Purple Reign has written about many different aspects that contribute to fantasy success and Joe Arpasi goes in-depth with many of these areas through his various articles series. The “My Guys” article series shines a spotlight on CFF players that Joe Arpasi is willing to put his stamp of approval on and are players that he looks to target in every fantasy draft. These players feature multiple aspects of fantasy success that Joe Arpasi hangs his hat on. The players featured in this article series should become your primary draft targets for the 2025 season.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Coleman was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. The Army offense features the #4 CFF Coaching System for Dual-Threat quarterbacks. He has support around him in running backs Hayden Reed & Noah Short. Due to the option based offense, Coleman’s fantasy value is tied to his rushing ability. Coleman was highlighted six times as a good Schedule Pairing selection. Army’s rushing Strength Of Schedule is one of the best, featuring an A+ grade for season long, A- for first month of the season, and an A for the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 12).
Houser was selected as a Riser option for 2025. There’s tons of talent surrounding Houser this season. East Carolina typically features a strong rushing game to keep defenses balanced, and the backfield has a strong 1-2 punch in Parker Jenkins & DeJuan Lacy. The receiver core is loaded despite replacing several starters from last season. Yannick Smith is a fantasy star that’s ready to breakout in 2025 and Jaquaize Pettaway, Anothony Smith, and Jyron Waiters provide multiple targets for Houser. These receivers will fit nicely in an offense which ranks #36 for POWR3 CFF Coaching Systems. East Carolina’s passing Strength Of Schedule is pretty good with season long and first month of the season receiving a B+ grade, and a B- for the playoffs.
Veltkamp was selected as a Nuclear Option for 2025. This will be the first season for the new offense at Florida Atlantic, but this CFF Coaching System ranks #8 for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. This offense also features the wide receiver position very well as it ranks #16 for CFF Coaching Systems for target magnet wide receivers and #10 for POWR3 wide receivers. The receiver core is led by the Nuclear potential of Easton Messer and the Flyer potential of Sean (JR) Wilson. From a passing Strength Of Schedule standpoint Florida Atlantic gets a B- grade for first month of the season, but gets a C+ for the season long, and a C the playoffs.
Beck suffered an elbow injury at the end of last season and did not start throwing the ball again until mid April. The injury is expected to be fully healed by fall camp leaving him with no restrictions on his play. The Miami offense is ranked #4 for CFF Coaching Systems for target magnet wide receivers. Beck has plenty of receiving targets to throw to with receivers Joshisa Trader, CJ Daniels, Nathaniel Joseph, and tight end Elija Lofton. Beck was featured as a Schedule Pairing selection three times, meaning he could be a suitable back-up quarterback for your fantasy roster. I’m a fan of Miami’s passing Strength Of Schedule as they get a B+ for season long and first month of the season, and a B for the fantasy playoffs.
McIvor was selected as a Nuclear Option for 2025. The Western Kentucky offense was featured for CFF Coaching Systems as #3 for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. This offense also ranks as #8 in CFF Coaching Systems for target magnet wide receivers and #3 in CFF Coaching Systems for POWR3 receivers. The wide receiver room is talented with Matthew Henry, KD Hutchinson, and Jairus Mack all providing support. McIvor managed to be selected twice as a Schedule Pairing selection. The passing Strength Of Schedule is very good with season long receiving a B+ grade, a B+ for the first month of the season, and a B- for the playoffs despite an awful match-up with LSU in week 13.
MY GUYS
Simpson was featured as a Flyer option for 2025. The offense should revert away from the quarterback run game we saw last season, making Simpson’s fantasy value tied to his arm. The running game will be strong with Jam Miller, and the wide receivers are loaded for 2025. Ryan Williams, Isaiah Horton, Germie Bernard, and Lotzeir Brooks will keep opposing secondaries on their toes. The passing nature of this offense is friendly to receivers, ranking #12 for CFF Coaching Systems for target magnet wide receivers and POWR3 receivers. Simpson managed to be featured twice as a Schedule Pairing selection. Alabama has an average passing Strength Of Schedule but its good enough to receive grades of B for the first month of the season and playoffs, and B- for season long.
