2018 CFF Quarterback Profiles

By John Laub
John Laub

 

 

 

     CFF Quarterback Rankings 2018     

           

                   College Fantasy Football
 

 

 

Summa Cum Laude

 

1. Khalil Tate, Arizona
In the desert, Coach Kevin Sumlin takes over a high-flying offense and Khalil Tate commands one of the most exciting units in the nation. In 2017, the Wildcats led the Pac-12 in total offense (495 ypg.) and scoring (41.8 ppg.). Against Colorado last year, the dual-threat signal caller burst onto the scene when he established a new FBS rushing record for a quarterback with 327 yards. Against Purdue in the Foster Farms Bowl, Tate concluded the campaign with five touchdown passes. How explosive was Tate?  He rushed for over 200 yards three times, and for the first time in league history, he was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for four consecutive weeks. He also passed for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. At Texas A&M, Sumlin coached Johnny Manziel to a Heisman campaign and might replicate the enchanted season with the junior playmaker in Arizona. Tate must be selected within the first two picks of every CFF draft this summer.
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 2,350 and 18
Rushing Yards and TDs: 1,650 and 17 
Total Fantasy Points: 456 (38.1 ppg)

 



2. Justice Hansen, Arkansas State
Shrewd college fantasy footballers know that the Sun Belt Conference offers tasty appetizers on the menu. Redshirt senior Justice Hansen looks to repeat as the Offensive Player of the Year in the Conference and begins the crusade with a 17-game touchdown streak. Last year, he established new single-season records at Arkansas State—and in the Sun Belt—for passing touchdowns (37), total touchdowns (44) and total offense (4,389 yards). In 2017, the Red Wolves led the league in passing—and finished sixth in the nation—with 340.7 yards per game. For the seventh consecutive season, Arkansas State earned a bowl invitation. At 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, the talented field general also makes plays with his feet: He rushed for 415 yards and scored seven times on the ground. Coach Blake Anderson’s club employs five wide receivers over 6-foot-3, and Hansen will clearly exploit the mismatches all season. Other than a matchup at Alabama on September 8, the schedule does not provide any resistance, and the Red Wolves should easily win nine games. If Hansen is available in the second half of the first round of CFF drafts, he is worth anchoring your lineup in 2018. 
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 3,750 and 36
Rushing Yards and TDs: 400 and 6
Total Fantasy Points: 407 (33.9 ppg.)

3. Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
Investigative journalists often “follow the money” while college football diehards monitor the coordinators and their systems around the nation. Over the past two seasons, Joe Moorhead guided the Penn State offense to 37.6 and 41.6 points per game and takes over at Mississippi State. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald certainly benefits the most from the new scheme. In 2016, the dual-threat playmaker became a fantasy stalwart, averaging over 33 points per game. Unfortunately, he did not live up to expectations last year, scoring less than 27 points each week. Fitzgerald is one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for over 4,400 yards and rush for more than 2,400 yards in a career and owns 11 school marks.  He holds a 14-11 record as a starter and totaled 72 touchdowns: 39 passing and 33 rushing. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, the senior has the size NFL teams look for in a quarterback, but he must improve his passing skills to raise his draft stock in 2019. Look for Fitzgerald to rebound under Moorhead’s guidance and become a fantasy star again.
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 2,600 and 25
Rushing Yards and TDs: 1,100 and 13
Total Fantasy Points: 418 (34.8 ppg.)

