My wife and I got to go on a date night for the first time in nearly six months on Saturday. We went to dinner at a delightful new restaurant with an incredible bar and local beers on tap in Branford, CT.
There were four TV screens with college football on, and she watched the games with me. I am so lucky that she supports my college fantasy football obsession every Saturday. Without her, I could never write this column.
If you need a roster upgrade, bye-week starter, or injury replacement, Ryan Cobbett, @ryancobbsj22, and I have identified the premier players to target on the college fantasy football waiver wire.
Enjoy my fellow CFF diehards!
Week 4 College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson (Cobbett)
Fantrax Ownership: 28%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.0
P-TD%: 7.7%
DJ U! I have been high on the Clemson quarterback while many others had doubts. No, he isn’t Trevor Lawrence or DeShaun Watson, but he has been playing excellent football this season, and you should pay attention.
Uiagalelei is coming off a huge game against Wake Forest in which he tallied 53.75 fantasy points on 371 passing yards, 52 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Before this last weekend, he averaged 26.55 FPPG, and it is time to take this guy seriously. If you need a QB, DJ is your guy. Yes, North Carolina State has a tough defense, but that is the only defense remaining on Clemson’s schedule that is scary.
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.1
P-TD%: 6.1%
College fantasy football diehards will never forget QB Nathan Rourke, who was a CFF star from 2017-19. In three years, he rushed for 51 touchdowns and passed for 60 aerial strikes. Rourke now plays in the CFL for the British Columbia Lions, and his younger brother, Kurtis, is becoming a CFF luminary south of the Canadian border.
Following his older brother to Ohio, Kurtis has not reached the same heights as Nathan after taking over the starting position last year. Nevertheless, he is approaching CFF starter status after a record-breaking performance against Fordham (FCS program) on Saturday.
At 6’4” and 216-pounds, the redshirt junior from Oakville, Ontario, Canada established a new school-mark for passing yards with 537, breaking a record set nearly 40 years ago. He concluded the outing 41-for-50 with four touchdowns and added 45 rushing yards with another score, producing 47.9 fantasy points.
For the season, Rourke is the No. 22 ranked CFF signal caller with 11 total touchdowns, 1,195 passing and 69 rushing yards. In positive matchups, the Bobcats’ quarterback has been nearly impossible to slow down: Against Florida Atlantic and Fordham, he scored 36.9 and 47.9 fantasy points. When Ohio played Power 5 teams (Penn State and Iowa State), he failed to surpass 13 points in either contest.
Great news for CFF owners: Ohio begins its MAC schedule this week and no more Power 5 programs are on the schedule. In the next three weeks, the Bobcats travel to Kent State and Western Michigan and host Akron in between the two road trips. Rourke is likely to continue his dominance against MAC opponents the rest of the campaign.
Honorable Mention Quarterbacks
Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Yards Per Attempt: 9.6
P-TD%: 11.8%
Editor’s Note: Ryan Cobbett featured Jalon Daniels in last week’s column.
Bo Nix, Oregon
Fantrax Ownership: 33%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.3
P-TD%: 7.6%
Chase Cunningham, Middle Tennessee
Fantrax Ownership: 3%
Yards Per Attempt: 8.3
P-TD%: 5.8%
Running Backs
Casey Filkins, Stanford (Cobbett)
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Scrimmage Yards: 284
Touchdowns: 2
Total Fantasy Points: 46.4
The Cardinal’ ball carrier is another solid depth choice that not a lot of people know about. Casey Filkins has been consistent this season and has averaged 15.13 FPPG, netting 14 carries per game. He also gives his score a little boost in the receiving game. He has scored in 2-of-3 games and is coming off a 100-yard performance against Washington. Keep your eye on him, this unknown could become a difference maker if he continues to steadily improve each week and EJ Smith remains sidelined.
Jaydn Ott, California (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 24%
Scrimmage Yards: 526
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 97.6
The first time I remember reading about Cal football (Sports Illustrated cover story in 1975) was in the mid-Seventies when Chuck Muncie scampered over and around PAC-8 opponents—yes, only 8 schools—and finished second in the Heisman trophy. In more recent history, Jahvid Best and Marshawn Lynch each produced seasons over 1,200 yards. Is Jaydn Ott the next great Golden Bear ball carrier?
