Yahoo Sports analyst Eric Froton ranks Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy as top 2026 college fantasy running back
Froton’s latest rankings for the 2026 college fantasy football season highlight the strategic importance of players who can generate significant points through the air, with Oklahoma State’s Caleb Hawkins and BYU’s LJ Martin rounding out the top three.
Yahoo Sports fantasy analyst Eric Froton has published his comprehensive rankings for the top 100 running backs for the 2026 college fantasy football season, released on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The publication aligns with Yahoo Sports’ broader initiative to expand its College Fantasy Football (CFF) user base and sets the stage for the upcoming 2026 college football campaign.
Froton’s methodology centres on the "Hero RB" ethos, a strategy that favours high-volume rushers capable of contributing significantly in the passing game. This approach reflects standard fantasy lineups that typically require two running backs and two flex spots, where versatility is crucial for weekly success. The analyst notes that collegiate offenses vary significantly in backfield target distribution, particularly in PPR (points per reception) formats, making play-caller tendencies a vital metric for drafters.
A key component of Froton’s ranking philosophy is the ability to generate 50 or more fantasy points from receiving production alone. Historical trends in CFF suggest that top-10 running backs often have substantial receiving contributions, and this metric serves as a primary filter for identifying elite performers. The rankings are subjective projections based on anticipated performance rather than confirmed statistical outcomes, acknowledging that roster changes or transfers could alter positions prior to the season.
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy is ranked number one on the list, followed by Oklahoma State’s Caleb Hawkins in second place and BYU’s LJ Martin in third. The top five also includes Jadan Baugh of Florida at number four and Isaac Brown of Louisville at number five. Bo Jackson of Ohio State is ranked 12th, rounding out the notable entries in the upper tier of the rankings.
The full list of 100 players provides a detailed hierarchy for draft preparation, with additional rankings for wide receivers scheduled for release on Wednesday and tight ends on Thursday. These sequential releases form part of Yahoo Sports’ structured rollout for the 2026 season, offering fantasy managers a complete framework for player evaluation before the start of the college football year.
