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

Independents

1. Armando Allen, Notre Dame (JR) — Bye Week — 6 — No. 64 overall RB
With four starters and five seniors expected to start, the Irish hope they can finally find the right mix along the offensive line. Getting improved play from the front five will be critical to the development of the passing and rushing attacks in 2009. Allen holds a lead in the race to be the feature back in 2009, but fantasy owners would like to see the junior get into the endzone a little more in 2009. Although he rushed for over 500 yards last year, he scored only three rushing touchdowns, but caught 50 passes. Allen's reception totals should help his value in points per reception leagues, but he needs to find the endzone a few more times on the ground to see a significant jump in fantasy value. Allen is a solid backup in 120 leagues, but has a lot of competition for carries if he struggles early on.

2008 stats - 135.2 fantasy points
Rushing: 585 yds., 3 TDs
Receiving: 50 rec., 355 yds., 2 TDs

2. Alexander Teich, Navy (SO) — Bye Week — 12
Teich is still a large unknown, as his career consists of seven carries for 24 carries. However, the Midshipmen always produce solid fantasy rushers and the coaching staff is high on Teich. The sophomore lines up at fullback, but can provide some big-play ability and athleticism from the position. The Midshipmen will play several rushers during the year, which decreases Teich's value just a bit. However, if Teich proves to be the top rusher early on, he should work his way into fantasy consideration.

2008 stats - 2.4 fantasy points
Rushing: 24 yds.
Receiving: none

3. CeDarius Williams, Army (SO) — Bye Week — 9, 13
Williams is coming off an impressive spring and could be one of this year's breakout running backs. The sophomore has yet to play a down of college football, but will be playing in a fantasy friendly offense. New coach Rich Ellerson is bringing a prolific offense from Cal Poly to the banks of the Hudson. Cal Poly averaged over 300 yards per game on the ground, with three players rushing for over 600 yards last year. Although the Black Knights will have a couple of rushers seeing significant time, Williams could lead the team in rushing and is worth a look as a nice sleeper pick.

2008 stats - none

4. Bobby Doyle, Navy (SR)
5. Cory Finnerty, Navy (SR)
6. Robert Hughes, Notre Dame (JR)
7. Patrick Mealy, Army (JR)
8. Cierre Wood, Notre Dame (FR)
9. Marcus Curry, Navy (SO)
10. Bryson Carl, Army (SR)

Mountain West

1. Harvey Unga, BYU (JR) — Bye Week — 9 — No. 15 overall RB
Unga has racked up an impressive stat line in two years, rushing for 2,368 yards and 25 touchdowns, along with catching 86 passes for 964 yards and eight scores. Last season, Unga posted three efforts of 100 yards, including 116 yards and two scores against Utah in the regular season finale. The junior should post similar totals in 2009, but the Cougars must replace four starters along the offensive front. With receiver Austin Collie gone to the NFL, Unga may even see a few more catches in 2009. Despite the losses up front, Unga is still a safe fantasy pick and one of the top 10-20 on the board.

2008 stats - 244.5 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,132 yds., 11 TDs
Receiving: 42 rec., 309 yds., 4 TDs

2. Matt Asiata, Utah (SR) — Bye Week — 5 — No. 30 overall RB
Asiata is a battering ram at five-foot-eleven, 230 pounds and showed no ill-efects from a broken leg suffered in 2007. Although he posted only one 100-yard effort, Asiata scored in eight games, including the final three. Helping to boost Asiata's fantasy value in 2009 is the loss of quarterback Brian Johnson and backfield mate Darrell Mack. With Mack out of eligibility, Asiata should pickup some of his 123 carries from last year and the Utes will lean a little more on the ground without a proven quarterback. Asiata is a solid week-to-week option, but the passing game needs to develop in order to keep defenses honest. Expect Asiata to top 1,000 yards and he should be a solid RB2 or RB3.

2008 stats - 166.2 fantasy points
Rushing: 707 yds., 12 TDs
Receiving: 13 rec., 111 yds., 1 TD

3. Joseph Turner, TCU (SR) — Bye Week — 1 — No. 48 overall RB
The Horned Frogs had a balanced backfield last year, with five players totaling over 300 yards. Turner finished with the team lead in rushing yards and touchdowns, but figures to benefit the most from Aaron Brown's departure. Although Ryan Christian, Jai Cavness and highly-touted freshman Waymon James will get into the mix, Turner should be the team's clear No. 1 option. The senior has back-to-back seasons of 500 yards and over six scores and should top those numbers in 2009.

