CFB: Early Top Five College Fantasy QBs for 2021
Continuing along with my spring rankings, let’s get around to ranking the top five college fantasy quarterbacks as they stand here in the spring. This isn’t who the best quarterbacks are, but who will produce the most from a fantasy perspective. On this list, I will only include power five quarterbacks (the only leagues I’ve played in are power five only), so no Dillon Gabriel on this list. Let’s see what we got.
*Honorable Mentions: D’Eriq King(injury), D.J. Uiagalelei, Brock Purdy, Kedon Slovis*
5. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA)
A bit of a sleeper at the No. 5 spot. DTR was putting together a solid junior season in Westwood, but we didn’t get to see his full potential with the Bruins only playing five games. His numbers (12 touchdowns and four interceptions) are nothing to drool at, but in a fantasy sense, there is a lot to like. Not only did DTR cut down on his turnovers, but he also ran more efficiently than he had in his previous two seasons (career-highs 306 yards rushing and 5.6 yards per rush). Chip Kelly needs to start winning a lot more than he has in years past in LA to keep his job, and he’ll lean on his senior quarterback to do so. UCLA returns most of its receivers and tight ends from 2020, the only real loss being RB Demetric Felton. The schedule is a little concerning with LSU in non-conference play, Oregon and Washington in division crossover, paired with play at Utah and at USC.
4. Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
Much like DTR, I’m banking on a lot of upside from Corral in 2021. The Lane Kiffin Show in Oxford was a big hit in year one, and Corral is keying in keeping the train going in year two. From an efficiency standpoint, it’s hard to top Corral, who completed 71 percent of his passes and averaged over ten yards per attempt en route to 33 total touchdowns (29 passing and four rushing). The downside? Too many turnovers. Corral tossed 14 interceptions, all in losses, including a six-interception mess against Arkansas. It’s frustrating to see someone who is so efficient down the field be so erratic at times. He loses all-American WR Elijah Moore but brings back plenty of other weapons. If Corral stops turning the ball over, he could end the season at the top of this list.
3. Bryce Young (Alabama)
Bryce Young is still a mystery to most of us, having only thrown 22 passes in his collegiate career. The former five-star recruit steps into some big shoes, replacing arguably the two best quarterbacks in Crimson Tide history. He’ll have a new OC in Bill O’Brien instead of Steve Sarkisian, and No DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Najee Harris, Alex Leatherwood, and Landon Dickerson. As usual, ‘Bama should have no problem reloading the roster for another run in 2021. How much weight will BOB put on Young’s shoulders? Will John Metchie be a true No.1 going forward? Both big factors in how much Young will produce. The last time we saw Young play a full season, he tossed 58 touchdowns and ran for another ten his senior season at Mater Dei.
2. Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
Rattler’s upside is tremendous. We saw the young quarterback struggle out of the gate last year but finished the season on a tear (15 touchdowns and just two interceptions over his final seven games). That’s more of the quarterback we expect to see over the full 2021 season, as Rattler can challenge the legacies of the former Lincoln Riley-Heisman quarterbacks before him. Paired with sophomore wide receiver Marvin Mims, who could end up as the best WR in college football by years end, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rattler hit the 40-touchdown mark under the right circumstances. Add in the four rushing touchdowns of Rattler’s final five games, and we have a quarterback who could rightfully challenge for that No. 1 spot. That spot, however, is occupied at the moment.
Sam Howell (North Carolina)
Despite losing Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown, and Dazz Newsome, Sam Howell will remain my No. 1 fantasy QB for the time being. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft brings everything to the table: He’s efficient (30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while averaging over ten yards an attempt), he uses his legs (added five more touchdowns on the ground), and he’ll be tasked with carrying the offense more after losing two of the top five running backs in the entire country. He’ll, unfortunately, have to deal with losing his top two receivers as well, But Mack Brown has confidence that sophomores Josh Downs, Khafre Brown, and senior Beau Corrales should step in seamlessly. In a tough ACC, Howell makes the Tar Heels serious contenders.
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson