Fantasy points based upon standard scoring system – passing touchdowns = 4 pts, rushing touchdowns = 6 pts, 25 passing yards = 1 point, 10 rush/receiving yards = 1 point

1. Russell Wilson, NC State (SO) – Bye Week – 8 – No. 28 overall QB
Last season, Wilson went from virtual unknown to All-ACC first team quarterback. After suffering a concussion against South Carolina and missing games against William & Mary and South Florida (shoulder), Wilson rebounded to finish the year as the top fantasy quarterback in the ACC. Assuming Wilson stays healthy, he should be a solid QB3 in 120 leagues and will see an increase in stats and fantasy points. Backup Mike Glennon had a solid spring and could see a few snaps this season. However, this is still Wilson's team and he should continue to improve upon last year's numbers.

2008 stats – 192.96 fantasy pts
Passing: 1,955 yds., 17 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: 388 yds., 4 TDs

2. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech (JR) – Bye Week – 8 – No. 36 overall QB
Taylor was scheduled to redshirt last season, but a disastrous performance by Sean Glennon in the opener against East Carolina quickly changed those plans. Taylor’s passing numbers were low last year, largely due to a young receiving corps and an offense geared to pound the rock. Taylor won’t be asked to beat teams with his arm, but an increase in passing production is likely and another 800 rushing yards is expected. Draft him as a QB3 or QB4 in 120 leagues.

2008 stats – 121.18 fantasy pts
Passing: 1,036 yds., 2 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 738 yds., 7 TDs

3. Jacory Harris, Miami (SO) – Bye Week – 2 – No. 49 overall QB
Many Miami fans believe Harris should’ve started over Robert Marve last year, and it’s hard to argue when you pop in the game film. Harris provided a spark, as well as grasping the team from a leadership standpoint. The hire of Mark Whipple as offensive coordinator should be a welcomed addition for the ‘Canes, and he is expected to help Harris grow into one of the ACC’s best. The sophomore is a bit raw and has a lot of young talent around him, but there’s a lot of upside. The ‘Canes have a brutal schedule, but Harris will be an option in select matchups and a good keeper prospect. 

2008 stats – 97.04 fantasy pts
Passing: 1,195 yds., 12 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 101 yds., 2 TDs

4. Christian Ponder, Florida State (JR) – Bye Week – 7 – No. 57 overall QB
Ponder’s first season as a starter had a few bumps, but the Seminoles led the ACC in scoring offense, and thanks to his development, finally won’t have a quarterback competition extending into the first game of the season. Although Ponder has some improving to do, the Seminoles are excited about his potential. The junior needs to cut down on his interceptions (13), while pushing his passing touchdowns higher (14). He is also a capable runner and should approach 500 yards and five scores this year. The Seminoles are young at receiver, but have one of the top returning offensive lines in the country. Ponder may struggle with inexperienced receivers early on, but the Seminoles should continue to show offensive improvement.

2008 stats – 163.88 fantasy pts
Passing: 2,006 yds., 14 TDs, 13 INTs
Rushing: 423 yds., 4 TDs

5. Thaddeus Lewis, Duke (SR) – Bye Week – 7 – No. 58 overall QB
Lewis is easily one of the most underrated passers in college football. Through three seasons, he has 47 touchdown tosses and nearly 7,000 passing yards. His numbers are even more impressive when you consider the struggles the Blue Devils have experienced trying to find an offensive line or running game. An even bigger question for 2009 is finding a replacement for last year’s top receiver Eron Riley. Although Johnny Williams showed promise last year, Riley caught 144 passes in his career and was Lewis' favorite option. Like most of the passers in the ACC, Lewis won’t be an every week starter in 120 leagues. However, matchups against Richmond, Army and North Carolina Central in the first month of the season should be very favorable.

2008 stats – 163.84 fantasy pts
Passing: 2,171 yds., 15 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing: 96 yds., 2 TDs

6. Josh Nesbitt, Georgia Tech (JR) – Bye Week – 12 – No. 60 overall QB
There were plenty of doubters about the option offense working in the ACC last season. One year later, the Yellow Jackets have answered those questions and should only get better in their second season with the option attack. One negative impact the option has on quarterbacks is the potential for injury. Nesbitt missed two games and was knocked out of the Mississippi State contest due to injury last year. He should throw more this year, but his real value will remain on the ground. Nesbitt had seven games of at least 15 rushing attempts and an increase in rushing yardage appears likely in 2009. He's a nice spot starter and has a little more value in leagues where rushing touchdowns are more points, but won’t take a big leap in value unless he finds the endzone more.

2008 stats – 135.42 fantasy pts
Passing: 808 yds., 2 TDs, 5 INTs
Rushing: 693 yds., 7 TDs

7. T.J. Yates, North Carolina (JR) – Bye Week – 7 – No. 61 overall QB
An ankle injury last year sidetracked Yates from building upon a promising freshman season. Despite missing six games, Yates nearly equaled his 2007 touchdown totals and holds a lot of promise for 2009. The biggest question mark with Yates is the receivers. With Hakeem Nicks, Brooks Foster and Brandon Tate no longer on campus, the focus shifts to the youthful trio of Jheranie Boyd, Joshua Adams and Dwight Jones. If the young receivers come together, Yates should approach the 20 touchdown mark and will be worth a look in select matchups for owners in 120 leagues.

2008 stats – 68.78 fantasy pts
Passing: 1,168 yds., 13 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 144 yds., 1 TD

8. Riley Skinner, Wake Forest (SR) – Bye Week – 12 – No. 71 overall QB
The Demon Deacons experienced their share of struggles on offense last season, finishing 101st in total offense and scoring 21 points per game. With a struggling offensive line and running game, Skinner had too much pressure on his shoulders and finished with a career low in completion percentage. The Demon Deacons should be better up front, and the coaching staff would like to mix in more I-formation sets in an effort to stick with the running game. With more emphasis on the run, an increase in fantasy numbers isn’t too likely for the senior. Skinner is a better quarterback than fantasy prospect and is really only worth a look as a spot starter or QB3 in BCS only leagues.

2008 stats – 145.74 fantasy pts
Passing: 2,347 yds., 13 TDs, 7 INTs
Rushing: 144 yds., 1 TD

9. Chris Turner, Maryland (SR) – Bye Week – 9 – No. 76 overall QB
Turner showed steady improvement in his second season as the starter, throwing for 2,516 yards and finishing with back-to-back games of two passing touchdowns. In his career, Turner has won six of his seven starts against ranked opponents, but has only thrown two more touchdowns (20) than interceptions (18). The loss of receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is a huge blow, but an even bigger question mark is the play of the offensive line. Although the senior has steadily improved in his time at College Park and should have his best statistical season, he’s not a fantasy starter in 120 leagues.

2008 stats – 124.32 fantasy pts
Passing: 2,516 yds., 13 TDs, 11 INTs
Rushing: -154 yds., 1 TD

10. Kyle Parker, Clemson (FR) – Bye Week – 6 – No. 80 overall QB
It appears Parker’s busy spring has paid off. After playing baseball and participating in spring practice, the redshirt freshman enters fall as the No. 1 quarterback ahead of Willy Korn. Although Parker was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school, fantasy owners should consider him only worth a look as a QB4 or QB5 in deep leagues. However, if he excels early on, he could be one of the ACC’s top waiver options. The Tigers have an improving offensive line and a solid running back in C.J. Spiller, but if they are to finally claim the ACC Atlantic title, it will depend on Parker’s improvement.

2008 stats - none

11. Vic Hall, Virginia (SR) – Bye Week – 4
After finishing 114th in the nation in scoring offense, coach Al Groh knew something had to change. The Cavaliers brought in former Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon to coordinate a spread attack, opening the door for Hall to move to offense. The senior is a former high school quarterback, but after playing cornerback throughout his career, saw his first action at the position in the season finale against Virginia Tech. Hall is only 5-foot-9, so durability will be a concern. However, if he’s the starter, he should post well over 600 rushing yards. Hall is worth monitoring early in the year, especially since he could be a good value in select matchups.

2008 stats – 22.9 fantasy pts
Passing: none
Rushing: 109 yds., 2 TDs

12. Justin Tuggle, Boston College (FR) – Bye Week – 10
The son of former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle enters fall as the likely starter in Chestnut Hill. The transfer of Dominique Davis opened the door for Tuggle or senior Codi Boek to compete for the job. Tuggle has good athleticism and arm strength, but lacks experience and will be picking up a new offense this season. Although Tuggle has some upside, he’s not worth a pick in 120 leagues this fall.

2008 stats – none

13. Willy Korn, Clemson (SO)
14. Jameel Sewell, Virginia (SR)
15. Mike Glennon, NC State (FR)
16. Marc Verica, Virginia (JR)
17. Jaybo Shaw, Georgia Tech (SO)
18. Codi Boek, Boston College (JR)
19. E.J. Manuel, Florida State (FR)
20. Mike Paulus, North Carolina (SO)
21. Sean Renfree, Duke (FR)
22. Taylor Cook, Miami (FR)
23. Tajh Boyd, Clemson (FR)
24. Ju-Ju Clayton, Virginia Tech (FR)
25. Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech (FR)

2009 draft kit

Top 200
Quarterback rankings
Running back rankings
Wide receiver rankings
Tight end rankings
Kicker rankings
Team defense rankings

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Check out u-sports.athlonsports.com for more information on college fantasy leagues for the 2009 season.

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