Sunday, June 25

Here we are, in the middle of the summer doldrums once again. 

The period right after the hockey and basketball playoffs when there is nothing to look forward to in sports except for mid-season baseball, Wimbledon and the occasional major golf tournament…doldrums indeed. 

It is also, thankfully, the time of year when College and Pro preseason magazines hit the store shelves. For the Fantasy Football fan this is where our research begins. 

In the NFL we have the benefit of having everyone in the world pick out the must-have Fantasy players and the “sleepers” (players who should come relatively cheap in your fantasy
draft but should produce big). By the time all these Pro mags pick who their sleepers are, there is no such thing because everyone in the world knows who they are. Lucky for you, since College Fantasy Football is relatively new, without as much exposure, there will actually be some sleepers out there for the taking. I'll tell you who some of them may be, and help you round out your College fantasy rosters with some potential superstars.

When approaching a College fantasy football draft, you'll find that it is much different from a Pro fantasy draft. Where skill and talent go a long way in the NFL, it is but one piece of the puzzle in college. In college the coach’s system in which a player plays under can enhance their value in the draft quite considerably. A team’s system is one great way to find a sleeper in college. 

Another unfortunate producer of sleepers is an injury. If a well known player goes down with a season ending injury, or at least one that takes him out of a few games, this leaves the door wide open for a backup to come in and show the world what he’s got. Sometimes the replacement plays so well the coach is weary of removing him from the starting spot. While it is a risky basis for picking a sleeper, it sometimes pays off. This is especially the case when you feel the backup is more than capable of picking up where the starter led off.

Sometimes the sleeper virtually comes out of nowhere to put up incredible numbers. Where a Kurt Warner in pro only comes along once in a blue moon, this happens with a few players in college every year. Whether they are underclassmen or JUCO transfers, I throw out some relative unknowns that could surprise this season in the college ranks. 

I break down the sleepers in these 3 categories above for each of the 'Big 6' conferences -- or, if you prefer the new label, the 'BCS Conferences' -- Big XII, ACC, Big Ten, PAC 10, Big East, SEC.  Hopefully this will give you a good idea of who to look for in the late rounds of your draft. 

ACC

System sleepers: 

Anquan Boldin WR (FSU) – The Noles will pass often and will be looking for that big play type receiver that Warrick was. Boldin could be that man, look for him to surprise many this season.

Antoine Womack RB (Virginia) – Virginia traditionally has a strong running game, see Thomas Jones and Tiki Barber (both in the NFL now). Antoine could be the next great one.

Injury sleepers:

Jeff Chaney or Nick Maddox RB’s (FSU) – Either one of these men could really shine if anything were to happen to Travis Minor. In fact, expect a few TD’s from both of them even if Travis stays healthy. 

Unknown sleepers:

Javon Walker WR (FSU) – I know I’m being FSU heavy, but these guys could surprise. 
Javon is a JUCO transfer who really lit it up in the spring. 

Big 10

System:

Michael Bennett RB (Wisconsin) – Gets to step in for Dayne and run behind those same huge linemen. It also helps that Bennett is super fast and has been lighting up the Big 10 in track.

Steve Bellisari QB (Ohio St.) – He just has probably the best 2 wide outs in the Big 10 to throw to. He could be a great value in a big QB field.

Injury:

Justin Fargus RB (Michigan) – If the A-Train goes down, Michigan won’t lose a step. This guy may steal PT as is.

Unknown:

Brandon Lloyd WR (Illinois) – This youngster could benefit from the most efficient passer in the Big 10, no not Drew Brees…Kurt Kittner. 

_______________________________________________________________

[   More news   ]  |  [   College Fantasy Football Central   ]
_______________________________________________________________

Big 12

System:

Kliff Kingsbury QB (Texas Tech) – Heard of Josh Huepel? This guy will be running the same offense in Lubbock this season. Look for impressive numbers.

Antwone Savage WR (Oklahoma) – Speaking of Huepel, this guy could end up catching quite a few of his passes.

Injury:

Joe Hall RB (Kansas State) - If David Allen gets hurt or if the Wildcats realize he can't handle the every down back job, Joe Hall can run people over Ron Dayne style. Joe may not be there because of off field problems, but JUCO transfer Josh Scobey would benefit if he doesn't return.

Unknown:

B.J. Johnson WR (Texas) – With the QB’s they have at Texas they will be passing either way. Johnson is an underclassman who could see a lot of action after Texas lost quite a few receivers.

Thomas Topeh RB (Minnesota) – Another frosh who should see playing time for the Gophers. Don’t be surprised if he ends up starting midway through the season.

Big East

System:

Ken Dorsey QB (Miami) – I could be a great pick if I had Santana Moss to throw to every Saturday.

Injury:

Najeh Davenport RB (Miami) – Not really a sleeper, but if James Jackson goes down with another injury, Najeh won’t be splitting time any longer.  This also works vice versa, but Jackson is the better known back.

Antonio Bryant WR (Pitt) – Will still have a good season next to Latef Grim, but if Latef goes down Antonio’s stock will go up.

Unknown:

Keith Burnell RB (Virginia Tech) – Virginia Tech has a huge hole at Running back and Burnell was considered an excellent future prospect.  He should his chance this season and may up surprising a few folks also.

Pac-10

System:

Brian Poli-Dixon WR (UCLA) – If UCLA can get it’s passing game back into 1998 shape, Brian will be the main beneficiary.

Injury:

Patrick McCall RB (Oregon State) – Some think he may be just as good as star Ken Simonton. If Ken ever goes down we’ll all find out.

Unknown:

Delvon Flowers RB (Arizona State) – Had a pretty darn good season backing up JR Redmond last season. Just imagine what he’ll do when it’s
all him.

Maurice Morris RB (Oregon) – A top juco transfer who will get the start since there’s not much else. Could he be another Reuben Droughns?

SEC

System:

Alex Willis WR (Florida) – Florida may not be decided on a lot of positions, but this one will pan out just fine. Alex could be next great in a long line of Gator receivers.

Brandon Miree RB (Alabama) - Not sure how much playing time this freshman will end up getting, but he may not leave once he gets in.  They are very high on him in Tuscaloosa.

Injury:

Joe Gunn RB (Ole Miss) – Not really a sleeper, but if Deuce gets hurt in any way Joe will be ready. It’s going to hard for the Rebels to keep this guy on the bench.

Brock Berlin QB (Florida) – Brock will not even need Jesse Palmer getting hurt to get his chance to show Steve what he’s got. The way Spurrier switches out QB’s, Berlin will get lots of snaps.

Unknown:

Jared Lorenzen QB (Kentucky) – Everyone may know this guy after the controversy surfaced, but what they may not know is that in Kentucky’s offense he is a given for huge numbers. Get him as a backup if nothing else.

Rudi Johnson RB (Auburn) – Another JUCO transfer who has high expectations. Rudi will fill in the running game while Auburn’s passing game continues to improve.

[   Feedback   ]

_____________________________________________________________