We move towards the finish line of our 2009 Look Aheads with a glance at the non-BCS schools. Notice I said glance, as our loyal readers will find this piece to be a little less robust than those that have taken a cursory look at the BCS schools. Are we slighting the little guy and solely spotlighting the big boys? Nope, we're just running out of time. Spring ball is upon us and we're knee deep into player research mode as I type. So here's a quick glance at some potential fantasy stars for those of you brave enough to venture out of your BCS comfort zone.
They'll be plenty of in-depth analysis to come, on this here website on our weekly radio show on Blog Talk Radio/The Fantasy Sports Network. Here's a little snippet to wet your beak.
2008 All non-BCS 2008 Fantasy Team *returning for 2009
QB: Chase Clement, Rice
RB: MiQuale Lewis, Ball State*
RB: Vai Taua, Nevada*
WR: Jarett Dillard, Rice
WR: Austin Collie, BYU
TE: James Casey, Rice
K: Louie Sakoda, Utah
D: Texas Christian
Troy 8-5
Returning: QB Levi Brown, QB Jamie Hampton, RB DuJuan Harris, WR Jerrel Jernigan
Looking to Emerge: WR Josh Jarboe
Look Back
An offense scoring 33 points per game is nothing to sneeze at. 2009 should be more of the same with most of the offensive skill returning. Levi Brown stepped up at quarterback to fill in for Jamie Hampton and may have clinched the job after leading Troy to the Sun Belt title. DuJuan Harris and Jerel Jernigan are both capable of putting up big games.
Draft worthy
Winner of quarterback battle
Jerrel Jernigan
DuJuan Harris
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jerel Jernigan
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
As long as Josh Jarboe can stay off the police blotter he can be a factor. Tossed from Norman after some bad rapping, Jarboe also had a run-in this offseason. Too risky for a draft choice, but one to watch.
Final Thought:
Troy is an emerging program that will supply its share of fantasy talent.
Florida Atlantic 7-6
Returning: QB Rusty Smith, WR Cortez Gent, TE Jamari Grant, TE Jason Harmon
Looking to Emerge: RB William Rose or RB Jeff Blanchard with the top two rushers from 2008 gone.
Look Back
There are some nice fantasy prospects on the Owls. Jason Harmon is expected to be recovered and back in the mix after missing all of 2008 with a torn ACL. He’ll have to contend with replacement tight end Jamari Grant, who put up a solid 45 reception season in relief. Cortez Gent is a starting fantasy wide receiver in almost any league, and quarterback Rusty Smith is a nice spot-start against most of his Sun Belt opponents.
Draft worthy
Rusty Smith
Cortez Gent
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Cortez Gent
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
William Rose/Jeff Blanchard
Jason Harmon
Final Thought:
Does Rusty Smith have lifetime eligibility?
Middle Tennessee 5-7
Returning: RB Phillip Tanner, WR Malcolm Beyah
Looking to Emerge: QB Dwight Dasher
Look Back
Middle Tennessee is not the first place to look for fantasy talent after posting only 22 points per game last season. QB Dwight Dasher, who will replace Joe Craddock, has some game experience, more running than passing. New offensive bigwig and DVD salesman Tony Franklin will look to spark the offense. Malcolm Beyah showed some nice offensive capabilities as a freshman, posting 33 catches with six scores.
Draft worthy
Phillip Tanner
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Phillip Tanner posted 17 total touchdowns in 2008. With his offensive line returning, he’s a guy to watch.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Malcolm Beyah
Final Thought:
Returning offensive line and Franklin's arrival at least make Blue Raiders intriguing.
Boise St. 12-1
Returning: QB Kellen Moore, WR Austin Pettis, K Kyle Brotzman
Looking to Emerge: RB Jeremy Avery, WR Titus Young
Look Back
12-1 and an offense that averaged nearly 38 points per game. Ian Johnson's role continued to diminish as the offense continued its move to a more-balanced attack. Things are humming right along in Boise
Draft worthy
Kellen Moore
Jeremy Avery
Austin Pettis
Kyle Brotzman
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jeremy Avery, though we are concerned about the aforementioned offensive balance and DJ Harper's presence.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Kellen Moore. Not really a breakout, but Moore could push towards the 35-40 score range.
Final Thought:
Boise will rank right up there with the top programs when it comes to fantasy factors in 2009. Just a fun, fun football program.
Hawaii 7-7
Returning: QB Greg Alexander, WR Kealoha Pilares, WR Malcolm Lane, WR Greg Salas
Looking to Emerge: WR Rodney Bradley
Look Back Greg Alexander began to produce steady fantasy numbers after securing the starting job around the mid-season point. Assuming he’s the clear-cut starter coming out of spring ball, he will have the chance to develop more chemistry with a wide receiver group struggling to meet the standards set by their predecessors. The offense must see better OL play, and they’ll be looking for a runner to step up; Kealoha Pilares will get his carries, so as long as he’s listed as a WR, you’re getting pretty good fantasy value with even better potential. Hawaii will need to score more this year with a lot of losses from last-year’s solid defense.
Draft worthy
Greg Alexander
Greg Salas
Kealoha Pilares
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Greg Alexander (can this man please have some time to throw?)
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Rodney Bradley
Dustin Blount
Final Thought:
Expect a marked improvement from an offensive line that will see a great infusion of youth. (Thanks to our Hawaii correspondent for all the help)
Nevada 7-6
Returning: QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Vai Taua, RB Luke Lippincott
Looking to Emerge: WR Chris Wellington
Look Back
Colin Kaepernick is set up to have a monster junior season. Both Vai Taua and Luke Lippincott are viable starting fantasy backs, but split carries will reduce the value of each. There is room for a receiver to step into the limelight as stud Marko Mitchell and fellow senior Mike McCoy depart. Whoever replaces Brett ‘the Jackal’ Jaekle at kicker is worth a look.
Draft worthy
Colin Kaepernick
Vai Taua
Luke Lippincott
Chris Wellington
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Colin Kaepernick
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Joe Washington (remember this name)
Final Thought:
Another great program out west that doesn't receive the national attention it deserves. Owners can get rich on the likes of Nevada.
BYU 10-3
Returning: QB Max Hall, RB Harvey Unga, TE Dennis Pitta, TE Andrew George
Looking to Emerge:A go-to wide receiver
Look Back
Austin Collie heads to the NFL after catching 106 passes in 2008. The Cougars also lose Michael Reed from the receiving corps. Chances are someone worthy will emerge at WR, but no wide receiver returns with more than 10 receptions. The tight end position is another matter entirely with star Dennis Pitta bringing back his 83 catches for over 1000 yards. Fellow tight end Andrew George is no slouch either, having hauled in six touchdowns last season. The lack of a proven threat at WR could improve the fantasy outlook for RB Harvey Unga and the TEs early in the year.
Draft worthy
Max Hall
Harvey Unga
Dennis Pitta
McKay Jacobson
Mitch Payne
Andrew George
O'Neill Chambers
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
QB Max Hall
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
McKay Jacobson, who returns from his mission. He's one to definitely grab late.
Final Thought:
Even with the void left by Collie's departure BYU remains a top draft day destination.
TCU 11-2
Returning: QB Andy Dalton, RB Joseph Turner, WR Jimmy Young, K Ross Evans
Looking to Emerge: WR Bart Johnson
Look Back
33 points per game on offense against 11 points allowed per game. Pretty good numbers. While the team likes to grind it out and rely on defense in the tough battles, the offense showed some fantasy potential. With Andy Dalton gaining confidence over the year, we could see a decent improvement in the passing game. Aaron Brown’s departure from a crowded backfield should leave some extra carries on the table for Joseph Turner. WR Jimmy Young fell just shy of 1000 yards and should better his 5 touchdowns of 2008.
Draft worthy
Joseph Turner
Jimmy Young
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Joseph Turner
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Waymon James (freshman running back)
Final Thought:
TCU has to replace plenty of defensive starters lost, and this could mean an increased fantasy output from the offensive starters.
Ball State 12-2
Returning: RB MiQuale Lewis, WR Briggs Orsbon
Looking to Emerge: QB Kelly Page, TE Madaris Grant
Look Back
New coach Stan Parrish is expected to run the same offense, but the big three of Davis, Love and Hill will be nearly impossible to replace. MiQuale Lewis became a fantasy stud in 2008, and he'll be the offense's prime weapon. Briggs Orsbon is a nice player at WR, emerging after Dante Love was lost to injury. Kelly Page is the man to watch at QB.
Draft worthy
MiQuale Lewis
Briggs Orsbon
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
MiQuale Lewis
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Kelly Page
Madaris Grant
Final Thought:
You just can't replace the type of talent that has left Muncie. MiQuale Lewis will be a factor once again, though this offense is likely a year away from supplying more fantasy talent.
Western Michigan 9-4
Returning: QB Tim Hiller, RB Brandon West, WR Juan Nunez
Looking to Emerge: TE Matt Stevens
Look Back
Tim Hiller had a break-out year in 2008. He’ll have a solid offense around him again in 2009, but will miss his big targets Jamarko Simmons and Branden Ledbetter. Juan Nunez should be the Hiller’s main target this year as leading receivers Simmons and Schneider Julien depart. Brandon West is a solid 15-20 carry guy that will give you more solid fantasy weeks than stinkers.
Draft worthy
Tim Hiller (though owners should be a tad concerned about his knee surgery)
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Tim Hiller
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Juan Nunez
Final Thought:
A healthy Hiller and things could be a lot of fun in Kalamazoo this fall. He and the Broncos open up with a game in Ann Arbor.
Central Michigan 8-5
Returning: QB Dan LeFevour, WR Antonio Brown, WR Bryan Anderson, K Andrew Aguila
Looking to Emerge: RB Bryan Schroeder
Look Back
RB Bryan Schroeder showed some nice potential filling in for his injured compadres, posting 106 yards and two touchdowns in his week 8 start against Western Michigan. Schroeder was relegated to the bench to bide his time for a potentially solid 2009 with Ontario Sneed and Justin Hoskins clearing out of the backfield. Bryan Anderson could “only” corral 63 balls last season; he can get closer to 100 again in 2009. Antonio Brown is quite the play-maker.
Draft worthy
Dan LeFevour
Bryan Schroeder
Antonio Brown
Bryan Anderson
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Dan LeFevour
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Andrew Aguila
Kito Poblah
Final Thought:
If the defense can get off the field this team could do more than just scare Michigan State on September 12. LeFevour is a legitimate pro prospect whose numbers could look more like 2007 (47 total touchdowns) than 2008's (27 scores) results. Just stay healthy Dan.
Buffalo 8-6
Returning: RB James Starks, WR Naaman Roosevelt, K A.J. Principe
Looking to Emerge: QB Zach Maynard, QB Ed Young or QB Jerry Davis
Look Back
The Bulls had three fantasy factors lead them last year in Drew Willy, James Starks and Naaman Roosevelt. And two of those who led the offense to over 30 points per game return. Still we ask if Buffalo can duplicate the success of 2008 without Drew Willy manning the helm? Having James Starks in the backfield will help the new signal caller break in smoothly, and Naaman Roosevelt will be waiting to catch more touchdowns. Brandon Thermilus is a capable RB and Brett Hamlin will get the chance to up his numbers as WR Ernest Jackson leaves after catching 45 balls for 507 yards.
Draft worthy
James Starks
Naaman Roosevelt
A.J. Principe
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
James Starks
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Marcus Rivers
Zach Maynard (gut feeling)
Final Thought:
Turner Gill has things rolling up north. The offense presents a balanced attack, and should a quarterback emerge it's easy to see this team surpassing the 30 points per game of a season ago.
Southern Miss 7-6
Returning: QB Austin Davis, RB Damion Fletcher, WR DeAndre Brown
Looking to Emerge: RB Tory Harrison
Look Back
Austin Davis had some really big games in 2008, but most of the year he was just a solid fantasy start. Look for him to post a couple more big games in 2009. Of course we’re counting on DeAndre Brown to make a full return from his broken leg. Tory Harrison has shown himself capable in spelling Damion Fletcher after injury. He posted seven touchdowns last year in limited duty. If Fletcher’s legal troubles linger, Harrison may be a viable fantasy option.
Draft worthy
Austin Davis (especially in keeper leagues)
DeAndre Brown (how long will he hang around Hattiesburg?)
Damion Fletcher (provided legal woes are sorted out)
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
DeAndre Brown (broken tibia may keep him out)
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Torris Magee
Thomas Webb
Final Thought:
The season hinges on DeAndre Brown's return. He makes it back and Austin Davis and Damion Fletcher become that much better in 2009.
