College Fantasy Football: Quarterback Sleepers

The college fantasy football draft season is upon us. Time to find those hidden gems late in your draft. In this article, we will examine the top quarterback sleepers. 

The definition of a sleeper varies depending on who you talk to. In our view, sleepers are defined as players who are projected to make contributions to their teams, but could far exceed expectations. The caveat—there are unanswered questions surrounding each of these players.

Quarterbacks

1. Dwight Dasher, Middle Tennessee State

Pros: Dasher has the potential to be a star in new OC Tony Franklin's spread attack, which should be the perfect match to fit his abilities. He has plenty of talent surrounding him in Phillip Tanner, Desmond Gee, and a bevy of experienced receivers.

Cons: Consistency. Dasher will need to work on his accuracy in the passing game.  He could be a bit of a work in progress, getting better as the season goes along.

2. Diondre Borel, Utah State

Pros: Borel is your classic dual threat. He shined this spring in the Aggies' new spread offense.  Borel will have a veteran O-line in front of him this fall, and a stable of good running backs to keep defenses honest.

Cons: Borel needs to become a more efficient passer if he wants to become a reliable fantasy option this fall. He showed signs of improvement this spring. Can he carry over his momentum into the regular season?

3. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

Pros: In limited action last fall, Harnish proved to be a dangerous running threat.  He finished the year with 539 rushing yards and four TDs. And he was only a freshman. He should continue to improve this year with a veteran offensive line returning, and a favorable schedule.

Cons: The Huskies aren't going to wow you through the air, so Harnish's fantasy ability will rely mostly on his rushing stats. There are whispers that the coaching staff might try to reign him in a bit to keep him healthy throughout the season.  We'll see about that.

4. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

Pros: With Chase Daniel graduating, Gabbert takes over the potent Mizzou offense. The system figures to be successful in the B12 no matter who is running it.  And at 6'5" and 235 lbs., Gabbert certainly has the physical ability to be very productive.

Cons: He won't have Jeremy Maclin or Chase Coffman to throw to, and OC Dave Christensen has moved on to head up Wyoming.

5. Andy Schmitt, Eastern Michigan

Pros: Schmitt is an experienced leader on an veteran-laden squad. The EMU QB went nuts does the stretch compiling the following stats in his final two games:  50-76 for 484 yards and five total TDs, 58-80 for 518 yards and six total TDs.  While those games were likely an aberration, they cannot be ignored. 

Cons: EMU hired a new coaching staff this year. Ken Karcher is the new offensive coordinator (formerly the QB coach at Toledo). It remains to be seen what kind of offense the Eagles will employ in 2009, and how Schmitt will be utilized.

6. Riley Dodge, North Texas

Pros: Giovanni Vizza transferred to Texas A&M, so the job is all Riley's. Dodge has run this offense dating back to his high school days. He was the most highly touted recruit to ever sign with UNT, and it’s time for to start living up to the hype and becoming a Sun Belt star.

Cons: He's not the biggest guy at only 182 lbs. If he relies on the run too much, it could take its toll on his body. Dodge was inconsistent this spring, and will be looking for a new No. 1 WR now that superstar WR Casey Fitzgerald departs.

7. Mike Kafka, Northwestern

Pros: His wheels. Kafka knows what to do when a play breaks down—tuck it and run! He's best known for his 217 yard rushing performance against Minnesota last year. It's his show this year and he should have a few big games.

Cons: There's not much experienced surrounding talent to lean on as Tyrell Sutton and the top three receiving threats are gone.

8. Jordan Jefferson, LSU

Pros: Jefferson was thrown into the fire last fall as a freshman and performed admirably. With an entire off-season as the No. 1 guy, he should be much improved in 2009. He has a great WR option in Brandon LaFell, and the running game should be outstanding lead by Charles Scott.

Cons: The SEC isn't an easy place to put up great fantasy QB stats (Tim Tebow excluded). And LSU hasn't been a fantasy QB factory of late. Also, if LSU hits a rough stretch in the road, the media could begin clamoring for stud recruit Russell Shepard to get some snaps.