4. Nathan Rourke, Ohio
The great state of Ohio houses some noteworthy college football programs: Ohio State, Toledo, Miami (OH) and Cincinnati. Often, the Ohio Bobcats are overlooked outside of the Buckeye State; however, college fantasy diehards are well aware of the team and its exciting junior quarterback. Nathan Rourke got the surprise start behind center in the third game last season and jump-started the offense. When the curtain closed, coach Frank Solich’s club averaged a school-record 38.9 ppg. and rushed for over 244 yards per game. A dual-threat, Rourke scrambled for 907 yards while averaging 6.6 yards per carry—including 12 runs over 20 yards—and scoring 21 touchdowns. He also passed for over 2,220 yards and tossed 17 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, the Canadian-born field general combines awesome athleticism with a high-football acumen, calm nerves and extraordinary determination to win games. He excels at read-option plays and keeps the chains moving with his legs. In 2018, Ohio returns four starting offensive linemen, its top rusher (A.J. Ouellette) and three of its top four receivers. Rourke will surely lead the team to another bowl game, and the Bobcats will challenge for the MAC crown. 
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 2,450 and 20
Rushing Yards and TDs: 850 and 18
Total Fantasy Points: 395 (32.9 ppg.)

5. Caleb Evans, Louisiana-Monroe
The Sun Belt Conference employs two of the most exciting gunslingers in college football, and Caleb Evans’ cosmic ceiling rates among the elite in the nation. The Warhawks return nine starters on an offense that finished second in the conference in points (33.9) and yards per game (458). Evans started the season slowly but broke out against Louisiana-Lafayette: In a double overtime classic, the junior passed for 343 yards, rushed for 129 yards and totaled six touchdowns. Sharp fantasy fanatics grabbed Evans off the waiver wire. Unfortunately, his production was erratic the rest of the season, producing over 35 points four times and less than 10 points in three games. At the conclusion of the campaign, the dual-threat playmaker passed for 2,878 yards, scrambled for 573 and accounted for 30 touchdowns. The schedule is incredibly friendly other than an outing at Texas A&M on September 15, and Evans should improve and be more consistent during his second year starting. Do not overlook the Warhawks’ rising star in CFF drafts this summer.
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 3,400 and 21
Rushing Yards and TDs: 750 and 15
Total Fantasy Points: 419 (34.9 ppg.)

 


6. McKenzie Milton, Central Florida
Coach Scott Frost left Ocala, FL after an undefeated season; even so the remaining talent on the roster portends continued excellence for a program that has won 10 or more games in six of the last ten seasons. Without question, the most important player on the team is McKenzie Milton, who led the Knights to an unbeaten record and was named American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He established school records with 4,037 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and a 184.8 passer efficiency rating. An excellent athlete, the sophomore also rushed for 613 yards and eight touchdowns. New Coach Josh Heupel has been impressed with Milton throughout the spring, citing his competitive nature, football acumen and leadership skills. At 5-foot-11 and 177 pounds, the Heisman candidate extends plays with his feet and finds passing lanes to fire the football down the field. It is not likely that Milton and the Knights reprise last season’s magical campaign; nevertheless, the offense will continue to challenge opposing defenses and score an abundance of points.  
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 3,850 and 33
Rushing Yards and TDs: 525 and 7
Total Fantasy Points: 419 (34.9 ppg.)

Magna Cum Laude

 

7. Will Grier, West Virginia
While Will Grier ranks among the top QB Draft prospects, he slides down a little in college fantasy football because of a dearth of rushing production. A transfer from Florida, Grier sat out the 2016 season and earned the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award last year. In only 11 games, the senior passed for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns before breaking his middle finger against Texas and missing the final two games. In spring practices, Grier claimed the game is slowing down and wants to improve his passing efficiency statistics: completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio and third-down conversation rate. If he does progress, Grier will produce more fantasy points and increase his draft stock. The Mountaineers’ gunslinger owns a massive arm that will surely entice scouts and NFL teams. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Grier commands the pocket with excellent footwork and is a first-rate leader. A Heisman contender, he is the most experienced signal caller in the Big 12. Grier, a coach’s son and married with children, returned back to campus to win a Conference title, and hopefully, earn a berth in the College Football Playoff. 
2018 Projections
Passing Yards and TDs: 4,000 and 40
Rushing Yards and TDs: 100 and 1
Total Fantasy Points: 376 (31.3 ppg.)
 

Fantasy Projections: 
Passing Yards: 1 point every 20 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 4 points
Rushing Yards: 1 point every 10 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 6 points