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
Reed was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. Army’s triple option CFF Coaching System ranks #4 for dual-threat quarterbacks where Dewayne Coleman will take over as a first time starter. Running back Noah Short brings more depth to this option attack that will keep defenses on their toes. Reed was highlighted six times as a Schedule Pairing selection, making him an outstanding back-up fantasy running back that can support your stars when you need it most. 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).
Arnold was selected as a Riser option for 2025. The Georgia Southern offense is known for passing, which will give Arnold room to run inside the box. This CFF Coaching System comes in at #16 for pocket passer quarterbacks, #25 for target magnet wide receivers, and #15 for POWR3 receivers. JC French returns at quarterback and the receivers are led by Josh Dallas, Dalen Cobb, and Camden Brown. Arnold provides good Schedule Pairing value, being highlighted four times. The rushing Strength Of Schedule for Georgia Southern is excellent, receiving a B+ for season long, first month of the season, and for the playoffs.
Gause was featured as a Flyer option for 2025. The North Carolina CFF Coaching System has been kind to running backs, ranking #5 in Workhorse running backs and #4 for PPR running backs. Gause will have to carry the offense on his back as the passing game is still trying to find its legs. What I like best about Gause is that he was highlighted eight times as a Schedule Pairing option. North Carolina’s rushing Strength Of Schedule is good at the start of the season but wears down as the year goes on. They received a B+ grade for the first month of the season, a B for season long, and a B- for the playoffs.
Trayanum was highlighted as a Nuclear Option for 2025. The passing game will help provide balance for defenses to contend with. Quarterback Tucker Gleason returns under center and plays in the #13 ranked CFF Coaching System for dual-threat quarterbacks. Wide receiver Junior Vandeross also returns and looks to take on the role of the WR1 in the offense. Gleason and Vandeross will make it very costly for defenses to load the box to try and stop Trayanum. Toledo’s rushing Strength Of Schedule just barely makes the cut here, receiving a B- grade for first month of the season, season long, and the playoffs.
Cooley was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. Cooley looks to benefit from a Troy CFF Coaching System that comes in at #13 for Workhorse running backs. The best complimentary player in the Troy offense is wide receiver Rara Thomas who has the talent and speed to keep defenses worried about the deep ball, as well as Roman Mothershed. Troy’s season long rushing Strength Of Schedule is nice, receiving a B+. But the first month of the season and the playoff run both received B- grades.
MY GUYS
Carson was selected as a Riser option for 2025. Air Force’s option offense has a CFF Coaching System that ranks #25 for dual-threat quarterbacks but that position is going through a change over this year. The coaches will lean more into the running game as they break in their new starting quarterback. Cade Harris provides the best support in this offense. Despite a lack of experienced help around Carson, the offense will flow through him as the centerpiece. The increased workload is one thing I love about Carson, and the other things is Air Force’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. They receive a B grade for the first month of the season, but then things improve to a B+ for season long and the playoffs.
Miller was highlighted as a Riser option for 2025. The offense will pivot away from the quarterback runs they used last year, providing Miller a bump in workload share. The passing game is breaking in a new quarterback which also is good news for Miller’s carry volume. The air attack will keep defenses honest, as Alabama’s CFF Coaching System ranks #12 in target magnet wide receivers and POWR3 receivers. Ryan Williams, Isaiah Horton, Germie Bernard, and Lotzeir Brooks will make things difficult for opposing secondaries. Miller is a good Schedule Pairing option, being mentioned four times. Miller should get off to a good start as the rushing Strength Of Schedule gets a B+ for the first month, then has a B grade for season long and the playoffs.
Washington was featured as a Riser option for 2025. The playmakers in Baylor’s offense are balanced, starting with quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Robertson can run at times and will force the defense to respect that threat. The passing game can lean on receiver Josh Cameron and Kobe Prentice to keep defenses honest and create room for Washington to run in the box. The weakest link in Washington’s resume is the team’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. The season long grade is decent with a B, but the first month of the season and the playoffs just barley make the cut with a B-.
Henderson was selected as a Riser option for 2025. It looks like Ta’Quan Roberson will be taking over the starting quarterback job and I like how coaches lean on returning running backs when new quarterbacks take over. The team does return receivers Victor Snow and JJ Jenkins which will help Roberson. So while the offense will lean on the rushing game early, the passing game won’t be completely inadequate to support Henderson. I like how the rushing Strength Of Schedule will give Henderson a good start. The first month of the season and season long grades come in at a B+, while the playoffs dip down to a B-.
Martin has spent two years as the starting running back at BYU. He’s dealt with injuries during both seasons which have held his fantasy production in check. He had the potential to get 180+ carries last season but only got a total of 138 carries. Expectations are that Martin will be healthy this season. He’ll have assistance from the passing game which is led by Jake Retzlaff, the returning quarterback. Retzlaff will be able to lean on wide receiver Chase Roberts & Parker Kingston (#38 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers). Martin was mentioned six times as a Schedule Pairing option, making him a very valuable fantasy asset. BYU’s rushing Strength Of Schedule got a B for season long, an A- for the first month, and a B+ for the playoffs.