I highlighted Ott in my College Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Week 2 as a serendipitous starter. Against UNLV, he scored 21.8 fantasy points, which was his second consecutive game with over 21 points. Regrettably, the freshman speedster could not repeat his first two outings versus Notre Dame.
He returned to the top of the CFF ball carriers on Saturday against Arizona. He earned CFF All-American honors with over 270 rushing yards and three touchdowns, leading all runners and producing a whopping 49.4 fantasy points.
In two seasons in high school, Ott carried the ball 265 times, rushed for 2,236 yards, and scored 30 touchdowns, averaging 97.2 yards per game. He posted 12 100-yard rushing games, averaged 8.4 yards per carry, and logged 17 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown. While living in Las Vegas for two seasons, he did not play football as a sophomore or junior. Was the four-star prospect by 247Sports overlooked by recruiters, scouts, and coaches?
At 6’0” and 205-pounds, Ott has garnered the attention of the CFF community and risen up DEVY rankings over the past month. The Golden Bears only have PAC-12 opponents remaining on the schedule, and Ott has earned an abundance of carries in each game for the remainder of the crusade.
Audric Estime, Notre Dame (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 14%
Scrimmage Yards: 307
Touchdowns: 5
Total Fantasy Points: 56.7
If you are in immediate need in the backfield, Audric Estime might not be your prime target on the waiver wire as Notre Dame has a week off. If looking for a long-term acquisition, Estime can provide a needed boost on CFF rosters down the road.
After an 0-2 start, the coaching staff decided to rely more heavily on Estime to ignite the ground game and the results have been two consecutive victories. The 5’11” and 227-pounder only had 19 carries in the two losses and 35 attempts over the past two weeks. He has rambled for 210 yards and three touchdowns. While he did not record a catch against North Carolina, he did snatch three passes for 43 yards the week before against California.
“I’m always going to bring the juice, bring the energy. When I have the ball, I’m going to run like my life is on the line. If I don’t have the ball I’m going to block like my life is on the line. Same running routes, I’m going to bring the energy and the juice. I feel like I’ve been playing like that since I was four years old. I feel like I’m the best on the field and if I win every rep, and work my butt off, I feel like that raises the standard,” Estime explained over the summer (si.com). In the past two weeks, he ranks as the eighteenth most productive runner with 45.3 fantasy points.
A four-star prospect in 2021 by 247Sports, Estime is the thunder in the Fighting Irish backfield along with Chris Tyree who is the lightening. The Notre Dame schedule does not present many challenges the remainder of the season, and Estime is a viable CFF starter at the Flex position.
Frank Peasant, Middle Tennessee (Cobbett)
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Scrimmage Yards: 305
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 70.5
Frank Peasant had negative fantasy points in Week 1 against James Madison. In three games since, he averaged 23.07 FPPG, two touchdowns and 18 carries, totaling 96.33 YPG. He is heavily used in this offense. Though Middle Tennessee is not going to win a lot of games, Peasant will get his touches. Aside from Week 1, he has been very productive. The remaining schedule features weak defenses, and Peasant is a good option if you need RB/RWT depth.
Honorable Mention Running Backs
MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina
Fantrax Ownership: 32%
Scrimmage Yards: 351
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 81.1
Richard Reece, Baylor
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Scrimmage Yards: 336
Touchdowns: 6
Total Fantasy Points: 71.6
Jase McClellan, Alabama
Fantrax Ownership: 25%
Scrimmage Yards: 291
Touchdowns: 4
Total Fantasy Points: 58.1
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got at quarterback on the waiver wire this week?
