​What about pairing Texas quarterback Arch Manning with Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith on the same college football roster? While you’re at it, add Michigan tailback Jordan Marshall as well. No transfer portal needed, either—just some savvy drafting by a college fantasy football team owner. Yahoo Sports is expanding further into college fantasy football this season by launching leagues that feature players from Power Five conferences along with Notre Dame. So, fill that QB1 slot with Heisman Trophy favorites Manning or the Fighting Irish’s CJ Carr. Lock in Marshall or BYU’s LJ Martin to round out the running back spots. Grab Smith or Cam Coleman of Texas at wide receiver. These standouts from today’s college game could help you win a fantasy title later this fall, and perhaps even help your NFL fantasy team down the road.
“This will be an interesting opportunity to really develop fandom not just of the sport, but also the players and the schools,” Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Media Group, said in an interview ahead of Thursday’s league launch. “The content… is now available to make a really robust, awesome experience.” There have been college fantasy football leagues before, but this iteration aims to bring the format into a more mainstream spotlight in the current era of name, image and likeness. Yahoo is riding a high after a season that saw all-time highs for fantasy football participation and teams. “It’s understandable to all fans,” Spoon noted, “not just the mega-college fan.”
The college fantasy format mirrors the NFL version: it starts with the draft, followed by head-to-head matchups, with scoring kicking off Sept. 3. Rosters consist of 18 players and span the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and ACC, as well as Notre Dame. There’s a distinctive twist, too, with an “offense” position in play. You can draft, for example, Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin alongside the Ohio State offense, which yields bonus points for team touchdowns, total yards, field goals, and a win, while deductions apply for losses. This lineup spice-up adds strategic depth.
“We’ve run millions of permutations,” Spoon said of testing different formats and game structures. “The variability is the awesome part of this.” Iowa State running back Aiden Flora weighed in on the draft choice question at Big 12 media days: “Might as well trust myself. I feel like it’s a thing that a lot younger people would love to do, even though I feel like a lot of them would just try to get the guys that they are cheering for.” The format also serves as a way to keep pace with players in the ever-changing college football landscape, including the volatile transfer portal.
Among the notable players to watch is Martin, who earned AP Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors last season after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. He figures to be a high draft pick in these leagues. “I’m trying to go out there and get as many yards as I can every time,” he said, emphasizing the competitive spirit that fuels fantasy rosters. This new model aims to blend real-world college fandom with fantasy competition, offering dedicated fans a fresh avenue to celebrate the sport and its athletes.
In the growing ecosystem of college fantasy football, players, owners, and schools alike may find value in this approach—creating stronger connections with teams and stars, nurturing long-term fandom, and potentially extending the excitement from college fantasy into the broader world of NFL fantasy. The opportunity to watch players develop, plan strategic drafts, and see how a strong roster can translate into success as the season unfolds adds a compelling layer to the college game. If you’re a devoted college football follower looking to test your drafting acumen, this format presents a dynamic stage to showcase your instincts and, who knows, to build a fantasy title that could echo into the NFL realm later on.