College Fantasy Football QB Preview: Signal-callers can be waited on, until they can't

In one-quarterback leagues, and even in Superflex formats , the quarterback pool is quite plentiful compared to their NFL counterparts. From a sheer numbers perspective, there are 68 teams comprising the Power Four player pool (with Notre Dame), with just 12 signal-callers starting on any given week (up to 24 in Superflex).

Your eight bench spots thin out quickly, which compels managers to churn through players on bye weeks and in time shares. In the standard 1QB format, rostering two quarterbacks seems to be the sweet spot from a roster construction standpoint in 1QB leagues, so as to not leave yourself short on RB /WR depth. The ability to stream waiver wire pickups who are facing poor defenses make the high-end quarterbacks valuable and the middle-to-lower tier easily replaceable

You will want to roster four QBs in Superflex leagues if possible, so expanding rosters to 20 players with a 10-man bench is advised. Utilizing a two-quarterback rotation in a Superflex format is not going to suffice with bye weeks, schedule quirks and injuries looming. Ideally a 4QB construction will allow you the flexibility to play matchups and still be covered in case an unexpected change of circumstances arises.

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Draft strategy

Your draft approach will vary depending on whether you play Superflex or 1QB formats. In standard Yahoo 1QB leagues I wouldn’t take any signal-caller except Arch in the top-50. For the top-100 and I’d expand that list to Trinidad Chambliss, Devon Dampier and Drew Mestemaker, in that order. Keep in mind the 4-point passing touchdown format greatly depreciates the efficacy of pass-only, pro style quarterbacks. So I wouldn’t make the mistake of reaching for Dante Moore within the first 10 rounds when you can take a dual-threat with 25 FPPG potential later on.

Dual-threat QBs capable of rushing for 400+ yards should be your priority, as just four of the 33 Power Conference quarterbacks who rushed for less than 200 yards eclipsed the 20-point threshold. Conversely, each of the top-10 QB scorers from last year ran for at least 200+ yards, with all of the top-6 eclipsing the key 400-yard barrier. In 6-point pass TD leagues, I tend to lean towards the projectability of air raid-type QBs who attempt around 40 passes per game in 30+ PPG capable offenses. However in 4-point pass TD formats I narrow that preference down to the truly elite pro-style quarterbacks, and shift my resources to athletic dual-threats who can also process and operate within structure to a reasonable degree.

QB rankings

1.

Arch Manning

TEX

2.

Trinidad Chambliss

MISS

3.

Devon Dampier

UTAH

4.

Drew Mestemaker

OKST

5.

Sam Leavitt

LSU

6.

Conner Weigman

HOU

7.

Demond Williams Jr.

WAS

8.

Kamario Taylor

MSST

9.

Dante Moore

ORE

10.

Jayden Maiava

USC

11.

Gunner Stockton

UGA

12.

John Mateer

OU

Targets

Sam Leavitt, LSU - Bears all the hallmarks and traits of former fantasy-relevant Lane Kiffin quarterbacks like former CFF stars Matt Corral and Jaxson Dart. Leavitt is a fierce competitor and has an uncanny ability to make plays out of the pocket.

Trinidad Chambliss, MISS - Took the SEC by storm last year and benefits from an extra year of eligibility. Could potentially challenge Arch for the No. 1 spot if the rebuilt wide receiver corps gels quickly.

Jayden Maiava, USC - Lincoln Riley is a kingmaker at the CFF quarterback position and Maiava is next up. Ran for six touchdowns last season, as Riley likes to use his large frame in Gold Zone RPO situations, so Maiava’s legs have enough juice to complement his verified passing acumen.

Fades

Byrum Brown, AUB - Funky throwing mechanics and a gigantic leap in competition clouds his upside. Brown had issues running the Alex Golesh offense against the type of high level competition he will face weekly. He’s still worth drafting for his athleticism, but not in the top-10.

John Mateer, OU - Not comfortable in the pocket, but has playmaking intangibles and pass volume on his side. How much did Mateer’s hand injury affect his performance in 2025, and can he clean up the mechanical flaws?

Julian Sayin, OSU - Total lack of rushing ability and glacial pace of play limits his startability. Despite being the most accurate quarterback in the country who pilots a lethal offense, Sayin is a late-rounder in 1QB leagues.

Top sleeper

Mason Heintschel — PITT: The raw rushing totals understate Heintschel’s athleticism, as he broke 19 tackles despite producing only 86 yards and two touchdowns in nine starts as a true freshman. Pitt’s ghastly OL that allowed 44 sacks last year has been rebuilt and now boasts six linemen who have started 11+ games in the 138-team FBS. I expect Heintschel to emerge into a top-20 QB in his sophomore season.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →