College football officially back and you can play weekly DFS contests at DraftKings for the duration of the season.
DraftKings is starting off the season with the CFB $100K Saturday Kickoff Special contest, with $25,000 going to first place. You can enter the contest for just $20 here.
Quarterback
Stud
Jalon Daniels, Kansas vs. Fresno State, $7,800 – Jalon Daniels is one of the most exciting returning quarterbacks in the country. Daniels is an electric dual-threat option who is always a great fantasy player because of his rushing ability. He had six rushing touchdowns in 2024 and should be more aggressive running this early in the season when he is fresh and healthy. Fresno State has a new head coach and defensive coordinator, so this will be a tough first task for them. Fresno State had massive roster turnover due to the coaching change, and this game could just be a way for them to test things out as they prepare for their conference schedule, which is a much bigger priority.
Other Option – Maverick McIvor ($8,500)
Value
E.J. Warner, Fresno State at Kansas, $6,200 – E.J. Warner, son of NFL legend Kurt Warner, earned the starting job at Fresno State this offseason after longtime starter Mikey Keene transferred. Warner spent the last three seasons at Temple and Rice, where he put up big numbers throwing the football. In 2023, he was one of just 22 quarterbacks in the country to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. At Fresno State, Warner will have the most talent around him that he’s ever had. Fresno State will likely be trailing in this game against Kansas and will need to throw the football to keep up. That should get Warner a decent amount of stats and make him a good value play at this price.
Other Option – Ben Gulbranson ($6,700)
Running Back
Stud
Landon Sims, Hawaii vs. Stanford, $5,200 – Landon Sims has spent the past two seasons as a backup running back or in a committee at Hawaii, but is ready to take the starting role in his senior season. This will be his fourth year under head coach Timmy Chang, so Sims should feel very confident in the current system. The Rainbow Warriors return three starters on the offensive line and have good continuity across the board. Meanwhile, Stanford is expected to be one of the worst Power Four teams in the nation. Hawaii should have good success against them offensively, getting Sims a lot of touches and, hopefully, a score or two.
Other Option – La’Vell Wright ($6,900)
Value
Micah Ford, Stanford at Hawaii, $4,700 – On the other side of the game on O’ahu, Micah Ford will be toting the ball for Stanford. Stanford had a massive amount of turnover last season, including losing their head coach, quarterback and superstar receiver Elic Ayomanor. This could be a rough season for the Cardinal, with Frank Reich coaching in an interim fashion as the university continues its coaching search. The easiest thing Stanford could do in this first game is feed Micah Ford. Ford was their leading rusher last season, and they do return four starters on the offensive line. Their best chance in this contest is leaning on that run game, so it should be a good day for Ford.
Other Option – Elijah Gilliam ($4,300)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii vs. Stanford, $6,900 – Pofele Ashlock could be in for a monster season. He has been playing a big role for Timmy Chang since his freshman season, and now, in his junior year, he is ready to be a star. Between Ashlock and teammate Nick Cenacle ($5,900), Hawaii has the top two returning receivers in the entire conference based on 2024 receiving yards. Ashlock has had over 1,400 receiving yards over the last two seasons and is looking to increase that number this year. Having another great receiver opposite him should help Ashlock be more productive. That is how he has scored 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons, as well. Against a Stanford secondary with major holes, it should be a big game for Ashlock.
Other Option – KD Hutchinson ($6,600)
Stud
Matthew Henry, WKU vs. SHSU, $6,400 – Matthew Henry was a big get in the transfer portal for Western Kentucky. He ranked fifth in the FCS with 1,179 receiving yards last season. He now makes the jump to FBS for his senior season and will be a part of what is annually one of the best offenses in the country under Tyson Helton. Bailey Zappe, Austin Reed and others have had massive success in this offense. Now, Maverick McIvor transfers in at quarterback from Abilene Christian. He ranked fourth in passing yards at the FCS level last year and comes to WKU with his offensive coordinator at ACU, Rick Bowie. With the familiarity McIvor has with the system, this passing offense should hit the ground running with Henry as one of its top targets.
Other Option – Jaavan Mack ($4,600)
Flex/Superflex
You can use any of the other names I listed in the above categories for the flex or superflex positions. However, here are a few more names, just in case.
Stud
Hunter Watson, QB, SHSU at WKU, $7,700 – When facing Western Kentucky, it is almost always a shootout. The Hilltoppers’ offense should hit the ground running, leaving Sam Houston State no choice but to try to keep up. Watson returns after starting most of last season. Phil Longo will now be coaching the Bearkats and is one of the best offensive minds in the sport. Watson has great rushing ability, scrambling for 647 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Longo should utilize his dual-threat talents and make Watson a productive fantasy player all season.
Other Option – QB Micah Alejado ($9,300)
Value
Nick Cenacle, WR, Hawaii vs. Stanford, $5,900 – Just like his teammate, Pofele Ashlock, it should be a big game for Nick Cenacle. Cenacle was Hawaii’s leading receiver with 721 yards last season. In his senior campaign, alongside Ashlock, he should be a part of one of the best receiving duos in the Mountain West. Cenacle and Ashlock were both voted preseason First-Team All-Mountain West. Against a Stanford team that was decimated during the offseason, Timmy Chang’s offense should put up some huge numbers.
Other Option – WR Qua’Vez Humphreys ($5,400)
