2026 University of Buffalo Depth Chart
This projection is built to maximize fantasy points rather than mirror an “official” depth chart, using Buffalo’s current 2026 spring roster as the player pool plus 2025 production and portal movement to identify the most likely volume earners.
Key uncertainty is concentrated at quarterback (lost 2025 starters, new transfer in) and wide receiver (massive target share vacuum). Where competition is meaningfully different (e.g., PSAC/DII → MAC/FBS), I’m treating prior production as signal for skill/role capacity, but discounting it for translation risk versus returning FBS snaps.
Offensive context and turnover
Buffalo’s 2025 offense was close to balanced in volume: 413 rushing attempts and 412 passing attempts (825 plays total), producing 4,336 yards (5.26 yards/play) and 24.0 points per game.
That baseline matters because it suggests Buffalo can support multiple fantasy-relevant skill players when roles consolidate, but it also warns against assuming an extreme run-heavy or pass-heavy identity without evidence.
The 2026 fantasy landscape is shaped by two departures: WR Victor Snow and WR Nik McMillan (Buffalo’s top two receivers in 2025 at 62 catches each) both entered the portal and subsequently committed elsewhere, removing the clear WR1/WR2 target structure from last season.
The primary rushing workload also opens up: RB Al-Jay Henderson (team-high 182 carries in 2025) is not on the 2026 spring roster, and RB Lamar Sperling (39 carries in 2025) is also absent.
Buffalo’s staff list shows Tony Tokarz as offensive coordinator/QBs coach, which raises the probability of a QB-centric structure once the starter stabilizes, but spring public intel doesn’t yet provide a definitive “fantasy alpha” beyond the returning production pockets.
1️⃣ Depth Chart Reasoning
Buffalo’s structure starts with the QB decision, and fantasy-wise it tilts toward Elijah Holmes even with the obvious step-up in competition. Holmes arrives as a transfer who just piloted a high-output offense (3,040 pass yards, 24:6 TD:INT, plus 290 rush yards) at Wingate, giving him both ceiling and the kind of live-game reps Buffalo’s other returning QBs simply don’t have.
The pressure point is job security: Jason Wright already had a designed-run footprint in four 2025 appearances (15 carries) and is the most plausible “spark” option if Buffalo wants QB run-game juice or needs to simplify the offense early.
The RB board is the classic talent-vs-role-stability puzzle. Terrance Shelton Jr. has the best floor because he already held the RB2 role and saw both carries and targets (57 carries, 8 receptions) while starting games in 2025—exactly the type of usage signal that matters when the room loses its prior lead back.
The swing factor is Chase Enlow: he’s the most highly rated back in the room (247 rating 88; composite ~0.8767) and profiles as the talent that can force a committee into a “1A/1B” split if he’s physically ready.
I’m still building in committee risk by keeping James McNeil Jr. in the top three because he’s already flashed in real games with two rushing TDs on limited work—exactly how MAC backfields often telegraph short-yardage/finish roles before the volume follows.
Receiver is where Buffalo’s fantasy upside lives—if targets condense post-portal. With Snow and McMillan gone, the best “bankable” fantasy bet is Jasaiah Gathings because he’s the top returning 2025 receiver on the roster (36-410-3) and has already proven he can win targets in Buffalo’s offense.
Chance Morrow stays elevated because his 2025 line (8-129-2) hints at a red-zone/shot-play profile that can spike weeks even if the offense is inconsistent, and his recruiting profile supports the athletic ceiling.
The tightest projection call is Jaylen Andrews vs. Patrick Clacks III: Andrews brings genuine production as a small-school star (40-623-5; first-team All-PSAC East) but must translate that to FBS defenders, while Clacks has the cleaner “already in the rotation” path and a stronger recruiting grade (247 rating 86) despite modest volume so far.
At TE, I’m prioritizing the two transfers with demonstrated receiving utility—Trevor Wilson (22 catches at Campbell) and Clint Walker (13 catches and 2 TD at Davenport)—because Buffalo’s 2025 TE usage was light and fantasy relevance will likely come from whoever is actually running routes, not who is best inline.