After reviewing teams from across the country Purple Reign has identified players that look will take a leap in their fantasy value for the 2025 College Fantasy Football season. These players are divided into two groups:
RISERS
These are players that have some form of past statistic production. These players have a high fantasy floor, presenting less risk when drafting them.
FLYERS
These are players that have limited to no past statistical production. These players have a low fantasy floor, presenting more risk when drafting them.
**This article will be updated as position battles sort themselves out through the summer**
HONORABLE MENTION: RISERS
Jo'Nathan Silver – Delaware
96.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
Silver spent 2024 as the team’s #2 running back and is poised to move into the starting role for 2025. Last year’s starter Marcus Yarns scored 188 fantasy points, with a large chunk of that production coming from receiving touch downs. This offense doesn’t hammer the ball on the ground which is evident in the combined carries for Yarns and Silver being 203 rushing attempts. The two did combine for nearly 30 receptions. Delaware may be playing from behind this season and increased passing production could help with Silver’s PPR value. I don’t foresee him being a top 40 fantasy back but he could still be someone worth taking a shot on at the very end of best ball drafts.
Omari Arnold – Georgia Southern
92.6 Fantasy Points In 2024
Arnold has spent the last two seasons as the RB2 in the Georgia Southern offense. The fantasy points he produced during those two years lines up with what the RB2’s did in 2022 and 2019 for head coach Clay Helton. Jalen White was the starter for the last three seasons and averaged 176 fantasy points per season. Without any real competition to challenge for the starting job, Arnold looks poised to take the mantle. He is likely to see carries in the 160 range like White did, but Arnold is a better pass catcher and brings better PPR value than White did. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arnold hits 1000 yards and 10 TDs on the ground with 200 yards and 2 TDs through the air.
Jalen Buckley – Western Michigan
141.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
Over the past two seasons Buckley has been slowly ascending the depth chart. As the RB3 in 2023, he rose to the RB2 role in 2024. Last year’s RB1 Jaden Nixon transferred leaving Buckley to take over the RB1 job. Just like I mentioned with Robert Henry, Buckley must find a way to break precedent to command a workload large enough to live up to his status as a Riser for 2025. Offensive coordinator Walt Bell has always utilized a two back philosophy going all the way back to 2018. The 2021 season at UMass is the only time where Bell’s RB1 had more than 170 carries. That year Ellis Merriweather had 218 carries while producing 177 fantasy points. Jaden Nixon last season produced 176 fantasy points on just 143 carries. If Buckley can increase his workload to 160 carries he could hit the 200 fantasy point threshold if he is as productive as Nixon was last year. He does have to contend with Zahir Abdus-Salaam in the RB2 role who has a talent level that is not that far off from Buckley.
HONORABLE MENTION: FLYERS
Hayden Reed – Army
42.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
Reed has spent his career as a back-up for the Black Knights, but has logged 32 career game appearances over three seasons. In the team’s bowl game last season he was placed into the starting line-up and racked up 20 carries for 114 yards and 1 TD against Louisiana Tech. While he wasn’t named the starter in spring camp, he played that role with the #1 offense. His play also showed that he was the most consistent producer at fullback on the roster. Last season starting fullback Kanye Udoh ran the ball 179 times for 1117 yards and 10 TDs, showing that there is the opportunity for good fantasy production from the fullback in offensive coordinator Cody Worley’s system.
Nolan Ray – Maryland
62.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
The coaching staff at Maryland knew that Ray had talent and last season used him as a rotation back to give him game time experience. He played in 12 games and carried the ball 75 times. The coaches knew that starting running back Roman Hemby might leave for the NFL or the portal in the offseason which he eventually did. With no real competition in sight, Ray moves up into the starting line-up for 2025. Ray is probably a hit or miss Flyer option. Head coach Mike Locksley has only had one running back carry the ball for more than 145+ carries one time going all the way back to 2018. Hemby logged 188 carries in 2022 and scored 211 fantasy points. Two other backs have scored 170+ fantasy points in Locksley’s history but they did that with 128 and 120 carries. Ray should command a large percentage of the carry distribution, but can this Maryland team stay competitive enough in games where the running game can remain in the play calling game script? That question will end up determining Ray’s fantasy outlook this season.
Trevion Cooley – Troy
3.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
The spring transfer portal was not kind to the Troy ground game, losing star running back Damien Taylor. The coaches needed to find a replacement and they found Trevion Cooley from Georgia Tech. In four seasons at Tech and Louisville he holds a career average of 4.7 yards per carry which should only increase at the Group Of 5 level of competition. Head coach Gerad Parker has a history of splitting carries and using a workhorse back. Jordan Lovett is the closest competition on this roster, but I feel like Cooley’s talent level is higher and he has a decent shot of getting the lions share of carries.
RISERS
Dylan Carson – Air Force
90.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
Carson was expected to be a major factor in Air Force’s offseason last year, but injuries kept him from receiving the workload many fantasy analysts expected. By the time November rolled around he was healthy and a large workload appeared. Over the last four games of 2024 Carson’s per game averages were 18.6 fantasy points from 24 carries for 111 yards and 1.25 TDs. Expectations see those averages carry into the 2025 season. His 18.6 fantasy points per game average would extrapolate out to 223 fantasy points over a 12 game season. Offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen has had 200+ fantasy point running backs before, coming in 2021 and 2022.
Jam Miller – Alabama
136.3 Fantasy Points In 2024
2024 saw Miller step into the starting running back role for Alabama but his fantasy production was held in check by the coaches utilizing two running backs and Jalen Milroe in the ground game. With running back Justice Haynes and Milroe gone, there are 246 carries available for Miller to gain a piece of. Dre'lyn Washington was brought in from Louisiana-Lafayette but since he is not the same caliber of running back that Haynes was, its hard to say if Washington will see 78 carries like Haynes got last year. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has only given one running back 200+ carries and that was Dillon Johnson in 2023 at Washington. That was due to the RB2 going down with a knee injury for the year early in fall camp. I think Miller could get 180 carries this season and 200+ carries is not completely out of the picture.
Bryson Washington – Baylor
213.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
Bryson Washington made a name for himself during his freshman season at Baylor. It wasn’t until the month of October when Washington was given the opportunity to carry a larger workload and he didn’t disappoint. In four of the last six games of the regular season he scored 27+ fantasy points. His touchdown production was very hot & cold last season, but I suspect that won’t be the case in 2025. The coaches know what they have in Washington and he will become a centerpiece of this offense.
AL-Jay Henderson – Buffalo
197.1 Fantasy Points In 2024
2024 saw two different worlds for Henderson in the Buffalo offense. For the first five games of the season he was not used as a feature back, but that changed once October hit. The coaches then utilized Henderson as the primary back and his fantasy production soared. Over the last eight games of 2024 Henderson averaged 21.1 fantasy points per game. Take that number and plug it into a 12 game season and you get 253.2 fantasy points. With Buffalo breaking in a new quarterback you could see the offense lean on Henderson even more to start the year off. I think Henderson will come up just short of being a Nuclear option, but he has the best chance of anyone featured in this article.
Dylan Edwards – Kansas State
119.4 Fantasy Points In 2024
Edwards transferred to Kansas State in 2024 and spent that season as the back-up to DJ Giddens. His workload was held in check and he never received more than eight carries in a game with Giddens around. Giddens declared for the NFL draft and sat out the bowl game, leaving Edwards with an opportunity to show what he could do as the starter. In that game he ran the ball 18 times for 196 yards and 2 TD, along with 2 receptions for 27 yards and 1 TD in the air for an eyepopping 41.3 fantasy points. While Joe Jackson and Gabe Ervin are two talented back-ups, they won’t be able to push Edwards from the starting gig. Due to Edwards’ small frame those two will probably be used to give Edwards breaks in games and hold him back from 200 carries. Edwards is a name you’ll have to target very early in drafts as he'll likely be a RB1 or RB2 on most people’s fantasy rosters.
Caden Durham – LSU
162.9 Fantasy Points In 2024
To say that Durham is an explosive athlete is an understatement. As a true freshman in 2024 he broke into the running back rotation and saw playing time from the start of the season. He only received more than 15 carries twice last year, but he did have six games with 15+ total touches. He would typically be targeted around four times a game making him a great PPR asset. His carries are bound to increase this season even with last year’s RB2 Josh Williams back again. Durham delt with an ankle injury during spring camp and was seen in a walking about when not active as a precaution. Assuming the ankle is fully healed by fall camp, Durham has an chance at reaching 200 fantasy points this year.
Update 6/10
Daylan Smothers – North Carolina State
140.9 Fantasy Points In 2024
After starting his career at Oklahoma, Daylan Smothers transfered to NC State in 2024. In that season he split carries with Jordan Waters and Kendrick Raphael in the Wolfpack backfield. This trio split the rushing workload 89/95/78 carries each. Now Waters and Raphael are gone, leaving the backfield firmly in Smothers’ hands. He was explosive last season averaging 6.4 yards per carry and 13.8 yards per reception. Head coach Dave Doeren doesn’t have much of a history when it comes to force-feeding a feature back, but we did see it once since 2018. In that 2018 season Reggie Gallaspy ran the ball 228 times for 1091 yards and 18 TDs.
