The initial top-50 draft board is one of my favorite articles every year. It signals a new season. A fresh slate. An opportunity for draft-eligible players to improve their grades in the eyes of NFL scouts.
This is the starting point for the 2025 NFL Draft process.
Based on early scouting, the defensive talent is more impressive than the offensive prospects, with 13 of my top 20 below being defensive players. Five quarterbacks did make the initial top-50 cut, but will any separate themselves this season as no-doubt top-10 picks? Fluctuation at all positions should always be expected, and maybe even more so with this class — even at the top.
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The top-ranked high school recruit in Michigan in 2022, Johnson has been a home run for the Wolverines. After a breakout freshman season, the Detroit native had an All-America sophomore year and was named defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship victory over Washington. Despite not being 100 percent last season due to a knee injury, Johnson established himself as one of the best players in the country.
You never call a prospect “can’t miss,” especially at a volatile position like cornerback. But Johnson feels like a very high-floor, high-ceiling player because of his size, athleticism and fundamental understanding of coverage. There have been multiple cornerbacks drafted top five the last few seasons (Devon Witherspoon, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner), and Johnson has the talent and skill to join them.
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From LaVar Arrington to NaVorro Bowman and most recently Micah Parsons, the No. 11 jersey carries a lot of history for the Penn State defense. And through two seasons, Carter has only strengthened that legacy. A four-star recruit out of high school, he quickly worked himself into the starting lineup as a true freshman and was a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker as a sophomore.
As an off-ball linebacker last season, Carter saw almost twice as many snaps in coverage (208) than he did as a pass rusher (112). The ratio should be flipped in 2024 as he moves to more of an edge role under former Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who takes over as Nittany Lions defensive coordinator. If his technical skill catches up with his natural talent, Carter has the impact potential to be a Parsons-like prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Is Hunter a wide receiver or a cornerback prospect? Both. And that is not a cop-out answer, but the correct answer. The consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2022 high school class, Hunter made waves when he signed with FCS Jackson State and head coach Deion Sanders for his freshman season. He followed Coach Prime to Colorado last season and immediately became one of the most electrifying playmakers in the FBS.
From both skill and stamina standpoints, it is remarkable to see Hunter deliver such an impact on both sides of the football. He played 100-plus total snaps in seven of nine games last season, including a crazy 162 against Stanford. There is plenty of split opinion around the league on Hunter’s best long-term position, but there is zero doubt he is one of the best prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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A two-way lineman at Servite (Calif.) High School, Graham initially thought he would play his college ball out west (his dream school was UCLA). But his journey led him to Michigan, where he has blossomed into one of the best defensive linemen in college football.
With his low-man leverage and violence deconstructing blocks, Graham is equally dominant versus run and pass. He consistently sees four hands on him as teams try double teams to slow him down, but the rising junior doesn’t stay contained for long.
The NFL hasn’t had a defensive tackle drafted top five since Quinnen Williams in 2019, but Graham, who has an explosive skill set reminiscent of Williams’ game, could change that.
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A four-star recruit out of North Carolina in the 2022 class, Pearce picked Tennessee over Georgia, Missouri, Texas and several other schools. After playing primarily on special teams as a freshman, he had his breakout season as a sophomore off the bench with 10.0 sacks, tied for the SEC lead. Pierce was one of just 20 FBS players with at least 52 pressures last season — and he reached that mark with the fewest pass rush snaps among the group.
Pearce is still a very young player, and that shows on tape. But pass rushers with length and elite get-off will never go out of style in the NFL, which is why Pearce has a bright football future. With continued maturation in his snap-to-snap responsibilities, Pearce has the potential to become a top-10 pick.
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McMillan delivered his breakout season as a sophomore in 2023, joining Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze as the only three FBS players with at least 90 catches, 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdown grabs.
Not coincidentally, McMillan’s emergence last season coincided with Arizona doubling its win total from five in 2022 to 10 in 2023. Coach Jedd Fisch departed for the Washington job this offseason, but Arizona retained McMillan, quarterback Noah Fifita (McMillan’s high school quarterback) and several other key players.
I want to see added strength and route refinement from McMillan in 2024, but he has high-level catch-point skills with better-than-expected agility after the catch. McMillan has the talent to be the first pass catcher drafted next April.