9. Kelly Page, Ball State

Pros: By Ball State standards, Page was a coveted recruit coming out of Mesquite, Texas (offers from Oregon and Tulsa). The coaching staff was impressed with the youngster last fall and during bowl preparations.  He has a nice arm and is said to have more running ability than Nate Davis had. 

Cons: Experience. With all of his potential, until Page gets out there on the field and produces he is an unknown commodity. He'll be working behind one of the most inexperienced O-lines in the nation. While the philosophy is likely going to be the same with in-house hire Stan Parrish, he did lose head coach Brady Hoke.

10. Tate Forcier, Michigan

Pros: RichRod’s offense fits Forcier's talents to a T. The San Diego native is said to be a deadly accurate passer, and he'll have the opportunity to rack up plenty of rushing yards.

Cons: Michigan stunk last year. Forcier isn't the biggest dude (listed at 187 lbs.) and he might not be able to take the pounding. And if Michigan gets off to a bad start, will RichRod have the patience to stick with Forcier, or will he give Denard Robinson (another highly touted recruit) a shot?

11. Nick Fanuzzi, Rice

Pros: The Rice offense was tops in college fantasy football in 2008. The system is set up for QB success. Fanuzzi is an Alabama transfer who should have the ability to step in and do good things. The schedule is favorable and the Owls will likely be involved in many C-USA shootouts.

Cons: The Rice OC, Tom Herman, left for Iowa State. Superstars James Casey and Jarett Dillard are now playing on Sundays. And Fanuzzi hasn't been named the starter just yet. He'll battle John Thomas Shephard for the job this August.

12. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

Pros: The potential is there for a breakout season. Lindley had three 300-yard games and one 400-yard performance. He has a good stable of receivers to throw to, and new coach Brady Hoke should be an upgrade over the past coaching regime. SD State figures to be playing from behind often, and should be bombing away.

Cons: The San Diego State O-line stinks, so Lindley will be on the run often.  Speaking of running, the Aztecs have very little running game to take the pressure off the passing game.

13. Trey Revell, UL-Monroe

Pros: Kinsmon Lancaster proved there is hope for fantasy production out of the ULM QB position. Revell possesses a similar skill set as Lancaster and should be able to put together some nice games in the Sun Belt. His No. 1 WR Darrell McNeal had off the field issues but should be cleared to play this fall.

Cons: He still has to fend off SMU transfer Zach Rhodes for the job. 

14. Ricky Dobbs, Navy

Pros: Dobbs has proven he can light up the scoreboard, as evidenced by his 42 rush, 224 yard, four touchdown performance against SMU. Kaipo-Noa and Jarod Bryant both graduated, and the job is all his.  He should put up dazzling rushing stats.

Cons: He better put up those dazzling rushing yards, because the Midshipmen only throw the ball about seven times per game. There has been talk that Navy will throw the ball more in 2009, but we’ll believe that when we see it.

15. Zach Maynard, Buffalo

Pros: Maynard is a QB who can run. The Bulls will likely utilize his legs and give the offense a different look than the Drew Willy version. He is surrounded by talent at the skill positions with both James Starks and Naaman Roosevelt returning.

Cons: Maynard got in eight games last fall, but only threw three passes (he did rush for 56 yards). He'll be working behind a young o-line that loses three starters.

***Shavodrick Beaver, Tulsa

Pros: The Tulsa QB is typically a fantasy superstar. Paul Smith and David Johnson thrived the past few years.  This year, lots of weapons return. Beaver, a former Michigan verbal, might have more physical tools than either of his predecessors. He enrolled early this spring and looked very good. If he wins the QB job, he becomes a viable Top 20 fantasy QB and jumps up to No. 1 on this sleeper list.

Cons: Despite the glowing reports we hear about this young man, we have to remember he's only a freshman. Beaver is in a three-man battle for the starting job with Jacob Bower and G.J. Kinne. If he wins the job, look out. However, he might have to wait until 2010 to show his stuff. One other note: offensive guru Gus Malzahn left for Auburn. How much will this affect the Golden Hurricane offense?

Todd DeVries is the founder of CollegeFootballGeek.com, your premier destination for all things college fantasy football.