Leavitt is one of my favorite quarterbacks to target if you want to utilize a Wait On Quarterback draft strategy. The running game will help take pressure off of Leavitt with the duo of Kanye Udoh & Kyson Brown. He also gets star receiver Jordyn Tyson back and the support of Fresno State transfer Jalen Moss. He provides a good Schedule Pairing option, being featured four times if you intend to draft him as a QB2. I love the passing Strength Of Schedule for Big 12 teams. Arizona State received an A- grade for the first month of the season, and a B+ for season long and the playoffs.
Klubnik has been my #1 QB going all the way back to my first player rankings in February. Coming off a great 2024 fantasy season, its very likely the coaches will utilize the passing game more in 2025 to feature Klubnik as a Heisman contender. He has one of the deepest receiver cores to throw to with the talented Antonio Williams, TJ Moore, and Bryant Wesco all coming back this season. He should receive even more help from new breakout tight end Olsen Patt Henry (#17 CFF Coaching System for high volume tight ends), and running back Adam Randall who will be hard to handle catching the ball out of the backfield as he is a converted wide receiver. The passing Strength Of Schedule for Clemson is above average with a B+ grade for the first month of the season, and B grades for season long and the playoffs.
Mensah was featured as a Riser option for 2025. While the Duke offense didn’t live up to expectations last season it does rank #18 for CFF Coaching Systems for pocket passer quarterbacks. The wide receiver core is going through an overhaul but the offense does come in at #27 in CFF Coaching Systems for POWR3 receivers. Wide receiver Que'Sean Brown looks to become a breakout star this season, with Andrel Anthony, Sahmir Hagans, and tight end Landen King providing depth. As a Schedule Pairing option, Mensah was featured four times. Duke’s passing Strength Of Schedule just barely makes the cut receiving a B- grade for season long, first month, and playoffs.
Mendoza was selected as a Nuclear Option for 2025. Indiana likes to utilize the ground game to create balance in their offense, and with Mendoza getting an expected larger share of that workload he will be supported by running backs Roman Hemby, Lee Beebe, and Kaelon Black. The wide receivers lack major playmakers but this group is deep with Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper, Makai Jackson, and Jonathan Brady. Seeing how Mendoza will be a back-up quarterback on your fantasy roster, I like the value you get with him being selected four times as a Schedule Pairing option. I was honestly surprised at how kind Indiana’s passing Strength Of Schedule is for 2025. They received an A grade for first month of the season, and a B+ for season long and the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 13).
Nussmeier had a good fantasy season as a first-time starter in 2024 and he looks to improve his production this season. He is the trigger man in an offense that ranks #12 in CFF Coaching Systems for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. There are more receiving targets on this team than Nussmeier will know what to do with. Running back Caden Durham is a terror catching the ball out of the backfield. The receivers are loaded as well. Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, Chris Hilton, Nic Anderson, and Barion Brown will all see action and provide fresh legs that can stretch a secondary. This group is a perfect compliment for an offense that ranks #39 for CFF Coaching Systems for POWR3 receivers. The offense also ranks #28 in CFF Coaching Systems for high volume tight ends. LSU has two good tight ends on the roster in Trey'Dez Green & Bauer Sharp. LSU’s passing Strength Of Schedule isn’t the strongest but still adequate with a first month of the season grade of B+, B for season long, and B- for the fantasy playoffs.
Lewis was selected as a Riser option for 2025. The Memphis offense is seen as a pocket passer offense but over the last three seasons the quarterback has averaged 106 rushing attempts. Lewis is a dynamic rusher and that size of rushing workload is very promising. This offense loves to throw the ball to the running back (#3 CFF Coaching System for PPR running backs) and Gregory Desrosiers is a dangerous receiving option. The biggest knock on Lewis’ support this season is the lack of experienced receivers. Drafting him as a back-up provides great Schedule Pairing potential as he was featured 5 times. The Strength Of Schedule for Memphis starts hot then wanes as the season progresses. The first month of the season has an A- for passing and B+ for rushing, season long has an A- for passing and rushing, but the playoffs bring a B for passing and a B- for rushing (team does have a bye in Week 13).
Simmons was highlighted as a Flyer option for 2025. He will be used in the running game, and he will be paired with Kewan Lacy, Damien Taylor, and Logan Diggs at running back. Simmons has several pass catching options to lean on. Wide receivers Cayden Lee & De'Zhaun Stribling are dangerous weapons, and tight ends Daequan Wright & Luke Hasz provide even more weapons. Those tight ends will be utilized heavily as this offense ranks #5 in CFF Coaching Systems for high volume tight ends. When it comes to Simmons as a Schedule Pairing option, I highlighted him five times. I really like the way Mississippi’s Strength Of Schedule lays out for an SEC team. For season long, first month, and playoffs I handed out a B+ grade (team does have a bye in Week 13).