Kentrel Bullock – South Alabama
152.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
While Fluff Bothwell was the name everyone focused on last season, Bullock actually lead the team in carries in 2024. Bothwell scored 176 fantasy points but Bullock was right behind with 152 fantasy points. Bothwell left for Mississippi State and 112 carries are up for grabs this season. With Bothwell gone for last season’s bowl game Bullock carried the ball 17 times for 130 yards and 1 TD. Bullock dominated the running back group in spring camp, cementing his place as the RB1 in the offense. Head coach Major Applewhite had a workhorse back from 2022-2023 in La’Damian Webb who scored 228 & 229 fantasy points during those two season. Bullock looks like he could hit that level of fantasy production with an estimated 195 carries and 30 target workload.
Jevyon Ducker – Temple
135.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
I am covering both Jeyvon Ducker and Joquez Smith together here, but realize that Smith technically qualifies as a Flyer. Ducker had just one 1000 yard season in his career, back in 2021 at Northern Illinois. He transferred from Sam Houston to Temple in the winter transfer portal and over the course of spring camp locked down the starting running back job. Offensive coordinator Tyler Walker commanded one of the best offenses at the FCS level. I can’t say that Temple will duplicate the numbers you see in the chart below, but Ducker is the safest guy to take a chance on him being a workhorse.
Tre Wisner – Texas
195.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
Wisner had a good 2024, leading the team in rushing attempts and scoring nearly 200 points. He was splitting time with Jaydon Blue but he is now off to the NFL. Cedric Baxter remains as Wisner’s top competition but he suffered a horrific knee injury last season. While the coaches make statements that Baxter “should” be healthy by game 1, my gut tells me that he won’t be close to 100% healthy and the coaches won’t start using him much until October. This leaves Wisner to become the workhorse of the offense.
Quinten Joyner – Texas Tech
84.7 Fantasy Points In 2024
As a high school recruit Quinten Joyner received a four-star rating and was ranked as the #4 running back in his class. Through two seasons at USC he saw the field as a back-up, but with 81 total carries he averaged an impressive 7.4 yards per carry over his two seasons. When it was announced during the winter that he was transferring to Texas Tech fantasy analysts were instantly excited for what this would mean for his fantasy value. Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich has only had one workhorse back in his time at Texas State but Joyner looks to be inline for that level of workload due to the lack of talent behind him.
Wayshawn Parker – Utah
119.8 Fantasy Points In 2024
Parker took no time making his presence felt at Washington State last season, earning himself playing time as a freshman. While the Cougars offense wasn’t know for featuring the running backs, Parker managed 137 carries which was more than any other running back for the history of that offensive system. During the winter he made the decision to transfer to Utah and play in offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s system. Beck’s RB1’s average 193 fantasy points per season, and the coaches have stated this spring that Parker is a perfect fit for the offense. While he looks to be the solid starter, NaQuari Rogers transferred in from New Mexico where he played for Beck last year. Rogers is a good running back and could limit Parker’s workload to some degree.
FLYERS
Donald Chaney Jr. – Charlotte
45.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
Chaney transferred to Charlotte this winter in an attempt to become a starter for his final season of college football. He spent four years as a back-up at Miami, FL before playing with less success at Louisville in 2024. His entry into the Charlotte backfield was noticeable as he stands head and shoulders above the other backs in terms of talent. That talent was on display this spring as Chaney was a regular with the first team offense. New head coach Tim Albin has generated fantasy success at the running back position. Three times since 2018 his RB1 has scored 200+ fantasy points, and each time that was accomplished those running backs received 210+ carries.
Adam Randall – Clemson
39.9 Fantasy Points In 2024
After spending three seasons as a back-up receiver at Clemson, Randall was moved to the running back position in the spring of 2025 as the offense is looking for a new starting running back. Randall not only made the transition to running back, but earned his way onto the #1 offense. He accomplished this despite players like David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson having impressive spring camps. He’ll need to hold off Jamarius Haynes who sat out spring ball with injury once fall camp opens. I do see this offense being more pass oriented this season, but you can’t ignore that over the last three seasons offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s RB1 has averaged 212 fantasy points per season.
Update 6/16
Devonte Lyons – Florida International
45.4 Fantasy Points In 2024
The FIU coaching staff knew they had something special in freshman Devonte Lyons and made the decision not to burn his redshirt. They waited until the last three games of the season to play Lyons and he exploded onto the scene. In those three games he averaged 14.3 carries for 96 yards and 0.67 TDs per contest for a 13.62 fantasy PPG. Lyons has the leg up to become the RB1 this season, but don’t expect bell cow type of touches. The fact he averaged 6.7 yards per carry last season means he’s explosive enough to still do some real damage.
