Final Waiver Wire writeup of the 2024 season, always bittersweet. Want to start by congratulating all of you that are reading this article as you prepare for your College Fantasy Football finals matchup next week. It is a tremendous accomplishment to make it that far in any CFF league or format. Secondly, a massive thank you to all who subscribe to theCFFSite each year. We have the most loyal base of subscribers that make this yearly endeavor worthwhile for us. Thank you so much, and let’s go win a title this week!
Quarterbacks:
C.J. Ogbonna, Buffalo – Not a huge fan personally of playing a waiver wire addition at quarterback in my final’s matchup, but there’s some credence here to starting Ogbonna. We have a decent sample size, as Ogbonna has scored over 30 or more fantasy points in each of the last three games. Ogbonna’s opponent this week, Kent State, is ranked 10th in the MAC in pass defense and is allowing around 27 FPPG to opposing QBs.
Maealiuaki Smith, Oklahoma State – Why Mike Gundy kept trotting out Alan Bowman each week was a question asked by everyone on Saturday after the freshman QB’s performance with 316 yards and two scores vs. Texas Tech. Don’t start Smith this week at Colorado but add him if you can in your dynasty leagues.
Running Backs:
Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo – Dream matchup for Henderson this week, facing an Akron defense that has allowed five running backs to score at least 24 fantasy points against them this season. Henderson has scored 20 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games, after compiling over 160 total yards of offense this past week against Eastern Michigan.
Lee Beebe, UAB – Tumultuous season for UAB, but Beebe is closing strong with two 100-yard rushing performances in the last three games. Even better this week is the matchup where Charlotte is allowing 42 fantasy points to opposing backfields.
Robert Henry, UTSA – Henry will be a popular choice to add on waivers after rushing for a combined 346 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games. A word of caution – this is a bad matchup for the UTSA run game this week against Army. I know Notre Dame ran over the Knights on Saturday, but Army was allowing just 11.3 FPPG to running backs prior to that.
Xavier Robinson, Oklahoma – If Oklahoma officially hires Ben Arbuckle away from Washington State, then we’re not sure running backs for Oklahoma will be all that relevant in CFF. We’d still rush to the wire to add Robinson if available in dynasty as he’s looked far better than 5-star Taylor Tatum in appearances the last two games. Robinson had 100+ with two scores in the win over Alabama.
Kye Robichaux, Boston College – I think Pitt has given up this season after their blowout loss to Louisville, and Robichaux is now dominating the volume share in the BC backfield with 20+ carries in each of the last three games. Five ACC running backs have scored at least 20 fantasy points against Pitt this season.
Jalen John, UMass – This play would only be out of desperation. But John has rushed for 100+ yards in each of the last two games. Even more impressive considering the opponents, facing Liberty and at Georgia. Six running backs have scored at least 17 fantasy points this season against UConn, John’s next opponent.
Ahmani Marshall, Appalachian State – Four straight games of 100+ rushing yards for Marshall who continues to dominate the backfield volume share for the Mountaineers with 20+ carries in the last three weeks.
Devonte Lyons, Florida International – Again, not risking this type of play in a CFF championship matchup, but the true freshman has been impressive the last two weeks taking over the FIU backfield with a combined 174 rushing yards. Add Lyons in dynasty formats if you can.
Zak Wallace, Arkansas State – Seven of Wallace’s nine rushing touchdowns have come in the last four games and the Arkansas State offense has improved lately with Jaylen Raynor coming to life a bit. Old Dominion is nothing special against the run, Wallace’s next opponent.
Aaron Young, Old Dominion – Three straight 100-yard rushing performances for the former Rutgers transfer as Old Dominion has been one of the better rushing teams in the Sun Belt since institiuting Colton Joseph as QB1. Young’s opponent next week, Arkansas State, ranks 13th of 14 teams in the Sun Belt in yards allowed on the ground. \
Wide Receivers:
Jordan Watkins / Caden Lee, Mississippi – Tre Harris made his return this week, but re-injured his groin and it’s highly unlikely in our opinion that we see him play again in a Rebel uniform as Ole Miss was eliminated from playoff contention. Watkins and Lee move up as Mississippi’s primary receiving targets.