Horvath broke out on the fantasy scene last season, and 2025 looks to be another fantasy productive year. The Navy option offense is the #8 CFF Coaching System for Dual-Threat quarterbacks. Fullback Alex Tecza provides a strong inside presence in the running game, and slot back Eli Heidenreich is a real threat in the play action passing game (#18 CFF Coaching System for PPR running backs). The strongest thing going for Horvath in 2025 is the amazing rushing Strength Of Schedule where Navy gets an A grade for season long, A+ for first month of the season, and B+ for the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 13).
Poffenbarger was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. Things look like he has the edge to eventually be named the starting quarterback of the #5 CFF Coaching System for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. The North Texas offense is also featured as the #37 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers. The trio of Miles Coleman, Simeon Evans, and Landon Sides at receiver will give opposing secondaries headaches. There’s not a lot of Schedule Pairing potential for Poffenbarger but he was featured twice. The passing Strength Of Schedule for North Texas has a B+ grade for first month of the season and season long, while the playoffs grade drops down to a B-.
Mateer was the fantasy QB1 last season at Washington State and his move to Oklahoma has given some fantasy owners hesitation in drafting him. Things that can’t be ignored is the Oklahoma CFF Coaching System which is #3 for Dual-Threat quarterbacks, #2 for Pocket Passer quarterbacks, #11 for target magnet wide receivers, and #8 for POWR3 receivers. Jaydn Ott was brought in to bolster the ground game and wide receivers Deion Burks, Javonnie Gibson, and Jayden Gibson provide weapons on the outside. While the Oklahoma passing Strength Of Schedule for first month of the season is a B+ grade, the season long and playoffs grade is only a C+. Due to this schedule grading I would not try and draft Mateer as a QB1, and it might be hard to land him as a QB2 without sacrificing too much at running back and receiver early in your drafts.
Jennings took over the starting quarterback job during the 2024 season, and had a mix of high and lows in his play. He is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback and should look to be more consistent in his play during his second year as the starter. Running backs Tomarion Harden & Dramekco Green will take pressure off of Jennings in the rushing game. While the SMU CFF Coaching System ranks #17 for target magnet wide receivers and #21 for POWR3 receivers, there is a lack of talented playmakers in the receiver core. Yamir Knight & Jordan Hudson would be the top two receivers on the roster. Star tight end RJ Maryland returns from injury and if he is 100% healthy will be a valuable pass catching target. While being mentioned five times, Jennings is a valuable Schedule Pairing option for your fantasy bench. SMU’s Strength Of Schedule for the first month of the season is an A- for passing and B+ for rushing, for season long they receive a B+ for both passing and rushing, and for the playoffs they get a B- for passing and B+ for rushing (team does have a bye in Week 12).
Hoover enters his second year as the starting quarterback and he looks to be a productive spot-start fantasy back-up quarterback. I’ll start by looking at Hoover as a Schedule Pairing option, where I mentioned him five times. This is what I value most in Hoover from a fantasy perspective. The TCU offense can hold solid fantasy value which is evident in this CFF Coaching System being #13 for target magnet wide receivers, #11 in POWR3 receivers, and #2 for high volume tight ends. Hoover will have star in the making wide receiver Eric McAlister to throw the ball to, along with the winner of the tight end battle (Ka'Morreun Pimpton & D'Andre Rogers). While I view Hoover as a spot start schedule paired player, TCU’s passing Strength Of Schedule for the first month of the season is a B+, a B for season long, and a B- for the fantasy playoffs.
Manning was featured as a Riser option for 2025. He will take over the starting job in an offense that has been filled with playmakers all around him. Running backs Tre Wisner & Cedric Baxter will take advantage of the CFF Coaching System that ranks #1 in workhorse running backs and #2 for PPR running backs. Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley, and DeAndre Moore make up a talented receiver core which plays in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #24 in POWR3 receivers. This CFF System also ranks #16 for high volume tight ends where California transfer Jack Endries looks to make a huge splash in 2025. Texas has a decent passing Strength Of Schedule where they received a B grade for season long and first month of the season, and a B+ for the playoffs.
