Devy Fantasy Football Primer: Garrett Nussmeier, Cam Ward, Ryan Williams (2024)

Week 2 of the College Football season sure delivered, with big-time performances, upsets and some teams showing dominance early in the season. Week 3 is not littered with big matchups, but from a devy and college fantasy football aspect, there is plenty to look forward to.

Let’s break it all down in this edition of the “Devy Fantasy Football Primer.”

Devy Fantasy Football Primer

Games of The Week

#20 Arizona @ #14 Kansas State (-7.5) | Total 59.5 | Friday, 8 p.m. ET on FOX

Both teams look to get back on track under the lights after struggling against inferior opponents. There’s no shortage of devy assets to watch in this one led by my WR1 Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, Kansas State QB Avery Johnson, and RB DJ Giddens. This game should be full of scoring and explosive plays, as both teams rank in the top 40 for points per game. Kansas State’s defense was lit up by Tulane’s passing attack last week, totaling 342 yards. Arizona’s gunslinger Noah Fifita should be in store for a big game if McMillan can bounce back from his disappointing Week 2 performance.

Avery Johnson has played well to start his first season as the starting signal caller for the Wildcats, but I’m looking for him to breakout this week on the national stage with a big performance, much like in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. To do so, I believe 2026 WR Jayce Brown will have to be more involved than last week (one reception for 17 yards). If Arizona can slow down the workhorse Giddens, they have a shot to come away with the upset, but that is much easier said than done.

An interesting tidbit about this game: While it is a matchup of Big 12 teams, it does not count towards their conference records, as the game was scheduled before Arizona’s move to the conference.

My Picks:

Moneyline: Kansas State (-255)
Spread: Arizona +7.5 (-118)
Total: Over 59.5 (-107)

#16 LSU (-6.5) @ South Carolina | Total 49.5 | Saturday, Noon ET on ABC

This game is also littered with devy assets, starting with LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Kyren Lacy, RB Kaleb Jackson and TE Mason Taylor. For South Carolina, it’s Konami Code QB LaNorris Sellers and potentially WR Nyck Harbor if he sees the field. South Carolina has not hosted LSU since 2008. It may only be Week 3, but this feels like a must-win for the Tigers with their tough SEC schedule on tap.

This game will be won in the trenches. One of, if not the top offensive line in the country, will go for LSU against one of the best pass-rushing defenses in South Carolina. If they cannot get pressure on Nussmeier, it could be a long day for the defense, as he can pick apart coverages if given time.

Sellers is a big wildcard at this point, as we’ve seen both good and bad from him. Still, one thing is certain: He can put the defense on their heels with his running ability. I am extremely excited to see Sellers and LSU LB Harold Perkins on the field together.

Nussmeier and Lacy are quickly becoming one of the best duos in the SEC and increasing their draft stock along the way. Both are two of my top devy targets to acquire before their values continue to increase each week. With the QB class still up in the air, Nussmeier is a dark horse candidate to launch himself into the top three and potentially QB1 conversation by season’s end. Lacy, on the other hand, is an older prospect (he turns 24 in December) that isn’t too appealing to many devy and dynasty managers. If he was a couple of years younger, there would be significantly more buzz for him.

My picks:

Moneyline: LSU (-240)
Spread: LSU -6.5 (-124)
Total: Under 49.0 (-108)

Devy Spotlight

Cameron Ward (QB – Miami) | 2025

One of the hottest names in college football is Cameron Ward. After picking apart Florida in “The Swamp” Week 1, he continued his impressive play against Florida A&M. Through two games, he has 689 passing yards, six touchdowns, a 75.4 completion percentage and a rushing touchdown. I currently have him ranked as my QB4 in the 2025 draft class.

Cam Ward is SICK pic.twitter.com/sUdcn3mlj8

— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) August 31, 2024

Playing against MAC school Ball State, he should have another dominant performance to continue his hot start to the season and his campaign for the Heisman Trophy.

Jackson Arnold (QB – Oklahoma) | 2026

Jackson Arnold has been heavy in the discussion to be QB1 in the 2026 draft class. Through two weeks, he has not lived up to those lofty expectations. He has produced 315 passing yards, six touchdowns, one interception and a 63.2 passing completion %. Those are not quite the numbers you’d like to see playing against Temple and Houston.

Jackson Arnold and Oklahoma off to a hot 14-0 start

Arnold’s 5/5 for 85 yards and two TDs pic.twitter.com/do6vz8lmIT

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 30, 2024

Oklahoma welcomes Tulane into Norman, Okla., following a close loss for the Green Wave to fellow Big 12 member Kansas State. The boobirds were out for Arnold last week, so with the pressure on, this could be a turning point in his season. I’m looking for him to bounce back and have a big game to settle the nerves of devy managers for the time being.

Ryan Williams (WR – Alabama) | 2027

The 17-year-old freshman has set the College Football world ablaze with his first two games, putting his explosive playmaking ability on display. Alabama travels to Camp Randall to challenge the Wisconsin Badgers, presenting their toughest matchup yet and a chance for Williams to build on his hot start.

???? SEC Freshman Player of the Week: WK 1

???? Ryan Williams@AlabamaFTBL x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/lqWZL1WX1A

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 2, 2024

He did a lot with a little in week 1, with only two receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Week 2 was a different story, with a decline in yards and touchdowns but an increase in targets. He saw seven targets for 68 yards and one touchdown. That’s nothing to bat an eye at, and it is positive to see a larger target share while also playing a tougher opponent in a more competitive game.

It will be interesting to see which type of game we see from the freshman phenom.

Heisman Trophy Race

Currently, the top-five favorites per FanDuel Sportsbook are:

Quinn Ewers is the newcomer this week, while Dillon Gabriel went from a favorite to the sixth-best odds (+850 to +1200). Ewers was a big riser after a great performance and victory over Michigan in “The Big House.”

Ashton Jeanty made a huge leap from +7500 to +2500 this week after another dazzling game but this time it came against a Power 4 defense in Oregon. If Jeanty can produce 150+ all-purpose yards and multiple touchdowns in his next game (vs. Portland State on Sept. 21), I wouldn’t be shocked to see his odds rise to the +1200 range and potentially into the top five.

Tetairoa McMillan (+8000) posted over 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns in Week 1 and came back down to earth in Week 2 with only two receptions for 11 yards. He has a big opportunity on a national stage to play in a top-25 matchup Friday night.

Paul Edginton in a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more content from him, follow him on Twitter/X @GUMP7285, catch the Gridiron Fantasy Show weekly, and the Destination Devy College Football Podcast on Saturdays.

Articles Devy Dynasty NFL Tetairoa McMillan Avery Johnson Garrett Nussmeier Kaleb Jackson Mason Taylor LaNorris Sellers Jackson Arnold Ryan Williams Quinn Ewers Carson Beck Jaxson Dart Jalen Milroe Dillon Gabriel Ashton Jeanty