CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 9

Welcome back to the college football waiver wire watch. Throughout the college football season, we'll pick two guys from every conference who either caught our eye in the previous week or who have an upcoming favorable matchup. As always, we'll answer any questions or comments in the comments section below.

First, though, here are the guys who came through last week and may still be available in your leagues:

Victor Snow, WR, Buffalo (34.7 points)
Kejon Owens, RB, FIU (31.2 points)
Walker Eget, QB, San Jose State (26.4 points)
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, Marshall (22.9 points)
Tory Blaylock, RB, Oklahoma (20.6 points)
Camden Brown, WR, Georgia Southern (19.8 points)
Ryan Davis, WR, Utah (19.6 points)
Peter Clarke, TE/WR, Temple (12.1 points)
Nico Gramatica, K, USF (12.0 points)

70+ Club in Upcoming Slate: Here are the college games that have an Over/Under closest to the 70-point mark, which potentially means a plethora of fantasy points. Enjoy these barn burners and roster some players in these games if you can.

69.5 points - USF at Memphis
66.5 points - Baylor at Cincinnati
62.5 points - Utah State at New Mexico
60.5 points - Georgia Southern at Arkansas State

*Fantasy Points referenced are in DraftKings format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

American Conference Waiver Wire Pickups

Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas (44 Percent Rostered)

Mestemaker has been one of the best stories in all of college football with 21 total touchdowns and just three interceptions in seven games. He walked on at North Texas in 2024 and didn't even get to be the starting quarterback at his high school. Instead he played safety, cornerback, and punter at the high school level. He's now gotten his chance to play quarterback at the collegiate level and he's not looking back at 25.2 fantasy points per game. He's been one of the best in the American conference, and UNT goes up against Charlotte this week, one of the worst teams in the group of five.

Peter Clarke, TE/WR, Temple (18 Percent Rostered)

Clarke has a touchdown in two of the last three weeks. In those three games, he has a combined 12 catches (on 13 targets) for 160 yards and two touchdowns which has equated to an average of 13.3 fantasy points per game. That's excellent production at the tight end position, and his roster percentage went up by just 17.6 percent last week. With upcoming games against Tulsa, East Carolina, and Army, there's a great chance the Owls keep utilizing their tall target in the passing game.

Week 8 Rewind: Army RB/WR Noah Short (4.4 points - 7 ATT, 23 YDS, 1/1 TAR, 11 YDS) & Temple TE/WR Peter Clarke (12.1 points - 3/3 TAR, 31 YDS, 1 TD)

ACC Waiver Wire Pickups

Miller Moss, QB, Louisville (30 Percent Rostered)

Moss and the Cardinals shocked the world with an upset of the previously undefeated Miami Hurricanes in their house last week. Moss had 23.0 fantasy points, and he has hit that mark in each of his last three games. He and WR Chris Bell (98 percent rostered) are feeling it right now, as they have connected 31 times (on 42 targets) for 441 yards and five touchdowns in the last three games. That's insane production, which has helped Moss accumulate three 300-yard passing games in the last month of the season. He's also been sneaky good in the red zone with a career-high four rushing touchdowns this year.

Kendrick Raphael, RB, Cal (13 Percent Rostered)

Raphael has at least one touchdown in each of his last three games, and he is averaging 16.4 rushing attempts per game. He's also been active in the passing game this year with 10 catches (on 15 targets) for 41 yards. These opportunities have resulted in 14.2 fantasy points per game. Cal has been a decent team this season, and no one is really taking them seriously, and it shows in the roster percentage of their star players. WR Jacob De Jesus (11 percent rostered) is also a recommendation after leading the nation with 19 targets in Week 8.

Week 8 Rewind: Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel (13.0 points - 13/24, 143 YDS, 1 INT, 12 ATT, 23 YDS, 1 TD) & Duke RB Nate Sheppard (12.0 points - 15 ATT, 50 YDS, 4/4 TAR, 30 YDS)

BIG 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Kevorian Barnes, RB, TCU (27 Percent Rostered)

Barnes is coming off an impressive performance with a season-high 25 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He's logged at least 12 carries in each of his last three games and appears to be the primary back out of the backfield for TCU. While TCU is a pass-first type of offense, they have started to utilize Barnes more of late. In five appearances in 2025, he's averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game. He should have no problem finding some success at West Virginia, team which has one of the worst rush defenses in the nation. 

