2020 Summa Cum Laude College Fantasy Football Mock Draft

John Laub assembled 11 of the most preeminent College Fantasy Football Experts for the seventh annual Summa Cum Laude College Fantasy Football Mock Draft.

Fantasy football stands at the forefront of my many hobbies. Nevertheless, during quarantine, I consumed other passions to pass the time away. I devoured countless hours of television while binge-watching new shows (Schitt’s Creek is my latest) and reread graphic novels from my youth (Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing is my current daily pleasure). As the calendar turns, I am hopeful that college football will commence in the fall, and I can enjoy Saturdays on the couch.

Beforehand, I am ready for an enjoyable summer of researching players and watching film of college prospects after concluding my fourteenth year as a full-time teacher at my high school. In order to kick off the upcoming college football season, I amassed the brightest College Fantasy Football experts in the industry to provide a sneak-peek into CFF player values in upcoming drafts.

College Fantasy Football provides alternative-reality zealots, NFL Draftniks, and Dynasty and Devy owners a competitive advantage against their opponents. What are you waiting for this summer? Get off the sideline and into the game on Fantrax. We guarantee that you will not regret playing in a CFF league this fall.

We partook in the seventh annual Summa Cum Laude Mock Draft, and all answered three pressing questions for additional insight for readers. The half-point-PPR format consisted of the following starting lineup: two quarterbacks, two running backs, three wide receivers, and one flex, tight end, kicker and team defense.

The CFF All-Americans, Twitter accounts

• Nicholas Ian Allen, @CFBWinningEdge
• Mike Bainbridge, @MBainbridgeCFF
• Scott Bogman, @BogmanSports
• Kevin Brown, @KHookem
• Josh Chevalier, @CFFguys
• Joe DiSalvo, @theCFFsite
• Zach Hall, @CFFChamps
• Mitch Hardt, @aceholesrule
• Justin Heiesey, @JustinHeisey
• John Laub, @GridironSchol91
• Nathan Marchese, @CFFNate
• John McKechnie, @Johnnymckechs

 Draft Date: June 9, 2020

College Fantasy Football Mock Draft Results

Here are the round-by-round results of the draft. You can use the arrows at the bottom to navigate through all 16 rounds. If you want to view the draft as a whole, an image of the draft board is included at the end of this post.

CFF Summa Cum Laude Mock Draft Analysis

1. Other than your club, pinpoint the owner with the best draft.

I think this draft highlighted something that has been on my mind a lot this year: college fantasy football is really deep in 2020. Honestly, I don’t think any of the teams drafted were weak. However, based on which other team includes the most of my personal favorites, I have to go with Kevin Brown. Asher O’Hara, of Middle Tennessee, and Kedon Slovis, of USC, are both in my Top-10 among signal-callers, and I loved what I saw from Tanner Morgan, Minnesota last year as well. Jaret Patterson, Buffalo, and Javian Hawkins, Louisville is an exciting running back combo, and I think Kevin Mensah, UConn could be a steal. I also love the upside for WR Osirus Mitchell, Mississippi State in 2020 as the most experienced receiver available for the Bulldogs and Mike Leach heading into the season.

But I also have to say, I really like Mike Bainbridge’s haul as well, and think there is some high upside with players like Demetric Felton, UCLA, Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, Khalil Shakir, Boise State, Larry Rountree III, Missouri, Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, Quintin Morris, Bowling Green and Taj Harris, Syracuse. I love what Mitch Hardt did at quarterback. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, Brock Purdy, Iowa State, Logan Bonner, Arkansas State and Ian Book, Notre Dame are all in the Top 20 of my rankings at the position. Finally, Scott Bogman and I see things very similarly with some somewhat polarizing players. He took D’Eriq King, Houston, Adrian Martinez, Nebraska, and Warren Jackson, Colorado State; all of whom I think were underrated in many of the early mocks I’ve been a part of this year.

