We haven’t had many players move, but a few big names have moved. Notably, a few players who scored well in college fantasy. And some players who may now score well in 2025. Which players are set up better and will be a nice present, AirPods, for our 2025 teams? And are there any that may score worse, such as a lump of coal present for our teams? Or are they just a pair of socks? A good present we will use, but not inspiring.
Here are some of the most notable names, and whether they will be AirPods, socks, or a lump of coal!
Running Backs
Malik Sherrod – Fresno State to Boise State
Out with Ashton Jeany, in with Malik Sherrod. While the talent level is quite disparities, Sherrod will be FINE in this offense if he stays healthy. He rushed for 966 yards and caught 44 passes in 2023 but was injured for most of 2024.
Sherrod is smaller but a quick back that can make defenders miss in space. He’s got great movement skills and can handle a bigger workload. The Broncos may not give Sherrod the workload Jeanty had, and they have several young backs that could handle some of the carries in Jambres Dubar and Dylan Riley.
Verdict: AirPods
CJ Campbell – FAU to Rutgers
With Kyle Monangai off to the NFL, Rutgers will need another workhorse back. CJ Campbell split carries at FAU, and what we say was enough to have Greg Schiano give the young back a jingle.
Campbell has good size and is a lot of fun to watch run. He’s got good movement skills and is an accomplished pass catcher. Campbell is phenomenal in space and also runs hard when needed. This is a great fit at Rutgers.
Verdict: AirPods
Ahmad Hardy – UL Monroe to Missouri
After a phenomenal freshman season, in which Hardy led the conference with 1,351 yards and 13 scores, we all knew greener pastures were in the picture for him. Missouri secured Hardy’s services with Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll, who are likely out of eligibility, and talented freshman Kewan Lacy was gone.
Hardy is a strong runner and makes the most out of every yard, always churning his legs. He’s patient, and his vision is strong for a freshman. The move to Missouri is a massive jump in competition, but Hardy will get the chance to get involved. I’d like to see him more involved in the passing game. Even with another 237 touches, it’s tough to see him gaining over 1,400 total yards.
Verdict: Socks
Ismail Mahdi – Texas State to Arizona
Mahdi has been a stalwart rushing for the Bobcats, but a mass exodus led to their lead back moving on to Arizona. The Wildcats still have Noah Fifita, for what that’s worth, but lose Tet McMillan to the NFL and several other key offensive pieces to the portal. It’s tough to see Mahdi having better numbers against tougher competition with a worse offense overall.
Verdict: Socks
AJ Turner – Marshall to Minnesota
Turner rushed for over eight yards a carry in 2024 as the lead back for the Thundering Herd. And now he’s in a backfield with Darius Taylor, the unquestioned lead back, and transfers Cameron Davis and Cole Cabana also join the fray. This transfer befuddled me.
Verdict: Coal
Kanye Udoh – Army to Arizona State
Oh man, I LOVE THIS ONE! “West Point Yeezy” has taken his talents from a service academy to an exciting young team in the College Football Playoffs. The Sun Devils are led by Cam Skattebo, who will be playing on Sundays in 2025. Cue in the intro music, “It’s Kanye time.”
Udoh benefitted from the unconventional offense the Black Knights ran, but teams always knew they were running. Udoh is a powerful runner, disciplined in following blocks, and has strong vision in traffic. He’s not been involved in the passing game, so that question has to be answered, but it’s tough not to see Udoh getting a mess of touches and being a strong CFF running back.
Verdict: AirPods
Dante Dowdell – Nebraska to Kentucky
After a season at Oregon and another at Nebraska, where he was the “lead back,” Dowdell headed to Kentucky. He scored 12 times via the rushing game but only had 143 carries, averaging only 4.3 yards per tote.
Kentucky loves to feature a back and searched all season for that one guy. After splitting time in 2024, Dowdell should be that guy. I’m not sure we’ll see a monster season, but with 200+ touches, Dowdell will be a fantasy-relevant back.
Verdict: Socks
Terion Stewart – Bowling Green to Virginia Tech
The Hokies will say arrivederci to Bhaysul Tuten, and Terion Stewart will get a golden opportunity to step in and get a full workload. Stewart has a similar skill set and is a veteran, as he has now been removed from high school for five full years. It’s tough to say he will replicate Tuten’s production; I don’t think he’s as electric with the ball. VaTech will involve him in the running and passing game, and Stewart will be a strong CFF asset.
