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 MENTION
Lofton was featured as a Flyer option for 2025. Lofton will be surrounded by supporting talent that starts at the quarterback position with veteran Carson Beck. Receivers CJ Daniels, Joshia Trader, Nathaniel Joseph, and Tony Johnson will help open up the secondary for Lofton to have room. Miami features the #4 CFF Coaching System for Target Magnet wide receivers. Miami’s passing Strength Of Schedule will make things easier for Lofton to be successful by getting a B+ grade for season long and first month, and a B for the playoffs.
Green was selected as a Handcuff option for 2025. I’m willing to invest in Green as he has better touchdown potential compared to Bauer Sharp. It also helps that he is playing in the #28 CFF Coaching System for High Volume tight ends. Green will have a plethora of talented receivers surrounding him with Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, Chris Hilton, Nic Anderson, and Barin Brown (#39 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers). Garrett Nussmeier will be lining up under center for his second season as the starter within a CFF Coaching System that is #12 for Pocket Passer quarterbacks. The final piece of support in this offense is running back Caden Durham. The LSU passing Strength Of Schedule got a B grade for season long, B+ for first month, and a B- for the playoffs.
MY GUYS
Lauter was selected as a Riser option for 2025. He may likely lead the team in receptions over the likes of receivers Latrell Caples, Chase Penny, and Cameron Bates. Maddux Madsen returns for his second season as the starting quarterback who’s built a strong connection with Lauter. The Boise State CFF Coaching System is known for being #2 for Workhorse running backs and #1 for PPR running backs. The backfield will be led by Malik Sherrod, Sire Gaines, and Jambres Dubar. The Boise State passing Strength Of Schedule gets a B grade for season long and the playoffs, and a B+ for the first month of the season.
Royer was highlighted as a Riser option for 2025. The offense is replacing its top receivers which means that Royer has a realistic chance to lead the team in receiving. Jeff Caldwell, Cyrus Allen, and Caleb Goodie will try to stake their claim in the receiving room. The passing game does get some stability in Brendan Sorsby who will enter his second season as the starting quarterback. Running back Evan Pryor should see his role increase in the offense but he’ll have to fend off Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker. Cincinnati’s passing Strength Of Schedule gets better as the season unfolds. The first month of the season received a B- grade, while season long and the playoffs get upgraded to a B+.
Patt-Henry was selected as a Flyer option for 2025. He will be playing in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #15 in High Volume tight ends. The talented trio of wide receivers Antonio Williams, TJ Moore, and Bryant Wesco will surround Patt-Henry. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns for his third year as the starter who will garner Heisman Trophy buzz this fall. Adam Randall made the move from receiver to running back this spring and locked down the starting running back role. Clemson’s passing Strength Of Schedule received a B+ for the first month of the year, and a B for season long and the playoffs.
Last season was the first year that Fleming was a starter at Georgia State. He had a fantastic breakout season scoring 116 fantasy points from 79 targets, 49 receptions, 558 yards, and 6 TDs. The one downside to his play was that he only scored a TD in four of his twelve games though. He transferred to Maryland who has the #19 CFF Coaching System for High Volume tight ends. Malik Washington appears to have a leg up in the quarterback competition, and Nolan Ray looks ready for his move into the starting running back job (#16 CFF Coaching System for PPR running backs). Fleming will get assistance from wide receivers Jalil Farooq, Octavian Smith, and Kaleb Webb. But the Maryland passing Strength Of Schedule won’t do Fleming many favors. They received a B- grade for the first month of the year, and a C for season long and the playoffs.
During the 2023 season at Oregon State Velling scored 106 fantasy points. When he transferred to Michigan State the expectations were high but he only produced 63 fantasy points in 2024. He provides a good fantasy floor and with quarterback Aidan Chiles entering his second year as the starter, hopes are Velling can get back to the 100 fantasy point mark. There’s been a good amount of change over at the other skill positions. Nick Marsh, Chrishon McCray, Omari Kelly, and Evan Boyd will look to make an impact at wide receiver. The running back position is wide open with Jace Clarizio, Elijah Tau-Tolliver, Makhi Frazier, and Brandon Tullis are competing for playing time. Michigan State’s passing Strength Of Schedule starts off well with a B+ grade for the first month, then dips to a C+ for season long, and a C for the playoffs.
Sadiq was featured as a Nuclear Option for 2025. He plays in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #24 for High Volume tight ends. This CFF Coaching System is also very good for receivers, ranking #3 for Target Magnet wide receivers and #4 for POWR3 receivers. Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, and Jeremiah McClellan will be competing to see who can come out as the WR1. Dante Moore looks like the favorite to take over the quarterback job, and running back Makhi Hughes steps into the starting role of the #10 CFF Coaching System for PPR running backs. The Oregon passing Strength Of Schedule gets tougher as the year wears on. They received an A grade for the first month of the year, a B+ for season long, and a B- for the playoffs.
Reynolds was highlighted as a Flyer option for 2025. He will be stepping into the TE1 role in the #6 CFF Coaching System for High Volume tight ends. Reynolds will be able to rely on the steady play of third-year starting quarterback Drew Allar. The rushing game features a two-headed monster with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The receiving core was upgraded with the additions of Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Ware-Hudson. Penn State’s passing Strength Of Schedule gets a B grade for season long, A for the first month, and a B- for the fantasy playoffs.
Endries was selected as a Riser option for 2025. Transferring to Texas was a wise decision as this CFF Coaching System is #14 for High Volume tight ends. Arch Manning will be tossing the ball to Endries in his first season as the starting quarterback. Tre Wisner and Cedric Baxter head up a running room that plays in a CFF Coaching System that ranks #1 for Workhorse running backs and #2 for PPR running backs. Receivers Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley, and DeAndre Moore will all benefit from playing in the #24 CFF Coaching System for POWR3 receivers. Texas has a solid passing Strength Of Schedule which was given a B grade for season long and the first month, and a B+ for the playoffs.
2023 was Stowers’ first year as a starter where he scored 98 fantasy points. He improved his production in 2024 to 123 fantasy points from 76 targets, 49 receptions, 638 yards, and 5 TDs. Stowers was the favorite target of quarterback Diego Pavia who built a strong connection with him last year. Both players return to lead the Vanderbilt passing attack again for 2025. Running back Sedrick Alexander and receiver Trent Hudson provide support for Stowers. The passing Strength Of Schedule for Vanderbilt starts out with a B+ grade for the first month off the year, a C+ for season long, and a C for the playoffs (team does have a bye in Week 12).