2022 Conference Preview: FBS Independents

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2021 Record: 11-2

Last National Championship: 1988

Head Coach (Hired): Marcus Freeman (2022)

Offensive Coordinator: Tommy Rees (2020)

Defensive Coordinator: Al Golden (2022)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Kyle Hamilton	1	14	Baltimore Ravens
Kyren Williams	5	164	Los Angeles Rams
Kurt Hinish	UDFA	UDFA	Houston Texans
Kevin Austin	UDFA	UDFA	Jacksonville Jaguars
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa	UDFA	UDFA	Las Vegas Raiders
Isaiah Pryor	UDFA	UDFA	New Orleans Saints
Drew White	UDFA	UDFA	Wash. Commanders

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Brendon Clark	QB	Old Dominion Monarchs
C'Bo Flemister	RB	Pittsburgh Panthers
Lawrence Keys III	WR	Tulane Green Wave
George Takacs	TE	Boston College Eagles
Quinn Carroll	OL	Minnesota Golden Gophers
Shayne Simon	LB	Pittsburgh Panthers
KJ Wallace	CB	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Caleb Offord	CB	Buffalo Bulls
JoJo Johnson	CB	Transfer Portal
Khari Gee	SAF	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Litchfield Ajavon	SAF	Rice Owls
Paul Moalo	SAF	Transfer Portal

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Chris Smith	DL	Harvard Crimson
Brandon Joseph	SAF	Northwestern Wildcats

Quarterbacks

Starter: Tyler Buchner

Backup/s: Drew Pyne

Depth: Steven Angeli, Ron Powlus III

Brace yourself, Tyler Buchner’s 45:55 split of air-to-ground production while scoring 54.9 FPG for Helix HS in 2019 could point toward holding some of the highest-rushing upside of any QB in the nation. Taking that a step further, Buchner has legitimate top-five overall upside if (1) he remains healthy; (2) Buchner holds off Drew Pyne; and (3) if at least two Notre Dame WRs step forward for their first-year starter. Word out of the Fighting Irish’s camp has proclaimed Buchner the present and future of the offense. While serving as the ground component for the offense while Jack Coan covered the air responsibilities last season, Buchner already showcased his legatron wares with an elite 74.7 elusive rating and 7.8 yards/carry average.

We don’t need Buchner to go ballistic through the air to beast it up for our rosters. We just need him to supplement his ground production with at least the same 45% air production from 2019. The best part of the deal is that the market is still greatly underestimating his immense upside. With Michael Mayer a known commodity combined with the spring camp breakout from Lorenzo Styles Jr., we are already seeing enough stepping stones fall into place that I’ve been confidently grabbing Buchner as my QB1 between the ninth-to-10th rounds in several of my recent drafts. Buchner will be particularly valuable in best ball formats.

Running Backs

Starter: Chris Tyree

Backups: Audric Estime

Depth: Logan Diggs, Gi'Bran Payne, Jadarian Price (Out for season – ACL)

The Irish have the parts in place to quickly offset the NFL departure of Kyren Williams. As a 171-pound junior at Thomas Dale HS, Chris Tyree recorded a ridiculous 4.23-second time in the 40. He added a 4.14-second pro shuttle and 36 ¾” vertical jump. During his senior year, Tyree tested at The Nike+ Opening Finals at 179 pounds. He recorded a 4.38-second 40, 3.95-second pro shuttle and 38 ¼” vertical. Tyree’s Notre Dame profile indicates he’s added an additional 11 pounds to push his starting weight to 190. And it’s very possible he could be up to as high as 195 by the beginning of the season.