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One of the prizes of the 2022 recruiting class, Burden committed to Oklahoma at one point, then was considered a Georgia lean before deciding to stay home and play for Missouri. Despite dealing with roller-coaster quarterback play, Burden produced a promising freshman year before emerging as one of the best players in the SEC as a sophomore. He finished last season with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.
In Burden and Theo Wease, Missouri returns one of the better receiver duos in college football. With continued consistency from quarterback Brady Cook, the Tigers have a chance to earn a College Football Playoff spot. And Burden will be in the mix for WR1 next April.
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As a non-transfer quarterback, Beck is an outlier in modern-day college football. Stuck behind Stetson Bennett, he bided his time as the Bulldogs’ backup for two seasons before assuming the starting role last season. Not only did Beck prove he belonged right away, he also showed gradual improvement with each game, finishing the 2023 season with a 72.4 completion percentage, 3,941 passing yards, 28 total touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Beck cracked my top-50 draft board last Halloween, but he opted to return for a second season as the starter in Athens. The Georgia offense didn’t demand creativity from its quarterback last season, but more will be expected of the senior now that three of his top four pass catchers are in the NFL (including Brock Bowers, a top-15 pick.)
A good-sized passer, Beck has a strong arm, natural feel for timing and a calming, efficient process — the tools to have a Matt Ryan-like NFL career.
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As a five-star recruit, Starks arrived in Athens with a ton of hype. He answered the expectations immediately with an interception in his first career game, the 2022 season opener vs. Oregon and Bo Nix. He took a jump between his freshman and sophomore seasons and was the only Bulldogs defender with double-digit passes defended last year, which earned him consensus All-America honors.
A safety hasn’t been drafted in the top 12 since Jamal Adams at No. 6 in 2017. But on Starks’ trajectory, it will be extremely difficult to rank the top 12 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft without naming him. He is the clear top safety in the class — and would have been the first safety drafted in each of the last two years, had he been part of those classes.
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One of the top recruits in Louisiana a few years ago, Campbell started the 2022 season opener as a true freshman left tackle and hasn’t looked back, starting all 26 games there the last two seasons. An All-SEC player in each of his first two seasons, Campbell has been a model of consistency and rarely leaves the field (he was the only player on the LSU offense with 800-plus snaps in 2023).
The LSU offense will have a new look in 2024, but Campbell gives the Tigers consistency at a key position and is on a trajectory to join several former teammates as first-round picks. Even if he lacks ideal length, Campbell has the talent and makeup to start in the NFL for a long time.
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When he signed with Notre Dame (over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oregon and others), Morrison became the fifth child in his family to compete at the college level. His father, Darryl, was a defensive back at Arizona and played four seasons in the NFL as a 1993 sixth-round pick by Washington.
The youngest Morrison is now entering his third year as a starter for the Irish. He was a Freshman All-American in 2022 with six interceptions and led Notre Dame in passes defended (13) last season. He might not be elite by NFL standards when it comes to speed and size, but he is an athletic technician with a developed feel for route concepts and how to defend passing windows. Morrison’s next-level projection is easy: He is a future NFL starter on the outside.
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Growing up in the Winston-Salem area, Revel was a standout football and track athlete. He wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, however, and signed with Louisburg College, a small, private, two-year school in rural North Carolina. He transferred to East Carolina in 2022 and had his breakout season last year (team-high 12 passes defended and a pair of blocked kicks).
East Carolina has never produced a top-20 draft pick, but Revel has a chance to change that. He has the size, speed and athletic traits teams covet, along with the physical mentality and budding awareness that suggest he is getting better and better. Unfortunately, East Carolina doesn’t have a Power 4 opponent on its 2024 schedule, but Revel should crush the pre-draft process.
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In this past draft class, several college programs had two tackles drafted in the first three rounds — Notre Dame (Joe Alt, Blake Fisher), Washington (Troy Fautanu, Roger Rosengarten) and Penn State (Olu Fashanu, Caedan Wallace). Not only are both of LSU’s tackles future NFL draft picks, but Campbell and Jones are legitimate contenders for OT1 and potential top-15 selections.
Jones wasn’t as highly recruited as Campbell, but he also was thrust into the starting lineup as a freshman and has more than held his own. I love his aggressive nature on the field, but the main objective in 2024 for the Baton Rouge native will be to introduce more control without sacrificing his violence. And that description brings back flashes of Ickey Ekwonu, a top-10 draft pick out of NC State.
