Fantasy football managers know the future doesn’t arrive on draft night; it’s born on Saturday afternoons. The next wave of difference-makers is already lighting up college stadiums, reshaping playbooks, and grabbing the attention of fans who think beyond the box score. Watching these performances isn’t just entertainment; it’s preparation. Spotting tomorrow’s breakout stars before everyone else is how you gain the edge in dynasty and long-term fantasy formats.
This season, five names leap off the tape: Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, LaNorris Sellers, Cade Klubnik, and Jeremiyah Love. Each is carving out a reputation as one of the most promising NCAAF stars, and each offers traits that translate directly into fantasy value.
Jeremiah Smith
Position: Wide Receiver
University: Ohio State University
Ohio State has built a conveyor belt of elite receivers, and Jeremiah Smith looks like the next model straight off the line. At 6’3”, he towers over defenders, yet he moves with the kind of smooth acceleration that makes him almost unguardable once he hits stride. Corners can blanket him tight, and it doesn’t matter; his hands are strong enough to win contested catches again and again.
What excites fantasy managers is how quickly he’s producing. Smith doesn’t play like a raw freshman; his route-running is sharp, his awareness polished, and his presence impossible to ignore. Ohio State quarterbacks historically lock onto their alpha receiver, and Smith already boasts that label.
In contests such as College Football Pick'em, his name comes up week after week because he changes game scripts by himself. Among NCAAF stars, Smith stands out not just for what he could become, but for what he’s already doing: dominating Saturdays in ways that scream future fantasy WR1.
Ryan Williams
Position: Wide Receiver
University: University of Alabama
In Alabama, the jersey number isn’t just fabric, it’s a lineage. Ryan Williams steps into that tradition with the swagger of a player who knows he belongs. His release off the line is electric, his acceleration is immediate, and once he gets separation, defenders are chasing shadows. Yet he’s more than just a deep threat; Williams is equally dangerous slipping into underneath routes and turning five yards into 25.
Alabama’s track record with wideouts is staggering: DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Jameson Williams, the list goes on. Ryan Williams has what it takes to join them. His football intelligence allows him to sense defensive coverages, and that knack for finding soft spots means steady fantasy production in PPR formats.
Because he’s so young, Williams has time to sharpen his craft while building a highlight reel that rivals any freshman in the country. For dynasty fantasy players scanning the landscape of NCAAF stars, Williams represents long-term upside you don’t want to miss.
LaNorris Sellers
Position: Quarterback
University: University of South Carolina
Quarterbacks drive fantasy football more than any other position, and LaNorris Sellers has the skillset to be a future fantasy cheat code. In South Carolina, he marries arm strength with athleticism, firing a 40-yard bullet one snap and a 20-yard scramble the next. That dual-threat skillset is fantasy gold, rushing yards add up quickly, and Sellers shows he can add them up without missing a beat on his passing attack.
What sets him apart is composure. Pressure collapses the pocket, but Sellers doesn’t flinch. He keeps scanning downfield, waiting for the precise moment to strike, whether through the air or on the ground. That patience mirrors the qualities that turned Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson into fantasy staples.
For managers tracking NCAAF stars, Sellers is the definition of a forward-looking investment. His upside is enormous, his floor surprisingly safe, and his trajectory points toward a quarterback who could shape fantasy leagues for years.
Cade Klubnik
Position: Quarterback
University: Clemson University
Cade Klubnik has experienced a baptism of fire at Clemson, inheriting the starting role and the responsibility of keeping the Tigers relevant in the playoff conversation. What he brings is volume. Clemson leans heavily on his arm, giving him ample opportunity to compile stats even in tough matchups. That kind of workload matters for fantasy; more throws mean more chances to rack up points.
Klubnik shows consistency on short and intermediate routes, feeding his receivers in rhythm. While his deep ball still develops, he flashes enough courage to attack downfield, which keeps defenses honest. More than that, he’s proven resilient; when drives stall or games tilt, he doesn’t unravel. That leadership is as valuable to NFL scouts as it is to fantasy players evaluating future potential.
He’s not as flashy as other emerging NCAAF stars, but fantasy isn't about flash; it’s about value. Klubnik represents a buy-low stock: a quarterback who might not headline the hype cycle today but has the tools to become an every-week starter tomorrow.
Jeremiyah Love
Position: Running Back
University: University of Notre Dame
If wide receivers bring sizzle, running backs still bring substance—and Jeremiyah Love offers both. At Notre Dame, he runs with vision well beyond his years. He identifies lanes in an instant and bursts through them before defenses adjust, turning routine carries into explosive plays. His straight-line speed punishes hesitation, and once he hits open space, tacklers rarely catch him.
Love isn’t one-dimensional. He’s equally comfortable catching passes out of the backfield, adding another layer of fantasy appeal in PPR leagues. Coaches rave about his stamina and durability, two qualities that translate into consistent touches, exactly what fantasy managers want from their RB slots.
Among NCAAF stars, Love exemplifies the balance between reliability and big-play potential. He can grind between the tackles for steady yardage or break a defense with a single run. For fantasy managers looking ahead, he isn’t just a name to monitor; he’s a future roster cornerstone.
Shaping Saturdays
The NFL fantasy stars of tomorrow are already shaping Saturdays. Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, LaNorris Sellers, Cade Klubnik, and Jeremiyah Love are more than exciting college athletes; they are future fantasy assets waiting to be drafted into your lineup. Their skills, whether explosive speed, dual-threat versatility, or workhorse durability, mirror the traits that dominate fantasy leagues today.
For sharp fantasy managers, the lesson is simple: don’t wait until the NFL Draft to discover these names. By tracking performances now, you’re already positioning yourself ahead of the curve. The pipeline from NCAAF to fantasy relevance has never been clearer, and these five players are sprinting down it at full speed.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/09/25; subject to change.