— Nicholas Allen

Zach Hall put together a tremendously balanced roster throughout, starting with hitting on two Top 10 running backs with Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State and Breece Hall, Iowa State—both of whom thrive in PPR formats. He will have no shortage of depth either behind his top two with David Bailey, Boston College, Sincere McCormick, UTSA and Tre Harbison, Charlotte rounding out the RB room. His WRs may not score double-digit TDs this upcoming season outside of Chatarius Atwell, Temple but all five should see plenty of targets come their way in 2020 and are best suited in a PPR format such as this. Quarterbacks are solid. Can’t go wrong with the Alabama defense, and nabbed one of the Top TEs this year in Charlie Kolar, Iowa State.

— Mike Bainbridge

I thought my guy John McKechnie did a great job in the draft. The early wide receiver strategy is one I like a lot, Rondale Moore, Purdue, Dazz Newsome, UNC and Chris Olave, Ohio State are three great starters. He has depth at running back with Kobe Lewis, Central Michigan, Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M, SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech. I like the risk on some first-year starters in Zamir White, Georgia and a true freshman MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina. QB Jayden Daniels, Arizona State and QB Kyle Trask, Florida will both probably throw a little more starting in their second seasons, and he got a top tight end in Brevin Jordan.

— Scott Bogman

In the Summa Cum Laude Mock Draft, I swapped strategies and waited on taking a wide receiver. I was not very happy with the way my team turned out because of the major risks at wide receiver. Consequently, I would actually switch with any team that had a decent wide receiver corps.

— Kevin Brown

I like Mike Bainbridge’s team. He went receiver for three of his top five picks, which I think is a must strategy this year with the depth at quarterback and running back. I also love that Mike picked players that are in systems that produce CFF studs annually. I also really like his late pickups of WR/TE Quintin Morris, Bowling Green and WR Taj Harris, Syracuse

— Joshua Chevalier

Zack Hall’s roster looks incredibly balanced, and while most rosters look good in this shallow format, you can tell he targeted players with high-ceiling potential in proven systems.

— Joe DiSalvo

First, I just want to say I felt like there were quite a few good teams drafted. Four teams really stuck out to me with the eye test then I combined each roster with my player rankings to see how they stacked up that way as well—three of those four from the eye test were at the top. But I’m giving it to Mitch Hardt.

I really like his signal-callers. If you gave me a team with Brock Purdy, Iowa State, Sam Hartman, UNC, Ian Book, Notre Dame, and Logan Bonner, Arkansas State I’d feel really good about what I have going into the season. Four guys who have been in that Top 10 in weekly rankings. I love Purdy’s ceiling and he feels like a cheaper Sam Ehlinger, Texas from last year (High ceiling, low floor). He also has a proven guy in Book and two guys that play in systems that have given us good value at QB.

I like his mix of RBs as well. He got a couple of proven SEC RBs. Najee Harris, Alabama might’ve been a little early for me but a solid back nonetheless and Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas will be in a new system but still has good value. Then he added in a couple G5 RBs who could really help in the second half of the season or in a streaming situation. Ronnie Rivers, Fresno State is a solid back that will give you some good weeks and Joshua Mack, Liberty is pretty good value as late as he got him. I also like Wesley Kennedy III, Georgia Southern quite a bit but he’ll split carries so could be a guessing game with him.

At WR, Mitch got DeVonta Smith, Alabama, and Damonte Coxie, Memphis. Both guys that could end up as Top 10 fantasy scorers. Then he snagged Terrance Marshall, LSU making this a pretty solid Top 3 WRs. He also went after a couple of guys in Tre Nixon, UCF and Jake Smith, Texas who could end up looking like great value picks once this season gets going. Top to bottom, he put together a really good starting lineup and filled his bench with guys that have good upside and can help him out.

— Zach Hall

The most impressive draft was Kevin Brown. The first two rounds often balance out so looking at Rounds 3 through 7, I thought he hit home runs with QB Asher O’Hara, Middle Tennessee, WR Tre Walker, San Jose State, RB Javian Hawkins, Louisville and WR Tyler Snead, ECU. He has a very balanced team and his picks of running backs Marcel Murray, Arkansas State and Charles Williams, UNLV later solidifies his weakest position. Nice draft.

