College football’s getting more attention on fantasy platforms like Yahoo! Sports these days. Fantasy managers are always searching for sleepers who might deliver big value.
The 2026 season brings a fresh batch of potential breakout stars. This year, that includes a running back and two dual-threat quarterbacks who switched schools.
Let’s talk about these intriguing players and what they could mean for your fantasy lineup.
Jaden Craig: A New Chapter at TCU
With Josh Hoover off to Indiana, TCU is turning to Jaden Craig, a grad transfer from Harvard. Craig made some noise at Harvard—he was first-team All-Ivy League last season.
He completed 61.5% of his passes, tossed 25 touchdowns with seven picks, and even ran for three touchdowns on 48 carries. Now, moving to TCU, it’s hard not to wonder if the offense will take a hit at quarterback.
Jeremy Payne: Ready to Carry the Load?
With Craig settling in, all eyes shift to running back Jeremy Payne. Last year, Payne logged 110 carries for 623 yards and five touchdowns, plus 22 catches for 207 yards and two more scores in 11 games.
He’s efficient and can catch passes, which fantasy managers love. But can Payne handle more touches and become a true every-down back? That’s the million-dollar question.
Byrum Brown: A Dual-Threat at Auburn
Byrum Brown might be the most fascinating quarterback transfer this season, moving from South Florida to Auburn. Last year, he completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
On the ground, he racked up 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns on 175 carries. Sure, moving from the American Conference to the SEC isn’t a small leap, and some regression could happen, but Brown’s legs make him a tempting fantasy pick.
New Faces at Auburn
Auburn’s offense is basically Transfer Portal Central right now. Wide receivers Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton, Christian Neptune, and Jonathan Echols all came through the portal.
Nimrod and Singleton actually followed Brown from South Florida. They’re reuniting under new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, who coached them before. That kind of familiarity could really help Brown and the offense settle in fast.
Beau Pribula: A Fresh Start at Virginia
Beau Pribula spent two years as a backup at Penn State before transferring to Missouri last season. He played in 10 games, completed 67.4% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and added nearly 300 rushing yards with six touchdowns.
This year, he’s headed to Virginia in the ACC. Honestly, it’s probably the lightest competition he’s faced in his college career.
Virginia’s Receiving Corps
Pribula’s got a decent group of receivers, including Rico Flores Jr., Da’Shawn Martin, and Kameron Courtney. Flores and Martin are transfers from UCLA and Kent State, while Courtney returns from last season.
With Pribula’s experience and his ability to run or throw, he’s got a real shot at a breakout fantasy year. If things click, he might just surprise a lot of people.
Conclusion
Looking ahead to the 2026 college fantasy football season, a few names really jump off the page. Jaden Craig, Byrum Brown, and Beau Pribula—these guys might not be on everyone’s radar yet, but there’s something interesting about each of them.
They’re in situations that could let them surprise people. If you’re the type who likes to find value before the crowd catches on, these are players to watch.
Want to dig deeper or just keep up with the twists and turns of college fantasy football? The full article over at FantasyPros is worth a look.
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