriment in the modern NFL. Not many teams like a statuesque pocket-passer anymore.
That could be why Bailey Zappe never panned out in the NFL. The career arc of Zappe and McIvor is the reason for the comparison, but they also look similar on tape. McIvor will have to wow teams with his arm at the combine and make them want to take a chance on a true pocket passer.
Honorable mention: Darian Mensah, Duke; AJ Swann, Appalachian State; Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs
Robert Henry Jr., UTSA (16 carries, 177 yards, 2 TD; 3 receptions, -9 yards) vs. Texas A&M
UTSA RB Robert Henry Jr. went off against a good Texas A&M defense on Saturday. We'll see how this RB class shakes out, but Henry showed explosiveness pic.twitter.com/plkN2VCKFi
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 3, 2025
We're going to show Henry some love because he did this against a pretty good Texas A&M defense. The others below did it against non-power schools or FCS schools. This is an entirely different animal.
Henry is a stout 5-foot-9 at 205 pounds, but he's still an explosive runner. He backed up Kevorian Barnes for the last two years (who also had a big game in his Power Conference debut for TCU), but still picked up 257 carries and 1,294 yards in that span.
Scouts like the explosiveness, but Henry is a good receiver as well. That's why he got so much playing time "behind" Barnes. Henry had 40 receptions over the last two years. The Roadrunners tried to use him in the passing game against the Aggies, but they sniffed out those plays and blew them up for losses.
Henry's work in the passing game and explosiveness in the run game will have him on some prospect lists. Running backs aren't valued much in the NFL anymore, but this is also a position that NFL teams aren't afraid to fill with small college stars. Henry should get a chance at the next level.
Honorable mention: Justice Haynes, Michigan; Tae Meadows, Troy; Jonah Coleman, Washington
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (12 receptions, 141 yards, 2 TD) vs. Northern Arizona
Jordyn Tyson is the🔵blue chip Z you want. This week's monster.
The toe tap is half of it.
Taking the flag route inside/out is the other.And it's not even his best ▶️play this week. Top 10 as we speak. pic.twitter.com/YcDid5TLek
— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) September 3, 2025
There weren't any monster stat lines this week. Some of that had to do with good teams playing FCS schools or really bad FBS schools. Some of that had to do with players not busting out in the marquee matchups. Some of it is just that the defenses are ahead of the offenses right now. That's a product of the transfer portal. It takes longer for offensive pieces to come together.
Tyson and sophomore QB Sam Leavitt returning to the Sun Devils helped this stat line. Tyson broke out in Big 12 (16) play last season. That carried over into this year. The competition was nothing special, but this was still a good performance by Tyson. The catch above highlights that.
Tyson is big enough (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) to play on the outside in the NFL. Most corners won't be able to knock him off routes. His route running isn't great yet, but that can be taught. His field awareness and hands are already next-level.
He has already drawn comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr. and Justin Jefferson. Those were two elite receivers in the NFL. Tyson does need to improve his route running to get to that level, but he already excels at things that can't be taught.
Tyson routinely makes Leavitt look good by recognizing what is going on behind him and breaking off routes if needed. Some receivers never get to the level where they do that. Whoever winds up being Tyson's QB in the pros is going to appreciate it.
Honorable mention: Jordan Dwyer, TCU; Danny Scudero, San Jose State; Jacquon Gibson, Massachusetts
Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Tight Ends
Marlin Klein, Michigan (6 receptions, 93 yards, TD) vs. New Mexico
Under the radar TE for 2026: Michigan’s Marlin Klein is as impressive as anyone. The German is 6’6, 249, is more athletic than Colston Loveland, & runs an 11.14 100m. He’s smooth with soft hands & he’s dedicated himself to blocking. Still a work in progress but signs are good #17 pic.twitter.com/xIOABsg7tD
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) September 2, 2025
What's that? Another elite-level tight end at Michigan? You don't say! Michigan has churned out some elite tight ends this century. They are starting to challenge Iowa for the title of Tight End U. Klein is already drawing comparisons to the best of them.
It should be illegal for someone the size of Klein to be as good an athlete as he is. Saying he is already at the level of Colston Loveland may be a bit crazy, but the skill is there.
Klein is going to be Bryce Underwood's best friend, especially early in the season. Michigan's offense also emphasizes tight ends, which makes them ready for the pros. Klein isn't as much of a freak of nature as Fannin, but few are. He has the size and the hands to succeed in the NFL.
Playing for Michigan also makes Klein a disciplined run blocker, which will keep him on the field in the NFL more. You don't play for Michigan if you can't create holes for running backs. The Michigan offense revolves around that.
Honorable mention: Gabe Burkle, Iowa State, Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt; Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
