Smart sportsbooks start tracking value long before the lines move, and breakout seasons often begin in fall camp. For the casual fan, it’s all about highlight plays, but serious bettors are tracking individual camp standouts who will impact player props, game totals, and spreads.
You can get ahead of the line moves happening now at the best NCAAF betting sites by locking in early intel from the top programs in the country. Some camp standouts will be familiar names, but there will also be some who are unheard of to the casual fan. All of them are making noise and can be difference-makers come Week 1.
Let’s discuss who’s showing up.
Jeremiah Smith – WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State is right in the middle of the offensive action. After an astonishing record-breaking season as a freshman, Smith appears to be as relentless as ever in the 2025 training camp. Reports suggest he is practically unguardable in 1-on-1 drills, and draws safety attention just to balance things out. Such focus and attention can level out the team depth chart competition, but in Smith’s case, he commands his receiver props.
Each week, he’s bound to be a high-value player, but to start, he’s looking at wager props starting at 85+ yards and a touchdown. But with the buzz camp rumors generate, those may be too conservative. Those who placed wagers on his over prop last season were heavily rewarded. Smith is certainly looking to continue his strong performances from last year.
Ryan Williams – WR, Alabama
Williams is heating things in Tuscaloosa. After a decent first season, Williams is making strides in camp. He is working with the 1s and is showing the ability to separate and red-zone link-up with Ty Simpson.
Why does that matter? With how things are looking, his yardage totals may be more conservative than they should—especially early on. Alabama seems more confident in the passing game, and Williams is looking to be the second read on many passing plays. Sharp bettors will look to monitor where his Week 1 props are available and consider jumping in before public anticipation shifts.
Dakorien Moore – WR, Oregon
First wideout recruit in the country. An early enrollee, Moore is once again proving himself by working with the starters.
Moore is well-versed in every competitive rep and is rotated into red-zone and tempo packages. The Oregon Ducks’ offense is fast-paced, and with Moore’s slot snaps, quick-hit opportunities abound. While Week 1 praise may be tempered due to his freshman status, expect Moore to emerge as the Jeremiah Smith of 2025, shocking early and leaving bookies scrambling to catch up.
Jahkeem Stewart – DL, USC
Defensive players often go unnoticed in the betting world—but that’s not the case with Jahkeem Stewart. The five-star defensive lineman is receiving first-team reps and blowing up run plays during live scrimmages. He is crucial when placing bets on team props or sack totals.
USC’s defense was inconsistent in 2024, but Stewart strengthened the front line. If Stewart is named a starter in Week 1, pay attention to USC’s opponent rushing yards or total plays. He is likely to severely undercut the lines early on.
Elyiss Williams – TE, Georgia
Georgia has a history of utilizing tight ends, and Elyiss Williams is their next beast of a player. Standing at 6’7,” he is already participating in first-team red zone drills and running like a wideout.
With Georgia changing offensive players, the expectations for Williams have greatly increased. Most betting sites won’t release TE props early, but if they do, Williams is a smart early bet. He’s looking like a red zone security blanket, which generally averages a minimum of 3 to 5 targets per game.
Tyreek Chappell – CB, Texas A&M
Chappell is recovering from injury and might be able to reclaim his starting position in Week 1. A&M’s CB rotation is deep with Julian Humphrey and transfer Will Lee, but Chappell has been sticky in man coverage during camp.
What is his role as a cornerback? A cornerback’s role is to minimize the amount of passing yards and completed passes a team accumulates. If Chappell is fit and starting, there is good reason to bet unders on the number of receptions for opposing WR1s—particularly in Week 1 when sportsbooks are still making rough assumptions.
Jeremiyah Love – RB, Notre Dame
Returning star. Preseason All-American. Clear RB1.
Love is getting full usage in camp, picking up blitzes and working in passing drills. He racked up over 1,100 yards last season, and Notre Dame’s staff says he’s in “better shape than ever.” Expect player prop lines for Love to reflect that—but if books are slow to react to his dual-threat workload, rushing + receiving combo props could be exploitable.
Leonard Moore – CB, Notre Dame
Defensively, Leonard Moore is continuing a solid performance from the 2024 season. He is a dominant lockdown corner, and with Notre Dame’s corners often playing man-to-man, Moore can control the production from opposing wide receivers.
Moore’s influence is straightforward: he’s able to lower a team’s passing production if he is matched up with a wide receiver. He can impact the stats and passing yard props. Look to fade Notre Dame’s early-season foes with Moore in mind.
Drew Allar – QB, Penn State
The talk about Allar at this camp is centered on his command ability. He is more precise in his drill leadership, leads better, processes defenses, and is hitting deep more often. PSU’s offense thrives on balance, but Allar’s improvements indicate an increase in passing attempts.
Should Week 1 passing attempts Prop Bet be set based on last season’s lopsided passing to running ratio, there might be an over value there. He is being trusted more, and in gambling, that usually means more risk taken with the passes.
College Football Odds
All of the names on this list are already changing college football betting odds. This includes Jeremiah Smith bumping up yardage totals or Ryan Williams pulling more targets. Prop bets, team totals, and even the spreads for Week 1 are shifting. This is mostly due to buzz coming from camps—especially when it hits the national media circuit.
These Player Prop bets are dynamic and will shift. Prop bets that are set low for the previous season’s depth charts will be quickly changed after the Week 1 depth charts are released. Stay on top of these changes by monitoring camp stars every day—and betting before sharp bettors flood the market.
Why Camp Standouts Matter for Bettors
- These contribute to shaping Week 1 lines. The gathering of information, such as player usage, rotations, and injuries, begins at camp. Early props are set based on this information.
- These signal volume. Freshly earned first strings do result in actual touches, targets, or snaps on defense. In these cases, they do translate to some form of action.
- These reveal gaps in markets. Most betting sites have the utmost difficulty pricing out every freshman. There are soft lines out there if you are paying attention.
- These also influence the tempo of a game as well as playcalling. A QB who is suffering an injury in camp can transform a team that focuses on short-yardage runs.
- These set the tone for future outcomes. Any mid-season breakout changes the margins quickly, whether it’s Heisman props or team win totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we consider freshman WRs for betting in Week 1?
A: Sure—if they’re taking first-team snaps. Recall Moore (Oregon) or Smith (OSU) last year. “Volume is king.”
Q: When is the best time to bet Week 1 props?
A: Right after they become available. Just don’t wait until the depth charts are published. That’s the value window.
Q: Do individual defensive performers have an impact on betting?
A: Of course. Premium shutdown WRs, skilled pass rushers, elite pass rushers and WRs affect QB, WR, and game total betting.
Q: Is it better to bet earlier or wait for Week 1 injury updates?
A: With good camp info and line value, bet early. Injury updates can help, but once the info is publicly available, the value disappears fast.
Q: How to Build a Profitable Betting Strategy for NCAAF Games?
A: For NCAAF betting strategies, follow camp reports, monitor depth charts, and compare sportsbook props daily. Only bet where value exists. Stay disciplined and track all bets.
Fast Start, Sharp Edge
NCAAF 2025 camp standouts are doing more than earning snaps—they’re reshaping opening lines, adjusting market expectations, and giving bettors an edge before kickoff. If you’re tracking them now, you’re already ahead.
The public will wait for Week 1 to react. You don’t need to. Grab the edge now. Track depth charts, read into reps, and look for early value props at the best NCAAF betting sites before the season even starts.
When the lights come on for Week 1, you’ll be holding the tickets everyone else wishes they had.
