X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Ahead of The Game - College Devy Prospects (Preseason Edition)

Matt Wispe looks at some under-the-radar college football players that dynasty and devy league owners should watch in the 2018 NCAA season.

College football is back! And even more than just that enjoyment of football being back on your TV, it's an early opportunity to see potential NFL talent before your league-mates.

The opening week of college football is typically filled with tune-up games for collegiate powerhouses and a myriad of random non-conference games. So rather than exploring the top prospects in college football, I'm going to start the season off with a few prospects who aren't on your radar now but could become deep sleepers in rookie drafts in 2019.

For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to start the season off with a player or two at each of the fantasy positions.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Quarterback

McKenzie Milton - QB, Central Florida
Week 1 - at Connecticut (August 30)

McKenzie Milton was arguably the second most fun player on the most exciting team in the country in 2017, but with changes to the coaching staff, he'll have to prove that 2017 wasn't a fluke if he wants to remain one of the nation's most productive QBs.

Year G Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A AY/A TD Int
2016 10 194 336 57.7 1983 5.9 5.6 10 7
2017 13 265 395 67.1 4037 10.2 11.1 37 9

The significant improvement to his AY/A and completion percentage will be worth watching in 2018 because regression is the expected outcome. But if he can repeat or possibly improve his efficiency, there will be buzz about him at the end of the year. Milton's biggest offensive loss, outside of his coach, is Tre'Quan Smith who is making waves at the New Orleans Saints' camp and he'll likely need to develop a rapport with his new group of receivers if he wants to keep his

Because he only stands 5-foot-11, Milton is fighting an uphill battle as an NFL prospect. He'll likely need a Russell Wilson or Baker Mayfield-like final season to elevate himself as a prospect. And in his first season without the offensive-minded Scott Frost leading his team, he'll have one more challenge facing him as he tries to stand out.

 

Running Back

Marquis Young - RB, Massachusetts
Week 1 - vs Duquesne (August 25)

Sometimes the biggest reason why a player is a sleeper in drafts is that he's a small school player who fantasy players haven't seen. Marquis Young is a three-year contributor as Massachusetts who is one strong season away from being a draftable candidate for NFL teams.

Marquis Young G Rush Att Rush Yds Yards per Carry Rush TD Receptions Rec. Yds Yards per Reception Rec. TD
2015 12 154 973 6.3 7 14 66 4.7 0
2016 12 197 898 4.6 4 26 147 5.7 0
2017 12 182 982 5.4 9 35 280 8 2
Career 533 2853 5.4 20 75 493 6.6 2

Nothing from Young's statistics stand out as phenomenal. His rushing average is below the ideal 6.0 yards per carry. He's never eclipsed 200 carries for a season. His 6.6 yard per reception average is significantly below the target threshold of 10. And lastly, he's not an extreme TD producer despite playing a lower level of competition. But there a few real positives. He been a consistent contributor with three seasons over 150 carries and his usage in the passing game has increased each season and his near three catch per game 2017 season also came with increased yardage efficiency.

Young's 6-foot-1, 215 lbs size is ideal for becoming a notable NFL prospect. Young didn't immediately jump from high school to college, but he took a pit stop at prep school. But he used that season to increase his prospect pedigree and became a three-star prospect. If his rushing usage increases to 200+ carries and he gets closer to six yards per carry, there's reason to be moderately excited about Young as a super deep sleeper to monitor.

Rodney Smith - RB, Minnesota
Week 1 - vs New Mexico State (August 30)

Rodney Smith isn't my favorite prospect on this Minnesota roster, but he has two seasons with workhorse usage and it appears unlikely that the team will be pass-heavy in 2018.

Rodney Smith G Rush Att Rush Yds Yards per Carry Rush TD Receptions Rec. Yds Yards per Reception Rec. TD
2014 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 12 157 670 4.3 2 16 124 7.8 0
2016 13 240 1158 4.8 16 23 188 8.2 0
2017 12 229 977 4.3 3 17 107 6.3 0
Career 626 2805 4.5 21 56 419 7.5 0

Smith lacks efficiency in the rushing game and receiving game, but he continues to be used in both. He's averaged more than one reception per game for three consecutive seasons and while he's below the ideal 10 yards per reception, his usage stands out as noteworthy.

For Smith to become draftable or even receive a combine invite, he'll need his second season over 1,000 yards rushing and that will require an average over 4.5 yards per carry. If he breaks out with a strong season, there's a chance he'll end up on an NFL roster as a priority UDFA, but that's likely his ceiling.

 

Wide Receiver

Keelan Doss - WR, UC Davis
Week 1 - At San Jose State (August 30)

It's disappointing that you likely won't be able to watch this game because Doss is THE small school prospect to watch in 2018. After racking up 1499 yards in 2017, he enters 2018 as one of the best "unknown" draft-eligible WRs in the class.

