Tommy Devito, QB-Syracuse
After Syracuse’s 40-37 win over North Carolina, head coach Dino Babers said that he made the switch from starter Eric Dungey to Tommy Devito because the team needed a spark, but the move wasn’t a permanent one. Devito was impressive in relief, going 11-of-19 for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Dungey may remain the starter, but if you own him, you cannot feel secure not owning Devito.
Holton Ahlers, QB-East Carolina
Despite committing three turnovers on Saturday, Ahlers showed promise in his first start of the season. The true freshman finished 29-of-53 for 406 yards and a touchdown passing, while adding 69 yards on the ground in a 37-10 loss to UCF. After a Week 9 bye, the Pirates’ next three opponents are Memphis, Tulane, and UConn.
Isaiah Bowser, RB-Northwestern
Isaiah Bowser was listed among our Impact Freshmen in the Preseason Fantasy Guide, so we were hoping to see more of him after it was announced that starter Jeremy Larkin was retiring from football. It may have taken a little longer than expected, but Bowser is set to become Northwestern’s next feature back after carrying the ball 24 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns in an 18-15 win at Rutgers.
Patrick Taylor, RB-Memphis
Teammate Darrell Henderson leads the FBS in rushing, but he didn’t even make it out of the first quarter in Memphis’ game at Missouri due to a hamstring issue. There’s nothing to suggest that Henderson’s injury is serious, but hamstring issues can linger, which makes Taylor an incredibly value fantasy asset if Henderson isn’t ready after the Tigers’ bye week.
Christian Gibson, RB-New Mexico State
Over the first three weeks over the season, New Mexico State’s offense only averaged 10 points per game, but the Aggies have averaged 34 points per game since then. The 6-foot-1 and 210-pound senior has been the team’s best running back and has scored six touchdowns in the past three games.
Trivensky Mosley, RB-Southern Miss
We weren’t sure what to make of Trivensky Mosley after he carried the ball eleven times for 73 yards in the Golden Eagles’ 30-7 loss at North Texas in Week 7. After carrying the ball 26 times for 142 yards in a Week 8 win over UTSA, Mosley has the look of a late-season bloomer.
Kevin Mensah, RB-UConn
Mensah shouldn’t be considered a long-term option, but if you need a one-week filler to navigate byes or injuries, Mensah could offer some relief with a Week 9 matchup against UMass.
Jaelon Darden, WR-North Texas
Jaelon Darden caught ten passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-21 loss at UAB. The 5-foot-9 sophomore receiver has now scored in three of the Mean Green’s last four games and has been a better fantasy receiver than teammate Jalen Guyton in recent weeks.
Isaac Zico, WR-Purdue
Playing in an offense that has scored 40-plus points in each of its last three games, Isaac Zico has been a steady fantasy contributor over the past five games. In 1.0-PPR formats, Zico has five consecutive 10-plus point games and has topped 14 fantasy points in four of the last five.
Darren Woods, WR-UNLV
The UNLV passing game showed some signs of life in Friday night’s 41-35 loss to Air Force. Woods has caught five passes in back-to-back games and has scored in four of the five games in which he has played this year.