Garrett Oakley, TE, Kansas State (40 Percent Rostered)

Oakley and the Wildcats were on a bye last week, so it's possible he's available in your league right now. He's been money this season, including at least one touchdown in each of his last three games. He's a big part of the Kansas State offense at 5.3 targets per game. That average has been even better over his last three games at 7.0 targets per game. It's not surprising to see those touchdowns come in with the increased opportunities, and it's likely he surpasses the five scores he had during the 2024 season. 

Week 8 Rewind: Utah WR Ryan Davis (19.6 points - 7/10 TAR, 66 YDS, 1 TD) & Baylor WR Kobe Prentice (2.9 points - 2/4 TAR, 9 YDS)

Big Ten Waiver Wire Pickups

KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers (33 Percent Rostered)

Duff ranks fifth in the conference with 57 targets through seven games. He's been a consistent playmaker all year long at 16.4 fantasy points per game. While he is coming off two of his lowest outputs in catches over the last two weeks, those were tough defenses in Washington and Oregon. The competition gets a lot less scary with Purdue, Illinois, and Maryland over the next three weeks. Expect him to get a handful of targets and be useful for fantasy rosters looking for a consistent option at the wideout position. With an upcoming shootout at Purdue, QB Athan Kaliakmanis (eight percent rostered) is also in the mix as a spot starter this week.

Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa (9 Percent Rostered)

Gronowski is effectively a running back for fantasy squads, as he has at least one rushing score in every game this season. He's coming off one of his best performances of the year against Penn State where he racked up 29.7 fantasy points. He rushed nine times for a season-high 130 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Nittany Lions. Iowa has found some recent success with wins in four of their last five games. The only loss in that stretch was a close 20-15 game with Indiana, one of the best teams in the country.

Week 8 Rewind: USC RB King Miller (10.4 points - 18 ATT, 70 YDS, 2/4 TAR, 14 YDS) & UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava (12.3 points - 21/35, 221 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT, 8 ATT, 25 YDS, 1 FL)

C-USA Waiver Wire Pickups

Kejon Owens, RB, FIU (44 Percent Rostered)

The fantasy community did listen last week, as Owens saw a 43.2 percent increase in his roster percentage. Those who utilized the waiver wire were awarded handsomely, as Owens had 31.2 fantasy points with a season-high 22 carries and 195 rushing yards. He has at least one touchdown in four of six games this year. He's had at least 15 carries in each of his last five games, yet he is somehow still available in under 50 percent of leagues. Go out and get Owens as he's an easy start versus Kennesaw State, Missouri State, and Middle Tennessee over the next three weeks.

Nahzae Cox, WR, Middle Tennessee (18 Percent Rostered)

Cox has at least five targets in every game this year. He's the Blue Raiders' number one receiver, and he has produced most weeks at 14.5 fantasy points per game. Middle Tennessee is coming off their last bye week of the year which makes Cox an intriguing add because they'll go up against a weaker C-USA schedule the rest of the way. He's available in a ton of leagues still and has the potential to be a lock for line-ups the rest of the way. QB Nicholas Vattiato (nine percent rostered) is also a consideration this weekend, as they should put up a decent number of points at Delaware. 

Week 8 Rewind: Jacksonville State QB Caden Creel (14.3 points - 14/21, 116 YDS, 1 TD, 12 ATT, 57 YDS *Left w/ Arm Injury) & FIU RB Kejon Owens (31.2 points - 22 ATT, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 2/4 TAR, 7 YDS)

MAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Victor Snow, WR, Buffalo (43 Percent Rostered)

Snow did see an uptick in roster percentage by 25.3 percent last week. That wasn't nearly enough, as he erupted for 34.7 fantasy points at UMass. Teammate Nik McMillan (4 percent rostered) actually had more targets (16) and catches (10), but it was Snow who grabbed the only touchdown receptions in the game for the Bulls. The star receiver has already matched his career high with eight total touchdowns, and he still has five games to go in the regular season. He's a top priority add, and shouldn't hit this list for the rest of the year. Oh yeah, Buffalo plays a bad Akron defense too.