We see from his prior testing that added weight does cost Tyree a bit of his straight-line speed but, a benefit of his NFL-level athleticism, his quickness and explosion actually benefit from the additional muscle. In any event, Tyree will need a hand with the workload to give his program a full season. Tyree maxed out at 23.0 FPG as a HS junior. That number is right around the level of capped production that we’ll likely see him provide. His 30FP – the number of FPs provided when given 30 touches – calculates to 33.6. If Notre Dame needs Tyree to touch the ball 30 times in any one game, the offense will be in trouble. Just don’t count on Tyree surrendering many backfield targets. His 2.04 yards/route (YPRR) is the ninth-highest among returning backs.

True freshman Jadarian Price recently tore an ACL, so cross him off your draft list. Gi'Bran Payne is another true frosh addition but one that is badly in need of some seasoning. That leaves Audric Estime and Logan Diggs as the candidates to team up with Tyree. Diggs is currently rehabilitating from shoulder surgery. While he should only miss a game or two, that could be a wide enough window for Estime to run away with the thunder role to pair with Tyree’s lightning. Estime was a prep monster for St. Joseph Regional. Should Tyree go down, Estime could become the next great RB from Notre Dame. He averaged a respectable 23.5 FPG during his junior year, but erupted for 45.3 as a senior.

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Avery Davis

Backup/s: Matt Salerno, Xavier Watts

⭆ Flanker: Jayden Thomas

Backup/s: Deion Colzie, Joe Wilkins Jr. (Lisfranc)

⭆ Split End: Lorenzo Styles Jr.

Backup/s: Braden Lenzy, Tobias Merriweather, Conor Ratigan

OC Tommy Rees has a WR alignment language uniquely crafted for his offense. The W-receiver – boundary-side perimeter – within his spread philosophy has been the leading receiver now for six-straight seasons. The stars seemed to be aligning for Joe Wilkins Jr. to be the frontrunner for that job. That’s until the dreaded Lisfranc injury ended his spring. Deion Colzie and ‘22 four-star recruit Tobias Merriweather were anticipated to play behind Wilkins at W. Wilkins’ early injury led to a complete re-shuffling of the depth chart. To be clear, we’re keeping the starter listings for each team very basic in these previews.

As for the next man up at W, some rumors were passed around that it could be Braden Lenzy. That is until Lorenzo Styles Jr. emerged after a big spring to a level that could have thrust him ahead of Wilkins without his Lisfranc injury. One of the few players in my entire database without FPG entries from HS, we must rely on the ‘21 tape and videos from the spring to see the kind of force Styles is about to become firsthand. You can see the result of attempting to cover this kid with man coverage in the Twitter video below. Feel very sorry for that corner. It may appear that he’s sticking tight to Styles, but the kid is being manipulated throughout the route. Tracking down the deep stuff is not the extent of Styles’ game. He’s just as dangerous with the ball in his hands.

We want to see another wideout emerge as the clear No. 2 for Buchner. Avery Davis is knocking the rust off after tearing his ACL last season. A former RB, Davis is very dangerous on the inside and likely the frontrunner for the WR2 role since a young, first-year collegiate QB is going to check down more often early in his career. If reports are true, Jayden Thomas may begin the season at Z. Short of Thomas seizing that role due to some impressive run-blocking chops, it’s unlikely to be a spot he’ll be able to hold onto since he maxed out at 12.0 FPG for Lovejoy HS. It’s actually Lenzy that we need to keep an eye on in the fall. Loaded with athleticism, the only factor that’s held Lenzy back is his health. Should he manage to submit a full season, do not be surprised when he starts drawing NFL attention.

Tight End

Starter: Michael Mayer

Backups: Kevin Bauman, Cane Berrong

Depth: Eli Raridon, Mitchell Evans, ​​Holden Staes

Selected as the ‘19 Nike+ Opening "Alpha Dog" by 247Sports, Michael Mayer helped Covington Catholic HS to a 44-1 record during his career – a 98% winning percentage. This man-child can straight maul! Every FBS powerhouse chased after this kid, but Mayer only made a single visit to Notre Dame and fulfilled the pledge he made to the program as a 16-year-old. As a true freshman, Mayer set the school’s single-season freshman records for receptions (42) and receiving yards (450). He was responsible for one of every six third-down conversions.

As a true sophomore, Mayer led the Irish in receptions (71), finished tied for first in TDs (seven) and second in yards (840). Good enough for the fourth-most receiving yards and eighth-most TDs by a TE in the FBS last season. If you see Mayer drafted ahead of Brock Bowers, chalk it up to less competition for targets in South Bend. Bowers is the only name ahead of Mayer in consensus FPs/route ranking vs. Cover 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and inside the red zone. Just keep in mind that Mayer already nearly hit his HS cap of 17.0 FPG when he threw down 16.4 for the Irish last season. Bowers, on the other hand, registered 32.0 FPG his junior year at Napa HS before being denied an opportunity to play as a senior due to COVID.

Brigham Young Cougars

2021 Record: 10-3

Last National Championship: 1984

Head Coach (Hired): Kalani Sitake (2016)

Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Roderick (2021)

Defensive Coordinator: Ilaisa Tuiaki (2016)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Tyler Allgeier	5	151	Atlanta Falcons
Neil Pau'u	UDFA	UDFA	Buffalo Bills
Samson Nacua	UDFA	UDFA	Indianapolis Colts
James Empey	UDFA	UDFA	Dallas Cowboys

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Baylor Romney	QB	Transfer Portal
Rhett Reilly	QB	Transfer Portal
Sione Finau	RB	Transfer Portal
Christopher Jackson	WR	Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Bentley Hanshaw	TE	Liberty Flames
Cade Parrish	OL	Utah State Aggies
Victory Vaka	DL	Transfer Portal
Viliami Tausinga	LB	Transfer Portal
Caleb Christensen	CB	Transfer Portal
Jacques Wilson	CB	Transfer Portal

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Christopher Brooks	RB	California Golden Bears
Houston Heimuli	RB	Stanford Cardinal
Kingsley Suamataia	OL	Oregon Ducks
Gabe Jeudy-Lally	CB	Vanderbilt Commodores

Missionary Returnees:

Player	Position
Kyson Hall	WR
Preston Rex	WR
Samisoni Peaua	TE
Sonny Makasini	OL
Bruce Mitchell	DL
Isaiah Perez	DL
Michael Daley	LB
Logan Fano	LB
Logan Pili	LB
Tate Romney	LB
Bode Schoonover	LB
Isaiah Glasker	CB
Carter Krupp	SAF

Quarterbacks

Starter: Jaren Hall

Backup: Jacob Conover

Depth: Cade Fennegan, Samisoni Peaua

Jaren Hall provides one of the most compelling examples on why college football must utilize CFF in order to maximize its profits. Hall recently signed an NIL deal, along with Trey Stewart (basketball), to launch an anti-bullying campaign. We all need to applaud Hall standing up for a major issue plaguing children in our country. However, the campaign is not going to earn Hall a single NIL dollar. In fact, Hall’s current NIL total stands at $0.

Since a major factor determining NIL earnings is a player’s social media following – essentially amounting to a popularity contest, it would not be a stretch to state that the vast majority of Hall’s current 4,180 Twitter followers are made up of the BYU diehards and the CFF aficionados of the world. By pushing the individual popularity CFF provides into the mainstream spotlight, individual collegiate athletes – not just the P5 powerhouse superstars – would have another platform to grow their brand. The uneven playing ground toward collecting NIL dollars has led to somewhere in the neighborhood of 95-to-98% of the G5 stars failing to collect any NIL revenue. Could we eventually see top G5 athletes going on strike to level that playing field? Food for thought.

Ask anyone who knows he actually exists outside of the NFL draft, Devy and CFF breeds about Hall the player; it's guaranteed they have no clue the kid is going to be playing on Sunday one day. A grand total of 20 games into his career, Hall’s consensus rank of 11th-best in FPs/dropback (FP/Db) vs. Cover 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 should open some eyes. I’ll just pass along that Hall’s background at Maple Mountain HS did not project him out as a kid that would score 22.9 FPG last season. The rumblings about his tools from the BYU populus was entirely difficult to trust until we actually saw the skills firsthand. Should he take another step with his rushing elusiveness, Hall could skyrocket as a CFF commodity.

Running Backs

Starter: Christopher Brooks, Masen Wake (FB)

Backups: Lopini Katoa

Depth: Jackson McChesney, Miles Davis, Hinckley Ropati, Houston Heimuli

CFF loved them some Tyler Allgeier. The affection was well supported by the accompanying numbers he provided. That said, the Cougars’ offense creates favorable conditions for its RBs. Witnessing the Atlanta Falcons draft Allgeier as though the fifth-rounder would miraculously transform into the future of the franchise at RB was comical. The kid is big, yes, but also slow, his change of direction is well below replacement-level and he lacks explosiveness.

All of the evidence needed to convert the last paragraph from conjecture into fact will be Christopher Brooks. We can wait for the actual NFL results from Allgeier, or we can just watch Brooks excel within this offense. Brooks comes to Provo after being a sometime performer during the last four years at California. Brooks may not be an NFL talent, but that doesn’t mean the 6-foot-1 and 235-pounder won’t threaten to produce 20+ FPG this season. And he’ll do it using a career elusive rating outside of the top-65 RBs and a YPRR average outside of the top-75.

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Keanu Hill

Backup/s: Brayden Cosper, Hobbs Nyberg, Dominique McKenzie

⭆ Flanker: Gunner Romney

Backup/s: Talmage Gunther, Cody Hagen

⭆ Split End: Puka Nacua

Backup/s: Kody Epps, Kade Moore

This unit could surprise beyond the anticipated No. 1 if Hall can stay healthy. Puka Nacua is a star in the making. The former Washington transfer will align all over the formation while dropping efficiency all over the field. Nakua tapped out at a healthy 35.7 FPG as a senior for Dixie HS in 2018. He’s averaged at least 10 FPG in all three of his collegiate seasons. Just don’t be shocked when he threatens 20+ during the upcoming season. His career YPRR average currently sits as the ninth-best, his FPs/route (FP/Rt) is 14th and his targeted passer rating (TPR) is the 22nd-best among returning WRs.

Cody Hagen and Kody Epps are the future at WR for the program. However, Gunner Romney will have one final opportunity to stake his case that the cult following he established from his Chandler HS days is suited for the NFL game. His 11.2 FPG from last season was a step in the wrong direction from the 13.5 he generated with Zach Wilson. If he can see more consistent targeting from Hall, Romney could use his 43rd-best YPRR to get his career back on track.

Tight End

Starters: Isaac Rex

Backup: Dallin Holker, Carter Wheat

Depth: Lane Lunt, Ben Tuipulotu, Cooper Ross

As much as I want to get behind the promise of Isaac Rex, the memory of the kid mucking up the offense last season is just too much. Rex has issued the seventh-most FPs/target and the fifth-most FPs/touch, but the 48th-most YPPR. And his FPG plummeted by 66% last year from the 13.7 he scored the season prior. Rex would be a massive value should he repeat the outstanding play he displayed with Wilson at QB two seasons ago. But he’s presenting as such a value due to the majority of the sharps leaving him on the board.

Liberty Flames

2021 Record: 8-5

Last National Championship: Never

Head Coach (Hired): Hugh Freeze (2019)

co-Offensive Coordinator: Kent Austin (2019)

co-Offensive Coordinator: Maurice Harris (2019)

co-Defensive Coordinator: Josh Aldridge (2019)

co-Defensive Coordinator: Jack Curtis (2022)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Malik Willis	3	86	Tennessee Titans
Kevin Shaa	UDFA	UDFA	Chicago Bears
Storey Jackson	UDFA	UDFA	Dallas Cowboys
Duron Lowe	UDFA	UDFA	Los Angeles Rams
Skyler Thomas	UDFA	UDFA	L.A. Chargers

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Will Bowers	QB	Transfer Portal
Troy Henderson	RB	Transfer Portal
Frank Boyd	RB	Norfolk State Spartans
Stetson Moore	TE	Transfer Portal
Henry Chibueze	DL	Maryland Terrapins
Micaiah Overton	DL	Texas A&M Aggies
William Green	DL	Nevada Wolf Pack
Gaberiel Fuster	LB	Transfer Portal
Marcus Haskins	CB	Abilene Christian Wildcats
Aaron Pierre	SAF	Transfer Portal

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Charlie Brewer	QB	Utah Utes
Dae Dae Hunter	RB	Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Caleb Snead	WR	Campbell Fighting Camels
Austin Henderson	TE	Minnesota Golden Gophers
Bentley Hanshaw	TE	BYU Cougars
X'Zauvea Gadlin	OL	Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Cam Reddy	OL	Colorado State Rams
Naasir Watkins	OL	Kentucky Wildcats
Dre Butler	DL	Auburn Tigers
Maurice Freeman	SAF	Indiana Hoosiers
Kobe Singleton	ATH	Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Quarterbacks

Starter: Charlie Brewer

Backup/s: Johnathan Bennett

Depth: Kaidon Salter, Nate Hampton

It’s impossible to replace Malik Willis, especially after all of Willis’ success with the program was left on the board until the 86th pick of the ‘22 draft. At one point, Charlie Brewer carried a bit of momentum as an NFL prospect himself. That status has expired. We need to see it on the field with the Flames before we start conjuring up delusions of the 20+ FPG Brewer generated during his 2018-19 seasons. He previously made his name with success against Cover 3 and inside the red zone.

If you get to the point in a Superflex draft where you are considering Brewer for a meaningful role on your roster, it’s time to reevaluate the process formula that brought you to that point. The offense does have potential to air it out. But it’s just as likely that the offense attempts to win games through a war of attrition. Liberty plays what amounts to a G5 schedule, so they will be able to ride their above-average defense to several victories should they choose the patient approach.

Running Backs

Starter: T.J. Green

Backups: Dae Dae Hunter, Shedro Louis

Depth: Malik Caper, Russian Williams

T.J. Green appears to be the guy Hugh Freeze will pencil in as the starter this season. What we are supposed to do with that knowledge is unknown. Green’s career elusive rating, YPRR average and TD rate are several steps below the expectations of a walk-on RB. Perhaps the only interesting back on the roster, Dae Dae Hunter transfers in after being chased from the Hawaiian islands by Dedrick Parson. Hunter registered 32.6 and 30.6 FPG during his last two seasons, respectively, for Chandler HS. In addition, Hunter has provided the 29th-best elusive rating during his collegiate career. If/when he manages to overtake Green on the depth chart, Hunter will be a name to grab off the wire.

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Demario Douglas

Backup/s: Jaivian Lofton, Kylen Austin

⭆ Flanker: Caleb Snead

Backup/s: Noah Frith

⭆ Split End: CJ Daniels

Backup/s: CJ Yarbrough, Treon Sibley, Brody Brumm

You can either bank on Caleb Snead carrying over his 17.0 FPG from FCS Campbell, or you can trust that Demario Douglas will come close to realizing the 21.4 FPG he scored as a senior at Mandarin HS. Both paths are rife with risk. Both WRs have a history of Cover 3 success – one of Brewer’s specialties. We just shouldn’t set out with any moderately-sized draft plan that results in a roster populated by a Liberty player. Allow both WRs to hit the wire and monitor.

Tight End

Starters: Jerome Jackson

Backup: Austin Henderson, Michael Bollinger

Depth: Cooper McCaw, Brayden Monday, Teigan Martin

One of the very last locations you want to be targeting for a CFF TE.

