Whether it’s NFL or college football, offensive systems matter. The only difference in college is that it REALLY matters. The volume uptick for skill guys in college is significant and one we must follow year in and year out. Today, let’s look at the top systems for schools that you may not be aware of this season…
Louisville Outside WRs
Jeff Brohm, the team’s head coach, pumps out productive outside receivers year after year in college fantasy football. While at Purdue, he made stars of Charlie “Chuck Sizzle” Jones (110/1,361/12), David Bell (93/1,286/6 and 86/1,035/7), and Rondale Moore (played slot but produced 114/1,258/12). Last season with Louisville, Jamari Thrash went for 63/858/6, but that was while being banged up all season. Before getting hurt, Thrash went for 39/639/6 in seven games.
This year, Chris Bell, Jacorey Brooks, and Caullin Lacy are the candidates to replace him. Lacy is the most likely to replace Thrash out wide but comes with a high ADP. Chris Bell will cost you much less and is considered a strong contender for the role.
Missouri Running Backs
Kirby Moore is in his second season as the offensive coordinator for Missouri and is a guy we want to follow so we can draft his running back. Last season, Cody Schrader ran for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns with 22 receptions. In his one season as the offensive coordinator at Fresno State in 2022, Jordan Mims ran for 1,270 yards and 18 touchdowns with 21 receptions. It’s a bit of a small sample size, but the results have been much better once he takes over for running backs. For now, it’s a battle between Marcus Carroll and Nate Noel. Both are transfers from the G5 level, with Carroll being the bigger back.
Washington State Quarterbacks
The Washington State offense is one we have to target in 2024. Ben Arbuckle, the offensive coordinator, has produced incredible quarterback play in his last five years. During that stretch, they’ve averaged 29.8 fantasy points per game.
This year, there is a battle between Zevi Eckhaus and John Mateer. Mateer seems to be in the lead but is in a close race with the transfer, Eckhaus. Mateer comes at a higher draft cost right now, likely because he’s been in the system for a year already and has upside on the ground. Eckhaus is a pure passer with the experience and past production in the FCS to be productive if he wins the job.
Washington State Wide Receivers
Of course, it’s no surprise that Arbuckle receivers have been elite during his time with all the production he’s getting from the quarterback position. Over the past five seasons, his WR1 is averaging 22.2 FPPG, and his WR2 is looking at 16.6 FPPG. This season, the options are murky, with one player graduating and one player transferring. We do have Kyle Williams returning out wide, which is typically the WR2 in this offense. He’s a safe play that has already shown to be productive in this offense.
We’re looking at Josh Meredith and Kris Hutson for the slot position. These two combined for four receptions last season. Only in college fantasy football are we fighting for these guys. Meredith has the lead from spring reports, but Hutson has also been impressive. There is a thought that if Mateer wins the job, it’s great news for Meredith, while Hutson’s wagon is tied to Eckhaus.
UCF Quarterbacks
If head coach Gus Malzahn has a dual-threat quarterback, he will use him. Last year, we saw John Rhys Plumlee throw for 2,271 yards and 15 touchdowns, along with 505 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He did this in ten games but was banged up for most of them. Malzahn loves to play fast and use his quarterback from start to finish.
This is excellent news for KJ Jefferson, the Arkansas transfer listed at 6’3″ and 247 lbs. Jefferson is as durable as they come, running the football 145+ times in three straight seasons. He’s a sixth-year quarterback with a wealth of experience, making him one of the safer quarterbacks on the board.
Iowa Tight Ends
The Iowa tight end position is not only productive in college fantasy but also in the NFL. It’s rare, but it’s pretty incredible. They like to use multiple players throughout the game, but the TE1 is always the top target in this passing attack. Sure, it’s a poor passing attack, but that still means some good production.
Luke Lachey is the presumed TE1 after holding the job going into last season. He was hurt after two games but still managed 16 targets, 10 receptions, and 131 yards. In 2022, Sam LaPorta caught 58 passes for 657 yards and a touchdown. He put up a stat line of 53/670/3 the year before that. Don’t let the touchdowns fool you. With 50+ receptions and 600+ yards, you’re looking at a really good season for a tight end.
Utah Tight Ends
Like Iowa, Utah has pumped out tight end production in recent years under Kyle Whittingham. Last season, injuries killed any shot at production but in 2022, Dalton Kincaid caught 70 passes for 890 yards and 8 touchdowns. In 2021, Brant Kuithe caught 50 passes for 611 yards and 6 touchdowns. That season, Dalton Kincaid added 36 receptions for 510 yards and 8 touchdowns. Two productive tight-end seasons in one year is unheard of.
WIth Kincaid gone and Kuithe a full 18+ months out from a knee injury, it’s wheels up for this Utah tight end. He’ll be drafted among the top five tight ends in your drafts.
Air Force Fullbacks
Things are getting weird, just how we like it. Most military academies are avoids in college fantasy, but the one bright spot is the Air Force and its full-back position. This is a position that has produced over 15 FPPG under Mike Thiessen, the offensive coordinator, in the past five seasons.
Last year was a “struggle” for Air Force, and yet we still saw Emmanuel Michel run for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns in ten games. Before Michel, Brad Roberts had a hold of the top RB position. He treated us to 299 and 345 carries in his last two seasons! In those two seasons, he combined for over 3,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
This year it appears that Dylan Carson has a hold on the role and is primed for a big year. He’s being drafted appropriately as a 15-20 rounder in most leagues so far this offseason. There is always a slight concern about tomfoolery in the Air Force and its decision-making. But if Carson is, in fact, the guy, then you’re looking at him as a huge value in your drafts right now.
Texas State Passing Attack
Let’s keep this one tight, as we’re pretty confident in what we know about the Texas State passing attack. Jordan McCloud, the former Sun Belt Player of the Year, is the QB1 while Joey Hobert and Kole Wilson are the WR1/2 in the offense. There is some room for debate as who will be that top slot receiver between Hobert and Wilson, but regardless, they’ll be the top two guys.
Why do we care about this? Well, GJ Kinne gets elite scoring out of his offense year in and year out, and it’s almost always thanks to an incredible passing attack. Last season, with TJ Finley as quarterback (an Auburn and LSU reject), Texas State put up 36.7 points per game. He was the head coach of Incarnate Word in 2022, a team that averaged 51.5 points per game thanks to Lindsey Scott jr who combined for 71 total touchdowns and 4,686 passing yards.