Jyrin Johnson, TE, Bowling Green (3 Percent Rostered)

Tight ends are so tough to predict, so here we are with yet another dart throw in an attempt to find consistent production at the position. Johnson has at least four targets in five of seven games this year. Bowling Green should be able to pass the ball at Kent State this week, so Johnson is in play this week. The Texas Southern transfer has just one touchdown with his new team, however, the target share suggests he's in line for another score or two if the opportunities continue.

Week 8 Rewind: Akron RB Jordan Gant (11.9 points - 19 ATT, 94 YDS, 2/3 TAR, 5 YDS) & Buffalo WR Victor Snow (34.7 points - 8/12 TAR, 112 YDS, 2 TD, 1 ATT, 5 YDS)

Mountain West Waiver Wire Pickups

Lucky Sutton, RB, San Diego State (36 Percent Rostered)

Lucky has been a workhorse back this year at 17.2 rushing attempts per game. He's been great with that high volume, too, with 526 yards and six touchdowns with an average carry of 5.1 yards. The Aztecs will be at Fresno State in Week 9, and that's a defense that can be beaten on the ground. He doesn't do a lot in the passing game, with just five targets on the year, yet the rushing volume is heavy enough to comfortably put Lucky in your line-up. He's available in far too many leagues this far in the season.

Keagan Johnson, WR, New Mexico (39 Percent Rostered)

Johnson has at least nine targets in each of his last three games. The Kansas State transfer is the Lobos' No. 1 receiver. With New Mexico's defense struggling in most games, it results in Johnson getting a plethora of opportunities in the passing game. Don't expect anything different when the team plays Utah State this week. That game should be one of the highest-scoring tilts on the slate in Week 9, so why not go out and get a number one receiver in that game?

Week 8 Rewind: San Jose State QB Walker Eget (26.4 points - 27/49, 340 YDS, 2 TD, 3 ATT, 18 YDS) & Air Force TE Bruin Fleischmann (1.5 points - 1/3 TAR, 5 YDS)

SEC Waiver Wire Pickups

Tory Blaylock, RB, Oklahoma (24 Percent Rostered)

Blaylock saw a 14.7 percent increase in his roster percentage last week, and he delivered with 20.6 fantasy points at South Carolina. He logged his second-career 100-yard rushing performance, and he recorded his fifth straight game with double-digit carries. The true freshman is the starting tailback for the Sooners with juicy matchups with Ole Miss and Tennessee the next two weeks. While Oklahoma could utilize many of their talented backs on the depth chart, the data doesn't lie, as it's been Blaylock each and every week. Blaylock appears to be the guy in Norman right now, and fantasy managers should continue to take notice.

Braylon Staley, WR, Tennessee (42 Percent Rostered)

Staley is having a breakout season with 41 catches (on 64 targets) for 523 yards and three touchdowns. The young receiver has been getting better and better each week. Against a tough Alabama defense in Week 8, he recorded a career-high 10 catches (on 16 targets) for 92 yards and a score. WR Chris Brazzell (84 percent rostered) may be the flashiest wide receiver for the Volunteers, but Staley is the more consistent option on a week-to-week basis.

Week 8 Rewind: Oklahoma RB Tory Blaylock (20.6 points - 19 ATT, 101 YDS, 1 TD, 1/1 TAR, 5 YDS) & Arkansas TE Rohan Jones (7.2 points - 2/2 TAR, 52 YDS)

Sun Belt Waiver Wire Pickups

Jaylen Raynor, QB, Arkansas State (29 Percent Rostered)

Raynor is an all-time waiver wire player, as he's been featured in this article numerous times over the last three years. That's what happens when you're a boom-or-bust dual-threat quarterback. The Red Wolves play Georgia Southern in Week 9, and that sets up well for a boom week for Raynor. He's been running the ball a lot this season at 12.7 attempts per game and has four rushing scores over his last five games. Raynor should be in line to surpass his average of 21.5 fantasy points this week against a soft Georgia Southern defense.

