A new fantasy landscape
The 2026 college football season is set to begin in under two months, sparking excitement across both professional and college fantasy leagues.
Yahoo Fantasy Sports will open its drafts on August 3, marking the start of a season that mirrors the regular college schedule and introduces unique categories such as Team Offense.
Fans will have a choice of 68 Power Four rosters, each built from 53‑man squads, giving them a deep pool of talent to select from.
Among the standout names on the early rankings are four Syracuse Orange athletes who cracked the top 300: wide receivers Cole Weaver and Umari Hatcher, and quarterback Steve Angeli.
Weaver sits at No. 172, Hatcher at No. 185 and Angeli at No. 272, positioning them as potential sleepers for fantasy owners seeking value.
Analysts repeatedly stress that securing a premium running back remains the cornerstone of a competitive roster, as the position continues to drive the highest point totals.
Syracuse’s defense will face a gauntlet of strong opponents, including Notre Dame, Clemson, Louisville and SMU, while also battling Toledo in non‑conference play.
The Orange have bolstered their front line with new transfers and appointed fresh leadership on the sidelines, adding layers of uncertainty and intrigue to their defensive outlook.
What to watch
Watch for the impact of Weaver’s route running against top secondary units, Hatcher’s ability to stretch the field, and Angeli’s development under new coaching staff.
If the defense can pressure quarterbacks from the new transfers, Syracuse could surprise many brackets and shift the balance of power in several matchups.
Fantasy participants should monitor injury reports and playing time trends as the August draft approaches, because a single breakout performance can reshape rankings overnight.