This article is part of our College Football Fantasy Five series.
Even though there are no official college football games being played, it doesn't mean that we can't start preparing for the 2021 fantasy college football season. I've scrubbed the current headlines and here's a countdown of the top five stories with fantasy implications.
5.) QB TJ Finley Takes His Talents to Auburn
It was certainly a surprise to see Finley stay in the SEC West by transferring from LSU to Auburn. The talented underclassman played in five games as a freshman at LSU and completed 57 percent of his passes for 941 yards and five touchdowns versus five interceptions. It's not probable that he'll take the job from Bo Nix in the short-term, but it's possible that he becomes the long-term option for the Tigers with four years of eligibility remaining. He has the ceiling to be an extremely productive collegiate quarterback with size, arm strength and great instincts within the pocket.
4.) QB Jayden de Laura Reinstated at Washington State
De Laura will have an uphill battle in the competition for the starting QB job in the fall after being suspended for a DUI arrest back in February. Tennessee transfer Jarrett Guarantano has been around for spring practices and is expected to take the starting job for 2021. Still, it's positive news for de Laura in the future as he's only a freshman and could take the job in 2022 and beyond for an offense that's always going to have fantasy relevance.
3.) WR Camron Buckley is Another New Weapon at Indiana
The Hoosiers have added eight transfers this off-season, which shows that they're all-in for the 2021 season and believe they can compete in the Big Ten East. Buckley, a Texas A&M transfer, has a chance to slot in as the second receiver behind stud WR Ty Fryfogle with an above-average QB in Michael Penix. The team also recently added USC transfer RB Stephen Carr who will push Sampson James and David Ellis for the starting job. This will be an offense to watch as the season gets closer because there will be plenty of fantasy opportunities in a place that not many fantasy owners will be looking.
2.) QB Charlie Brewer is the Favorite to Start at Utah
Christopher Kamrani of The Athletic recently wrote an article that suggests Brewer has gotten up to speed quickly at Utah and is likely going to win the job this fall. Brewer was extremely productive in his four years at Baylor, especially in 2018 and 2019 when he accumulated 58 total touchdowns. He's always had dual-threat ability around the goal-line with 22 rushing scores over the last three seasons. I'm really excited to see what he can do with TE Brant Kuithe as he never really had an elite tight end option during his tenure at Baylor. Brewer doesn't have the strongest arm, so a weapon like Kuithe could take him to that next level.
1.) WR Kaylon Geiger is a Perfect Fit at Texas Tech
Geiger will be a perfect fit at Texas Tech as the Red Raiders look to build some of their receiving depth after losing KeSean Carter (transferred to Houston) and T.J. Vasher (NFL Draft) who were the team's number two and three receivers a year ago. Erik Ezukanma will still be the number one option, but we should remember that Texas Tech will have a new quarterback in Oregon transfer Tyler Shough. Geiger will have a chance to impress Shough and win over some of that target share with his new team. We already know that the passing volume will be high in those high-scoring Big 12 games. Geiger was one of the best in the Sun Belt at Troy with 141 catches for 1,625 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons. He should be on the radar for fantasy owners this fall.