College Fantasy Football: Week 2 Waiver Wire Gemstones

       Waiver Wire Gemstones: Week 2

                   College Fantasy Football

Quarterbacks

Armani Rogers, UNLV

Ownership Percentage: 20%

The redshirt freshman has led the Rebels to a 1-1 record while guiding the offense to 84 points. At 6’5” and 225 pounds, Rogers is a dual-threat signal caller with great athleticism and leadership skills. He has recorded three total touchdowns, passed for 413 yards, and more impressively, posted back-to-back games with over 80 yards rushing. 
 

Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt

Ownership Percentage: 3%

After two stupendous games, college fantasy footballers must consider picking up the Commodores’ field general. Shurmur, 6’4” and 227 pounds, has tossed seven touchdowns and passed for 498 yards. He does not have an easy schedule ahead, but could be a valuable weekly option this season.  

Manny Wilkins, Arizona State

Ownership Percentage: 5%

The Sun Devil junior has been impressive during the first two games of the season with 598 yards passing and four touchdowns. The Arizona State defense is one of the worse in the nation, and Wilkins will be forced to throw often. Last year, he rushed for five touchdowns; yet hasn’t reached the end zone this season. Wilkins travels to Texas Tech this weekend and likely to be involved in another high-scoring match.

Tyler Hilinski, Washington State

Ownership Percentage: 3%

If senior Luke Falk is sidelined for any length of time, Tyler Hilinski is a no-brainer addition to fantasy rosters. He came off the bench to lead a dramatic overtime victory against Boise State: The relief pitcher threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars host Oregon State this weekend. 

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Ownership Percentage: 8%

In the Scholar’s Surreptitious Starters column, I identified Jonathan Taylor as an under-the-radar starter against Florida Atlantic. He exceeded all expectations with 223 yards rushing and three touchdowns. In two games, the freshman has grabbed the reigns of the Badger backfield, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Snatch Taylor off the waiver wire immediately.
 

David Montgomery, Iowa State

Ownership Percentage: 12%

The electric sophomore has been one of the pleasant surprises in college football this season. In two games, the Cyclones playmaker has 194 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Also, he has totaled five catches for 53 yards. Iowa State plays Akron on Saturday, and Montgomery should see well over 20 carries against the Zips.

Corey Taylor, Tulsa

Ownership Percentage: 14%

The Golden Hurricanes have one of the elite backfield duos in the nation with D’Angelo Brewer and Corey Taylor. Tulsa dominates opponents on the ground and are ranked fifth in rushing offense, averaging 334 yards per game and scoring 10 touchdowns. Despite sharing carries, the 5’10” and 214-pound sophomore should produce fantasy points on a weekly basis in a defensively-challenged conference.

Mike Epstein, Illinois

Ownership Percentage: 3%

Quietly, the freshman ball carrier ascended to the top of the depth chart in Champaign, Illinois last week. Epstein earned 21 carries and gained 111 yards against Western Kentucky. The Illini ball carrier has appetizing matchups (USF and Nebraska) the next two games and warrants a roster spot.

Patrick Laird, California

Ownership Percentage: 6%

Tre Watson will miss the remainder of the season, and Patrick Laird should see more touches in the Bears’ backfield. The former walk-on saw an uptick in carries (12) last week against Weber State, an FCS school, and gained 191 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Wide Receivers

David Stills, V., West Virginia

Ownership Percentage: 40%

Originally attended West Virginia before Stills transferred to a JUCO school to play quarterback for one season (2016) and returned to Morgantown, WV this year.  A junior, he moved to wide receiver and the position change has paid huge dividends for himself and the Mountaineers. In two games, Stills has 16 catches for 247 yards and five touchdowns. If the 6’4”, 203-pounder is available, the junior game breaker must be acquired in fantasy leagues. 

D.J. Moore, Maryland

Ownership Percentage: 17%

The junior has made a catch in 23 straight games dating back to 2015. To open the campaign, Moore has snatched 13 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns. With Moore and RB Ty Johnson, the Terrapins employ electric playmakers and challenge all levels of the defense with speed. Maryland has a bye week so owners will have to wait to insert Moore into their lineups. 

James Gardner, Miami (OH)

Ownership Percentage: 11%

Only astute college fantasy managers have noticed the hot start for James Gardner. The RedHawks wide out is twenty-first in the nation with 228 receiving yards on 13 catches. He has averaged over 17 yards a catch and scored twice. Notre Dame looks like the only difficult matchup on the schedule, and Miami (OH) should score plenty of points this season. 

Dez Fitzpatrick, Louisville

Ownership Percentage: 10%

One of the Cardinals’ top-rated recruits in 2016, Fitzpatrick redshirted last season despite possessing great athletic ability and refinement. With eight catches for 173 yards and three touchdowns in two games, the freshman has exploded out of the gate and lived up to expectations. Anyone catching passes from Heisman Favorite Lamar Jackson must be acquired in 2017.