College Fantasy Football Rankings Shift as Camp Performances Reshape Depth Charts
Updated 2026 rankings from Yahoo Sports reflect significant movement in player valuations, driven by fall camp production and institutional roster adjustments across the United States.
The 2026 College Fantasy Football season is approaching, prompting a recalibration of player rankings based on recent fall camp performances, injury reports, and depth chart changes. Eric Froton of Yahoo Sports has released updated assessments that highlight significant shifts in value, moving away from static pre-season projections toward data-driven insights from current training cycles.
The most notable risers in the updated rankings include Jekail Middlebrook, a running back for Virginia. A transfer from MTSU, Middlebrook has reportedly separated himself from the backfield committee due to his all-purpose skillset. His previous performance, which included 4.1 yards after contact and 40 receptions in 2025, positions him as a credible option with room for growth as he takes over the lead role previously held by J’Mari Taylor.
Wide receiver Chris Marshall of Arkansas is another key riser, identified as the clear number one receiver for the Razorbacks. Camp reports from Fayetteville indicate Marshall has established himself as the primary target. As a transfer from Boise State, where he recorded 19.1 yards per carry and 3.0 fantasy points per touch last season, his value is further enhanced by Arkansas’s position in the lower tier of the SEC, a context that often necessitates a higher volume of passing plays.
JaVonnie Gibson, a wide receiver for Cincinnati, has also emerged as a camp standout. After recording 70 receptions and 1,215 yards at Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2024, Gibson spent the 2025 season acclimatising to the program. His recent performance, which included three touchdown passes in the spring game, has elevated his status, particularly given the air raid background of quarterback JC French.
Brian Rowe, a wide receiver for UCLA, represents another significant rise following his transfer from South Carolina. A four-star recruit who recorded 19 receptions for 149 yards in his freshman season, Rowe has developed a rapport with quarterback Nico Iamaleava under new head coach Bob Chesney. This dynamic has positioned Rowe as a high-value asset, with analysts suggesting he is worth considering as early as Round 10 in standard leagues.
Conversely, the rankings identify Peyton Lewis, a running back for Virginia, as a notable faller. Lewis’s prospects have diminished relative to his teammate Jekail Middlebrook, reflecting the competitive dynamics within the backfield committee. This shift underscores the volatility of fantasy football valuations, where institutional changes and individual performance during camp can rapidly alter a player’s market position.