Verdict: AirPods
Chip Trayanum – Kentucky to Toledo
It’s all about opportunity here. The Rockets rotated backs in 2024, searching for a stable option, and Trayanum could be the answer. When he’s been on the field, whether it’s for Arizona State, Ohio State, or Kentucky, he’s looked like a back that could be viable. At this point, I am so far out on chasing what Chip Trayanum could be, and I will be okay with being wrong if he finally surpasses 100 touches in his sixth season.
Verdict: Coal
Quinten Joyner – USC to Texas Tech
It would be challenging for a player to be higher with a landing spot than Mr. Joyner landing with the Red Raiders. Tahj Brooks is off to the NFL, and Joyner looked phenomenal in limited duty with USC this season. He was a four-star prospect, and we loved him as a prospect. Now he lands on a team that loves to feature a back, and Joyner is EASILY the most talented back on the roster. He may not replicate Brooks’s lofty numbers in 2025, but he will be CFF-relevant, and I could see him posting top-25 numbers for his position.
Verdict: AirPods
Wide Receivers
Devonte Ross – Troy to Penn State
If you had Ross in CFF last season, you were pleasantly surprised. He averaged over 20 points a game, catching 76 balls for 1,043 yards and 11 scores. And that was with a rolling trash can hurling footballs in his direction. Imagine what he would do, with say, Drew Allar?
BREAKING: Penn State adds former Troy WR Devonte Ross from the NCAA Transfer Portalhttps://t.co/EkbH3Y9HG0 pic.twitter.com/FkWDjb955D
— Lions247 (@Lions247) December 24, 2024
That’s what Ross will now have throwing his direction next season, and it will be interesting to see what he can do in the Nittany Lion offense. The team added Kyron Hudson via the portal, too, and could have several receivers return. Although, that isn’t going to hold Ross back. He’s the top receiver on the team in 2025, but it’s hard to project him to get more production than this season.
Verdict: Socks
Eric Rivers – FIU to Georgia Tech
With 1,172 yards and 12 scores for the Panthers, no one was surprised when Rivers took to the portal. I expected the smaller but electric receiver to get attention, and he found a spot with the Yellow Jackets.
The top GaTech receiver only had 670 yards, and assuming Haynes King returns, he doesn’t lock in on one target. The ball is spread around. I could still see Rivers being the top target, but nearing the production he had in 2024 will be a tall task.
Verdict: Socks
DT Sheffield – North Texas to Rutgers
I was utterly disgusted when this transfer was announced. He left an offense that gave him plenty of opportunity, albeit it was hit hard by portals, for an offense led by Athan Kaliakmanis. In the words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
Verdict: Coal
Kevin Coleman – Mississippi State to Missouri
It was nice to see Coleman finally manifest some of the massive promise we thought he had as a recruit. He parlayed a successful 2024 into a transfer portal entrance, and now, a role at Mizzou filling the massive hole left by the departure of Luther Burden.
The Tigers paid a nice chunk of change to entice Penn State’s backup, Beau Pribula, to come to Columbia. I’m not sold on him being the answer and giving KC large enough amounts of targets to be a strong CFF asset. Coleman went for 74 receptions and 932 yards with 6 TDs in 2024. I see that as an absolute ceiling at Missouri, but I am projecting significantly less.
Verdict: Coal
De’Zhaun Stribling – Oklahoma State to Ole Miss
I’ve been a big supporter of Stribling, and this move excites me, although there is some uncertainty about who will be getting him the ball in 2025. I trust Lane Kiffin will figure it out and address it via the portal. Caleb Odom and Luke Hasz join Stribling at Ole Miss in a revamped receiving corps. I like Stribling as the alpha dog, but I temper expectations at this point.
Verdict: Socks
Luke Wysong – New Mexico to Arizona
These receivers’ portal spots do not blow me away. The wideouts definitely made some puzzling ones. I like this one, but I also wonder what the ceiling is for Wysong. He caught 69 passes for 840 yards and a score last season and could easily replicate that with the Wildcats in 2025. They have a void he could fill, and Noah Fifita would benefit from having a slot receiver to hopefully make him look better again. I like this, but I still don’t project him to exceed last season’s numbers by much in 2025.