Donelson was listed as a Nuclear Option for 2025. He’ll be used extensively in an offense that ranks #5 for PPR running back CFF Coaching Systems. The offense will utilize two running backs and Donelson will see support from Elijah Gilliam and Rayshon Luke. The coaches have been so impressed by Donelson that its likely he’ll get a bigger workload share than the RB1 historically gets in this offense. He’ll also get assistance from a passing game that features the #8 CFF Coaching System for high volume tight ends. The rushing Strength Of Schedule for Fresno State is good enough for the first month of the season and the playoffs with a B- grade, but for season long they get a nice B+ grade.
Edwards was selected as a Riser option for 2025. While the Kansas State offense is known for being good at running the football, the CFF Coaching System is absent from all rushing quarterback and running back lists. Edwards has great support on the ground from quarterback Avery Johnson who is dangerous running with the football. The passing game is complimentary at best, with no playmakers in the receiving core. The biggest selling point for Edwards is the Kansas State rushing Strength Of Schedule. Things start well with a B+ grade for the first month and season long, then gets a B for the playoffs.
Durham was highlighted as a Riser option for 2025. LSU has no shortage of talent supporting Durham. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns for his second season as the starter and he helms the #12 CFF Coaching System for pocket passer quarterbacks. This CFF Coaching system also features the #39 POWR3 receiver system. The receiver room has talent all over the place with Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, Chris Hilton, Nic Anderson, and Barion Brown. Don’t leave out tight ends Trey’Dez Green & Bauer Sharp that will work in the #28 CFF Coaching System for high volume tight ends. LSU’s rushing Strength Of Schedule features a B+ grade for season long and the playoffs, and a B for the first month of the season.
Desrosiers was selected as a Nuclear Option for 2025. He is fantastic pass catcher which fits perfectly with Memphis’ CFF Coaching System that is #3 for PPR running backs. Quarterback Brednon Lewis is another “My Guy” who’s rushing ability will take heat off of Desrosiers. That’s the extent of the talented support around Desrosiers as the receiving core is inexperienced. The rushing Strength Of Schedule plays out well with season long getting an A- grade, first month of the season a B+, but the playoffs drop down to a B- (team does have a bye in Week 13).
2025 will be the third season that Taylor has been the starting running back at Minnesota. He has dealt with injuries that have held him back from hitting 1000 yards rushing in a single season. But the Minnesota offense traditionally provides it’s RB1 the opportunity to do so as this CFF Coaching System ranks #7 for Workhorse running backs. When it comes to a successful coaching system paired with an experienced running back, Taylor tops my list of options in 2025. Things start hot but cool off as the season plays out in regards to Minnesota’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. The first month of the season gets a B+ grade, season long drops to a B, then the playoffs drop again to a B-.
Love was selected as a Nuclear Option for 2025. New starting quarterback CJ Carr won’t run the ball as much as we’ve seen in years past, freeing up more carries for Love to inherit. Carr will be aided by a deep receiver core featuring Malachi Fields, Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, and Will Pauling. While Love will have a larger workload, coaches will be able to keep him fresh as back-up running back Jadarian Price would is good enough to start on other teams. While I’m very high on Love’s increased workload this year, I also very high Notre Dame’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. They received a B+ grade for season long, first month of the season, and the fantasy playoffs.
Bangura was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. I like running backs that are paired with dual-threat quarterbacks and Bangura will get that type of support from returning starting quarterback Parker Navarro. Receiver Chase Hendricks looks ready to elevate his game playing in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #20 for target magnet wide receivers and #18 for POWR3 receivers. This balanced supporting cast will make it difficult for opposing defenses to load up the box and focus on stopping Bangura. It might be difficult drafting him as a Schedule Pairing option since his draft value is pretty high, but I did mention Bangura four times. The Ohio rushing Strength Of Schedule has a B- grade for season long, but a B+ for first month of the season, and a B for the fantasy playoffs.
Peoples was highlighted as a Flyer option for 2025. I listed him as such out of technicality, since Ohio State does feature two running backs. But People is the RB1 of this pairing and may shoulder a slightly larger workload than what we saw from the RB1 in 2024. While the quarterback position is going through a change, the receiver core is talented and features the #1 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers. Players like Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Bryson Rodgers, and Brandon Inniss will give defensive coordinators nightmares. The rushing Strength Of Schedule starts strong and fades down the stretch. Ohio State received a B+ for the first month, B for season long, and a B- for the playoffs.
Hughes started the last two seasons at Tulane and really broke-out in 2024 for CFF. Hughes won’t see a 250+ carry workload like he got at Tulane but the Oregon offense has one of the best fantasy floors for a running back. Back-up running back Noah Whittington provides support, especially in the passing game where he will be featured more than Hughes in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #10 for PPR running backs. Donte Moore looks to step into the starting quarterback job, and he’ll play in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #3 for target magnet wide receivers, and #4 for POWR3 receivers. Evan Steart, Dakorien Moore, and Jeremiah McClellan will all be contending for the WR1 role this fall. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq is set to explode in the #24 CFF Coaching System for high volume tight ends. Oregon’s rushing Strength Of Schedule gets a B+ for season long, an A for first month, and a B- for the playoffs.
Hankerson was the engine that made the Oregon State offense go in 2024. The only real support he had was from wide receiver Trent Walker (#29 CFF Coaching System for target magnet wide receivers) who returns in 2025. This is a situation where Hankerson is the big dog in the offense and the workload will flow through him yet again this year. While he’s know for a high rushing volume, this offense is #14 in CFF Coaching Systems for PPR running backs. Drafting Hankerson means he’ll be your RB1 and the thing I like least about his fantasy outlook is that he has a bye during the playoffs in week 13. Oregon State’s rushing Strength Of Schedule gets a B+ for season long, a B- for first month of the season, and a B for the playoffs.
Allen was highlighted as a Nuclear Option for 2025. Starting running back Nick Singleton provides a strong 1-2 punch for the ground game. The passing game has plenty of support as well. Quarterback Drew Allar skipped the NFL to come back for one more year and he’ll have receivers Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Ware-Hudson to throw the ball to. This CFF Coaching System is #7 in high volume tight ends and Luke Reynolds is ready to take over the starting job. Allen provides just a small amount of Schedule Pairing value, being mentioned only twice. Penn State’s Strength Of Schedule starts with a bang before drawing down later. They received an A+ for the first month of the season, a B+ for season long, but just a B- for the playoffs.
Reid transferred to Pittsburgh to follow his offensive coordinator from Western Carolina before the 2024 season. Despite being small in stature, he showed he could hold up to the physical demands of the FBS level. I love how this CFF Coaching System ranks #8 for Workhorse running backs and #6 for PPR running backs. The passing game can be a bit up and down but does provide some support from quarterback Eli Holstein, receivers Kenny Johnson and Deuce Spann, and tight end Justin Holmes. The weakest item in Reid’s resume is the team’s rushing Strength Of Schedule. While still good enough to be highlighted as a “My Guy” they received a B- for season long and the playoffs, and a B for the first month of the season.
Bullock was selected as a Riser option for 2025. Most of the skill positions around him are going through changes, but Devin Voisin is the one talented returning starter to note. Voisin along with Anthony Eager will play in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #10 in target magnet receivers and #7 in POWR3 receivers. With the starting quarterback job opening up after spring camp concluded, expect the coaches to lean on Bullock to take pressure off the new quarterback this fall. Bullock is a fantastic Schedule Pairing option, being mentioned five times. South Alabama’s rushing Strength Of Schedule isn’t the strongest, getting a B for season long and the playoffs, and a B- for the first month of the season.
Wisner was selected as a Handcuff option for 2025. I believe that Cedric Baxter won’t be fully healthy come week 1 and Wisner will command a strong workload as the starter. If he’s playing great the coaches may not look to increase Baxter’s workload and disrupt Wisner’s hot hand. This CFF Coaching System ranks #1 for Workhorse running backs and #2 for PPR running backs. Arch Manning takes over at quarterback and his running ability may help create more room for Wisner in the box. Texas features the #24 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 WRs and they are stacked with Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley, and DeAndre Moore. Jack Endries transfers in from California and will be heavily used in this CFF Coaching System that is #16 for high volume tight ends. The rushing Strength Of Schedule for Texas received a B for season long, and a B+ for first month and the playoffs.
Jordan was highlighted as a Flyer option for 2025. He’s another player that I have reported as a handcuff but I deeply feel like he’ll be the starter for the opening game of the season. Jayden Maiava returns at the quarterback position and he’ll have Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Prince Strachan to throw the ball to. This USC offense ranks #20 in CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers. Jordan was mentioned only one time for being a potential Schedule Pairing option. The USC rushing Strength Of Schedule received a B for season long, an A- for first month of the season, and I handed out a very optimistic B+ for the playoffs.
Parker was selected as a Riser option for 2025. Utah will feature dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier in the #7 CFF Coaching System for dual-threat quarterbacks. The rushing duo of Parker and Dampier will keep defenses on their toes as they try to defend both playmakers. The offense will need to find a receiver to stand apart from the pack and create a downfield threat for secondaries to contend with. Parker provides solid Schedule Pairing value being mentioned four times. Utah’s rushing Strength Of Schedule is good enough here, getting a B- for season long, and a B+ for first month and the playoffs.
White was featured as a Nuclear Option for 2025. Expect the offense to flow through him and quarterback Nico Marchiol. This CFF Coaching System is #24 for dual-threat quarterbacks. Its yet to be seen if the passing game will serve as a compliment to White. Wide receivers Cam Vaughn, Jaden bray, and Rodney Gallagher look to be the top of the receiver core. West Virginia’s rushing Strength Of Schedule is the worst thing about White’s fantasy outlook. They received a B+ for the first month of the season, but was marked down to a C+ for season long and the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 13).