College football season is almost here and a handful of players are set to swing the fortunes of your fantasy roster. From quarterbacks trying to carry their programs to running backs stepping into the spotlight, these are four names from each Power Four conference who could make or break your Squad Blitz team this fall. If you are ready to build your roster, make sure you sign up for Squad Blitz and select Walk-On Redshirts as your referral when you join.
Big 12: Jalon Daniels, QB (Kansas)
Kansas is a team I’m high on heading into the season. The Jayhawks went 5-7 last year but finished strong, beating three ranked teams in November and falling just two points short of Kansas State in October. Daniels struggled with consistency, completing only 57% of his passes compared to over 66% in 2022. Now fully healthy and without Devin Neal in the backfield, he’ll be asked to make more plays both through the air and on the ground if Kansas is going to contend for the Big 12 title.
The schedule is favorable, featuring only three preseason ranked teams, but potential traps remain. Kansas will travel to Missouri and host Utah, two matchups that could test Daniels’ leadership but are winnable with his experience. If he plays to his ceiling, Kansas’ passing and rushing attack become a legitimate weekly threat and could push the Jayhawks into Big 12 contention.
Big Ten: Trebor Pena, WR (Penn State)
Last year Penn State’s wide receivers had exactly zero catches in their semifinal game against Notre Dame. Across three playoff games they had only 10 total catches, which is downright pathetic. Penn State turned to the transfer portal for help, and Trebor Pena is the best of the bunch. Pena hauled in 82 catches for 941 yards last season. For context, Penn State’s entire wide receiver room combined for just 102 catches and 1,640 yards. Pena proved he could get open and became one of Kyle McCord’s favorite targets. With Tyler Warren off to the NFL, Drew Allar will need a new go-to option. A slot receiver with a knack for finding space seems like the perfect solution.
Penn State’s rushing offense will remain a consistent star for your Squad Blitz team, with the tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton being hard to pass up. The passing game, however, depends on Allar building chemistry with his new receivers. Past transfer additions at wide receiver rarely worked out, but none had the ability of this group. If Pena lives up to expectations, Penn State fantasy owners may face a tough weekly decision between relying on the run or trusting the pass.
ACC: Carson Beck, QB (Miami, FL)
What version of Carson Beck are we getting this year? In 2023 he was nearly a Heisman candidate and a projected NFL Draft pick. He completed over 72% of his passes, averaged nearly 10 yards per attempt, and threw just six interceptions all year. In 2024 his completion percentage dropped below 65%, his yards per attempt fell under eight, and his interceptions doubled to 12. How much of that blame lies on Beck versus a receiving corps that led the nation with 36 drops? Beck transferred to Miami, the same place Cam Ward thrived last season, finishing fourth in the Heisman race before going number one overall.
Beck inherits a brand-new group of receivers after the top six pass catchers from last year either graduated to the NFL or transferred. Miami brought in CJ Daniels from LSU, who has nearly 2,500 career receiving yards. Daniels broke out with over 1,000 yards at Liberty in 2023 but managed just 480 at LSU last season. Joshisa Trader, a former top-100 recruit, is expected to play a bigger role and may be Miami’s best shot at replacing Xavier Restrepo. The lack of proven receiving threats will put more pressure on Beck to elevate the offense. Miami’s passing attack is a classic sink-or-swim unit, and Beck’s performance will determine which way it goes.
SEC: Richard Young, RB (Alabama)
Alabama’s offense is going to look very different this season. Ty Simpson takes over at quarterback, and coaches typically lean on the run game early to ease in a new starter. Expected starter Jam Miller suffered an upper-body injury and will miss the first portion of the season, thrusting Richard Young into the lead role. Dre Washington and Daniel Hill should also see carries in Miller’s absence. Young, a former top-100 recruit, played in just seven games last year due to injury.
Last season Alabama’s rushing attack revolved around Jalen Milroe’s legs. While Simpson is mobile, he lacks Milroe’s dynamic running ability, which makes the running backs more critical. Alabama’s offensive line should be among the best in the country, anchored by Kaden Prater on the left side. A downhill runner like Young gives the line a chance to generate more push and reestablish the ground game. If Young lives up to his recruiting hype, Alabama’s rushing attack could become a must-start option on Squad Blitz.