Tre' Brown, WR, Old Dominion (1 Percent Rostered)

Brown has been the sixth best receiver in the conference at 14.3 fantasy points per game. The breakout season has been propelled by a couple of great games at Marshall and James Madison. He recently racked up 32.8 fantasy points with four catches (on nine targets) for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Old Dominion's defense has fallen apart in their last two games, so it may need to go to Brown more if they're not able to establish the run game. ODU WR Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding (29 percent rostered) is also an option, but Brown is available in more leagues.

Week 8 Rewind: Marshall QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (22.9 points - 22/32, 277 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 17 ATT, 88 YDS) & Georgia Southern WR Camden Brown (19.8 points - 3/5 TAR, 48 YDS, 2 TD)

INDEPENDENTS & PAC-12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Joe Fagnano, QB, Connecticut (7 Percent Rostered)

Fagnano has been unleashed in his last two games at an average of 37.8 fantasy points. He's combined for 717 passing yards and nine total touchdowns in games against FIU and Boston College. Upcoming opponents include Rice and UAB, two teams not exactly known for its defense. Both of those games should include a ton of points which puts Fagnano in play for fantasy rosters. He has an elite receiving option in Skyler Bell (85 percent rostered) who is averaging 25.6 fantasy points per game. The best part is that Fagnano is available in almost all leagues right now.

Week 8 Rewind: Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (13.7 points - 16/26, 136 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 ATT, -7 YDS, 1 TD)

DEFENSE & KICKER RECOMMENDATIONS

Defense

North Texas (at Charlotte) - I'm typically not looking for road teams in this section, however, Charlotte's offense is historically bad. Moreover, North Texas is available in 94 percent of leagues and is averaging 8.8 fantasy points per game.

Central Michigan (vs. UMass) - Rostered in only three percent of leagues and coming off a 13.5 fantasy point performance at Bowling Green. They should also be able to shut down UMass at home.

Georgia Tech (vs. Syracuse) - The Yellow Jackets have a combined six sacks and two turnovers in their last two games. They are available in 87 percent of leagues and go up against a struggling Syracuse offense this week.

Week 8 Rewind: Ohio vs. NIU (8.0 points - 21 PA, 2 SK, 1 TA, 1 TD), Miami vs. Louisville (1.5 points - 24 PA, 1 SK, 1 TA) & Cal vs. North Carolina (8.5 points - 18 PA, 1 SK, 3 TA)

Kicker

Will Bettridge, Virginia - Bettridge has a made field goal in all seven games this year and is averaging 9.4 fantasy points per game. Available in 71 percent of leagues.

Clune Van Andel, Arkansas State - Rostered in 21 percent of leagues and averaging 6.7 fantasy points per game. Has three made field goals in three of his last five games. Arkansas State and Georgia Southern should be high scoring in Week 9.

Connor Hawkins, Baylor - Hawkins is available in 61 percent of leagues and is coming off two straight games with two made field goals. The Bears should be in a shootout with Cincinnati this week.

Week 8 Rewind: USF Nico Gramatica (12.0 points - 2/3 FG, 6/6 XP), Memphis Gianni Spetic (6.0 points - 1/1 FG, 3/3 XP), UTSA Michael Petro (5.0 points - 1/1 FG, 2/2 XP)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: UNT Drew Mestemaker, ARKST Jaylen Raynor, UCONN Joe Fagnano

RB: FIU Kejon Owens, TCU Kevorian Barnes, OU Tory Blaylock

WR: BUFF Victor Snow, MIDTN Nahzae Cox, NM Keagan Johnson

TE: TEM Peter Clarke, KSU Garrett Oakley, BGSU Jyrin Johnson

D/ST: CMU (vs. UMass), UNT (at Charlotte), GT (vs. Syracuse)

K: UVA Will Bettridge, BAY Connor Hawkins, ARKST Clune Van Andel

Be sure to check out our college football custom rankings and our player rankings cheat sheet for up-to-date season-long rankings, as well as our college football weekly rankings to help guide your lineup decisions. During the season, our college football DFS optimizer and value report are powerful tools to help build DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.