SUN BELT FANTASY SNAPSHOT


ARKANSAS STATE

Best Bet:  QB Ryan Aplin
Aplin flashed some impressive dual threat ability last fall filling in for the injured QB Corey Leonard.  He's in a battle for the QB job this August, but if he is named full-time starter he could make a decent spot starter in Sun Belt play..

Sleeper Potential:  RB Derek Lawson
Lawson is battling Jermaine Robertson to replace Arnold.  He rushed 11 times for 47 yards in the spring game and scored a pair of TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving).

Big Fantasy Question:  Will Ryan Aplin hold off Phillip Butterfield as the starting QB??
While Aplin has some game experience, Butterfield opened a few eyes by chucking the rock 54 times in the spring game with 235 yards and 3 TDs.


FLORIDA INT’L

Best Bet:  WR T.Y. Hilton
Hilton is one of the most dynamic receivers in the conference when healthy.  Also a dangerous return man on special teams.

Sleeper Potential:  QB Wesley Carroll
The Mississippi State transfer is in the mix for the starting gig, and could be just what the doctor ordered for Hilton and company.

Big Fantasy Question: Can T.Y. HIlton rebound from a disappointing 2009 campaign?
Hilton was slowed down by a slew of injuries last year, but looked great this spring and should have a rebound season.


FLORIDA ATLANTIC

Best Bet:  RB Alfred Morris
Morris plowed his way to 1,392 yards and 13 total TDs last fall and should be the centerpiece of the FAU offense this fall.

Sleeper Potential:  TE Rob Housler
Housler redshirted last year due to the presence of Jamari Grant and Jason Harmon.  He returns to the starting lineup this fall.  Remember, he posted a solid 32-519-4 statline back in 2008.

Big Fantasy Question:  Should we be concerned about the FAU o-line?
The Owls lost everyone from the offensive line and spent the spring trying to sort things out.


LA-LAFAYETTE

Best Bet:  TE Ladarius Green
Green could be one of the best fantasy tight ends in the nation this year.  He finished the season with two straight 100 yard games.

Sleeper Potential:  QB Chris Masson
Masson has good passing ability and can scoot out of the pocket and pick up yards.  Put these things together and you’ve got a decent Sun Belt QB.

Big Fantasy Question:  Can the team return to its dominant running game of 2008?
RB Yobes Walker had one 100 yard game last year after starter Undrea Sails went down to injury.  He’ll face lots of competition for carries this fall running behind a revamped offensive line.


LA-MONROE

Best Bet:  RB Frank Goodin
Goodin rushed for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs last fall, including five 100-yard games.

Sleeper Potential:  QB Kolton Browning
The redshirt freshman supplanted Trey Revell as the starting QB this spring.  Given that Revell has some nice fantasy moments last fall as a dual threat, this is a surprising move.  Perhaps Browning has something special or was this a motivational ploy to light a fire under Revell?

Big Fantasy Question:  Will new head coach Todd Berry continue to feed the rock to Frank Goodin?
Goodin has racked up 517 attempts in his Warhawk career.  Will Berry, who was the QB coach at UNLV, continue to rely on Goodin?  He’s already made a curious (potential) change at the QB position….


MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Best Bet:  QB Dwight Dasher
Dasher was one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the country last fall and should continue to be a force in 2010.

Sleeper Potential:  RB Phillip Tanner
Tanner racked up 850 yards and 16 TDs in 2008, but was lost to injury early last season.  Can the senior have a rebound season?

Big Fantasy Question:  Will the loss of OC Tony Franklin affect the fantasy value of Dasher?
Franklin moved on to La Tech after one excellent season with the Blue Raiders.  His fingerprints were all over the offense last fall.  Can Mike Schultz continue the success calling the plays in 2010?


NORTH TEXAS

Best Bet:  RB Lance Dunbar
Dunbar burst onto the scene last fall accounting for 1,678 yards from scrimmage and scoring 19 TDs.  He figures to be an elite fantasy RB this fall.

Sleeper Potential:  WR Tyler Stradford
The much-ballyhooed Oklahoma transfer could step right in and make an immediate impact going against Sun Belt corners.

Big Fantasy Question:  Can the Mean Green find a fantasy-worthy QB?
After recurring problems with his throwing arm, Riley Doge was moved to WR.  Nathan Tune and Derek Thompson are competing for the starting gig.


TROY

Best Bet:  WR Jerrel Jernigan
Jernigan accounting for 1,367 yards from scrimmage, but only hit paydirt 5 times.  If he can maintain the yardage but get into that 8-10 TD range, he becomes a very dangerous fantasy weapon.

Sleeper Potential:  QB Jamie Hampton or Corey Robinson
Hampton has a few impressive outings back in ‘08 before getting hit with the injury bug.  Corey Robinson has matched Hampton thus far in fall camp and is right in the mix for the starting job.  Whoever wins the gig holds solid fantasy value.

Big Fantasy Question:  How do the RBs shake out?
DuJuan Harris and Shawn Southward battled for carries last fall.  Will one emerge as a feature or are we looking at more of a 1-2 punch?


WESTERN KENTUCKY

Best Bet:  RB Bobby Rainey
Rainey rushed for 99 or more yards five times last fall and averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry.

Sleeper Potential:  TE Jack Doyle
Doyle is a potential Top 20 fantasy tight end in a down year for the position.

Big Fantasy Question:  Can new head coach Willie Taggart inject some juice into this offense?
With a new head coach comes new hope and optimism.  Keep an eye on the Hilltoppers as they head into Sun Belt play this fall to see if anyone might be worth a waiver wire pick up.