College football kicks off its 2026 season today with a seven game DFS slate for us. We are pumped to get back on the field and attack our favorite Daily Fantasy Sport. There are some solid games with the potential for high scoring. When looking at the QB position, we are intrigued with dual threat options as well as matchups. With that in mind, here are my QB rankings and tiers for today’s slate:
Top Tier
- Jayden Maiava (USC | $9,000): Features the best total on the board at 59.5 points with USC favored by 38, giving them a massive implied team total of 48. He posted the second-highest YPA in the Big Ten last year (9.2) and has explosive downfield potential against an SJSU defense ranking in the bottom 20 nationally (114th in pass yards/gm and 126th in pass yards/comp). He may only play three quarters, but that should easily clear 3x value.
- Beau Pribula (UVA | $7,100): NC State featured one of the worst pass defenses in 2025. While they were young and could improve, this remains a strong spot to target. UVA is a top-60 pass offense operating behind a very good offensive line, and Pribula adds a dynamic running element with 16 rushing TDs in 34 career games.
- CJ Bailey (NCSU | $6,600): Facing a tough UVA defense, but his $6,600 price tag is too cheap. He threw for over 3,000 yards with 25 TDs and ran for 9 scores over the last two seasons. Positioned for a potential breakout year, NC State also added high-profile transfers Victor Snow and JoJo Trader.
- Micah Alejado (Hawaii | $6,500): The lefty can sling it, throwing for 3,100+ yards and 24 TDs in 11 games last year for an aggressive Hawaii offense that registered 540 pass attempts. He faces a Stanford defense that ranked 136th nationally and allowed 210 yards and 2 TDs to him last season. Note: With #1 WR Pofele Ashlock ruled out, temper expectations slightly.
Mid Tier
- Ashton Daniels (FSU | $8,500): Faces a bad defense and has Duce Robinson to throw to, but the offense leans heavily on the running game, and cheaper options exist at quarterback. His primary path to value is his dual-threat ability, having averaged 65 rushing yards per game over the last two seasons.
- Noah Kim (EMU | $7,400): Threw for 2,800+ yards and 28 TDs last year. He takes on a Sacramento State squad playing their first game at the FCS level after transitioning and traveling over 2,300 miles. EMU boasts a strong offensive line (7th fewest sacks allowed last year) and returns top targets WR Nick Devereaux and TE Josh Long.
- Nathan Hayes (NDSU | $7,000): A two-star prospect finally getting his senior-year start with just 63 career pass attempts. While he flashes running ability, NDSU will likely lean on their running backs against a weak Jack St run defense. This salary feels a bit high given cheaper alternatives.
Sleeper
- Marcus Stokes (Memphis | $6,200): Memphis is in a complete rebuild under new coach Charles Huff, featuring 61 transfers, 20 incoming freshmen, and an entirely new projected 2-deep. Stokes threw for 3,000+ yards at DII West Florida last year and has strong pedigree, making him a viable sleeper option if he wins the starting nod.
- Air Noland (Memphis | $5,700): A highly regarded five-star transfer from Ohio State and South Carolina with elite dual-threat pedigree. Though currently projected to back up Stokes, monitor the pre-game coin toss for any last-minute surprises from coach Charles Huff.
- Luke Weaver (SJSU | $5,200): Transfers into a pass-happy SJSU offense that finished 13th nationally in passing (284+ yards/gm). Though facing a difficult matchup and a potential blowout against USC, garbage-time volume could easily pay off his basement salary.
Fade
- Caden Creel (JACST | $8,000): A dual-threat option with 7 games over 100 rushing yards in 2025, but NDSU fields a solid defense fully capable of locking down the ground game. In three games he rushed for under 100 yards, Creel averaged just 11.9 DFS points.
- Jackson Arnold (UNLV | $7,700): HC Dan Mullen named Arnold the starter just a day before kickoff, but also noted on his radio show that “Alex (Orji) is going to play.” Fade until the snap distribution clears up.
- Alex Orji (UNLV | $7,500): See Jackson Arnold. Fade.
- Davis Warren (Stanford | $6,800): Sat out last season after tearing his ACL in the 2024 bowl game. Even prior to the injury, he threw 7 TDs to 9 INTs, lacks downfield aggression, and plays behind a questionable offensive line facing a stout Hawaii defense.
- Carson Conklin (Sacramento St | $6,000): Posted a 49% completion rate with under 400 yards and 1 TD in 6 games for Fresno last year before returning to Sac State. Facing an EMU defense that allowed under 185 passing yards per game last year, make this a clear fade.
- Trey Hedden (NMSU | $5,500): NMSU enters as a 31-point underdog against a stout Florida State defense with a meager implied team total of 11. Ranked #138 among starting QBs by The Athletic due to high turnover tendencies. FADE in caps.
Leave a Reply