Rec Yards YPR TDs MS Yards MS TDs Dominator
2014 22 325 14.8 2 0.13 0.08 0.10
2016 66 911 13.8 10 0.35 0.53 0.44
2017 115 1499 13 7 0.39 0.24 0.32

Doss broke out as a redshirt sophomore with a 0.44 dominator rating and then followed it up with a bigger yardage season and a 0.32 dominator. Because he was three years removed from high school in 2016, he won't have an elite breakout age, but if he manages a strong final season, his prospect status will rise because of his market share numbers. Barring something surprising, he's going to surpass a career market share of yards greater than 29 percent and if he can dominate yardage with over 42 percent in the final year, he'd finish in an elite group of prospects based on his production.

Doss will be an older prospect as he's five years removed from high school. While draft age might be a slight concern for Doss as a prospect, his size is not. He's listed at 6-foot-2, 206 lbs and when you combine that with his TD production in college, he appears to be a potential red zone option at the next level. Keep an eye out for highlights of this game and definitely check out the box score because Doss will almost assuredly be featured.

Preston Williams - WR, Colorado State
Week 1 - vs Hawaii (August 25)

Preston Williams is one of the tougher prospects in the class to make a decision and also one of the more intriguing. Transferring from Tennessee, the former four-star prospect is joining a team that has elevated WR prospects into meaningful draft prospects in recent years.

School Rec Yards YPR TDs MS Yards MS TDs Dominator
2015 Tennessee 7 158 22.6 2 0.06 0.12 0.09
2016 Tennessee 9 89 9.9 0 0.03 0.00 0.01

The initial word out of camp is excitement for Williams' potential, but he'll need his first season of production to be massive if he wants to become a pro in 2019.

Williams was a major touchdown threat during his high school career with 32 combined scores over his final two years, but he's failed to make a similar impact at the collegiate level. Because he's mostly a question mark, he's going to be a player to primarily just monitor this year. But if he can make a similar impact as Rashad Higgins or Michael Gallup during his time with the program, there's a chance he becomes a future asset.

 

Tight End

Josh Oliver - TE, San Jose State
Week 1 - vs UC Davis (August 30)

Josh Oliver isn't likely to turn himself into an early round selection, but he has NFL size and 2017 showed a capacity to contribute in the passing game.

Year Rec Yds YPR TDs MS Yards MS TDs Dominator
2015 4 36 9 1 0.01 0.05 0.03
2016 3 26 8.7 1 0.01 0.06 0.03
2017 35 296 8.5 1 0.11 0.06 0.09
Career 42 358 8.5 3 0.04 0.05 0.05

At 6-foot-5, you'd hope for more TDs over three seasons and that may be what ultimately halts Oliver's NFL prospects. 2017's breakout usage was a start and hopefully, he builds upon it.

Going into the 2017 season, Oliver was considered one of the top underclassmen TEs in the country by Mel Kiper so there's some national recognition for his abilities. If for no other reason, that makes him a player worth monitoring. When you're checking out the game highlights for Keelan Doss, keep an eye on number 89 for San Jose State.

More NCAA Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Consistent Enough to Advance in Playoffs, but Probably Won't Factor for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12 but Might Be Able to Do It
Ross Chastain

Has Never Led at Bristol, but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice for Place Differential Points
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
Xavier Worthy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Austin Ekeler

Suffers Torn Achilles
Quinshon Judkins

Expected to Play Against Ravens
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Kyle Larson

Can Kyle Larson Dominate at Bristol Again?
Denny Hamlin

One of the Best at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

All Eyes on Ryan Blaney at Bristol
Chase Briscoe

Whiffs in Qualifying, Will Start 31st in Bristol Night Race
Ty Gibbs

Could Contend at Bristol
AJ Allmendinger

on the Pole for Bristol Night Race
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RapSheet: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Expected to Be Lead Back Moving Forward
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
Brock Purdy

Officially Ruled Out Against Saints
Jauan Jennings

Given Questionable Tag for Week 2
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Dallas Goedert

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Listed as Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Jayden Reed

Hopes to Return in November Following Surgery
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Quinshon Judkins

Questionable to Make NFL Debut in Week 2
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Leads Commanders in Catches, Scores Touchdown Again
Tucker Kraft

Posts Huge Performance on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Lack of Joe Mixon Injury Updates Sparking Concern for Fantasy Managers?
Jayden Reed

Fractures Collarbone, Headed for Injured Reserve
Austin Ekeler

Commanders Fear Austin Ekeler Tore his Achilles
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Austin Ekeler

Injured, Carried Off Field with Non-Contact Injury
Jayden Reed

Ruled Out with Shoulder Injury
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Insider Expects NFL to "Come Down Heavy" on a Quinshon Judkins Suspension
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Return on TNF With Shoulder Injury
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
Tyreek Hill

Chiefs, Steelers Eyeing a Trade for Tyreek Hill?
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Will Smith

Scratched With Hand Soreness on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

has Foot Contusion, Expected to Play Friday
Shohei Ohtani

Won't Pitch This Weekend
MacKenzie Gore

to Start on Thursday
Ketel Marte

Exits Early on Wednesday
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Anthony Rizzo

Retires
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Masyn Winn

Will Require Offseason Knee Surgery
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 12, Earns 12th Win on Tuesday
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP