After the first three weeks in the fantasy college football season, some players have really stood out. Johnny Manziel is doing what a lot of us thought he could do, Bishop Sankey is one the leading rushers in college fantasy, and Jordan Matthews is one of the best wide receiver options. But what we all learn in college football, is there are some unlikely players who should definitely be on college fantasy football rosters. Here are the top five fantasy surprises to this point in the season.
5. Jared Goff, Quarterback – California
Where Goff “only” has seven touchdowns, he leads the NCAA with 1306 yards passing in just three games including an impressive line of 371 and three touchdowns against Ohio State. The freshman should find a way onto your fantasy teams, especially in keeper leagues as he looks to be a star in the making.
4. Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver – Oregon State
Last year Cooks had a very good sophomore season, but this year he has taken it to another level. While it is not as surprising as some of the others on this list, seven touchdowns in the first three games is nothing to dwell on. Cooks is one of the best fantasy wide outs so far this season because of the incredible consistency he has shown in the first three weeks. Cooks has 29 catches for 498 yards to go along with those seven touchdowns.
3. Baker Mayfield, Quarterback – Texas Tech
Mayfield is a true freshman, and a walk-on. No one knew who this guy was until he came in and became Kliff Kingsbury’s first quarterback. Although Mayfield struggled this past Saturday, he is still among the top performing fantasy quarterbacks in college fantasy football. Mayfield has just under 1000 yards and nine total touchdowns in three games.
2. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver – Texas A&M
Mike Evans is the best skill player on the Aggies, and is Johnny Manziel’s number one target. In just three games, he has 20 catches for 518 yards and three touchdowns. Most will say that was not a huge shock because he was outstanding last year. But Evans is on pace for 2000 yards receiving and a dozen touchdowns. Not many expected that kind of production this early from the redshirt sophomore.
1. Paul James, Running Back - Rutgers
Where some Scarlet Knight fans have been raving about the junior from Glassboro, New Jersey, he was relatively unknown to the rest of the college fantasy football community. Last season James only touched the ball five times. But this season, he is the NCAA’s leader in rushing. To this point, James has amassed 493 yards and six touchdowns on 61 carries through three games. That is an average of 164 yards and two touchdowns per game. If he is still on the waiver wire somehow, scoop him up.