Welcome to the first of many college football fantasy (CFF) draft articles on SportsEthos. I am proud to bring these fresh vibes to this amazing platform, while continuing to tell the world that CFF absolutely rocks.

CFF is easily the most underrated fantasy sport and I have mastered the art and cracked the code. Over the last six seasons in the highly competitive “ATL Radio League”, I lost the championship game, then won three straight titles, then lost in the semis, and last year I lost in the championship game.

The primary keys to winning are big-time quarterbacks and bell-cow running backs.

College football is the wild, wild west of fantasy sports. From the lack of media access to injury information to constant depth chart movement to the whims of 19-20 year old young men, this is the ultimate land of opportunity with a never-ending waiver wire.

Let’s get this preseason party started with the quarterbacks…

1. Arch Manning, Texas: Arch is the best player in college football. Arch will be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arch should have been playing over Quinn Ewers last season. Arch is about to be the IT player of CFB and win the Heisman. Why would you draft anyone else over Arch, at any position? In limited time last season, he had five total touchdowns against UTSA and 325 passing yards and three total TDs against Mississippi State. Arch is powerful and elusive and aggressive when he runs, so he will have double-digit ground scores. He’s in a Steve Sarkisian offense, he has weapons around him, don’t overthink this.

2. Cade Klubnik, Clemson: Dabo Swinney’s patience is being rewarded by Klubnik, who has gotten markedly better with each season. After posting 2,844 passing yards, 19 TD passes and four rushing scores in 2023, he bumped up those numbers to 3,369, 39 and seven, respectively. Simply put, he became one of the best QBs in college football. I would take his numbers from last year in this slot, but there is still upside and he might approach 4,000 passing yards and 50 total touchdowns.

3. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina: I like Sellers this season, but he is being slightly overrated by most CFF experts and managers. If you draft Sellers over Arch or Cade, you are making a mistake. Last year, Sellers had 2,534 passing yards, 18 TD passes and a 65.6 completion percentage, which is pretty average. He was terrific on the ground, with 166 carries for 674 yards and seven scores. That said, Klubnik had 7 ground scores last season too. And Arch will be a 40-10 guy for 50 total TDs. Sellers’ ceiling is 3,000 passing yards and 25 TDs, with 1,000 and 10 on the ground. Fantastic year, but short of what Arch and Cade are going to do.

4. John Mateer, Oklahoma: OU loaded up through the transfer portal and they are ready to make a push for the College Football Playoff. Their biggest get was Mateer, who went off at Washington State last season for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air, and a rushing line of 178-826-15. Mateer is one of the elite CFF quarterbacks and he has a chance to take the Sooners to great heights. OU is expected to open up their offense this season, so look for Mateer to contend for SEC Player of the Year.

5. Avery Johnson, Kansas State: This dual-threat stud is entering his third season in CFB and second as the full-time starter for K-State. He is ready for my proverbial “pop” season. There is already Heisman buzz around Johnson, so ride his wave of success. He threw for 2,712 yards and 25 scores with a rushing line of 113-605-7 last season, but there is no doubt he will surpass all of those numbers.                                                                                                                                                       
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