— Mitch Hardt

I would have to go with Nate Marchese on this one. He passed on a quarterback for four rounds and still managed a good starting corps of Holton Ahlers, ECU and Dustin Crum, Kent in Rounds 4 and 6. Nate also took several high-upside guys late in the draft such as Rico Bussey, Hawaii Charleston Rambo, Oklahoma and, my personal favorite, Tyrrell Pigrome, who transferred to Western Kentucky this offseason. My only complaint was that he took RB Josh Johnson, UL-Mon, who is a value, but I could see taking a hit with new quarterback Colby Suits in the picture. All in all, a solid squad.

— Justin Heiesey

So many stupendous CFF rosters to scrutinize and rank: It was difficult to choose one. I enjoy contrarian roster builds and only one owner opened the draft with back-to-back receivers: Nicholas Allen. He snagged Rashod Bateman, Minnesota and Sage Surratt, Wake Forest and acquired Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska and Kaylon Geiger, Troy to complement his two stars at receiver.

At quarterback, Nick swung for the fences with K.J. Costello, Mississippi State in the third round and waited until later in the draft to obtain Zac Thomas, Appalachian State, Grant Gunnell, Arizona and Cammon Cooper, Washington State. If one of the three become fantasy stars, Nick is in a strong position. I love his strategy to pound the running back position in the middle rounds with Brenden Knox, Marshall, Elijah Mitchell, UL-LAF, Stevie Scott, Indiana, Pooka Williams, Jr., Kansas and Gaej Walker, Western Kentucky. Among those five ball carriers, at least two should conclude the season among the Top 20 CFF runners.

— John Laub

I can really get behind Scott Bogman’s squad. I’m a risk-taker by nature, so I can appreciate high ceiling guys. I think D’Eriq King, Miami and Adrian Martinez, Nebraska will have nice bounce-back campaigns from injury-plagued seasons in 2019. I’m not team John Rhys Plumlee, Mississippi but Round 14 is a steal with his upside, add in a Top 3 WR with Ja’Marr Chase, LSU, Kyle Pitts, Florida, who is a Top 5 TE, and some high ceiling RBs with Max Borghi, WSU, Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota, and Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss.

Only soft spots I see would be depth at WR (don’t love Warren Jackson, Colorado State as a No. 2) and a marginal DST. Some of that WR depth concern would be remedied with another season from Chase like he had in 2019. Skyy Moore, Western Michigan is a solid pick late. Just a well-rounded roster with big upside. Having said that, I like a lot of what Justin Heisey and Josh Chevalier did too.

— Nathan Marchese

This was a tough call but I gotta give it to Mike Bainbridge. It took until Round 11 for me to a see a pick that I wouldn’t have made myself. Having a QB-WR stack of Justin Fields-Garrett Wilson, Ohio State is nasty, and the 1/2-point PPR ceiling for Kylin Hill, Mississippi State in a Mike Leach offense could take this roster over the top. I wouldn’t have drafted four quarterbacks in a 16-round format but that’s my only quibble and it’s minor.

— John McKechnie

2. Identify the top sleeper candidate this season.

I targeted a couple of sleepers. First, I listed Troy receiver Kaylon Geiger in my initial Top 20 receiver rankings, and he hasn’t been drafted in most mocks I’ve seen. I dropped him a little based on ADP, but I think he’s in the conversation to be the most productive receiver in the Sun Belt. Though there are some concerns about inexperience at quarterback, I really liked what I saw about Chip Lindsay’s offensive philosophy in his first season, and I think Geiger is set up for a huge year.

Secondly, I finally made a move to draft QB Grant Gunnell, Arizona. I was high on Khalil Tate last year, and it bit me. However, I believe Gunnell is actually a much better fit for what Kevin Sumlin and Noel Mazzonne want to do at Arizona. There are questions at receiver, especially considering the most productive player from last year’s corps was a redshirt freshman converted quarterback, but I think Gunnell has the tools to put up great numbers this season and beyond.