2008 stats - 115.6 fantasy points
Rushing: 577 yds., 11 TDs
Receiving: 5 rec., 42 yds.

4. James Wright, New Mexico (SO) — Bye Week — 7 — No. 71 overall RB
The Lobos have a streak of seven consecutive seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher and Wright hopes to continue that run in 2009. With Rodney Ferguson shouldering the load last year, Wright didn't have many opportunities, but notched over 100 yards in two games. New coach Mike Locksley is implementing a spread offense, but the returning personnel may not fit. Wright is more of a bruiser at five-foot-eleven, 235 pounds, but will be given the first opportunity to win the job. If he doesn't pan out, A.J. Butler or Terence Brown will likely be the first options off the bench. Considering the recent run of Lobo rushers and his performance last season in limited work, Wright is worth a look as a sleeper pick.

2008 stats - 46.6 fantasy points
Rushing: 348 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving: none

5. John Mosure, Colorado State (JR)
6. Asher Clark, Air Force (SO)
7. Jared Tew, Air Force (JR)
8. C.J. Cox, UNLV (SO)
9. A.J. Butler, New Mexico (FR)
10. Atiyyah Henderson, San Diego State (SR)
11. Darius Terry, Wyoming (JR)
12. Leonard Mason, Colorado State (JR)
13. Ryan Christian, TCU (SR)
14. Brandon Sullivan, San Diego State (JR)
15. Bradley Randle, UNLV (FR)
16. Savier Stephens, Air Force (JR)
17. Manase Tonga, BYU (SR)
18. Chris Brogdon, UNLV (SR)
19. Eddie Wide, Utah (JR)
20. J.J. Di Luigi, BYU (SO)
21. Alvester Alexander, Wyoming (FR)
22. James Davis, Wyoming (SO)
23. Davon Brown, San Diego State (JR)
24. Terence Brown, New Mexico (JR)
25. Jai Cavness, TCU (SO)
26. Bryan Kariya, BYU (SO)
27. Alex Square, Colorado State
28. Sausan Shakerin, Utah (FR)
29. Channing Trotter, UNLV (JR)
30. Waymon James, TCU (FR)
31. Lou Greenwood, Colorado State (FR)
32. Ray Stowers, Utah (SR)
33. Imari Thompson, UNLV (FR)
34. Desmond Dennis, New Mexico (FR)
35. Ed Wesley, TCU (FR)
36. Malosi Te'o, BYU (FR)
37. James Caraway, Wyoming (FR)
38. Anthony Miller, San Diego State (FR)
39. Anthony Smith, Wyoming (JR)
40. Michael Conner, Colorado State (FR)

WAC

1. Jeremy Avery, Boise State (JR) — Bye Week — 6 — No. 26 overall RB
With Ian Johnson out of eligibility, the focus in the Boise State backfield turns to Avery. Although he hasn't been an every down back in two years, he has shown plenty of promise, topping 600 yards in each of the last two years. The Broncos have an experienced quarterback returning in sophomore Kellen Moore, which could lean the offense more towards the pass. However, someone will pickup the 150 carries Johnson had last year and Avery should see a good chunk of them. Avery should easily surpass 600 yards, along with approaching 10 scores this season.

2008 stats - 114.9 fantasy points
Rushing: 614 yds., 4 TDs
Receiving: 16 rec., 226 yds.

2. Daniel Porter, Louisiana Tech (SR) — Bye Weeks — 4, 13 — No. 28 overall RB
Now that Patrick Jackson has finished his eligibility, Porter should be able to work his way into a few more carries this year. The senior finished second in the WAC with 1,164 yards last year and with a few more carries in 2009, could reach 1,400 yards and 10 scores. All five starters return up front and with a passing attack still trying to find its way after last season, Porter should be the workhorse. He collected four consecutive 100-yard efforts in the middle of the season and scored a touchdown in each of the final four contests. Expect Porter to see a jump in carries, yards and touchdowns in 2009, making him a solid RB2 or RB3 for any league format.

2008 stats - 184.2 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,164 yds., 9 TDs
Receiving: 12 rec., 181 yds., 1 TD

3. Vai Taua, Nevada (JR) — Bye Week — 2 — No. 32 overall RB
Even with 1,000-yard rusher Luke Lippincott out with a season-ending knee injury, the Wolf Pack didn't miss a beat in the rushing department last year. Taua collected eight 100-yard efforts and scored a touchdown in 10 consecutive games to close the season. His best effort came against Fresno State, as he sliced his way through the defense for 263 yards and one touchdown. Taua will lose a few carries with Lippincott back in the mix, but both backs should see well over 100 carries. Considering Lippincott is coming off a significant knee operation, Taua is probably the safer pick, but grabbing both in offseason drafts would be a good idea.

2008 stats - 275.8 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,521 yds., 15 TDs
Receiving: 30 rec., 243 yds., 3 TDs

4. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (JR) — Bye Weeks — 5, 13 — No. 36 overall RB
A knee injury slowed Mathews last season, preventing the talented rusher from reaching 1,000 yards and over 10 scores. With Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding returning in the backfield, the Bulldogs have plenty of depth and Mathews likely won't collect more than 175 carries. However, as shown in his first two seasons on campus, the junior has a nose for the goal-line (20 rushing touchdowns) and is more than capable of posting 100 yards every week in WAC play. With the Bulldogs breaking in a new starting quarterback, expect the ground attack to be featured. There is plenty of upside with Mathews and a lot to like in 2009.

2008 stats - 125.9 fantasy points
Rushing: 606 yds., 6 TDs
Receiving: 8 rec., 146 yds., 2 TDs

5. Deonte Jackson, Idaho (JR) — Bye Week — 12 — No. 60 overall RB
Jackson followed up a 1,175-yard, seven touchdown season in 2007, with a disappointing 696 yards and three scores last year. Although Jackson posted back-to-back 100-yard efforts early in the year, the Vandals struggled to keep pace with opposing teams and the rushing attack was often not a factor. A back injury also plagued Jackson and the emergence of Princeton McCarthy also cut into his workload. If the junior can shake off the injury bug and the Vandals are able to keep the rushing attack a factor late in games, he should inch closer to the 1,000-yard mark.

2008 stats - 106.8 fantasy points
Rushing: 696 yds., 3 TDs
Receiving: 16 rec., 111 yds.

6. Luke Lippincott, Nevada (SR) — Bye Week — 2 — No. 65 overall RB
After rushing for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2007, Lippincott had top-10 fantasy running back potential last year. However, a knee injury ended his season after two games and considering how well Vai Taua played in his absence, it may be difficult for Lippincott to regain the starting job. Fantasy owners can expect the Taua-Lippincott battle to continue into the fall for the No. 1 spot, but it's highly likely the two rushers will split carries. Running backs coming off a knee injury are always a concern, but Lippincott should be able to rush for over 600 yards this season. If you draft Taua, handcuffing Lippincott is a good idea.

2008 stats - 20.7 fantasy points
Rushing: 104 yds., 1 TD
Receiving: 2 rec., 33 yds.

7. Robert Turbin, Utah State (SO)
8. Anthony Harding, Fresno State (SR)
9. Lonyae Miller, Fresno State (SR)
10. Lamon Muldrow, San Jose State (JR)
11. Patrick Perry, San Jose State (SR)
12. Leon Wright-Jackson, Hawaii (SR)
13. Inoke Funaki, Hawaii (SR)
14. Marquell Colston, New Mexico State (SR)
15. Tonny Glynn, New Mexico State (SR)
16. D.J. Harper, Boise State (JR)
17. Princeton McCarthy, Idaho (SO)
18. Myke Compton, Louisiana Tech (JR)
19. Marquis Butler, Utah State (SO)
20. Brandon Rutley, Ssan Jose State (SO)
21. Courtney Randall, Nevada (JR)
22. Alex Green, Hawaii (JR)
23. Seth Smith, New Mexico State (JR)
24. Michael Smith, Utah State (JR)
25. Derrvin Speight, Utah State (JR)
26. Troy Vital, Idaho (SO)
27. Brandon Fragger, Nevada (SR)
28. Zach Booker, Louisiana Tech (SR)
29. Matt Kaiserman, Boise State (FR)
30. Ronald Opetaia, New Mexico State (SO)
31. Robert Clay, New Mexico State (FR)
32. Tyrone Duplessis, Louisiana Tech (FR)
33. Corey White, Idaho (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
Pac-10
SEC
Non-BCS Pt. 1

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

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

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