WAC Fantasy Preview

In previous seasons, Hawaii was the place for top flight fantasy options. Under head coach June Jones, the Warriors produced several stud fantasy quarterbacks and solid options in the receiving corps. With Jones leaving for SMU, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the Warriors. New head coach Greg McMackin wants to play things a little closer to the defense and the offense may not post June Jones-like fantasy numbers. Fantasy owners should consider the Warrior fantasy prospects a gamble in upcoming drafts. With this offense a question mark, New Mexico State signal-caller Chase Holbrook begins the year as the top fantasy quarterback option in the WAC.

On the mainland, Fresno State and Boise State should produce a couple of options in 2008. The Broncos boast a deep running back corps, led by senior Ian Johnson. Johnson has battled a few injuries in his career and the Broncos have three solid backups ready to contend for time if he is injured at any point during the year. Bulldogs running back Ryan Mathews totaled 14 touchdowns last season and should see an increased workload in 2008. Mathews is one of the top 25 fantasy running backs this season.

With Holbrook back under center, the Aggies should once again have one of the top passing offenses in the conference. Receiver Chris Williams suffered a collarbone injury late 2007, which cost him the five games. Williams begins 2008 as one of the top five fantasy options at his position. Nevada’s Marko Mitchell is one to watch, as sophomore quarterback Colin Kaepernick should show continued improvement in his second season as the starter. Fantasy owners will want to monitor the status of suspended Boise State receiver Jeremy Childs. Childs could be a top 30 fantasy receiver if he is reinstated to the team, but is a gamble until he is back on the roster.

Athlon’s Preseason Rankings (Updated rankings coming soon)

Mid-Major Quarterback Rankings
Mid-Major Running Back Rankings
Mid-Major Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight End Rankings
Kicker Rankings
Defense Rankings
Top 50 Quarterbacks
Top 100 Running Backs
Top 100 Wide Receivers

Quarterback Battles

Boise State
Contenders: Bush Hamdan (SR), Kellen Moore (FR), Michael Coughlin (SO), Nick Lomax (JR)
The Favorite: Moore – Although senior quarterbacks tend to get the nod at Boise, this redshirt freshman played well in the spring and exited with a slight lead for the starting job. Coughlin and Lomax are just behind, but any of the four candidates could enter the season as the starter.
Fantasy Impact: High – wait and see who is the winner.

Idaho
Contenders: Quin Ashley (SO), Nathan Enderle (SO)
The Favorite: Enderle – Although Ashley was given a chance to win the job to add another dimension to the Vandal offense, Enderle will likely begin the year as the starting quarterback.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

Nevada
Contenders: Nick Graziano (JR), Colin Kaepernick (SO)
The Favorite: Kaepernick – Assuming this sophomore holds onto the job, he should be a top 25 fantasy quarterback option in 2008. Graziano had a nice start to the year, but Kaepernick’s dual-threat ability gave this offense a significant boost last season.
Fantasy Impact: High

Hawaii
Contenders: Tyler Graunke (SR), Jake Santos (SR), Shane Austin (FR), Inoke Funaki (JR), Kiran Kepo’o (FR), Bryce Kalauokaaea (FR), Greg Alexander (JR), Brent Rausch (SO)
The Favorite: Graunke – There are a lot of unknowns with the Warrior offense in 2008, as new head coach Greg McMackin will likely play closer to his defense. Don’t expect Colt Brennan-esque numbers in 2008, but Graunke should be among the top 35 fantasy quarterbacks.
Fantasy Impact: High

Louisiana Tech
Contenders: Taylor Bennett (SR), Steven Ensminger (SO), Ross Jenkins (SO)
The Favorite: Bennett – This former Georgia Tech signal-caller joined the team after spring practice and has the most experience of the quarterbacks on the roster. Jenkins and Ensminger may have the most long-term potential, but Bennett will give this team their best chance to win now.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

San Jose State
Contenders: Myles Eden (JR), Sean Flynn (SR), Jordan LeSecla (SO), Kyle Reed (JR)
The Favorite: Reed – Although Eden won the job out of spring practice, Reed is the most intriguing option in this race. The former California quarterback is the most talented option on the roster and if he wins the job in fall practice, he could be a nice late-round sleeper pick.
Fantasy Impact: Wait and see – Reed has potential if he wins the job.

Utah State
Contenders: Ben Longshore (FR) , Diondre Borel (SO), Jase McCormick (JR), Sean Setzer (SR)
The Favorite: Setzer – The Aggies have struggled on offense under head coach Brent Guy and things may not be much better in 2008.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

Running Back Situations to Watch

Hawaii – The Warriors weren’t much of a running team under June Jones, but fantasy owners may remember Nate Ilaoa’s successful fantasy run. Former Nebraska back Leon Wright-Jackson, Kealoha Pilares, Daniel Libre and David Farmer are all in the mix. Pilares is a promising player, but Wright-Jackson will also figure into the mix. Consider any Warrior running back a huge gamble on draft day.

San Jose State – Yonus Davis is hoping to get an additional year of eligibility and if the diminutive rusher is back on the roster in 2008, he would give the offense a big boost. If Davis is unsuccessful in his quest for an extra year, look for Cameron Island, Patrick Perry and Dominique Hunsucker to pickup the slack.

New Mexico State – Just like fellow WAC opponent Hawaii, the Aggies aren’t exactly known for their success on the ground. However, just as fantasy owners have seen with Texas Tech, a running back that emerges as the go-to guy could catch over 50 passes and rush for over 700 yards. Tonny Glynn and junior college transfer Seth Smith are contending for snaps going into fall practice.

Wide Receiver/Tight Ends

Boise State – With Childs’ status up in the air, the Broncos have to be a little concerned about their receivers going into 2008. If Childs does not return, Titus Young and Austin Pettis will see a significant bump in fantasy value. Be sure to monitor AthlonSports.com for the latest updates on Childs’ status.

Hawaii – The Warriors are not only replacing a record-setting quarterback (Colt Brennan), but must replace four key receivers. Ryan Grice-Mullen, Davone Bess, C.J. Hawthorne and Jason Rivers have expired their eligibility and Malcolm Lane should be the new number one target. Lane is a nice sleeper pick, but until we get a look at the Warrior offense without Jones, it’s hard to know how high to peg them in the receiver rankings.

Fresno State – Although the Bulldogs return quarterback Tom Brandstater and running back Ryan Mathews, they have to be excited about the potential of a healthy Chastin West at receiver. West was lost for most of 2007 with a knee injury and is the team’s top deep threat. Don’t expect the Bulldogs to be a prolific passing offense, but West could be a waiver wire pickup in select weeks.

Utah State – The Aggies were already sluggish on offense and the team now has to replace top receiver Kevin Robinson – one of the few playmakers on this team. With Robinson using up his eligibility, the Aggies will be searching for new options on the outside. Don’t expect many fantasy options out of Logan in 2008.

Sleepers

QB Kyle Reed, San Jose State – There is a lot of risk in drafting Reed, but the junior quarterback has a lot of potential and his dual-threat ability in a conference full of questionable defenses is intriguing.

RB Jeremy Avery/D.J. Harper/Jarvis Hodge, Boise State – If you are in a keeper league, drafting one of these backs could play dividends in 2009. Ian Johnson will continue to be the feature back this season, but look out for one of the young Bronco backs next season.

WR Wes Neiman, New Mexico State – A.J. Harris and Chris Williams are set as the top two receivers in Las Cruces, but Neiman should still catch plenty of passes in this pass-happy offense. 

TE Kyle Nelson, New Mexico State – The Aggies need options for quarterback Chase Holbrook – will Nelson take a bigger role in the offense this season?

DEF Hawaii – Any defense in this conference is a gamble, but the Warriors have some nice pieces in place on this side of the ball. The Warriors could be a waiver wire option in match-ups against some of the lower ranked offenses in this conference.

Freshmen to watch

QB Kellen Moore, Boise State
WR LaVorick Williams, New Mexico State

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