Finally, Washington State quarterback Jayden de Laura hasn’t been added to the draft pool yet, but I believe he has a legitimate chance to win the starting nod in fall camp, or at least by midseason. I selected Cammon Cooper in Round 13, and if he wins the job and keeps it, he could be a Top 15, Top 20-level CFF quarterback. I think de Laura could have an even higher ceiling. Next year, we might be talking about him like we’re talking about Sam Howell now.

— Nicholas Allen

I continue to be on the Houston QB Clayton Tune “hype train” even if there is just one passenger on board. Quarterbacks in Year 2 under Dana Holgorsen have averaged 4,178 passing yards and 38 total TDs in the last six seasons. And while Tune certainly isn’t D’Eriq King from an athletic standpoint, he did have a 100-yard rushing performance in his first start last year against North Texas and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash back in high school—all the while coming off a torn ACL so he can move. He may hit, he may not, but getting that kind of upside in Round 14 is a steal.

— Mike Bainbridge

I like WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, Illinois as a sleeper this year. Nick Allen took the Senior in Round 14. He scored nine touchdowns on only 33 receptions last year. QB Brandon Peters has to get a little bit better, and the Illinois receptions leader has had 33, 33 and 31 catches over the past three years, but I expect them to be a little bit better this season.

— Scott Bogman

By the time all the Livestreams are watched and season rolls around, this guy will not be considered a sleeper anymore but right now I believe people are sleeping on RB Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma. He was taken in Round 5 as the RB No. 2 on a team and may end up being a Top 8 CFF ball carrier. Without the running ability of former quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray, I think the Sooners lean on Brooks heavily.

— Kevin Brown

RB Eric Gray, Tennessee proved himself to be an electric playmaker as he ended last season on a tear, scoring 42.6 fantasy points vs Vanderbilt and 19 points in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl vs Indiana. Gray is poised for a big year with the Volunteers returning all five starters on the offensive line if they choose to feature him.

— Joshua Chevalier

I feel as if I could list 10 to 15 players here, but an ultimate sleeper is someone that comes out of nowhere, or at least wasn’t on the fantasy radar by the end of the 2019 season. In that case, I’ll go with RB TJ McDaniel, SMU, who should take over as the No. 1 ball carrier with Xavier Jones and Ke’Mon Freeman no longer around. Jones and Freeman combined for over 1,900 yards of offense and 30 touchdowns last year.

— Joe DiSalvo

Top sleeper that was drafted for me was WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State. I’m not sure Dotson becomes one of the Top 10 WRs this year but you can usually get him later in drafts, and he’s a guy with a lot of upside in a program that is looking to replace Hamler and his production. Joe took him in the Round 15 after 59 WRs had already been picked.

One guy not drafted that I’m starting to come around on is QB Max Duggan, TCU. Another guy that you can wait on in drafts. He was able to put together some solid outings last year where he was a Top 20 QB for the week. He now has a year of experience, and we’ve seen QBs like him really do well in this TCU offense. Duggan will need a little help around him but the fact that he will have value in the run game helps. Again, two guys I’m really starting to like that you can wait on, use to add depth to your team, and possibly become guys helping you win league championships.

— Zach Hall

My sleeper of the year is QB Mac Jones, Alabama. Nabbing him in Round 11 was an absolute steal for Joe DiSalvo. I picked two Crimson Tide stars—RB Najee Harris and WR DeVonta Smith—in Rounds 1 and 2, so I think the ‘Bama offense will be scoring points in bunches. Waiting at QB and getting someone like Jones is probably a recipe for victory.

— Mitch Hardt

From my own team, QB Charlie Brewer, Baylor, and WR Cornell Powell, Clemson are the biggest sleepers. Brewer is the perfect quarterback for a Larry Fedora system. He has a chance to produce huge this season if he can stay on the field and avoid concussions. Powell is the old guy in the Clemson receiver room and has learned all three receiver positions. If there were ever a year he would do something, it’s this one. WR Kaylon Geiger, Troy is a guy that many are passing on. After a huge year last season, I expect him to play big again this year. Troy has already had a quarterback leave campus. Could this mean they already have their Kaleb Barker replacement in waiting?