Army Black Knights

2021 Record: 9-4

Last National Championship: 1946

Head Coach (Hired): Jeff Monken (2014)

Offensive Coordinator: Brent Davis (2014)

Defensive Coordinator: Nate Woody (2020)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Malkelm Morrison	UDFA	UDFA	Las Vegas Raiders

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
R.J. Rosales	QB	Transfer Portal
Simeon Evans	QB	Sam Houston State Bearkats
Laquan Veney	RB	Transfer Portal
Bishop Johnson	RB	Transfer Portal
Danny Joiner	TE	Transfer Portal
Shepherd Bowling	LB	Transfer Portal

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
None	None	None

Quarterbacks

Starter: Tyhier Tyler

Backup/s: Cade Ballard

Depth: Jemel Jones, Maurice Bellan, Larry Robinson

Army ran the ball on 86% of their offensive snaps last season. Need I say more?

Running Backs

Starter: Jakobi Buchanan (FB), Tyrell Robinson (SB), Braheam Murphy (SB)

Backups: Tyson Riley (FB), Cole Caterbone (SB), Maurice Bellan (SB)

Depth: Markel Johnson (FB), Justin Lescouflair (SB)

If we had a stud talent or even a mauling beast at fullback for the Black Knights, he would be a target. Jakobi Buchanan is the best FB on the Army roster. Buchanan has never caught a pass in three seasons and his elusive rating sits as the 165th-best. That says it all.

Wide Receiver

Starter: Isaiah Alston

Backup/s: Ryan Jackovic, Veshe Daniyan, Reikan Donaldson, Ay'Juan Marshall

If you scrolled to the Army WR unit for CFF information, send me a DM on Twitter or Discord, I am happy to assist you down the path to find relevant CFF information.

Tight End

Starters: Joshua Lingenfelter

Backup: Ay'Juan Marshall

Puke emoji.

New Mexico State Aggies

2021 Record: 2-10

Last National Championship: Never

Head Coach (Hired): Jerry Kill (2022)

Offensive Coordinator: Tim Beck (2022)

Defensive Coordinator: Nate Dreiling (2022)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Sage Doxtater	UDFA	UDFA	New Orleans Saints

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Trevor Appelman	QB	Transfer Portal
Jonah Johnson	QB	Transfer Portal
Juwaun Price	RB	Syracuse Orange
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda	WR	Nebraska
Cole Harrity	WR	Buffalo Bulls
Terrell Warner	WR	Transfer Portal
Anthony Tocchini	OL	Transfer Portal
Michael Bowe	DL	Transfer Portal
Antonio Oliver	CB	Transfer Portal
Syrus Dumas	CB	Transfer Portal
Javien Clemmer	ATH	Transfer Portal

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Ahmonte Watkins	RB	TCU Horned Frogs
J.J. Jones III	TE	Dartmouth Big Green
Canaan Yarro	OL	Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Izaiah Reed	DL	Murray State Racers
Andre Seldon	CB	Michigan Wolverines
Mekhi Miller	CB	Miami (OH) RedHawks

Quarterbacks

Starter: Dino Maldonado

Backup: Weston Eget

Depth: Diego Pavia, Gavin Frakes

It seems like it has been a lifetime since a New Mexico State player has been a pre-draft CFF target. With Jerry Kill and Tim Beck taking over, perhaps we’ll see a name emerge. Until then, avoid this roster like the plague.

Running Backs

Starter: Ahmonte Watkins

Backup: O'Maury Samuels

Depth: Jamoni Jones, Alex Escobar, Tim Gans, Larenzo McMillan

The one individual that could pop on the radar is Ahmonte Watkins. He played under Beck at TCU so, on paper, it makes sense that he’ll become the focal point of the ground game. It’s not a green light to invest. Just file the name in the brain under “monitor.”

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Dominic Gicinto

Backup/s: PJ Johnson III, Lawrence Dixon, Jordin Parker

⭆ Flanker: Chris Bellamy

Backup/s: Ta'ir Brooks, Kordell David, Ron Vann

⭆ Split End: Justice Powers

Backup/s: Tevis Abraham, Sol Rascon

Tell your leaguemates all about the mysterious Aggies’ WR that has been discussed in inner circles as a breakout candidate. Then celebrate the victory if one is actually drafted. No, it’s not going to happen this season. But it doesn’t hurt to try.

Tight End

Starters: Thomaz Whitford

Backup: Tevis Abraham

Depth: Jacob Franklin, Trevor Stephens, J.J. Jones III

I just threw up a little. Do with that what you will.

Connecticut Huskies

2021 Record: 1-11

Last National Championship: Never

Head Coach (Hired): Jim L. Mora (2022)

Offensive Coordinator: Nick Charlton (2022)

Defensive Coordinator: Lou Spanos (2019)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Travis Jones	3	76	Baltimore Ravens
Ryan Van Demark	UDFA	UDFA	Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Mensah	UDFA	UDFA	Free Agent

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Steven Krajewski	QB	Georgia State Panthers
Micah Leon	QB	Transfer Portal
Jack Zergiotis	QB	Merrimack Warriors
Heron Maurisseau	WR	Transfer Portal
Cameron Hairston	WR	Transfer Portal
Josh Tracey	WR	Transfer Portal
Jayce Medlock	TE	Alabama State Hornets
Robby Rochester	OL	TCU Horned Frogs
Sidney Walker	OL	Buffalo Bulls
Femi Sakiri	OL	Transfer Portal
Justin Moore	DL	Transfer Portal
Pierce Devaughn	DL	Transfer Portal
Lwal Uguak	DL	TCU Horned Frogs
Jeremy Lucien	CB	Vanderbilt Commodores
Jalon Ferrell	SAF	Massachusetts Minutemen

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Ta'Quan Roberson	QB	Penn State Nittany Lions
Nigel Fitzgerald	WR	Old Dominion Monarchs
Dayne Shor	OL	Alabama Crimson Tide
Kyle Juergens	OL	Boise State Broncos
Tres Barboza	OL	UTSA Roadrunners
Sokoya McDuffie	DL	Old Dominion Monarchs
Marquez Bembry	LB	Kentucky Wildcats

Quarterbacks

Starter: Ta'Quan Roberson

Backup: Tyler Phommachanh

Depth: Jacob Drena, Zion Turner

Ta'Quan Roberson should be the top QB Connecticut has rostered during my lifetime. The Penn State transfer should be able to generate enough production on the ground to be fantasy relevant… down the road. For all we know, Roberson could flop. But Jim L. Mora did not take the job with the Huskies to continue with the inadequate results of his predecessors. We just don’t know if that aggression is going to be a good thing right out of the gate. Keep an eye on Roberson’s progress as a potential wire addition.

Running Backs

Starter: Nathan Carter

Backup: Robert Burns

Depth: Brian Brewton, Devontae Houston, Will Knight

Nathan Carter is the clearcut starter. He maxed out at 22.7 FPG at Northwest HS. He’s not much of a receiver and he falls just shy of elusive-status. Just another name to monitor.

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Cameron Ross

Backup/s: Aaron Turner, Darius Bush

⭆ Flanker: Keelan Marion

Backup/s: Nigel Fitzgerald, Elijah Jeffreys

⭆ Split End: Kevens Clercius

Backup/s: Matt Drayton, Jacob Flynn

Cameron Ross, Keelan Marion and Kevens Clercius are going to play a ton of snaps for the Huskies this season. Ross has generated the 119th-most YPRR during his career among returning WRs. He may not be efficient, but Ross has drawn the fifth-most targets/game and 10th-most receptions/game. If the UConn offense manages to score a few points this season, Ross will be a name to know.

Tight End

Starter: Brandon Niemenski

Backup: Christopher Johnson

Depth: Brendan Heatherman, Denzel Mountali

Nobody worth your time among this unit.

Massachusetts Minutemen

2021 Record: 1-11

Last National Championship: 1998 (FCS)

Head Coach (Hired): Don Brown (2022)

Offensive Coordinator: Steve Casul (2022)

Defensive Coordinator: Keith Dudzinski (2022)

Players Lost to the NFL:

Player	Round	Pick	Team
Bryce Watts	UDFA	UDFA	Pittsburgh Steelers

Outgoing Transfers:

Player	Position	New Team
Tray Pettway	WR	North. Arizona Lumberjacks
Martin Laham	WR	Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Dalton Tomlison	OL	West. Carolina Catamounts
Brian Parish	OL	Transfer Portal
Willie Allen	OL	Transfer Portal
Caeleb Washington	DL	Transfer Portal
Taishan Holmes	DL	Northwestern Wildcats
Abdoul Kone	LB	Transfer Portal
Raiheem Olalekan	LB	Transfer Portal
Cody Jones	CB	Georgia State Panthers

Incoming Transfers:

Player	Position	Previous Team
Tim Baldwin Jr.	RB	Indiana Hoosiers
Gregory Desrosiers	RB	Louisville Cardinals
Isaiah Holiness	WR	Colgate Raiders
Ben Bohnenberger	OL	San Jose State Spartans
Cole Garcia	OL	Rice Owls
Connor Vasher	OL	Savannah State Tigers
Tyson Watson	DL	Michigan State Spartans
Marcus Cushnie	DL	Florida State Seminoles
Marcus Bradley	DL	Vanderbilt Commodores
Zukudo Igwenagu	DL	Rutgers Scarlet Knight
Jalen Mackie	LB	Dartmouth Big Green
George Johnson III	CB	Michigan Wolverines
Jermaine McMillian	SAF	UCF Knights
Tyler Rudolph	SAF	Penn State Nittany Lions
Jalon Ferrell	SAF	Connecticut Huskies
Sammy Faustin	SAF	Michigan Wolverines

Quarterbacks

Starter: Brady Olson

Backup/s: Zamar Wise

Depth: Gino Campiotti, Chase Brewster, Garrett Dzuro

We’re truly dipping into some of the worst teams from the FBS. Brady Olson is actually not the absolutely most terrible starting QB one might expect for one of the bottom programs in the country. That doesn’t mean you need to be evaluating his merits.

Running Backs

Starter: Ellis Merriweather

Backups: Kay'Ron Adams, Tim Baldwin Jr.

Depth: Romeo Holden, Jared Chisari, Cyrus Bonsu, Carter Scudo

Someone always ends up drafting Ellis Merriweather in industry drafts as though the remaining RB talent pool has somehow dried up to the hit-the-panic-button level. And he’s being drafted in the RB4-5 range – many times prior to the 10th round! You are not going to find many CFF formats that require you to draft more than 100 RBs. The 15.7 FPG he managed last season is the ceiling in this offense. He’ll be lucky to match that total and you will never find me paying out valuable draft capital in support of his game.

Wide Receiver

Starters:

⭆ Slot: Jermaine Johnson Jr.

Backup/s: Isaac Ross, Jamir Roberts

⭆ Flanker: Onuma Dieke

Backup/s: Melvin Hill, Michael Fitzgerald, Delvin Attafah

⭆ Split End: Rico Arnold

Backup/s: Isaiah Holiness, Zamar Wise, Carter Scudo

Force this group to make you regret fading the lot.

Tight End

Starter: Josiah Johnson

Backup: Jaret Pallotta

Depth: Jacob Orlando, Jackson Manning

“Sharps” have actually drafted Josiah Johnson in some of the drafts I’ve completed. Yikes!