Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
I think he’ll be a top-10 pick. He has 914 yards after contact this season, 227 yards more than second placed Omarion Hampton on 29 fewer carries. He’s forced 56 missed tackles, way ahead of anyone else in college football. He runs through people, around people and he’s an unbelievable force of nature who should be the leader in the clubhouse for the Heisman.
Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
He’s taller and perhaps more elegant than Jeanty but he also packs a punch with 676 yards after contact — third most in college football. It’s been evident in multiple Iowa games this season that he was the best player on the field. I think he has star potential for the NFL and deserves a fringe first round grade.
Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)
The son of a former first round Pro-Bowl offensive lineman, Lachey plays with that pedigree. He’s a terrific, willing blocker who does the dirty work very well. However, he’s also a very consistent, reliable receiver with better athletic qualities than I think people realise. He’s a complete tight end worthy of a second round grade and could be the next quality Iowa tight end to excel in the league.
Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
I don’t think he’s had as many highlight-reel pancakes this year but Booker always seems to be on top of his blocks, winning 1v1. He hasn’t given up a sack this season. He’s big at 6-5 and 325lbs but flashes 5-star recruit athleticism when he has to get on the move. Booker is well known for his excellent character. I think he could be a solid, reliable guard at the next level and he warrants a grade in the top-40.
Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
After an underwhelming 2023 season, Jackson returned to college instead of turning pro and it’s paid off. He’s returned to form and shone in games against Oregon and Iowa. A top athlete who can reportedly run a 1.59 split (I’m sceptical) he can also deliver a 30 inch vertical and an explosive 9-7 broad. These numbers and better performances could propel him into the top-40.
Josh Conerly (G, Oregon)
He’s playing left tackle for the Ducks but lacks the size and length to stick there at the next level. However, I absolutely love his playing style. Conerly gets after opponents — he is one of the most aggressive linemen I’ve seen in a while. He reminds me of a more compact version of Matthew Bergeron, taken 38th overall by the Falcons last year. I really like Conerly and think he’s a top-40 pick as a guard.
Jack Nelson (G/T, Wisconsin)
I’ve been watching Nelson for three years and it’s always struck me that while his tape is never spectacular — he just gets the job done. I don’t think he has the quickness with his kick-slide to stick at left tackle but do think he could be an excellent right tackle or guard. Personally I’d draft him to play left guard and think he deserves a day two grade.
Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
Jones is one of the most improved players in college football this year. He’s always been a fantastic athlete (36 inch vertical, 695lbs squat, 4.09 short shuttle) but his tape showed hit and miss technique and execution. This year he’s a different player completely. Everything has clicked. He’s only given up one sack and now the technique matches the elite athleticism. I’d draft him in the top-50 and within a few years I wouldn’t bet against him emerging as one of the better centers in the league.
Josaiah Stewart (EDGE, Michigan)
He wrecked the game against USC with an outstanding solo performance and he has consistently caused disruption thanks to a great burst off the edge, an aggressive mindset and a non-stop motor. His pass-rush win percentage of 28% leads all edge rushers by a mile — his team-mate TJ Guy is second with 21.8%. James Pearce Jr is at 20.8%. Keep an eye on Stewart for the Seahawks. Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale loves him apparently and Martindale was Mike Macdonald’s mentor back in the day. I think he’s a day two pick and size/testing will determine how early he goes.
TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
I think he’s the second best defensive tackle in the draft. His pass-rush win percentage is eighth among defensive tackles (13.3%) and he has an ability to wreck games from the interior that most players don’t have. He’s very quick, disruptive, good with his hands and he’s better than other bigger name DT’s eligible for 2025.
Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
What a player. He’s 6-3 and 227lbs but plays with better range than some smaller safeties. He has four interceptions this season, returning two for touchdowns. He has a NFL passer rating of just 20.5 against when targeted. He splits his snaps between free safety (101), the slot (100) and the box (221). He has as good a chance as anyone to be a Kyle Hamilton style safety and I think he deserves a fringe first round grade — provided he tests as well as I think he will.
Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
He was the best player on the field against Texas. Walker acted mostly as an impact edge rusher in the past but has now converted into a full-on modern-day hybrid. You can play him as a conventional linebacker and let him read/react to play downfield. He’s agile enough to drop. Then on passing downs he can rush the edge. He blasted Kelvin Banks Jr last weekend. He will be a high first round pick if the testing matches the tape.
DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
I like running backs who run through contact and Giddens has 602 yards after contact this season — good for fourth in college football. I graded him as a day two pick last year and was surprised he returned to school. He’s not missed a beat and at times looks like a poor man’s Alvin Kamara with his running style, elusiveness, strength and versatility.
Jordan James (RB, Oregon)
A powerful runner who dishes out punishment and loves to get his head down and embrace contact. He delivers explosive runs to go with the power, generated from a lower center of gravity on a thick build. He has 23 +10 yard runs this season, two fewer than Ashton Jeanty and three fewer than Kaleb Johnson. I think James will be excellent value on day two.
Ricky White III (WR, UNLV)
One of my very favourite players to track this season. White has a frame reminiscent of Nuk Hopkins. I think he plays with the same kind of nouse and natural talent as Hopkins showed at Clemson. He’s a natural hands catcher, he tracks the ball in the air brilliantly, he can create late separation and he delivers the key conversions and the big plays. I can’t believe he isn’t talked about more. Testing is important but I think he could be a second rounder.
Harold Fannin Jr (TE, Bowling Green)
You don’t expect to be moved to excitement watching a Bowling Green tight end but Fannin Jr is the real deal. He isn’t asked to do any real blocking (only four blocking snaps this season so far) but as a receiver he’s highly dynamic — showing off great athleticism, eye-catching grabs and he could be a X-factor weapon in the right NFL offense. He’s a day two talent.
Xavier Restrepo (WR, Miami)
A pillar of consistency, Restrepo just seems destined to come into the league and be a reception machine. He can run all the routes, his hands are very safe (only one drop this season so far) and while he’s not going to run a blistering forty — he’s quick enough. It won’t be a surprise if, like a few other receivers over the years, he goes on day two and everyone wonders how the hell that happened in a few years time.
Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State)
His athleticism really stands out. He looks like a Penn State athlete. Singleton is a great combination of explosive traits, quickness and power. I think his best football might come at the next level and there’s an untapped potential here that could really be harnessed. I’ve given him a day two grade.
Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
The heart-beat of the Penn State offense. Warren lines up at quarterback and throws the ball, he’ll plow ahead in short-yardage situations as a ball-carrier, he blocks and he’s their most dynamic pass-catching weapon. Drew Allar tends to force the ball to him. He’s big, athletic and he can make spectacular grabs. Depending on testing he’s a fringe first rounder.
Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU)
No other quarterback eligible for 2025 has thrown as many NFL caliber throws as Nussmeier. His anticipation, accuracy and processing is on a different level. His arm is good not great and he lacks the athleticism to be a creative off-platform thrower or an escape artist under pressure. He also needs to cut out the mistakes. However, there’s so much technical ability to work with here. I have him among four quarterbacks with second round grades (I have no quarterbacks with a first round grade at the moment).
Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
The son of former Miami pass-rusher Jason Taylor has everything needed to be a very good NFL tight end. He’s incredibly quick and dynamic for his size and can slip into coverage holes with ease to make big plays. His run after the catch ability is unusually good for his position. As a blocker there’s potential to be above average at the next level. Taylor has a second round grade on my horizontal board.
Jake Majors (C, Texas)
The only Texas O-liner, for me, who played well against Georgia. Majors is a former four-star recruit and his athleticism shows on tape. He’s very technically sound and gets his hands on opponents quickly. He has a strong back to stall bull-rush attempts. He’s played at a high level all year and has the makings of a long-term NFL center who should go on day two.
Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana)
I didn’t expect to be as impressed with Rourke as I was, given nobody’s really talking about him from a NFL perspective. He likes to attack opponents and you see complex throws deep to the sideline into tight windows. He delivers over the middle. He scans the field well to find open receivers. His arm is decent and prior to his injury, he was leading one of the best functioning offense’s in college football. I’ve given him a day two grade and hope he can return to face Michigan and Ohio State.