— Justin Heisey

Without question, I am acquiring as many shares as possible of Journey Brown, Penn State. In 2017, Brown redshirted and last season shared snaps and carries in the backfield until November. Finally, the sophomore earned the majority of touches, rambling for over 100 yards in four of the final five games while scoring 10 touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, Brown is a superb athlete who brings intensity, explosiveness, dedication, and commitment to the field every day. I am clearly more bullish on Brown than most CFF experts and am willing to reach for “my guy” in the fourth round.

— John Laub

The player in this draft that I identify as having the best value due to being slept on is QB Adrian Martinez, Nebraska. He was selected in the first round of every draft last year, but lacked consistency. I just can’t ignore the success coach Frosty has had with quarterbacks. Good health, a weak early schedule, and five returning starters on O-line should get 2 AM back on track. QB No. 15 off the board is incredible value. The other player being slept on that wasn’t drafted is the winner of the Utah RB battle: Jordan Wilmore or Devin Brumfield. Ludwig’s track record with ball carriers indicates the winner of that job will likely be a Top 20 CFF running back. If we had a spring to gather info, I imagine one would have been taken much earlier.

— Nathan Marchese

RB MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina: The lack of spring practice is going to limit the number of impact freshmen this year. Lloyd is the exception in my mind, though. An early enrollee and No. 42 overall recruit in the country, Lloyd steps into a situation where South Carolina is starved for talent at running back. The Gamecocks need to replace over 60% of their rushes from last season, and Lloyd is the obvious choice to take on as much of that workload as he can handle.

— John McKechnie

3. Select one player who will become a weekly CFF starter drafted in the tenth round or later this season.

I think those types of players are everywhere in this draft. The first name that jumps out to me is QB Mac Jones, who basically put up Tua Tagovailoa stats in a smaller sample of opportunities last year. Alabama had the second-best offense in the country according to CFB Winning Edge Team Performance ratings, and it would have been No. 1 in almost any other year. I think the loss of spring practice makes it more likely Jones can fend off freshman Bryce Young, and though the Crimson Tide must replace two first-round receivers, Jones has two wideouts available who could be early-round draft picks, plus Harris in the backfield, more options at tight end and one of the most talented offensive lines in the country.

The second was WR Omar Manning, Nebraska. I’m a huge Wan’Dale Robinson fan, but if I’m honest with myself, I need to recognize Manning who is probably going to put up better overall receiving numbers—especially with JD Spielman now in the transfer portal. And if I’m truly a believer when it comes to Adrian Martinez and Scott Frost (and I am), Manning has to be a big part of that.

— Nicholas Allen

Bowling Green’s Quintin Morris is an interesting case this year with WR/TE eligibility currently on Fantrax. The 6-foot-4 senior is easily the team’s best pass-catcher, leading the Falcons with 55 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns. That doesn’t amount to much in CFF if you are designated as a wide receiver. As a tight end, vastly different scenario as those numbers would have placed him well within the Top 10 in 1-pt. PPR formats. Any article you read on Bowling Green football associates Morris as a tight end. And the way the staff utilized him last season is as a tight end for all intents and purposes. If your CFF league decides to keep him at TE this season, he’s a surefire Top 10 option at the position with Top 5 upside.

—Mike Bainbridge

WR Jordan Whittington, Texas: We all know coach Tom Herman loves his slot receivers. Whittington has the ability to play all over the field. I see him playing that Wan’Dale Robinson role after a few weeks.

QB Mac Jones, Alabama: Jones showed me more than enough to have no issues with him being my No. 2 or 3 field general. He’s surrounded by some of the most talented players in the country. I think Jones did enough to hold the job coming into the season, and I don’t see him giving it up.

— Kevin Brown

I took RB Jashaun Corbin, Florida State in Round 13, and I know the Seminoles have had some offensive issues and O-line challenges in recent years. Nevertheless, I’m expecting coach Mike Norvell to turn that around quickly, and I see Corbin as the beneficiary.

