Week 4 College Fantasy Football Sleepers: The Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters

John Laub presents the Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters, a look at the top college fantasy football sleepers for Week 4 of the NCAA Football season.

College Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 4

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, Arizona State vs. Colorado: O/U 50 & Arizona State -7.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 21%

My CFF: On-Campus partner Scott Bogman predicted that the Sun Devils would upset the Spartans on last week’s podcast. And he was correct as Arizona State won 10-7. Freshman Jayden Daniels did not have a great afternoon statistically, but he did not commit a turnover and led the team on an 11-play, game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. “…at the end the kid (Daniels) did really good. He made a lot of plays with his legs. I think that’s surprising for a lot of people—his ability to run, and he’s a smart runner,” Coach Herm Edwards detailed after the victory in the Associated Press. For his tremendous performance, he was named PAC-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Week.

The splendid signal-caller has exceeded 20 fantasy points in two of three games, passed for 728 yards and totaled four touchdowns. Coach Edwards must prevent overconfidence and hubris from empowering a letdown at home against Colorado this week. The matchup is tasty enough to project four touchdowns for Arizona State, and Daniels will shine in Sun Devil Stadium with over 250 yards passing while accounting for three touchdowns.

Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #104 (273 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 30.7 ppg

Jarren Williams, Miami vs. Central Michigan: O/U 51 & Miami -30.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 11%

I know that I keep beating this drum, but it is the year of the freshmen quarterback in college football. Another one makes my list to insert in lineups if a CFF owner needs a starter in week 4. A redshirt freshman, Jarren Williams is an honorary member of the club; nevertheless, he deserves praise for his performances this season.

A pocket passer, Williams totaled 254 passing yards and completed three touchdowns last week, earning ACC Rookie of the Week honors after leading the Hurricanes to victory. For the season, he has accumulated 777 passing yards and six touchdowns. He has not committed a turnover and completed over 73% of his passes.

The coaching staff needs to build Williams’ confidence and efficiency before the ACC conference schedule begins and a home game against the Chippewas is a great opportunity. Another productive afternoon is in the cards for the Hurricanes’ signal-caller.

Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #115 (293.7 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 35.3 ppg.

Kaleb Barker, Troy at Akron: O/U 55.5 & Troy -17
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 36%

In the Waiver Wire Gemstones on Tuesday, I highlighted Kaleb Barker as a valuable asset on college fantasy football rosters. I really like this matchup against Akron despite Troy traveling. The senior signal-caller is red hot, and the points will come easily in this game. Insert the terrific Trojan into lineups with confidence this Saturday…I already have started him on two of my season-long teams.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #110 (285.7 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 39.3 ppg.

Additional QB Sleepers:

• Anthony Russo, Temple at Buffalo: O/U 53.5 & Temple -13.5
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 24%
  Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #82 (232 ppg.)
  Opponent Points Allowed: 30 ppg.
• Logan Bonner, Arkansas State vs. Southern Illinois: FCS Opponent
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 36%
• Mike Glass, Eastern Michigan vs. Central Connecticut: FCS Opponent
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 44%

Also check out the week’s top waiver wire additions according to John Laub and Justin Heisey!

Running Backs

Tre Siggers, North Texas vs. UTSA: O/U 58 & North Texas -19
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 14%

Why is the CFF community sleeping on Tre Siggers? I am stunned that he is available in 86% of leagues still. Run to the waiver wire and acquire the Mean Green ball carrier now… Do not allow competitors to use Siggers against you this season.

Two weeks ago, Siggers tore apart SMU for 161 yards on the ground. CFF fanatics, like myself, were not sure what to make of the performance and believed that DeAndre Torrey remained the lead runner at North Texas. We were wrong. Against California, Siggers earned 18 carries while Torrey only received eight attempts. Over the last two games, Siggers has 36 carries for 252 yards and Torrey has rambled for 54 yards on 14 attempts. Statistics and touches trump projections and preconceptions.

The redshirt sophomore packs a powerful punch at 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds. Last year, he played safety but wanted to transfer to the offensive side of the field. He steadfastly told coach Seth Littrell and finally earned a change of positions. “If you have a player who is that passionate about it, you listen,” coach Littrell stated in the dentonrc.com by Brett Vito. “I want guys to be comfortable and be in position where they love to come to work every day, grow and compete. He did his part and gave it everything he had at safety for a year. He was just more passionate about coming over to the offensive side of the ball.” Shrewd CFF diehards are cognizant that Siggers is now the main ball carrier. Start him this week against UTSA.

Opponent Defense vs. Run: #124 (245.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 33.7 ppg.

Maurice Washington, Nebraska at Illinois: O/U 63 & Nebraska -13
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 48%

When the season began, confusion and consternation in the Nebraska backfield befuddled CFF owners. Who would carry the pigskin? Maurice Washington had a court date in California for a felony charge, and coach Scott Frost suspended him for the first half of the game against South Alabama. The court appearance has been delayed until October 17, so for now, Washington is allowed to suit up on Saturdays.

After three games, Washington is the finest pass catcher in the Nebraska backfield. Over the past two games, he has accumulated 276 yards from scrimmage on 19 carries and seven receptions. He has also found the end zone three times. While Dedrick Mills will garner touches, Washington is a more valuable commodity on CFF rosters because of his pass-catching duties. While the matchup does not jump off the stat sheets, I expect the Cornhuskers to win on the road against Illinois, and Washington to earn the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield…start with confidence.

Opponent Defense vs. Run: #17 (79.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 20 ppg.

Marvin Kinsey, Colorado St. vs. Toledo: O/U 67 & Toledo -9
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 69%

High over/under number…Check.
Home underdog…Check.
Pass-catching back in a high-octane offense…Check.
What is there not to like about Marvin Kinsey this week against Toledo?

After three weeks, the Rams’ playmaker is the eleventh-ranked tailback in college fantasy football with 67.3 points, averaging 22.43 per game. Kinsey has rambled for 310 yards, snatched 10 passes for 163 yards and scored three times. He has exploded for two long touchdowns: a 75-yard scamper and 77-yard catch.

As a freshman in 2016, the speedy runner demonstrated his explosiveness with seven touchdowns and over 550 yards rushing. The future looked bright. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL injury and needed time to recover and ascend the depth chart at Colorado State again. “Marvin was clearly the guy that I thought ran the hardest and had the best vision…There is something about being a senior. A young man realizes, he gets it together. I think he is heading in that direction…I am proud of him. The way he has worked. He is an explosive guy that can make us better,” coach Mike Bobo stated in the reporterherald.com by Eddie Herz.

A senior, Kinsey earned his first start of the season last week against Arkansas and accumulated 180 yards on 20 carries while reaching the finish line once. Remaining on so many waiver wires, sharp CFF managers will acquire Kinsey for their lineups this week against the Rockets.

Opponent Defense vs. Run: #73 (154.5 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 19 ppg.

Additional RB Sleeper:

• Miles Reed, Hawaii vs. Central Arkansas: FCS Opponent
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 0%

Wide Receivers

Jadan Blue, Temple at Buffalo: O/U 53.5 & Temple -13.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 34%

On Saturday, I watched the Maryland-Temple game with eyes wide open. I could not believe how well the Owls’ defense played in the 20-17 victory. QB Anthony Russo and the aerial assault also captivated me throughout the afternoon.

Without question, Jadan Blue deserves to be placed on CFF rosters after his dominating performance with five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown versus the Terrapins. A redshirt sophomore, Blue has been terrific in the first two games of the season: 15 receptions for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He has reaped 24% of the Owls’ targets (19) and averaged a healthy 13.1 yards per target. At 6-foot-0 and 185 pounds, he is a dangerous playmaker, who is slippery and quick and takes the top off the secondary.

The Owls keep their momentum and mojo in second gear and easily take down the Bulls on the road. Before the rest of the CFF community becomes aware of Blue, go grab the Temple Titan off the waiver wire and place him in lineups.

Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #82 (232 ppg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 30 ppg.

Johnny Johnson III, Oregon at Stanford: O/U 58.5 & Oregon -10
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 9%

How bad are the Cardinals? Stanford has been beaten in consecutive games by freshmen quarterbacks, Kedon Slovis, USC and Dillon Gabriel, UCF, and have surrendered 724 yards passing and seven touchdowns in the two losses. Now, Stanford hosts senior Justin Herbert and the Oregon Ducks.

Analyzing the season-long statistics among CFF wide receivers, Johnny Johnson III ranks No. 44 overall with 43.8 points on 19 receptions for 223 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-foot-0 and 199 pounds, Johnson III has become one of Herbert’s primary weapons in the passing game this season. “Johnny’s not going to be outworked; he’s not. Lot of pride in him, (he) wanted to make this a strong showing to start off the year right and wanted to make sure his teammates were also playing really well,” Coach Mario Cristobal stated after the victory over Montana in the oregonlive.com by James Crepea.

A young and ascending game-breaker tethered to a senior signal-caller in a high-scoring offense must be placed on CFF rosters as soon as possible. And the matchup against the Cardinals foreshadows another productive outing for Johnson III this weekend.
Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #109 (280.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 32.3 ppg.

Chatarius Atwell, Louisville at Florida State: O/U 60 & Florida State -6.5
Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 28%

Over the past three days, many CFF diehards have discovered Chatarius Atwell: His ownership has increased from 9% to 28% on rosters. Luckily, there are still tickets available on the train.

Last year, Atwell led the Cardinals with 16.9 yards per catch average and caught 24 passes for 406 yards and two touchdowns. Against Western Kentucky on Saturday, Atwell exploded for 4 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, the sophomore has corralled 11 passes for 241 yards and four scores. He is the most frequently targeted player on the team with 19, which is a 37% target share. “Strength wise I think Atwell will be a great player for us. He’s very dynamic with the ball in his hands, he is extremely fast and can make a lot of things happen,” Coach Scott Satterfield said in the louisvillecardinal.com by Gabriel Wiest.

After a dreadful 2-10 campaign under former coach Bobby Petrino in 2018, Coach Satterfield has resurrected the program quickly and has orchestrated a nice offense around RB Javian Hawkins and Atwell. The needle is pointing upwards for the speedy playmaker and the Cardinals, and CFF managers should feel great inserting Atwell into lineups in Week 4.

Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #123 (314.3 ypg.)
Opponent Points Allowed: 37 ppg.

Additional WR Sleepers:

• Deshaunte Jones & Tarique Milton, Iowa State vs. UL-Monroe: O/U 55 & Iowa State -18.5
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 36% & 4%
  Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #71 (222 ypg.)
  Opponent Points Allowed: 19
• Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State vs. Colorado: O/U 50 & Arizona State -7.5
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 39%
  Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #104 (273 ypg.)
  Opponent Points Allowed: 30.7 ppg
• Elijah Cooks, Nevada at UTEP: O/U 54 & Nevada -15.5
  Fantrax Ownership Percentage: 8%
  Opponent Defense vs. Pass: #114 (290.5 ypg.)
  Opponent Points Allowed: 36 ppg.

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