Tulsa 11-3
Returning: RB Charles Clay, WR Damaris Johnson, WR Slick Shelley, WR A.J. Whitmore
Looking to Emerge: RB Jamad Williams, WR Trae Johnson
Look Back
The bad news: Gus Malzahn is gone. The good news is that Todd Graham plans on sticking with the high octane fantasy attack. The Golden Hurricanes lose some top level fantasy talent in QB David Johnson, RB Tarrion Adams and RB Courtney Tennial. And the unit will struggle to match the gawdy numbers from a season ago: 47 points per game, 301 pass yards and 268 on the ground.
Draft worthy
Jacob Bower
Shavodrick Beaver (a must-have in keeper leagues)
Charles Clay
Damaris Johnson
Slick Shelley
A.J. Whitmore
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jacob Bower
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Jamad Williams
Final Thought:
Jacob Bower appears the favorite to emerge as the starter, and they'll be no dearth of talent around him.
Rice 10-3
Returning: K Clark Fangmeier
Looking to Emerge: WR Toren Dixon, WR Corbin Smiter
Look Back
'Twas a season for the ages at Rice. Clement, Dillard and Casey leave campus with school records that will likely never be touched. Clement posted 57 scores, Dillard 21, and James Casey scored 21 of his own. And now with the ink on his new contract still wet Dave Bailiff will look to replace all of this talent, and he'll try and do it with new offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher.
Draft worthy
Nick Fanuzzi (starting QB?)
Toren Dixon
Corbin Smiter
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
The starting quarterback
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
C.J. Ugokwe (can we really chose a Rice running back?)
Final Thought:
This is one to watch. 40 ppg in 2009 and we've got ourselves a top fantasy system that can withstand huge personnel losses.
Houston 8-5
Returning: QB Case Keenum, Rb Bryce Beall, WR Tyron Carrier, WR L.J. Castile, WR Patrick Edwards, WR Kierrie Johnson
Looking to Emerge: WR Chris Gilbert
Look Back
QB Case Keenum took the job in the summer and 51 scores later we have our top quarterback for 2009. Bryce Beall scored 17 times in 2008, and he's looking like one of the better keeper backs in the country. And Tyron Carrier gave notice that he'll be a top prospect for as long as he's in the Sumlin/Holgerson offense.
Draft worthy
Case Keenum
Bryce Beall
Tyron Carrier
L.J. Castile
Patrick Edwards
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Case Keenum
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
A.J. Dugat (freshman WR)
Chris Gilbert
Final Thought
You're a starving fantasy owner and Houston is an all-you-can-eat buffett. You're a thirsty fantasy owner and Houston is an open bar. Have fun.
UTEP 5-7
Fantasy starters lost: RB Terrell Jackson, TE Jamar Hunt, K Jose Martinez
Returning: QB Trevor Vittatoe, WR Kris Adams, WR Jeff Moturi
Looking to Emerge:RB Donald Buckram
Look Back
We were a year early in predicting great things for the UTEP offense. Sure nearly 33 points per game is great for most teams, but most teams don't see the cupcake defenses that the Miners get to face. Trevor Vittatoe continued his progression, though the wide receiver production was a bit more inconsistent than we would have hoped. Now we're proclaiming 2009 the year when UTEP makes a huge fantsay splash.
Draft worthy
Trevor Vittatoe
Kris Adams
Jeff Moturi
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Trevor Vittatoe
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Tufick Shadrawy
Final Thought:
Kris Adams' unreal ability to find the endzone (14 scores on 50 touches) has us a bit leery about his production in 2009. Can he do it again? Therefore Jeff Moturi and Tufick Shadrawy may be solid late-round selections.
SMU 1-11
Returning: QB Bo Levi Mitchell, WR Aldrick Robinson, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Looking to Emerge: WR Cole Beasley, WR Terrance Wilkerson
Look Back
I hope opponents didn't become accustomed to seeing the SMU offense struggle. Because it's not going to last. Charged with rebuilding the Mustangs June Jones saw his share of speed bumps on the way to 1-11. But progress was made. Bo Levi Mitchell gave enough hints that he can be a national fantasy factor, and two fantasy star wide receivers emerged in Aldrick Robinson and Emmanuel Sanders.
Draft worthy
Bo Levi Mitchell
Aldrick Robinson
Emmanuel Sanders
Shawnbrey McNeal
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Bo Levi Mitchell
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Cole Beasley
Darius Johnson (true freshman WR)
Final Thought:
June Jones continues to redecorate his roster, and we won't see a real representation of his program until around 2011. Until then expect steady progression.