— Scott Bogman

There is no way that WR Taj Harris, Syracuse should have fallen to the 16th Round. Harris is a talented wide out that is poised to take over the No. 1 WR role for Syracuse. The top of the pecking order for Syracuse has produced solid numbers since Dino Babers has taken over as head coach in 2016.

— Joshua Chevalier

A healthy handful of players drafted after Round 10 will be weekly fantasy starters in 2020. RB Marcus Williams, Jr., Appalachian State, wasn’t even drafted, but if he nails down the No. 1 spot in the Mountaineers’ offense, we’ll look back on the draft and wonder why no one selected a running back from a school with a rich tradition of producing solid fantasy running backs.

— Joe DiSalvo

Joe took QB Mac Jones, Alabama in Round 11. He actually only took two quarterbacks so Jones would be his starter in week 1, but I think he is a guy who is a little undervalued now anyways. Without spring ball and the experience Jones got last year, I think it gives him a leg up in the QB competition he has with Bryce Young. I still think Young will get reps but I have to wonder if they try and keep him within the four games to redshirt him to give him a little more time in the system.

If there is a guy on my team that will become a weekly starter, I’m going with Omar Manning. After Spielman entered the transfer portal, Nebraska will be looking for someone to step into his place. Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska is the guy everyone likes (and for good reason, he’s utilized in both the run and pass game). However, I really think WR Omar Manning has a chance to be the top pass catcher on this team. I like his size—much need for the red zone—and he should be a top target for Martinez. I could see a Stanley Morgan type season from 2018 (70-1,004-7).

— Zach Hall

For deep sleepers, other than Mac Jones, I will go with WR Jake Smith, Texas. The slot WR for UT is a great spot to be and Smith showed a ton of promise last season. Great value in Round 11. There are a few QB battles, like Cammon Cooper at Washington St, which will pay great dividends for owners who made the right gamble.

— Mitch Hardt

WR Omar Manning, Nebraska is a guy I’m liking more and more over the offseason. He looks very Martavis Bryant-esque in that he’s both very tall at 6-foot-4 while also serving the team as a field stretcher. Wan’Dale Robinson will be the main guy for Nebraska, but Manning provides a home run threat.

— Justin Heisey

When I seek under-the-radar playmakers, I rely on systems to illuminate breakout performers. In coach Tom Herman’s aerial assault, the H-position has produced CFF stars Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Devin Duvernay over the past two seasons. In 2020, Jake Smith steps into the slot (or H) for the Longhorns. Sam Ehlinger is my No. 2 CFF QB, and I project at least 30 touchdown passes. Therefore, Smith is in a prodigious position to post Top 30 fantasy numbers among receivers.

— John Laub

I’ll go a step further and identify a QB, RB, and WR. For QB, I’ll go Cammon Cooper, Washington State. I have been singing his praises for a while now and I don’t plan to stop despite the coaching change. Cole McDonald was a beast for coach Nick Rolovich, and I feel Cooper fits the mold for the run-n-shoot. A quick read player, Cooper can move when needed. The fall camp will be fun to watch, but I give the edge to Cooper.

For RB, I really like Caleb Huntley, Ball State. The former running backs coach takes over as offensive coordinator, and I just feel Huntley will continue to get fed unlike many other ball carriers in CFF. Hard to ignore those 248 carries in Round 10. As for WR, I will go with my pick of Tyquan Thornton, Baylor in Round 12. It isn’t often you find a sure-fire receiver No. 1 on his team with a proven QB that late.

— Nathan Marchese

WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State: Dotson is a former four-star recruit who is the new No. 1, filling K.J. Hamler’s role. With Penn State hiring offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarocca away from Minnesota, I’m bullish on the Nittany Lions’ passing attack, and Dotson stands to benefit the most from this scheme change. People are familiar with Dotson, I’m just not sure they realize how high the ceiling is here.

— John McKechnie

Full Draft Board

You can click on the image below to see a full-size draft board.

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