What a glorious Saturday with College Football back on our television screens. We’ll have the usual extensive Waiver Wire reports you’re used to in Week 1, but there were some notable performances yesterday we wanted to highlight. As a reminder, we adhere to the 25% rule on Fantrax for players appearing on our waiver report each week (though Fantrax hasn’t listed rosters ownership yet). – Mike
Quarterbacks:
Brayden Schager, Hawaii – Can we safely say the Run-n-Shoot is fully back? Interceptions remain an issue for Schager as they did last year and during fall camp, but completing 77% of his passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns on the road, against an SEC opponent, is very promising for his CFF outlook. Not to mention it appears Schager has some talented weapons to work with at receiver (more on that later) which aids his fantasy stock.
Running Backs:
Shomari Lawrence, Florida International – The South Dakota transfer made his presence known right out of the gate with a 67-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive, en route to a 134-yard performance on just 14 attempts. Maine, UConn, North Texas and Liberty are his next four opponents before the bye week, so there’s a chance this production continues.
Wide Receivers:
Steven McBride / Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii – A very winding road this offseason in trying to uncover the WR1/2 for the Warriors, and it appears we have clear answers as to who Schager’s top options in the passing game will be. Ashlock, the surprise starter on the opening depth chart, played 100% of his snaps in the coveted slot position, converting on all seven of his targets for 127 yards and a touchdown. When the RnS is clicking on all cylinders, 100 targerts are all but guaranteed for the slot back. McBride led all Hawaii receivers in targets (9) and touchdowns (2). Of note, projected WR1 by some, Jonah Panoke, did not log a single snap vs. Vanderbilt, likely due to injury which has plagued him during his career.
Jayden Thomas, Notre Dame – Prized freshman Jaden Greathouse stole the headlines for Devy and C2C players, but Thomas is the name to know for CFF right now. Converted on all four of his targets and found the end-zone, before sitting much of the fourth quarter. All fall camp reports suggested Thomas emerged as the WR1, and that came to fruition from our vantage point.
Nick Nash, San Jose State – The upward trajectory for Nash, the converted quarterback, continues after catching three touchdown passes on a team-high eight targets vs. USC. It should be noted that Justin Lockhart was unavailable, and his return to the lineup in the coming weeks would adjust Nash’s value. But should Lockhart miss multiple games, San Jose State has a clear WR1 in his absence.
Zachariah Branch, USC – We’re going to treat this somewhat similarly to our comments about Jaden Greathouse above. There is no doubting the electric talent of Branch, who converted on all four of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. Not to mention a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. But how consistent will Branch’s CFF production be on a week-to-week basis – a question we could ask about all of the USC receivers. We would advise to go out and get Branch on waivers in CFF redraft, but also not to blow the entire budget to get him. Lincoln Riley has spread the targets around in recent years, and 2023 will be no different.
Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech – We’re still hopeful for Cyrus Allen’s projection for 2023 as he was targeted eight times with a 10.4 aDOT, but it was the trusted veteran who stole the show with 11 receptions on 11 targets, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper. Louisiana Tech’s beat writer confirmed to us before the season that Harris would lead the team in receptions in 2023, and he looks well on his way.
Tight End:
Mark Redman, San Diego State – The 6-foot-6 former Washington transfer led all Aztecs in receptions (5), targets (6) and routes run, while finding the end-zone twice. A very uneven performance from the entire SDSU offense against an undersized Ohio defense, so we’re cautious about investing a lot of FAAB at the tight end position. There just don’t appear to be a lot of trusted pass-catching options for Jalen Mayden to throw to outside of Redman.