Josh Kreutz (C, Illinois)
Kreutz is a no-nonsense, physical tough guy who’ll beat you up in a head-on situation. The son of NFL great Olin Kreutz, he isn’t much of an operator in space and isn’t often seen reaching to the second level. He likes to attack 1v1 at the line of scrimmage and he does an excellent job winning those battles with an aggressive attitude. I think he’s a third rounder like his dad who could end up having a good career.
Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)
Rutgers has this knack of chucking solid running backs into the league and Monangai is a lot of fun to watch. He has 550 yards after contact this season, good for eighth most in college football. His gait makes him tough to bring down and he finishes runs. He can also deliver explosive plays with 22 runs of +10 yards. I have him graded in round three.
Josh Williams (RB, LSU)
He works in a rotation and it’s clear that LSU really like their younger, upcoming backs to provide a spark. However, every time I see Williams run I think ‘this guy can play’. He’s well sized at 5-9 and 210lbs, has an aggressive running style and could lead a rushing attack for many other teams. He wears the legendary #18 jersey for LSU. He’ll not be drafted early, if at all, but I’d back him to make a roster and maybe provide a rotational impact somewhere.
Billy Edwards Jr (QB, Maryland)
He really caught the eye when I studied his tape. He’s unheralded by the media but he can deliver the ball to all areas of the field, he can make gains with his legs and he does a good job on third downs. He plays on a team that has given up 69 pressures this year (31st most in CFB) yet he’s only been responsible for three personally. He leads college football for big time throws (21), his turnover worthy play numbers compare well (7) and when under pressure he has a BTT/TWP ratio of 6/2. He might not declare for the 2025 draft but he’s one to watch.
Ja’Quinden Jackson (RB, Arkansas)
Yet another running back with a physical running style, good size, finishes his runs and has an explosive element to his game (20 runs of 10+ yards this season). This draft class is loaded with running backs who can start or at least contribute in a one-two punch at the next level. I have Jackson graded in round three currently.
Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
He has 30 pressures this season (fifth most in college football) and nine sacks. However, beyond the stats the most impressive thing with Ezeiruaku is how he moves in space. He’s adept at holding the edge, reading and reacting. His closing speed can then kick into gear and he flies to the ball — so he’ll have no trouble fitting as a 3-4 OLB. He can also dip under a tackle 1v1 and straighten to the quarterback. Testing will determine how early he goes but I’d suggest he’s a day two pick.
Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
For me he’s the complete defensive tackle and vying with Travis Hunter and Will Johnson to be the most talented player eligible for the 2025 draft. He can win with pure power or quickness, he can counter with a spin move or a push-pull, he’s stout against the run. He has 21 pressures this season, fourth most among defensive tackles. Graham is going to be a top pro at the next level and play for a long time. He’s a top-five pick in this class for me.
Players I think are a bit overrated
Will Campbell (T, LSU)
Short arms (32 inches) mean he’ll almost certainly have to kick inside, he’s struggled in pass-pro this year and I’ve always been left wanting more aggression in his play. I have him as a day two guard.
Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
Good athlete he may be but I think his tape has been average this season. He’s playing next to one of the best defensive tackles we’ve seen in recent history and has minimal impact. I think he’s a mid-rounder based mostly on athletic upside.
Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
A lot of these bigger edge rushers come into the league and never really amount to anything. I don’t think he has the quickness to be a top pass rusher at the next level and will be limited to early down work. He only has three sacks this year and 19 pressures. I think he’s a third round type for a team that wants to add a bit of edge robustness.
JT Tuimoloau & Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
I’m just not convinced either are dynamic difference makers at the next level.
Deontae Lawson (LB, Alabama)
I thought his build and ability to attack around the LOS was worth mentioning as a fourth round type but suddenly he’s being talked up a lot more. I think there’s a lack of quickness that will make him a one-dimensional linebacker at the next level.
Carson Beck (QB, Georgia)
I know people are increasingly dropping him due to his performances this year but I think his ball-placement and accuracy has always been an issue and it’s only getting worse with every passing week. I don’t think he has enough upside to look beyond that and likely isn’t a NFL starter.
Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)
With better weapons and a functioning offense this year, Allar has looked better. I still think he reminds me of Mike Glennon. There’s an awkwardness to his mobility that puts me off and while he is capable of making some eye-catching passes with his size and arm — he only has a paltry eight ‘big time throws’ this year compared to four turnover worthy plays. I think he’s a day three type.