Reed was selected as a Riser option for 2025. Reed is a perfect fit for the Texas A&M offense which has a CFF Coaching System that ranks #16 for dual-threat quarterbacks. Running backs Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens provides guys that can help keep the defense from over focusing on Reed in the ground game. While the passing game is mostly complimentary to Reed’s fantasy rushing value he has been provided with an upgraded receiver core that features Kevin Concepcion, Mario Craver, and Terry Bussey. Reed isn’t much of a Schedule Pairing option but he was mentioned one time. I’ll focus on Texas A&M’s rushing Strength Of Schedule since it applies the most to Reed’s fantasy value. They got a B+ grade for the first month of the season and a B grade for season long and the playoffs.
Gleason spent 2024 as a first time starter and he put up fantasy numbers that are right near the best that head coach Jason Candle has ever had. Gleason had fantasy value in the rushing game and that fits nicely into Toledo’s CFF Coaching System that ranks #13 for Dual-Threat quarterbacks. The rushing game got a big upgrade when Chip Trayanum transferred into the team. Wide receiver Junior Vandeross returns and looks to be the primary pass catcher. Gleason provides just a little Schedule Pairing value as he was only mentioned twice. I do think the Strength Of Schedule for Toledo is solid for fantasy production. They received a B- grade for season long passing & rushing, B+ for first month of the season passing and B- for rushing, and finally for the playoffs got a B+ for passing & B- for rushing.
Maiava was selected as a Riser option for 2025. While USC’s offense features a CFF Coaching System that ranks #1 for Dual-Threat quarterbacks, Maiava is not the type of running quarterback that head coach Lincoln Riley has had in the past. JUCO transfer running back Waymond Jordan has emerged as a player ready to explode onto the scene in 2025. USC is never at a loss for wide receivers as Makai Lemon, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Prince Strachan will support Maiava in a passing game that ranks #20 in CFF Coaching Systems for POWR3 receivers. While Maiava was featured once in the Schedule Pairing article, I don’t really view him for schedule pairing use. While there are spots of USC’s passing Strength Of Schedule that I don’t like I still managed to hand out a B- grade for season long and the playoffs, and a B+ for first month of season.
McCown was highlighted as a Nuclear Option for 2025. He helms an offense with a CFF Coaching System that ranks #10 for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. The offense also features a CFF Coaching System rank of #25 for target magnet wide receivers. Both Devin McCuin & David Amador could contend for that WR1 spot, and there’s a chance that De'Corian Clark finally returns from injury this fall. He can also lean on two good tight ends in the passing game with Houston Thomas & Patrick Overmyer. McCown provides good Schedule Pairing potential as he was mentioned four times. UTSA has a decent passing Strength Of Schedule, receiving a B grade for the first month and for season long, and a B- for the playoffs.
Pavia moved up from the Group of 5 level to the SEC last year and proved he can ball with the best of them. He followed his offensive coordinator to Vanderbilt to keep playing in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #21 for dual-threat quarterbacks. There is a limited cast of supporting players surrounding Pavia. The best supporting cast is running back Sedrick Alexander, receiver Junior Sherrill, and star tight end Eli Stowers. Pavia will likely be used for spot starts, and I did identify two Schedule Pairing matches where he can be utilized. This dual usage for Pavia perfectly fits his draft profile where he could be a QB3 in a “QB Wait” draft strategy. Since Pavia’s fantasy value is tied to his legs, I focused on Vanderbilt’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. They were given a B- grade for season long, B for first month of the season, and B+ for the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 12).
Williams was highlighted as a Nuclear Option for 2025. His supporting cast is strong, starting with running back Jonah Coleman (CFF Coaching System #17 for PPR running backs). The Washington offense has a good history ranking in CFF Coaching Systems #22 for target magnet wide receivers and #13 for POWR3 receivers. Those receivers are lead by standout Denzel Boston and newcomer Kevin Green. He also has a stable of tight ends to throw the ball to in Decker DeGraaf, Quentin Moore, and Ryan Otton. Washington’s Strength Of Schedule is better than I expected. For season long and the playoffs they got a grade of B+ for passing and B- for rushing, and for the first month of the season has a B+ for passing and B for rushing.