2026 College Fantasy Football Rankings: Biggest risers and fallers as of August 20

With fall college football camps open and competing across the country, there has been considerable change in my College Fantasy Football rankings already, based on injuries, scrimmage production and the always interesting rumors and innuendo. Some position groups are clouded by committee approaches, while others are clarified by players ascending to the top of their respective team’s depth chart. Accordingly, here are some of the most recent risers and fallers from the adjustments I made to my most recent set of rankings.

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RisersJekail Middlebrook, RB, Virginia

The MTSU transfer has reportedly separated himself from the rest of the backfield committee thanks to his all-purpose skillset that is reminiscent of 2025 starting RB J’Mari Taylor. Last year, Middlebrook accounted for an exceptional 4.1 yards after contact with a fantasy-friendly 40 receptions, and takes over the lead role, which Taylor parlayed into 18.9 fantasy points per game last year. He is a credible flex option with room for growth if he runs away with the job.

Chris Marshall, WR, Arkansas

A transfer from Boise State, Marshall recorded an explosive 19.1 YPC and 3.0 fantasy points per touch last season. He’s been far and away the WR1 for the Razorbacks, according to almost all the camp reports we’re hearing from Fayetteville. With Arkansas in the lower tier of SEC teams, they will be forced to throw quite often, which is a tendency that has led to productive receiving seasons for fellow hogs like Treylon Burks, Isaiah Sategna and Isaac TeSlaa. Marshall is an SEC WR1 who is barely being drafted and deserves more respect than he’s getting. 

JaVonnie GIbson, WR, Cincinnati

The Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer ripped the FCS for 70 receptions and 1,215 yards in 2024 before taking last season to get acclimated at Cincinnati. While Gibson only caught 18 passes for 199 yards last year behind a pair of NFL caliber wideouts in Cyrus Allen and Jeff Caldwell, he’s been the talk of fall camp after catching three touchdown passes in the spring game. New QB JC French comes from an air raid background and is capable of delivering the ball to Gibson effectively. Make sure you’ve got Gibson queued up in the Round 13+ range.

Brian Rowe, WR, UCLA

Rowe portals over from South Carolina where he was a promising 4-star recruit who saw ample game action in his freshman season, reeling in 19 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown, while garnering three carries for eight yards in 11 games. He even completed a 21-yard pass for good measure. Now in Pasadena, where new head coach Bob Chesney has breathed new life into the program, Rowe has been the crown jewel of the Bruins’ summer camp and has developed a rapport with post-hype sleeper QB Nico Iamaleava. Rowe is worth considering as soon as Round 10 in Yahoo Standard Leagues.

FallersPeyton Lewis, RB, Virginia

I had such high hopes for Lewis, who is a former Virginia high school sports legend and a premium athlete. However, according to reports, he has fallen behind Middlebrook, who has displayed more versatility and ability to be used in all situations. Lewis has tumbled down my big board and is now a RB2 depth flier at best until things change at UVA. 

Demon June, RB, North Carolina

We’ve got quite a quagmire developing over in Chapel Hill, as we should see all three of Benjamin Hall, Demon June and LSU transfer Kaleb Jackson during their Week 0 tilt versus TCU. June has the more CFF-friendly tools since he averaged a strong 4.3 yards after contact and caught 17-of-20 passes for 159 yards for a superb 1.41 yards per route average. All those number have flown out the window, as rumors of a committee approach with Hall leading the room have emerged from camp. Best take a wait-and-see approach Week 0 and try to scarf the perceived “winner” of the battle off waivers.

Harlem Berry, RB, LSU

Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones has taken the LSU RB room by storm, as new head coach Lane Kiffin had no prior connection to Berry while Jones was hand picked by him. To compound matters, Berry has missed the last two practices as of Thursday, which leaves his availability in question for the Sept. 5 opener. Throw in fellow LSU holdover RB Caden Durham, and you’ve got a lot of mouths to feed between three backs. Two of them are going to be waiver wire fodder, making Berry a highly volatile draft pick. 

Movement in the Missouri backfieldRiser — Jamal RobertsFaller — Ahmad Hardy

Jamal Roberts has been steadily climbing the rankings since his teammate Ahmad Hardy suffered a gunshot wound back in May. Though it was initially assumed Hardy would make a brisk recovery of sorts, he was spotted in street clothes for Missouri's latest scrimmage, leaving much speculation as to when he will be able to contribute in a meaningful manner, if at all. Hardy was considered a top-five overall selection before the unfortunate injury, but he’s been relegated to a flier between the ninth and 11th rounds in hopes that he can return to his starting role in the second half.

As a result, Roberts shoots up the board after being one of the best RB2s in the country last year after producing 753 rushing yards on 124 carries with 18 receptions despite being a designated backup. Roberts is going in the Round 5-6 range right now and would immediately become a second-round value if Hardy were to sit out the 2026 campaign or accept a drastically reduced workload to protect his NFL Draft status.

2026 College Fantasy Football Top-300 Half-PPR Rankings