Update 6/16
Rocko Griffin Jr. – Massachusetts
7.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
UMass looks to be the final stop of Rock Griffin Jr.’s college career. He managed to run for 517 yards during his sophomore season at Vanderbilt, and also ran for 483 yards during his first season at UTSA. UMass doesn’t have any other running backs to challenge Griffin this season, leaving him staring down the barrel at possibly getting 200 carries. Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has fed his running backs 195+ carries three times since 2019. This offense also like to throw the ball to the running backs, giving Griffin extra PPR value.
Shomari Lawrence – Missouri State
24.3 Fantasy Points In 2024
Lawrence started his collegiate career at South Dakota where he played for three seasons. Then over two seasons at FIU he saw his role within the offense shrink from 125 carries in 2023 to 47 carries in 2024. Looking for a fresh start Lawrence set his sights on Missouri State for his final year of eligibility. The team’s top two running backs from 2024 are gone leaving 250 carries ripe for the picking. Lawrence’s talent and game experience stands out like a sore thumb with this running back room, as this season’s RB2 being true freshman King Davis. Last season’s RB1 Jacardia Wright scored 236 fantasy points. I like the workload that offensive coordinator Nick Petrino feeds his top back, with Wright receiving 182 carries to go along with 35 receptions last season.
Davion Gause – North Carolina
61.5 Fantasy Points In 2024
As a freshman Davion Gause put together a respectable showing as a back-up. While there were not many carries to go around after “workload monster” Omarion Hampton, Gause managed 67 carries, 326 yards with a 4.9 yards per carry, and 4 TDs. Omarion Hampton leaving for the NFL opened the door for Gause to become the next RB1. There is a lack of talented depth behind Gause to push him out of being the workhorse back this season. With Bill Bellichick taking over as head coach, and Freddie Kitckens entering his first season as a play caller, we can’t lean to heavily into last season’s workload as something to expect for Gause. He should still be a lock for 200 carries, just don’t think you’re going to see the same 280 carries like Omarion Hampton got last year.
Sieh Bangura – Ohio
1.2 Fantasy Points In 2024
“Country roads, take me home. To the place, I belong. Athens, Ohio. Hocking River. Take me home, country roads.” Bangura started his college career at Ohio and in his second season had a break-out year. In 2022 he scored 232 fantasy points on 222 carries for 1078 yards and 13 TDs. The 2023 season was marred by injury which limited his statistical performance, and he spent last season riding the bench at Minnesota. Bangura has returned to Athens for 2025 and fantasy analysts are hoping we will see a season similar to his stellar 2022 year. He has the starting job locked down, but he did miss some time during the spring being spotted walking around with a single crutch. For Bangura to be a MACtion stud this year he will need to remain healthy.
Update 6/10
James Peoples – Ohio State
32.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
The running back position has turned into a two-man effort in Columbus. The coaches still utilize a primary back but the RB2 gets his fair share of carries. James Peoples looks like he should be the first man up in the backfield, while CJ Donaldson looks to play the RB2 role despite shedding weight to make himself more explosive. As we saw last season, the RB1 can still put up good fantasy numbers with Quinshon Judkins scoring 229 fantasy points. The buzz around Peoples is real and he has all the talent to make a major name for himself in 2025.
Elijah Green – Sam Houston State
50.1 Fantasy Points In 2024
With one season of eligibility remaining, Green hopes he can go out with a bang at Sam Houston. He played for four seasons at North Carolina before spending the 2024 season at Indiana. 2022 was his best season, scoring 129 fantasy points on 131 carries for 558 yards and 8 TDs. His offensive coordinator from 2020-2022 at North Carolina was Phil Longo, and Longo was hired as the new head coach for Sam Houston State. The running back room was hit hard by the transfer portal and Green’s entry gave Longo an experienced RB1 that already knows his offensive system. Going back to 2018, Longo’s RB1’s have scored 150+ fantasy points every season but one, and have scored 190+ fantasy points three times. I think this is a perfect recipe for Green to come in and command a 180+ carry workload.
Update 6/10
Waymond Jordan – USC
0.0 Fantasy Points In 2024
The coaching staff went out in the winter transfer portal to sign running backs that could replace last year’s starter Woody Marks. Eli Sanders scored 181 fantasy points at New Mexico last season and he grabbed the headlines as the guy to beat. Once spring camp opened those headlines changed to cover JUCO transfer Waymond James as having a monster spring. While Sanders’ experience will keep him in the conversation all reports out of LA point to Waymond being “The Man” in 2025.
L.J. Johnson plays for Cal now...not Rice.