Verdict: Socks
Omari Kelly – Middle Tennessee and
Chrishon McCray – Kent State both to Michigan State
Listening to Colin Decker trash this duo this morning made me spit up my mimosa. And champagne doesn’t feel good on the way out. I don’t think the receivers are as bad as Mr. Decker claims, but given the history of their podcast, I know it’s hard for them to say anything nice about my Michigan State team. The Spartans would like to throw more but haven’t had great options outside of Nick Marsh and he missed time, plus is still developing.
It will be tough to project success with the duo and what they offer. I believe Kelly will be the slot guy and likely have more targets. Like Marsh, McCray is a big play receiver, but McCray is more polished. Obviously, each will face stiffer competition, yet each could find a productive role in the offense. I like Kelly more and would like to have him in CFF, but his ceiling will likely be the 53/869/4 stat line he posted in 2024.
Verdict: Kelly is socks, McCray is coal
Isaiah Horton – Miami to Alabama
Staying at Miami, where he could have been the alpha in 2025, seemed to have been the better choice. However, transferring to an Alabama team that needs receiver playmakers could be a fruitful move. Playing opposite superstud Ryan Williams ensures Horton will again be the complementary receiver at best, but he could still be productive. Horton could be a receiver with solid production in 2025, and it could work out better than I think.
Verdict: Socks
Chase Sowell – East Carolina to Iowa State
With the departures of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, the Cyclones need a big receiver to fill their shoes. Sowell is the first, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them add another. He’s a big-play threat at receiver and should see a massive uptick in opportunity. This is one move at receiver I really like, and Sowell could see a 1,000-yard season in the near future.
Verdict: AirPods
Joseph Williams – Tulsa to Colorado
Originally slated to go to Utah, Williams flipped his transfer to Colorado yesterday. With new quarterback Kaidon Salter at the helm, Williams is due for a massive 2025 season as the WR1 for Deion Sanders and the Buffs. Salter, although down in 2024, has the ability to support a fantasy viable WR, feeding CJ Daniels in 2023. This is one of my favorite transfer destinations, for a receiver I loved going down the stretch in 2024.
Verdict: AirPods
Duce Robinson – USC to Florida State
On some, I don’t know. Duce Robinson flashed last season at USC, only catching 23 passes but tallying 396 yards and scoring five times. The potential is there. And Florida State has an opportunity. But also, Thomas Castellanos is not exactly a world-beater as a passer. I don’t know. I estimate we will know more in the spring, but for now, this feels kind of meh.
Verdict: Socks?
Barion Brown – Kentucky and Nic Anderson – Oklahoma to LSU
Adding Brown and Anderson to Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton feels kind of nasty. The 2025 LSU offense could be immensely potent, but the problem will become, who is the alpha or the best receiver for CFF? Brown gives the Tigers an accomplished kick and punt returner and adds an explosive element. Nic Anderson can stretch the field and beat defenses deep. It will lead to headaches for defending defenses—and fantasy football players. You have to have both guys rostered, but they may be more valuable on best ball teams.
Verdict: Colorful, Fun Socks
CJ Daniels – LSU to Miami
The Hurricanes will have a big turnover on offense next season as Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo move on to the NFL. Who will play QB? I’m sure the answer comes via the portal, but whoever it is, Daniels has a shot to be the WR1. I fell for this trap last offseason; this all feels too similar! Don’t do it!
Verdict: Coal
J. Michael Sturdivant – UCLA to Florida
This one feels all warm and fuzzy. There are two J. Michaels I love this world: JMic, my boy from Cincy, and Mr. Sturdivant. I’m sorry, Mr. Vallerie, but you are not a true J. Michael to me. Now that I have confused the heck out of 98% of you, here’s why I love this move.
Sturdivant can play any receiver position and can be used to stretch the field if needed. I love his versatility and ability to be a safety blanket for a young QB. Say, a DJ Lagway type. And there is a massive hole/need for that role with Elijhah Badger’s departure. I love this spot for Sturdivant. Sign me up.
Verdict: AirPods
Micah Hudson – Texas Tech to Texas A&M
As a top-twenty overall recruit, Hudson came to Texas Tech with high expectations but had limited production in year one. An entrance in the transfer portal ended with Hudson landing at Texas A&M, a team that did wonders with fellow five-star Evan Stewart. Note the dripping sarcasm. I hope a team needing playmakers at the receiver spot feeds the talented freshman, but I’m not investing in it.
Verdict: Coal