- Kurtis Rourke, Ohio: 13%
- Jalon Daniels, Kansas: 62%
- Bo Nix, Oregon: 12%
- D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson: 13%
“Really like Jalon Daniels! But I have to put my foot in my mouth…DJ Uiagalelei was legit Saturday versus Wake Forest. That last touchdown strike was cold as ice.” @NinoBrown_T2T
“Jalon Daniels is so fun to watch and to root for. Easy pick here.” @aceholesrule
“Are people still sleeping on Jalon Daniels? Why? He’s had 40-plus fantasy points two weeks in a row! I’ll admit that I don’t love this week’s matchup with Iowa State, but after that, I think he can hold some real value.” @RJsFantasyFB
“Jalon Daniels isn’t going anywhere! He is here to stay as a CFF starter.” @CFFonIG
At running back, Who Ya Got this week on the waiver wire?
- Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh: 31%
- Jaydn Ott, California: 36%
- Quinshon Judkins, Mississippi: 26%
- MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina: 7%
“Jaydn Ott has some insane speed but we all know the answer…Izzy!! Four rushing touchdowns for three straight games…Quinshon Judkins is a dawg as well. But it’s Israel Abanikanda for me.” @NinoBrown_T2T
“Jaydn Ott should see consistent volume from this point on: 21-plus points already in three of his first four games–ever!” @CFFonIG
“Israel Abanikanda for me. Most people might be scared of Rodney Hammond, Jr. coming back and taking the job. I am not most people.” @aceholesrule
“Oooottttt!” @CffNation
“Anytime a freshman ball carrier drops 46 Fantasy points in his fourth game, we need to take note. Jaydn Ott carried the ball 19 times for 274 yards & three scores against Arizona. I’m not crazy about this week’s game with Washington State so maybe think about Israel Abanikanda if you’re looking for quick results.” @RJsFantasyFB
Who Ya Got as a playmaker at receiver this week?
- Tyler Scott, Cincinnati: 38%
- Caleb Ducking, Mississippi State: 42%
- Jayshon Jackson, Ball State: 12%
- LaJohntay Wester, Florida Atlantic: 8%
“Caleb Ducking is the best wide receiver on a superior passing team. The ball gets spread out a ton, but talent prevails.” @aceholesrule
“I’ve had Caleb Ducking on my roster for a few weeks now and I’ll admit that I came close to dropping him after his four receptions, 33-yard performance vs. LSU. This past week, Ducking scored twice against inferior opponent Bowling Green. While he hasn’t broken 100 yards yet, he now has five touchdowns through four games.” @RJsFantasyFB
Wide Receivers
De’Corian Clark, UTSA (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 20%
Targets: 41
Team Target Share: 25.6%
Total Fantasy Points: 104.7
I have a confession: I benched QB Frank Harris for Michael Penix, Jr. and am disappointed in my decision Luckily, I still won my matchup despite the gaffe. Wanted to share for all those CFF owners who have similar regrets when making starting lineup decisions. It happens to everyone, including so-called experts.
Without much attention, the Roadrunners have assembled one of the top wide receiver trios in the nation with Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephus and De’Corian Clark. Among the three playmakers, Clark is the least rostered in CFF leagues. It is time to move him above the 50% threshold for sure.
On the season, he is the No. 7 overall CFF receiver with 27 receptions for 417 yards and six touchdowns, scoring over 100 fantasy points in PPR formats. At 6’3” and 210-pounds, the senior presents major matchup challenges for defensive backs and opposing coaches, who have to scheme to slow Harris and the aerial attack in San Antonio.
I am going to place bids for Clark in many of my CFF leagues this week. The numbers are far too strong to allow another owner to benefit from his production. Do not let Clark remain available in the free agent pool any longer: I will not. How about you?
Cam Camper, Indiana (Cobbett)
Fantrax Ownership: 11%
Targets: 60
Team Target Share: 30.6%
Total Fantasy Points: 80.8
Go pick up Cam Camper right now if he is available. He has scored over 20 fantasy points in 3-of-4 games this season, and he leads Indiana in receptions (by 16) and yards. He is averaging 104.5 receiving yards a game and this Hoosier can have an immediate impact on your team.
