Western Michigan Fantasy Buzz
For college fantasy football fans, Western Michigan has been a good place to pick up some quality players in later rounds. NFL fans may know the names of Greg Jennings and Tony Scheffler from their NFL fantasy leagues, but the die-hard college football fantasy players knew of them long before. Once again, the Broncos boast a potent offense that has a multitude of players who can make a big splash in your fantasy league.
Alex Carder, Junior, Quarterback
As a sophomore last season Carder threw for 3,334 yards and 30 touchdowns. He added six more scores on the ground. Averaging three touchdowns per game is great for any player. Carder is not much of a rusher and most of those touchdowns on the ground were from quarterback sneaks. At 6-2 and 224 pounds, Carder is good at fighting his way into the end zone, but he is not an elusive quarterback and that hurts his fantasy value. In leagues where passing touchdowns do not count as much as rushing touchdowns, Carder has less value, but the numbers are still extremely impressive.
Jordan White, Senior, Wide Receiver
Carder will have an easier time of things thanks to the return of Jordan White. White caught 94 passes for 1,378 yards and ten touchdowns last year and quickly emerged as a fantasy stud. The problem is fellow 1,000 yard receiver Juan Nunez is gone. That means the opposition will likely spend more time double teaming White. White has enough speed and strength to get open and will catch most balls thrown in his direction, but Carder may be forced to look elsewhere if the Mid-American defenses are smart and blanket White.
Ansel Ponder, Junior, Wide Receiver
With Nunez gone and White likely retaining the attention of the defense, that leaves a large gap for a new receiver to step into a big role. Ansel Ponder, a 6-1 junior, and Robert Arnheim, a 5-11 senior, are the likely options. Ponder does not have the big play ability of White, but he is a relatively big target who should get plenty of catches underneath while White is stretching out the defense. In fantasy leagues where you get points per catch, Ponder may have a surprisingly good season. Even if most of his catches are not down field, Ponder has the ability to turn some short passes into big plays.
Tevin Drake, Sophomore, Running Back
Tevin Drake is a big risk, but based on the six games he played during his freshman campaign, it may be worth the risk in deep fantasy leagues. On just 40 carries, Drake rushed for a team high 397 yards and four touchdowns. That is nearly ten yards per carry. The 5-11, 212 pound back may not get the most carries of the Bronco players, but he will probably make more out of his opportunities. Drake does have the size and build to be WMU’s main ball carrier, but he still has to prove that he can be a consistent threat; especially with Brian Fields and the much more experienced Aaron Winchester vying for carries.
Read the in-depth football preview for this team
