Top College Football Fantasy Players You Should Draft for Each Position
While the world of NFL fantasy has become a mainstay of the fall, college football has a lesser-known, still-beloved following.
And in 2026, hopefully, the legion will grow.
Yahoo is set to unleash an accessible college game, one that features all 68 power-conference teams—including Notre Dame. Each roster, by default, will feature the traditional positions of quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end, in addition to FLEX spots, defense/special teams and team offense.
In the following sections, we're highlighting the prime targets from those four major positions as the 2026 college fantasy season kicks off.
Quarterback
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No matter if Texas reaches its championship upside in 2026, Arch Manning is set to hold a decisive role for the Longhorns.
Manning will not be trotted out as a "game manager" brand of quarterback. Last season, for example, he averaged 31.1 pass attempts while regularly contributing on designed runs, particularly in the red zone.
That type of usage is ideal in the fantasy realm.
Manning has plenty to prove, yet he holds the ability and supporting cast to threaten for upwards of 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in the regular season.
QB2: The same applies to Trinidad Chambliss, a playmaking dual-threat QB. One factor even leaning in his (fantasy) favor over Manning is Ole Miss may encounter more contested games, meaning fewer garbage-time snaps.
Another to Know: Drew Mestemaker, who paced the nation with 4,379 passing yards and totaled 39 touchdowns last season, is among the crowd who followed head coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State.
Running Back
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Speaking of Oklahoma State, expect a big season from Caleb Hawkins.
That's not exactly a bold statement, given that he rushed for 1,434 yards and an FBS-leading 25 touchdowns at North Texas last year. Hawkins added 32 catches for 370 yards and four scores.
Yes, his production is unlikely to remain at that incredible level. There's a significant jump in competition from the American to the Big 12.
But, again, high-end usage is key—and Hawkins has proven he can handle it.
RB2: If Kewan Lacy is anywhere near his 2025 volume, look out. He averaged 22.3 touches last season, racking up 1,744 scrimmage yards and 24 touchdowns. The main concern is how often Chambliss finishes drives instead of Lacy.
Another to Know: LJ Martin, meanwhile, is looking to build on a season in which he collected 1,560 yards and a relatively modest 12 scores. Factor in his pass-catching upside, and Martin is a very appealing third option.
Wide Receiver
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Will someone else generate better numbers? The odds say yes, considering the massive scope of available wide receivers.
To start, though, I am comfortable leaning on sheer talent.
Jeremiah Smith had 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman, then reeled in 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 scores last year. He's the definition of a top wide receiver.
Beyond injury, the factor limiting Smith's ceiling is Ohio State's team success. Smith's production will likely plummet in the fourth quarter again. Nevertheless, what the All-American can accomplish in 45 minutes is worth the risk.
WR2: Even as Duke transfer Cooper Barkate is poised to hold a major role, Malachi Toney is just incredible. Most importantly in fantasy, Miami schemes a variety of touches for Toney—including cheap receptions on jet sweeps and occasional snaps as a Wildcat QB.
Another to Know: While a player like Rutgers' KJ Duff is compelling, stability at quarterback must be considered. That's a detail in favor of Amare Thomas, who is back alongside QB Conner Weigman at Houston. They connected 67 times for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Tight End
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Once it became clear Brendan Sorsby would not be playing for Texas Tech this season, Terrance Carter Jr.'s fantasy stock took a slight hit. The expectation has been that Will Hammond would not be available for a couple of games.
While at Big 12 Media Days, though, Tech coach Joey McGuire expressed optimism in Hammond being available for Week 1.
And that, though subject to change, solidified Carter atop the board.
Despite a midseason injury that disrupted his year, Carter ended the 2025 campaign with 55 receptions for 624 yards and five scores.
TE2: Kenyon Sadiq's departure for the NFL, opening the door for Jamari Johnson at Oregon. He already made 32 catches for 510 yards and five scores last season, so expectations are high for Johnson as QB Dante Moore returns.
Another to Know: It's a similar story for Kaelan Chudzinski at Boston College, which must replace Jeremiah Franklin's 506 yards. Chudzinski, who tallied 24 catches for 313 yards and four touchdowns last year, is primed for a breakout—especially in Bill O'Brien's tight-end-loving offense.
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