1.Marcus Barnett, Cincinnati (SO)2007 was a record-breaking season for the
Cincinnati offense. Led by quarterback Ben Mauk, the offense set a team record for the most points scored and passing touchdowns in a season. Mauk’s eligibility has been exhausted and an appeal for an extra year of eligibility appears unlikely. The Bearcats aren’t short on options for the quarterback position, especially with Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones showing signs of improvement in the spring. Barnett grabbed a Bearcat season-high of 13 touchdown receptions while catching 62 passes for 862 yards. With a new quarterback taking over the offensive controls in 2008, a decrease in touchdown receptions for Barnett is very likely. The sophomore should catch over 50 passes, but may struggle to move up further in the fantasy receiver rankings – especially if the Bearcats get shaky quarterback play.
2.Kenny Britt, Rutgers (JR)
Ray Rice has moved onto the NFL, leaving a huge void in the Scarlet Knight backfield. Losing Rice to the NFL was a big blow for this offense, but quarterback Mike Teel is more than capable of taking the offense on his shoulders. Britt showed solid improvement last year, catching 62 passes (a significant bump from 29 in 2006) for 1,232 yards and eight touchdowns. Due to his solid season in 2007, 6’4” receiver was awarded with Second Team All-Big East honors, and set a Rutgers single-season record with 1,232 receiving yards. Teel to Britt should be a lethal combination for this offense, and fantasy owners should consider this junior receiver one of the top 30 options in 2008.
3.Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers (SR)
Ten years ago, not many college football fans would expect to see many potential All-American candidates from Rutgers. Needless to say, a lot has changed since Greg Schiano grabbed the controls, and the Scarlet Knights have two legitimate All-American candidates at the receiver spot. Kenny Britt and Underwood both topped the 1,000-yard mark last year, becoming the first duo in Big East history to do so. The Scarlet Knights were also the first school in NCAA history to have a 3,000-yard passer, a 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. Underwood finished 2007 with First Team All-Big East honors and fantasy owners should see similar numbers in 2008 – with an increase in touchdown receptions.
4.Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati (SR)
Goodman has been a consistent option during his Bearcat career and is coming off a 68 reception season, which is the eighth-most in a single season by a Cincinnati receiver. The senior is looking to close out his career on a high note, but quarterback question marks are hovering over the offense. With Ben Mauk unlikely to get an additional year of eligibility, the Bearcats will turn to Dustin Grutza, Demetrius Jones or Chazz Anderson to lead the offense in 2008. Goodman and teammate Marcus Barnett are both top 50 fantasy receiver options, but be wary of a drop in value if the quarterback position isn’t settled.
5.Trent Guy, Louisville (JR)
Chalk up the 2007 season as a major disappointment for Louisville. The Cardinals entered the season with high expectations, but finished the year at 6-6 and did not play in a bowl game. Despite the graduation of quarterback Brian Brohm, the Cardinals feel confident about their offense in 2008. Senior quarterback Hunter Cantwell is a capable player and a top 50 fantasy performer at his position. Look for Cantwell to have a solid season throwing the ball, but Guy should be the team’s go-to guy in deep ball situations. The junior hasn’t been a huge contributor in his first two years, but the graduation of Harry Douglas will open up opportunities.
6.Derek Kinder, Pitt (SR)
Before contending for a Big East title, Pitt needs the passing game to show significant improvement. The Panthers were 104th in the NCAA in passing offense, but they will get a boost from the return of Kinder. Kinder missed all of 2007 with a torn ACL and his presence should help the winner of the quarterback battle. In 2007, Kinder caught 57 passes for 847 yards and six touchdowns. Kinder has had a year to recover from his injury, but he may not be 100 percent to open the year. Additionally, the Panther quarterback spot is a question mark and with that in mind, it’s hard to imagine Kinder being much more than a waiver wire pickup during the season.
7.Scott Long, Louisville (JR)
After last season’s debacle in Louisville, it’s hard to know whether this is a team that could rebound to a bowl game or finish with another disappointing 6-6 record. If the Cardinals are going to get back into the bowl picture, the offense will have to carry the load. Senior Hunter Cantwell is poised to takeover the quarterback position, but this is an offense lacking proven weapons at receiver. The Cardinals are hoping Long is one of the answers. The junior receiver finished fourth on the team last year with 27 catches for 358 yards. With the graduation of Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia moving on, the Cardinals think Long can be the next star at receiver, and fantasy owners should consider him a late-round sleeper pick going into the 2008 season.
8.Oderick Turner, Pitt (JR)
A preseason knee injury to Derek Kinder forced Turner into the number one receiving spot for the Panthers. The New Jersey native responded with a solid statistical year – 36 catches for 496 yards and five touchdowns. The Panther quarterback situation was a major source of concern last season and doesn’t appear to be any better going into 2008. Expected starting quarterback Bill Stull missed nearly all of 2007 with a thumb injury, but he is expected to be 100 percent this season. If Stull can provide the consistent play missing from last year, Turner and Kinder should be higher in the Big East fantasy receiving ranks.
9.Dorrell Jalloh, West Virginia (SR)
With Darius Reynaud graduating from West Virginia, Jalloh and Tito Gonzales will be counted upon to become the go-to guys for quarterback Pat White. Last season, Jalloh posted a career-best stat line with 24 receptions for 272 yards and one touchdown. The senior receiver has only two touchdowns in his career, but fantasy owners should expect that number to change in 2008. New West Virginia offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen will look to use a little more passing in 2008, and White is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NCAA. Don’t expect week-to-week fantasy value, but a significant improvement in numbers should be on tap in 2008.
10.Tito Gonzales, West Virginia (SR)Gonzales has been a quiet target most of his career (16 total receptions), but the Mountaineer fans certainly remember his 79-yard touchdown catch against
Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Gonzales’ 79-yard reception was the longest in Mountaineer bowl history, and sealed Bill Stewart’s first victory as head coach. With Darius Reynaud graduating, the senior receiver will be counted upon for a larger role in the passing game this season. The Mountaineer offense is loaded, but Gonzales’ fantasy value may be limited to a one-week rental.
11.Marshwan Gilyard, Cincinnati (SR)
12.D.J. Hernandez, Connecticut (SR)
13.Lavar Lobdell, Syracuse (JR)
14.Taurus Johnson, South Florida (SR)
15.Marcus Edwards, South Florida (SR)
16.Brad Kanuch, Connecticut (JR)
17.Carlton Mitchell, South Florida (SO)
18.Tim Brown, Rutgers (JR)
19.Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt (FR)
20.Doug Beaumont, Louisville (SO)
21.T.J. Porter, Pitt (JR)
22.Chris Vaughn, Louisville (JR)
23.Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati (FR)
24.Wes Lyons, West Virginia (JR)
25.Jessie Hester, Jr. South Florida (SR)
26.Donte Davis, Syracuse (SO)
27.Dontavia Bogan, South Florida (SO)
28.Brandon Hogan, South Florida (SO)
29.Dennis Campbell, Rutgers (JR)
30.Charley Howard, Cincinnati (SR)
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