Star Search: Week 4 College Football Standouts

RB Standouts

1. L'Damian Webb, S. Alabama (14 car/75 yds. 1 rec/28 yds/1 TD)

In a near upset victory against UCLA two weeks ago, Webb had a nice day, and he followed it up last week with another sturdy fantasy performance. The 5'7" 208lb RB uses his short but stout frame to truck over defenders, and is a handful for opposing tacklers. He patiently waits for blockers in front of him to set up runs, and hits the correct gap after reading the play. The former 3 star has had an interesting career; Webb starred in JUCO play, transferred to Florida State and had some impressive games during a COVID shortened 2020, and now he looks like a good lead back for South Alabama. In CFF, he should definitely be given a shot, as he could prove to be a Sun Belt standout. In Dynasty leagues, his lack of game-breaking speed will likely limit his role in the NFL, but he is worth keeping track of as a late round possibility in rookie drafts.

2. Jalen White, GA Southern (15 car/69 yds. 2 rec/9 yds)

White wasn’t spectacular for the Eagles a week ago, but he’s been a big part of the offense, and should right the ship this weekend for fantasy. He’s averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the season, and in the first three games this year, Jalen had two scores on the ground in each outing. White’s speed in the open field is nice, and he has a nice blend of elusiveness and contact balance to earn extra yards. At 6 foot 215 pounds, he can be counted on to take many carries and goal line work. Georgia Southern’s next two opponents, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State are ranked 86th and 119th against fantasy RBs per Fantrax, meaning he is worth picking up as a streaming option in CFF. In Dynasty, keep an eye on White, as his Junior year in 2022 might be a launching point for an eventual NFL career.

3. Daniel Hishaw Jr, Kansas (10 car/64 yards. 1 rec/73 yards/1 TD)

Daniel Hishaw Jr. may not be the biggest name on Kansas’s roster as they’ve opened the season 4-0, but he is a player that’s been contributing every game. The limelight absolutely will go to quarterback, Jalon Daniels and running back, Devin Neal. That’s not to say Hishaw should be ignored considering he has scored at least once in every game this season (4 rushing, 1 receiving). He has shown he takes advantage of all his touches, averaging 6.5 yards per carry (234 yards on 36 carries) as well as a 73-yard touchdown reception against Duke. He looks to be available in most CFF leagues and is worth a waiver claim if you have a spot to spare.

WR Standouts

Ryne St. Clair & Jon Drillings

1. Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky (7 rec/147 yards/21.0 AVG/2 TD)

Tayvion Robinson transferred to Kentucky from Virginia Tech after playing three seasons for the Hokies. Very early on he has established a relationship with Will Levis and become a reliable option. With Levis doing his very best to improve his 2023 Draft stock, he needed a player like Robinson to step up along side him. Robinson is creating separation at the top of his routes and showing veteran savviness when facing any coverage. With Kentucky headed into the gauntlet of SEC play, keep an eye on Robinson to be relied on consistently. He is definitely one to add in you CFF league as he continues to emerge as the #1 receiving option for the Wildcats.

De’Corian Clark, UTSA (12-10-229-3)

Led by QB Frank Harris, the Roadrunners have one of the best passing offenses in the country. And while it’s probably not explosive enough to support 3 WRs every week with Zakhari Franklin and Joshua Cephus, Clark got threw his hat in the mix this week with a monster performance. He is a true X receiver and has most of his success on go balls down the sideline. While he probably won’t be as consistent in terms of production as his teammates, he has the potential to go off at any time as week saw in Week 4.

Cam Camper, Indiana (17-10-126-0)

Camper is a community college transfer who has emerged as the Hoosiers’ #1 WR this season. In fact, he leads all of FBS in targets through the first 4 weeks of the season. While the Indiana passing offense is not efficient, Camper is a good route runner and knows how to get open. Whether or not QB Connor Bazelak will find him is a different story.

Ali Jennings III, Old Dominion (7-4-140-1)

Jennings is a prototypical chuck-it-up WR for the Monarchs. Over 72% of his receiving yards this season have been on deep passes (20+ air yards). He leads the country by more than 90 yards over Rashee Rice on these types of receptions. He also leads the nation in ADOT. He has good speed down the sideline and can track the ball very well. He will continue to be a boom or bust WR all season for ODU.

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio St (8-6-118-2)

Egbuka is the third Buckeye WR to find himself on this list this season, along with Jaxon Smith-Njibga and Marvin Harrison Jr. He has posted at least 90 yards and a TD in every game this season and as long as Smith-Njibga remains sidelined, Egbuka will continue to post monster numbers. Even when JSN comes back, Ohio St is one of the few passing offenses in the country that can support 3 elite WRs.

TE Standouts

Tim Bullen

Griffin Hebert Senior Louisiana Tech (5/7-49-1)

The 6’3” 229 WR/TE hasn’t been a volume machine, but he leads all tight ends with 327 yards on only 14 receptions. He had a massive day v Clemson just a week ago, where he converted 8 targets into 5 receptions for 122 yards, with 46 yards his longest reception of the day. While he didn’t score a touchdown in that contest, he has scored in every other game that LA Tech has played to this point. That level of touchdown consistency seems due for regression, but he’s done enough to warrant our attention as we gear up for the next waiver period in CFF and C2C.

Seydou Traore Sophomore Arkansas State (7/8-81-0)

Arkansas State TE Seydou Traore grew up playing soccer in France before enrolling with the NFL Academy in London. He would then go onto enrolling at Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida, for his senior season where he would play 11-on-11 football for the first time. Traore started out the year in a rotational role, with only 4 targets and 3 catches over the first two weeks; however, the last two weeks have vaulted him into CFF significance since becoming a starter, where he has brought in 13 receptions on 15 targets for 196 yards and a touchdown over that time. What I particularly like about Traore is how he creates separation from defenders with his footwork at the top of the stem, revealing the soccer background of his youth. His unique profile is completed with confident hands and the speed to breakaway after the catchpoint.