The 2026 college football season is set to kick off in August, and Yahoo! Sports has already begun shaping expectations with its latest fantasy football rankings. The list not only gauges fan interest but also serves as an early barometer for teams eyeing a strong start to the campaign.
Orange Aim for Breakout Season
Among the names that appear on the preseason list are wide receivers Cole Weaver and Umari Hatcher, running back Ahmad Miller, and quarterback Steve Angeli, each of whom brings a distinct profile to the fantasy landscape.
Weaver, a transfer from Miami (Ohio), arrives in Syracuse with a career résumé that includes 47 receptions for 680 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that hint at a player still developing but already productive.
Hatcher, who opted to return for a fifth year, has compiled 797 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over his college tenure, giving the Orange a reliable deep‑threat option.
Miller, a graduate transfer from Jackson State, burst onto the scene with more than 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season, positioning him as a workhorse in the backfield.
Angeli, despite an injury‑shortened 2025 campaign, remains a quarterback with the arm talent to exceed the 36th‑best fantasy projection that Yahoo! Sports currently assigns him.
The Orange are slated to open fall training camp in August, a period that will determine how quickly these newcomers can mesh with returning starters. Their first test will come on September 5, when Syracuse hosts New Hampshire in the season‑opening showdown.