Chris Hunter, Arizona – MUST-add for Dynasty leagues if available. 21 receptions in the last three games for Hunter, including 12 targets this past week against TCU. As the game was going on, there were multiple beat writers for Arizona asking how much the Wildcats are going to have to pony up in NIL dollars to keep Hunter around next season. With Tet McMillan certainly off to the NFL after this year, Hunter should be Arizona’s WR1 next season.
Reggie Virgil, Miami (Ohio) – Virgil has scored a touchdown in even of the last six games, now with 100-yard receiving performances in two of the last three weeks. Should you be interested in adding Virgil, it should be noted that this week’s opponent, Bowling Green, only allows around 23 fantasy points combined to opposing WR rooms.
J.J. Jenkins, Buffalo – Start all your Bulls this week apparently. Jenkins has been the primary target for C.J. Ogbonna with over 250 yards combined in the last two games, and touchdowns in each of the last three weeks.
Jacolby George, Miami – Like the way that George is trending the last three weeks with over 70 yards in each game in that span with three receiving touchdowns. 14 receptions on 18 targets in the last two games. There might be 800 combined passing yards thrown this upcoming Saturday with Cam Ward and Kyle McCord facing off.
Ian Strong, Rutgers – Extreme longshot play if you have large rosters. Strong has been targeted a combined 31 times over the last three weeks with three straight games of finding the end-zone. A decent matchup this week against a Michigan State defense that allowed 350+ passing yards to Purdue this past Friday.
Elijhah Badger, Florida – Badger is over the 30% threshold on Fantrax, but we envision much of that has bestball drafts from the offseason baked into that ownership. If Badger is somehow available, we’d scoop him up because his connection with DJ Lagway has been undeniable. And profitable in the prop markets. Multiple 100-yard receiving performances in the last month with touchdowns in each of the last two games.
Makai Jackson, Appalachian State – I’ve watched App State a few times this season and Jackson has always caught my eye as a potential contributor beyond this year. Well, we’re getting a good look now with Kaedin Robinson out for the remainder of the season due to injury. App State didn’t miss a beat as Jackson went for 162 yards and a score vs. James Madison. I’d look at Jackson for next week, but also for 2025 in dynasty formats.
O’Mega Blake, Charlotte – The South Carolina transfer went nuclear against FAU with 205 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Production has been a bit hit or miss for Blake this season, but the targets are up over the last month with 29 in the previous four games.
Joseph Williams, Tulsa – Make that three-straight 100-yard performances for the freshman receiver with five touchdowns in that span. Let’s just hope that the Kevin Wilson firing doesn’t impact Williams’ production this weekend.
Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin – Anthony did benefit from game script and Will Pauling not being in the lineup, but he’s been consistently performing for the better part of two months now with 60 or more receiving yards in six of the last eight games. If not for redraft, Anthony should be added looking towards 2025 in dynasty formats.
Yannick Smith, East Carolina – I believe Winston Wright Jr. and Anthony Smith graduate after this season, so expect Yannick Smith to be a part of the starting rotation in 2025. 11 receptions on 15 targets in the last two weeks, including a season-high 112 yards with a score vs. North Texas.
Carlos Hernandez, Washington State – Four touchdowns in the last five games for Hernandez since returning from injury. His playing time has skyrocketed the last three weeks, playing well over 80% of the team’s offensive snaps.
Cam Coleman, Auburn – Obviously Coleman is on a roster in dynasty formats, but he might be a sneaky late-season add for this week in the Iron Bowl. Alabama’s pass defense has been trending up the last month or so, but Coleman has been elite the last two games with 100+ receiving yards against both ULM and Texas A&M with a combined five touchdowns.