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

1. LeGarrette Blount, Oregon (SR) — Byes: 7, 13 — No. 1 overall RB
Blount had a bit of an action packed off-season — and for all the wrong reasons. First, Blount flirted with the NFL draft before deciding to return. This was compounded by a lack of dedication to his class work. All seems forgiven in Eugene as Blount is now set to carry the load for the high flying Duck offense. The 1,000-yard, 17-TD performance of '08 came as a back-up to Jeremiah Johnson, who also posted 1,200-yard, 13-TD season, so there is plenty of room for improvement. With another Jeremiah running the offense, as in Masoli, the Ducks could actually improve on one if the most productive season's in school history. If so, Blount will be one of the main beneficiaries.

2008 stats - 192.1 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,002 yds., 17 TDs
Receiving: 2 rec., 2 yds.

2. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon (SO) — Byes: 7, 13 — No. 4 overall RB
The only true freshman to ever win Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year is back for his second season in Corvallis. The key to Rodgers prolonged success will be his health. For a smaller player, Quiz runs with a power style and does it between the tackles. It means the goalline and short yardage carries will his but it also means he will be taking hits. With 29 receptions, Rodgers will have a big impact in the passing game too. If he stays on the field, he should easily surpass his numbers from last season.

2008 stats - 236.5 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,253 yds., 11 TDs
Receiving: 29 rec., 247 yds., 1 TD

3. Jahvid Best, California (JR) — Byes: 6, 13 — No. 5 overall RB
Arguably the most talented running back in the nation, Best posted huge numbers as only a sophomore. Since, he has had surgery on his elbow and foot and missed his second straight spring practice. Best appears to be healthy and ready to go and with one of the conference's top offensive lines returning. Improvement on his numbers will be tough but hitting those marks once again isn't out of the question, especially if he manages to stay healthy throughout the regular season. Having a dependable starter at quarterback develop quickly could be the difference between eight and nine man fronts versus six and seven men in the box.

2008 stats - 206.4 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,580 yds., 15 TDs
Receiving: 27 rec., 246 yds., 1 TD

4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford (SR) — Bye: 9 — No. 34 overall RB
The big Cardinal bulldozer flirted with Major League Baseball but instead chose to return to Palo Alto for his final season. And Stanford fans are expecting a good one from Gerhart. The big man rumbled for 15 touchdowns last year and could easily hit that total again this year. Every aspect of the offense, other than the offensive line, should be improved from a year ago. Other than a cross country trip to Wake Forest, the first half of the season sets up nicely for an offensive line who needs some easy games in order to gel. You may have to draft him early, as Gerhart has captured the hearts of many-a-fantasy expert.

2008 stats - 221.5 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,136 yds., 15 TDs
Receiving: 13 rec., 114 yds.

5. Nic Grigsby, Arizona (JR) — Byes: 5, 9 — No. 47 overall RB
For the first time in four years the Wildcats are breaking in a new quarterback. In the same turn, its first time this team returns as a bowl team in many more years. The strength of this offense will be between the tackles as the offensive line returns three regulars, the tight end is a stud and the backfield is loaded. Grigsby posted a great freshman year and built on it with a solid first half of the '08 season. Fumbles and inconsistency led to the occasional benching so make sure you handcuff the potential franchise back with Keola Antolin.

2008 stats - 171.3 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,153 yds., 13 TDs
Receiving: 12 rec., 62 yds.

6. Joe McKnight, USC (JR) — Byes: 6, 12 — No. 52 overall RB
Is this finally the year that McKnight fulfills the Reggie Bush prophecy? Only time will tell but the talented tailback will be running behind the one of the nation's elite offensive lines in 2009. Picking which Trojan runner has the biggest game is going to be extremely difficult but McKnight is the most talented, has the biggest play ability and could finally breakout into stardom like was expected during his recruitment. He is a crap shoot on draft day. If someone likes him, he will go very early (rounds 6-9) but if there are no takers, a McKnight pick in any round after 10 would be a steal.

2008 stats - 93.4 fantasy points
Rushing: 659 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving: 21 rec., 193 yds., 1 TD

7. Keola Antolin, Arizona (SO) — Byes: 5, 9 — No. 67 overall RB
The run of 'stud back-up' fantasy options in the Pac-10 begins with Antolin. Due to fumble issues for Grigsby, Antolin got his chance to produce some numbers as a freshman last season. Both Wildcat tailbacks notched double digit touchdowns last year and unfortunately for fantasy owners, head man Mike Stoops is probably content with a committee approach. If you draft one, make sure to draft the other and then hope that Stoops picks one and sticks with him.

2008 stats - 115.1 fantasy points
Rushing: 525 yds., 10 TDs
Receiving: 7 rec., 24 yds.

8. Shane Vereen, California (SO) — Byes: 6, 13 — No. 79 overall RB
With starter Best dealing with off season surgery, Vereen becomes a must-own for those drafting Best. The speedy back-up posted nearly 1,000 yards of total offense as the back-up last season. Should Best miss any time at all, Vereen is not just a fill in but a potential fantasy star. In a keeper league, Vereen is a great pick. Best will either have a great year and leave early for the NFL or will be injured giving Vereen plenty of immediate value. The run of Cal tailbacks continues to chug along.

2008 stats - 119.1 fantasy points
Rushing: 715 yds., 4 TDs
Receiving: 27 rec., 221 yds., 1 TD

9. C.J. Gable, USC (JR) — Byes: 6, 12 — No. 85 overall RB
Gable might be the most well-rounded tailback on the roster. He has plenty of wiggle in the open field and is a solid receiver. Much like any other Trojan fantasy running back, his success is tied entirely to the productivity of those around him in the backfield. Should McKnight not have the breakout season many are anticipating, it becomes a matter of who is hot hand. The ambiguity is too much to draft any one of the Trojan players unless you can draft them all. Or at least two of them.

2008 stats - 120.7 fantasy points
Rushing: 617 yds., 8 TDs
Receiving: 6 rec., 62 yds., 1 TD

10. Stafon Johnson, USC (SR) — Byes: 6, 12 — No. 86 overall RB
Johnson posted the best rushing numbers of the all the USC tailbacks last season is probably the best pure runner on the roster. However, with the number of players not named Johnson in the Trojan backfield assured to get carries, his fantasy value is relatively unknown. If McKnight breaks out, which is certainly possible, Johnson will lose some mid-field touches. He still should get some carries in the red zone but his value is seriously tied to the production of the others.

2008 stats - 114.8 fantasy points
Rushing: 705 yds., 9 TDs
Receiving: 7 rec., 48 yds.

11. Chris Polk, Washington (FR) — Byes: 9, 12 — No. 88 overall RB
This super talented recruit was a USC commitment until he saw the writing on the wall about the crowded backfield in Los Angeles. He picked U of W instead and ended up getting onto the field immediately — he was the first true freshman tailback to start a season opener in Husky history. He didn't last long as an injury cut his season off before it even got started. He has tons of raw ability and the young talent around Jake Locker should be dramatically improved. Polk also had a solid spring so he could be poised for a breakout fantasy campaign this fall. This fantasy owner didn't hesitate to snag him in the experts draft. With LSU and USC on the schedule early on, Polk may not be usable until week four however.

2008 stats - 3.8 fantasy points
Rushing: 33 yds.,
Receiving: 1 rec., 0 yds.

12. Ryan Bass, Arizona State (SO)
13. James Montgomery, Washington State (JR)
14. Dimitri Nance, Arizona State (SR)
15. LaMichael James, Oregon (FR)
16. Christian Ramirez, UCLA (JR)
17. Dwight Tardy, Washington State (SR)
18. Ryan McCants, Oregon State (SO)
19. Shaun DeWitty, Arizona State (SR)
20. Jeremy Stewart, Stanford (JR)
21. Derrick Coleman, UCLA (SO)
22. Milton Knox, UCLA (FR)
23. Demitrius Bronson, Washington (FR)
24. Allen Bradford, USC (JR)
25. Jovan Stevenson, Oregon State (FR)
26. Logwone Mitz, Washington State (SO)
27. Brandon Johnson, Washington (SR)
28. Willie Griffin, Washington (SO)
29. Andre Crenshaw, Oregon (SR)
30. Marc Tyler, USC (SO)
31. Curtis McNeal, USC (FR)
32. Stanley Havili, USC (JR)
33. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (FR)
34. Remene Alston, Oregon (JR)
35. Terrance Dailey, Washington (SO)
36. Curtis Shaw, Washington (SO)
37. James Morrison, Arizona State (FR)
38. Chris Ivory, Washington State (SR)
39. Dalton Hilliard, UCLA (FR)
40. Damien Thigpen, UCLA (FR)
41. Chantz Staden, Washington State (SR)
42. David Freeman, Washington (SO)
43. Greg Nwoko, Arizona (FR)
44. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford (FR)
45. Dasarte Yarnway, California (FR)

2009 draft kit

Top 200
Quarterback rankings
Running back rankings
Wide receiver rankings
Tight end rankings
Kicker rankings
Team defense rankings
2009 Very early mock draft

Running Back Profiles

ACC
Big Ten
Big East
Big 12
Mon - SEC

Quarterback Profiles

ACC
Big East
Big Ten
Big 12
Pac-10
SEC
Non-BCS Part 1
Non-BCS Part 2
Quarterback Sleepers

Follow us at Twitter: AthlonFantasy or AthlonBraden

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

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds