Campus Scouting Guide - Week 2 2025
Our Perfect Saturday Slate
This week’s slate wasn’t easy to lock in. A lot of solid games are bunched together in the same windows, and some traditional timeslots don’t have a clear “must-watch” matchup. That meant making some tough calls — balancing big-name clashes with games that carry high scouting value for dynasty purposes. From bounce-back opportunities and early-season reality checks to WR/CB battles that could shape draft boards, this lineup gives you the best mix of storylines and player evaluations for every viewing block.
Saturday:
11:00 a.m. CT – #11 Illinois @ Duke (FOX) - Illinois RBs Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin offer a live contrast between speed and power back archetypes. WR Malik Elzy has the physical tools to win contested catches — this game will show if he can separate against man coverage. Duke QB Darian Mensah gets a tougher secondary test after lighting up Elon.
2:30 p.m. CT - Kansas @ Missouri (ABC) - For Missouri, this is about seeing how a new-look group responds against a much tougher test. QB Beau Pribula is still finding his footing in the offense, and WR Marquis Johnson has the speed to stress defenses — both will need to show they can produce against a more physical, disciplined Kansas unit. On the other side, QB Jalon Daniels brings dual-threat playmaking that could force Missouri into a shootout.
6:30 p.m. CT - #15 Michigan @ #18 Oklahoma (ABC) - Michigan RB Justice Haynes is the back to watch for burst and contact balance against a quick front. True freshman QB Bryce Underwood will get another chance to show poise in a hostile environment. For Oklahoma, QB John Mateer’s ball placement and TE Jaren Kanak’s size/speed mismatch ability are worth monitoring.
9:15 pm CT - Stanford @ BYU (ESPN) - Stanford RB Micah Ford gets a physical BYU front — a good litmus test for his patience and vision. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier has a chance to solidify himself as a reliable distributor, with RB LJ Martin and TE Carsen Ryan as the primary weapons.
Other Games This Weekend To Consider:
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT - Iowa @ #16 Iowa State (FOX) - Iowa State QB Rocco Becht will be tested by Iowa’s defensive discipline. Iowa RB Xavier Williams has a chance to show burst and pad level against a strong front seven.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT - Baylor @ #17 SMU (CW Network) - Baylor WR Kole Wilson’s route running will be tested against press coverage. TE Michael Trigg offers athletic mismatch potential if given volume. For SMU, WRs Romello Brinson and Jalen Cooper both bring vertical speed worth noting.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT - Virginia @ NC State (ESPN2) - Virginia WR Cam Ross thrives in the slot — we’ll see if he can create separation against tight coverage. NC State RB Hollywood Smothers and WR Wesley Grimes are names to keep on the early watchlist for their playmaking upside.
Saturday 2:30 p.m. CT - Oklahoma State @ #6 Oregon (CBS) - Oregon WR Dakorien Moore is already flashing WR1 traits for future drafts. QB Dante Moore’s decision-making in a clean pocket will be key, and TE Kenyon Sadiq is a red-zone weapon to keep tabs on.
Saturday 3:15 p.m. CT - USF @ #13 Florida (SEC Network) - USF WRs Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton both have the size to win jump balls. Florida QB DJ Lagway is one of the most exciting dual-threats in the country, with RB Jadan Baugh and WR Vernell Brown rounding out a dangerous supporting cast.
Saturday 6:30 p.m. CT - Boston College @ Michigan State (NBC) - Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles has the tools to be a future first-rounder, and WR Nick Marsh is a physical boundary target to watch. BC QB Dylan Lonergan and WR Lewis Bond will try to keep pace against an aggressive Spartan defense.
Saturday Early
#11 Illinois @ Duke - 11:00 am (FOX)
Illinois rolls into Durham fresh off a dominant opener against Western Illinois, but this week brings a major step up in competition. The Illini’s identity is built around a physical rushing attack paired with efficient quarterback play, and they’ll need both clicking to keep pace with Duke’s high-powered passing game. For the Blue Devils, it’s a chance to prove last week’s offensive explosion against Elon wasn’t just a tune-up — QB Darian Mensah faces a far more disciplined secondary, while his top targets will be tested by tighter coverage windows. This matchup not only pits two contrasting offensive styles against each other, it also offers a great dynasty scouting look at Illinois’ thunder-and-lightning RB duo and Duke’s emerging QB-WR chemistry.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Luke Altmyer – QB #9 – 6'2", 195 lbs, Senior
2024: 60.8% comp, 2,717 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT | 99 carries, 217 yards, 4 TD
Last Week vs Western Illinois: 17/21, 217 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Why We’re Watching: Efficient college passer with enough mobility to buy time but not a dual-threat fantasy option. Needs a big statistical jump and more NFL-level throws to move beyond Day 3/UDFA range. More likely a long-term backup if he gets drafted.
Aidan Laughery – RB #21 – 5'11", 200 lbs, Junior
2024: 97 carries, 589 yards, 4 TD | 9 catches, 32 yards
Last Week vs Western Illinois: 9 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD | 2 catches, 22 yards
Why We’re Watching: Explosive speed and quick acceleration make him a home-run threat. Needs to expand his receiving work to secure mid-round NFL attention. A potential riser for 2026 rookie drafts.
Kaden Feagin – RB #3 – 6'3", 250 lbs, Junior
2024: 67 carries, 306 yards, 3 TD | 5 catches, 37 yards
Last Week: vs Western Illinois: 13 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: Power back with NFL size who can handle inside work. Lacks top-end speed, but profiles as a goal-line/early-down asset in the right system. Receiving growth would boost draft stock.
Hank Beatty – WR #80 – 5'10", 185 lbs, Senior
Last Week: vs Western Illinois – 5 catches, 108 yards
Why We’re Watching: Slot/YAC specialist who relies on quickness and savvy. Likely a priority UDFA unless he posts big numbers this year. Could have deep-league PPR appeal in the right offense.
Malik Elzy – WR #8 – 6'2", 205 lbs, Junior
Last Week: vs Western Illinois – 2 catches, 25 yards
Why We’re Watching: Physical tools are there — size, length, and contested-catch potential — but he’s still raw. A breakout season would put him firmly on 2026 boards.
Duke Blue Devils
Darian Mensah – QB #10 – 6'3", 205 lbs, RS Sophomore
2024: 65.9% comp, 2,723 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT | 60 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
Last Week vs Elon: 27/34, 389 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Why We’re Watching: Young QB with accuracy and good field vision. If arm strength develops, he could be an early declare in 2027. Monitor for upward trajectory in Superflex formats.
Cooper Barkate – WR #18 – 6'1", 195 lbs, Senior
Prior to Duke: Harvard – 113 catches, 1,742 yards, 14 TD
Last Week vs Elon: – 5 catches, 117 yards
Why We’re Watching: Route-running technician with proven production at multiple levels. Older prospect with a tough climb to early draft capital but could be a late-round or UDFA find.
Andrel Anthony – WR #1 – 6'2", 185 lbs, Senior
Last Week: vs Elon – 3 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: Size/speed deep threat who has flashed at multiple stops. Needs consistent production to secure Day 3 consideration.
Saturday Afternoon
Kansas @ Missouri - 2:30 Pm (ABC)
An old rivalry renewed, but this one’s more than just bragging rights — it’s a measuring stick. Kansas comes in with one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country in Jalon Daniels, whose dual-threat ability can stress defenses in every way. Missouri, meanwhile, is still learning what it has with a retooled offensive group led by QB Beau Pribula and speedster WR Marquis Johnson. After rolling in their opener, the Tigers now face a much tougher test against a Jayhawks defense that plays physical and isn’t afraid to press. This game will tell us if Missouri’s new core is ready for prime time or still in the early stages of development.
Kansas Jayhawks
Jalon Daniels – QB #6 – 6'0", 220 lbs, Senior
2025: 36/45 (80% comp), 456 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT | 11 carries, 65 yards
Last Week vs Wagner: 18/25, 280 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT | 2 carries, 18 yards
Why We’re Watching: One of the most efficient dual-threat QBs in the country. This is a step up in competition and a chance to see how Daniels handles tighter throwing windows and more pressure.
Missouri Tigers
Beau Pribula – QB #9 – 6'2", 212 lbs, Senior
Transfer from Penn State
Last Week vs Central Arkansas: 23/28, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs | 10 carries, 65 yards, 2 TDs
Why We’re Watching: A mobile QB who’s already shown comfort in Missouri’s offense. We’ll see if he can maintain that efficiency and mobility against a much faster Kansas defense.
Marquis Johnson – WR #10 – 5'11", 185 lbs, Junior
2024: 25 catches, 352 yards, 1 TD
Last Week vs Central Arkansas: 5 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: Speed threat who can flip the field in an instant. A big performance here could accelerate his rise as a 2026 draft prospect.
Ahmad Hardy – RB #2 – 5'10", 206 lbs, Sophomore
2024: 237 carries, 1,351 yards, 13 TDs | 8 catches, 72 yards
Last Week vs Central Arkansas: 10 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: Workhorse back with a compact build and strong burst. The jump in defensive speed this week will be a good gauge of his long-run viability as an every-down option.
Saturday Evening
#15 Michigan @ #18 Oklahoma - 6:30 Pm (ABC)
A prime-time showdown that feels like an early playoff preview. Michigan’s power run game has a new feature back in Justice Haynes, while true freshman QB Bryce Underwood is already being thrown into high-pressure moments. For Oklahoma, John Mateer gets the keys to an offense loaded with potential weapons, including TE Jaren Kanak and WR Keontex Lewis. The Sooners’ speed and spread passing attack will be tested by Michigan’s size and physicality in the trenches, making this a true clash of styles. Both teams have the talent to make a deep run — the winner gets an early leg up in the national conversation.
Michigan Wolverines
Justice Haynes – RB #22 – 5'11", 210 lbs, Junior
2024: Alabama — 79 carries, 448 yards, 7 TD; 17 catches, 99 yards
Last Week vs New Mexico: 16 carries, 159 yards, 3 TD
Why We’re Watching: Instant bellcow juice in Ann Arbor; home-run speed plus contact balance made obvious in his UM debut.
Bryce Underwood – QB #19 – 6'4", 228 lbs, Freshman
Last Week vs New Mexico: 21/31, 251 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Why We’re Watching: True-freshman poise was real; this is the first hostile road test of the era.
Marlin Klein – TE #17 – 6'6", 250 lbs, Senior
2024: 13 receptions, 108 yards, 0 TD
Last Week vs New Mexico: 6 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: Emerging safety valve and seam target for Underwood; usage jumped to feature-level in Week 1.
Oklahoma Sooners
John Mateer – QB #10 – 6'1", 224 lbs, RS Junior
2024: Washington State — 224/347 (64.6%), 3,139 yards, 29 TD, 7 INT; 178 carries, 826 yards, 15 TD
Last Week vs Illinois State: 30/37, 392 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Why We’re Watching: Arbuckle’s offense + Mateer’s dual-threat profile stretched the field immediately; Michigan’s pressure looks are the counterpunch.
Keontez Lewis – WR #9 – 6'2", 197 lbs, RS Senior
2024: Southern Illinois — 49 catches, 813 yards, 5 TD; 10 rushes, 121 yards, 1 TD
Last Week vs Illinois State: 9 catches, 119 yards, 2 TD
Why We’re Watching: Transfer WR already looks like Mateer’s go-to; size and vertical wins translate vs P5 corners.
Jaren Kanak – TE #12 – 6'2", 233 lbs, Senior
2024: Played linebacker at OU; no offensive stats (position switch to TE in 2025)
Last Week vs Illinois State: 5 catches, 90 yards
Why We’re Watching: New-to-TE mover with straight-line speed; if the role sticks, he’s a matchup headache between the numbers.
Saturday After Dark
Stanford @ BYU - 9:15 Pm (ESPN)
A late-night matchup with plenty of intrigue for dynasty watchers. Stanford is in the midst of a rebuild, leaning on RB Micah Ford to spark an offense still searching for consistency. BYU, on the other hand, has a more settled core led by QB Bear Bachmeier, RB LJ Martin, and TE Carsen Ryan. The Cougars are coming off a strong start and will try to impose their physical style on the Cardinal. For Stanford’s young skill players, this is a chance to prove they can produce against one of the more rugged defenses they’ll see all year, while BYU’s veterans have an opportunity to show they can dominate when expected.
Stanford Cardinal
Micah Ford – RB #20 – 6'0", 210 lbs, Sophomore
2024: 76 carries, 309 yards (4.1 avg), 0 TD | 15 catches, 84 yards, 0 TD
Last Week vs Hawaii: 26 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD | 2 receptions, 2 yards
Why We’re Watching: Lead back showed patience and pop in a tight loss. This is a great test to see if he can replicate that against BYU’s more disciplined front.
BYU Cougars
Bear Bachmeier – QB #47 – 6'2", 220 lbs, Freshman
Last Week vs Portland State: 7/11, 97 yards, 3 passing TD | 5 carries, 32 yards, 2 rushing TD
Why We’re Watching: Historic debut earned him Big 12 freshman of the week honors. This is the real debut test — sharp, fearless passing and movement against a power conference defense.
LJ Martin – RB #27 – 6'2", 225 lbs, Sophomore
2024: 137 carries, 718 yards (5.2 avg), 7 TD | 10 catches, 98 yards, 2 TD
Last Week vs Portland State: 8 carries, 131 yards, 0 TD | 1 reception, 12 yards
Why We’re Watching: Established every-down back with burst. This matchup will reveal if he can consistently drive downhill against better fronts.
Carsen Ryan – TE – 6'4", 250 lbs, Senior
2024 (at Utah): 10 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
Last Week vs Portland State: 2 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD
Why We’re Watching: A red-zone mismatch with length and soft hands. This game could crystallize him as a valuable fantasy tight-end piece if targets hold steady.
Week 2 may not have been the easiest slate to piece together, but it delivers plenty of meaningful dynasty scouting opportunities. From established stars like Jalon Daniels and Justice Haynes proving they can thrive against tougher defenses, to breakout candidates like Bear Bachmeier, Ahmad Hardy, and Micah Ford facing their first real litmus tests, this weekend will separate early-season hype from legitimate long-term stock. Whether you’re watching for immediate production or tracking traits that translate to the next level, each of these matchups offers a chance to update your evaluation board — and maybe find the next big riser before the rest of your league catches on.
