It is not sufficient that I succeed—all others must fail.
– Genghis Khan, conquerer
Nate Frazier (UGA) — It may surprise you to know that Trevor Etienne averaged 16 PPG in CFF last year in PPR formats. While that performance came with considerable volatility, Etienne was still an effective best ball asset. It’s even more impressive when you consider that Nate Frazier was the borderline RB1 already as a true freshman and that Etienne dealt with an injury in the latter stages of the season. If you break down Etienne’s usage last year, he averaged 15.4 touches per game between carries and receptions. Frazier now sits atop the RB hierarchy at Georgia. While führer Kirby will probably still seek to spread carries around, Frazier is unquestionably the best playmaker they have in the backfield. They’re also eschewing in a new QB in 2025.
Dylan Edwards (KSU) — Chris Moxley released an article on TD regression candidates for the RB position earlier this week. In that article, he highlighted KSU’s DJ Giddens as a player who underperformed in the TD department regarding his yardage and touches. Giddens still managed a mouthwatering 18.9 PPG average, so things still went pretty well in Manhattan, KS. However, when we look at what Dylan Edwards did as the lead pig in KSU’s bowl game vs. RU, one can’t help but fantasize (pun intended) about the possibilities for 2025.
Kamari Moulton (Iowa) — In one of the greatest fake outs in CFF history, Iowa’s Tim Lester listed Moulton atop the Hawkeye RB depth chart to begin the 2024 campaign. As it turned out, Kaleb Johnson (listed #3 on the chart) was unquestionably not only the best Iowa had but one of the very best RBs in all of college football. KJ averaged a pig-gasmic 27.7 PPG in 2024. My question now is whether it will be Mouton, Jaziun Patterson, or a combination of both that replaces KJ. Given that Moulton was the listed starter (and got the first crack at lead pig duties) in 2024, I’ll roll with him until further notice. Ya’ll know me; I love my Florida boys.
Yasin Willis (Syracuse) — Fran Brown did a marvelous job in his first year of head coaching the Orange. Notably, his RB1, Le’Quint Allen, finished the year averaging 26 PPG. Allen moves on, clearing the way for rising sophomore Yasin Willis, who drew headlines as a true freshman last offseason during spring camp. Willis is a slightly different style of back, checking in at 6’1” and 225 pounds, not to mention that the Orange will be replacing their star QB Kyle McCord, so the offense may not be as effective overall. Still, I like how things are shaping up for Willis as the ‘next man up’ on a team that will need playmakers to step up in 2025.
Sire Gaines (Boise) — This one will be controversial, as it is anything but determined who will lead the Bronco rushing attack in Ashton Jeanty’s wake. I will go out on a limb and suggest that I probably don’t have to rehash Jeanty’s 2024 numbers for the audience, as we are probably all familiar with his dominance last season. Gaines had himself a big game early in the year as the RB2 behind Jeanty (30 points vs. Georgia Southern) but then succumbed to injury, ending his season a few games later. He drew rave reviews last offseason from his OC, and I feel the most confident that he will be among the top two runners for BSU.