Tyler Scott, Cincinnati (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Targets: 36
Team Target Share: 25.4%
Total Fantasy Points: 97.3
In every season, a player rises from obscurity to become a CFF luminary. Without fanfare, Tyler Scott might be one of those guys who becomes a must-start the remainder of the CFF season. I cannot ignore the numbers after the opening month of the campaign.
In PPR formats, Scott is the No. 11 ranked receiver with 25 catches for 423 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 16.9 yards per catch. He has produced double-digit fantasy points in every game and has been on fire the past two weeks: The Bearcats’ playmaker has 23 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
“I owe that to the coaching staff for trusting me and developing me. Just really taught me how to be a receiver and a football player. They (Hoosiers) played a lot of quarters so there’s going to be a lot of one on one outside. It’s up to me to win some of those post routes and deep balls. That comes from film study and watching to see how the defensive back comes down,” Scott reflected after his outstanding performance against Indiana on Saturday (cincyontheprowl.com).
A track star in high school, Scott dominated opponents in Ohio (home state) and has been clocked at 4.29 in the forty-yard dash. Last year, the junior started eight games and played in every contest. A big-play threat, he recorded 520 receiving yards on 30 catches with five touchdowns, averaging 17.33 yards per catch and ranking second in the AAC.
Coach Luke Fickell has allowed new offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli to tweak the offense, and the Bearcats are throwing the ball more often and efficiently. QB Ben Bryant, WR Tre Tucker and Scott have ignited the aerial assault and are opening the eyes of astute CFF fanatics. Scott should not be available in 99% of free agent pools after this week.
Oronde Gadsden, II, Syracuse (Laub)
Fantrax Ownership: 1%
Targets: 23
Team Target Share: 20.7%
Total Fantasy Points: 67
I have watched so much Syracuse football that I am beginning to turn orange: I saw Syracuse live at UConn and on TV the past two weeks against Purdue and Virginia. While I focused on scouting RB Sean Tucker as a draft prospect, I could not take my eyes off WR Oronde Gadsden. Over the past two games, he continually made plays for the Orange.
At the game, I noticed the last name on the Syracuse depth chart and immediately recalled his father, who played for the Miami Dolphins at the turn of the century for five seasons. The elder statesmen played at Winston Salem State University and signed with Miami as a free agent at the age of 27.
At 6’5” and 216-pounds, the son looks very similar to his father in stature but seems more athletic and explosive as a playmaker. A three-star recruit in high school, Gadsden played for American Heritage in Florida, was named team captain in 2020, and ran track. As a freshman last year, he played in eight games and made two catches for 24 yards.
In 2022, Gadsden paces the team in all major receiving categories with 19 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns. In the last two weeks, the sleek receiver is the No. 12 most productive CFF wideout, producing 47.5 fantasy points. Syracuse hosts Wagner this week before embarking on the ACC schedule with one contest against Notre Dame. Gadsden warrants a waiver wire acquisition this week.
Luke McCaffrey, Rice (Cobbett)
Fantrax Ownership: 3%
Targets: 40
Team Target Share: 30.3%
Total Fantasy Points: 80.2
The younger brother of Christian McCaffrey has seemingly found his footing with the Owls as a receiver. Luke has averaged 20.05 FPPG this season and has pieced together back-to-back great performances. He is the leading receiver for the Owls, and Rice has a relatively weak schedule remaining, making the younger McCaffery a nice depth piece.
Honorable Mention Wide Receivers
Jared Brown, Coastal Carolina
Fantrax Ownership: 5%
Targets: 19
Team Target Share: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 56.7
Beaux Collins, Clemson
Fantrax Ownership: 22%
Targets: 21
Team Target Share: 15%
Total Fantasy Points: 56.8
CFF All-Americans: Week 4
- QB Adrian Martinez, Kansas State: 52.1 points
- QB Kurtis Rourke, Ohio: 47.9 points
- RB Jaydn Ott, California: 48.4 points
- RB Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh: 44.6 points
- WR De’Corian Clark, UTSA: 48.7 points
- WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati: 46.5 points
- WR Michael Wilson, Washington: 36.8 points
- TE Brock Bowers, Georgia: 30.7 points
- Flex Blake Corum, Michigan: 36.3 points