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A former five-star recruit, Williams hasn’t been the most consistent player over his first two seasons, but his flashes are impossible to ignore. Similar in ways to former Bulldogs rusher Travon Walker (whom Williams calls his “big brother”), Williams doesn’t have as many impact plays on tape as other pass rushers, but that’s due in part both to his role and Georgia’s heavy rotation (Williams averaged fewer than 30 defensive snaps per game last season).
With his power, bend and length, Williams is scheme-proof and built for the pro game. Even if he doesn’t take a substantial jump in his development as a junior, NFL teams will still be ready to bet on his high-ceiling potential. Just like the first two edge defenders in these rankings, Williams has the tools to be a top-10 draft pick.
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A highly recruited five-star player, Banks was one of the first major wins of the Steve Sarkisian era in Austin. Not only did Banks earn the starting left tackle job as a freshman, but several Longhorns players have told me that he established himself as a team leader during his first summer with the program. He faced several talented pass rushers over his first two seasons at Texas and more than held his own, separating himself as an All-American.
The Texas offense has been highly productive the past two seasons with star skill players like Bijan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks, Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, who all were drafted in the first two rounds. But consistency on the offensive line has been a substantial reason for the Longhorns’ rise, which should continue in 2024. Some NFL scouts believe Banks’ NFL future will be inside at guard, but regardless, he has the tangible and intangible talent to secure first-round status next April.
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I spent more time studying Ohio State than any other program this summer, due to the volume of draft-eligible players in Columbus. What I didn’t expect was for Williams to be my favorite NFL prospect of the group. A former four-star recruit, his gap integrity and physicality at the point of attack allowed him to consistently make plays at the line of scrimmage last season, as he finished with 54 tackles and a team-high 10 tackles for loss.
With his reaction to movements and ability to control gaps, Williams can work half-man or through the numbers of opponents. He is terrific against the run, and with more development as a pass rusher, can secure top-25 status in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Cass Tech High School in Detroit has sent a number of talented football players to Michigan and then the NFL. However, Walker decided to blaze his own trail by passing on Michigan (and Alabama, Georgia and LSU) for Kentucky. He made his presence known immediately as a freshman starter and led all FBS defensive tackles in pressures (51) as a sophomore last season.
With his size and movement ability, Walker is a unique player for which offenses must game plan on each snap — and he has NFL teams excited for his next-level potential. He has also proven that he can handle a high volume of snaps while sustaining his level of play (averaged 56 defensive snaps per game in 2023). Walker had probably his worst performance last season against Georgia’s offensive line, so NFL scouts will have Sept. 14 circled to see how Walker fares against the Bulldogs in Lexington.
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Sandersmania took over college football last September with Colorado’s explosive 3-0 start. The Buffs quickly came back down to earth against better opponents and finished with a 4-8 record. However, Sanders was a bright spot. He completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 31 total touchdowns and only three interceptions.
As an NFL prospect, Sanders has a lot to like. He is a poised athlete with B-plus arm strength and a natural feel for accuracy. He has the talent to be a top-20 pick, but scouts will be looking for on-field maturation in 2024, including more efficient vision to get rid of the ball on time. Considering his size, he can’t realistically take as many hits in the NFL as he did last season at Colorado.
There is also the possibility of Sanders influencing where he wants to be drafted. In an appearance this past March on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast, Deion Sanders stated it will be an “Eli (Manning)” situation regarding both his son and Travis Hunter, saying, “I know where I want them to go. So there might be certain cities where it isn’t going to happen.” Time will tell.
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A native of College Station, Scourton was a first-team All-District defender in high school and a four-star recruit, yet somehow he went overlooked by the major Texas programs. He developed a connection with former Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm and blossomed in his two seasons with the Boilermakers. Last season as a sophomore, Scourton was the only Big Ten player with double-digit sacks. He drew a lot of attention when he entered the transfer portal but always had his eye on returning home and transferring to Texas A&M.
Scourton is an impressive athlete for 280 pounds, and scouts are excited about the ascending traits of such a young player. He has the ingredients of a first-round player, and his development will determine how high of a draft pick he will be.
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After originally committing to Texas A&M, Perkins flipped to LSU on signing day, becoming the first five-star recruit for Brian Kelly at LSU. Perkins was one of the bright spots on LSU’s subpar defense the last two seasons, earning second team All-SEC honors as both a freshman and sophomore.
