Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Breakout CFB Performances From Week 0 (2023)

by Mike Marteny

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Mike Marteny takes a look at 2023 breakout collegiate stars that will be available in your fantasy football dynasty drafts within the next year or two. Who shined in their 2023 debuts?

In This Article hide

2. Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs

3. Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers

4. More College Football Analysis

5. More DFS Lineup Picks

The NFL Preseason is over, so the college guys get one full weekend where they rule the world. We aren't there yet, but that's what you have to look forward to this week. There were only 14 teams in action in Week 0, but we still had some good performances out there.

We are going to help you get acclimated with these college players earlier than many of your fantasy football league mates. We here at RotoBaller are all about giving you an advantage.

I will highlight one quarterback, one running back, and one wide receiver every week of the college season that put up some really big numbers, and I'll let you know what it means for your dynasty leagues. Do these guys have NFL futures? You'll find out!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams, USC (18-25, 278 yards, 4 TD vs. San Jose State)

Hank Bachmeier threw for more yards, but he wasn't nearly as efficient as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Caleb Williams will likely be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Trojans rested him for much of the fourth quarter, but an efficient and surgical performance by Williams is exactly what the Trojans wanted to see to open the season.

Honorable mention: Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Running Backs

Shomari Lawrence, Florida International (15 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD at Louisiana Tech)

The COVID redshirt sophomore transfer from South Dakota looked good in his FBS debut. He was the leading rusher in Week 0, picking up 139 yards on only 15 carries. Shomari Lawrence ran for 597 yards on 107 carries for the Coyotes last year. He looks like he can be a workhorse back for FIU if that's what they want out of him.

We don't know a lot about Lawrence right now, but this was a solid debut. He has the size to be an NFL back and showed good breakaway speed on a 67-yard touchdown run. I would like to see more shiftiness before he hits the hole. There is room for improvement.

Honorable mention: Audric Estime, Notre Dame

Fantasy Football Dynasty Watch: Wide Receivers

Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech (11 receptions, 155 yards, 1 TD vs. Florida International)

It's amazing what Smoke Harris can do when he has a quarterback that can get him the ball. He didn't have that luxury in 2022. Harris had a nice 2021 season with Austin Kendall as his quarterback but took a step back with the Bulldogs using four different quarterbacks last year.

Harris can be a good piece as a slot receiver on an NFL squad. He will never have the size to play on the outside, but he is quick with good hands if some team decides to give him a chance this year.

Honorable mention: Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii

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