Perkins is one of the best athletes in college football, and the priority for new LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker is maximizing that immense talent. Last year, Perkins split his snaps fairly evenly between defensive line (271), box (244) and out wide as a nickel/slot player (255). How will Baker deploy his star in 2024?
Perkins will not be a full-time edge in the NFL — he doesn’t have the frame or functional strength. But with his athleticism and energy, he has the traits to be a versatile off-ball linebacker who’s a dynamic blitzer, run-and-chase run defender and rangy cover man.
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A standout linebacker and tight end from Gooding, Idaho, Loveland has been a great fit in Ann Arbor and was an integral part of the Wolverines’ national title. He finished his sophomore season with 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns and led Michigan in yards after catch.
This April, Michigan set a program record with 13 draft picks, including one top-40 selection (J.J. McCarthy). Had he been draft-eligible, Loveland would have given the Wolverines 14 draft picks — and likely would have joined his former QB as a high pick. With so much changeover on the Michigan roster, most notably at quarterback, Loveland’s statistical output might decline in 2024. But the offensive structure will be very similar under new head coach Sherrone Moore (even if he isn’t calling the plays).
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Savaiinaea (pronounced Savuh-nye-A-uh) wasn’t highly regarded as a recruit, but former head coach Jedd Fisch knew he had something special almost immediately during Savaiinaea’s first season. Originally from American Samoa, Savaiinaea played his high school ball at St. Louis in Honolulu before becoming a Freshman All-American at guard for the Wildcats. He bounced between right tackle and right guard last season as a sophomore and took another jump in his development.
Some players just look like NFL players the moment you throw on the tape, and Savaiinaea falls in that category. He moves well for a 330-pounder, with projectable strength and coachability that suggest he will only get better. Not only does Arizona have my preseason WR1 (McMillan), but it also boasts the top interior line prospect.
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From the start, the bar for Ewers was set incredibly high — a “perfect” five-star recruiting rating; more than $1 million in NIL deals before he took a collegiate snap. For many, Ewers wasn’t given the opportunity to develop, but rather was expected to be “the guy” almost immediately.
Instead, he has been like most promising quarterbacks — flashes early with steady improvements since becoming the starter. Ewers finished last season with a 69 percent completion rate for 3,479 passing yards and 27 total touchdowns as he led the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and spot in the College Football Playoff.
Aside from the numbers, Ewers made noticeable strides between what he put on tape in 2022 and 2023, and it is fair to project another jump in his development this upcoming season. It was also encouraging that he put some of his best throws on the tapes that mattered the most. With his arm talent and experience, Ewers has first-round buzz among scouts.
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With Fisher and Bobby Petrino out, former Kansas State quarterback and play caller Collin Klein has been tabbed to orchestrate the Aggies’ 2024 offense under new head coach Mike Elko. There is plenty of optimism in league circles that Weigman will be a riser throughout the evaluation process — as long as he stays healthy and on the field.
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After a promising freshman campaign, Jeanty announced himself as one of the nation’s top runners last season as a sophomore. Despite battling a midseason injury, he rushed for 1,347 yards on 220 carries (6.1 average) and 14 touchdowns. With his natural receiving skills, Jeanty also posted 43 receptions for 569 yards (13.2 average) and zero drops. In the new age of name, image and likeness, numerous schools pursued Jeanty, who had an FBS-best 1,916 yards from scrimmage in 2023, but the star runner mentioned his “legacy” and “love” for Boise State as reasons to stay.
I have watched tape on almost 1,000 draft-eligible prospects so far this summer, but I can comfortably say Jeanty has been one of my favorites, because of the frequent magic acts he pulls with the football in his hands. The man hates to be tackled. Factor in his impressive receiving skills, and Jeanty has separated himself as my RB1 entering the 2024 season.
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A three-star recruit out of Kansas City, Ersery didn’t see much action his first two seasons on campus before earning the starting left tackle job in 2022. He showed noticeable improvement last season and is poised for another jump as a fifth-year senior in 2024.
With his size and budding talent, Ersery is a future NFL starter and has the tools to command a lucrative second contract down the line. He’s not a household name by any means, but the Gophers’ left tackle isn’t a secret among NFL scouts — and I promise you will start to read/hear his name more and more as we inch closer to the 2025 NFL Draft.
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One of the highest-ranked high school recruits in Ohio State’s storied history, Tuimoloau arrived in Columbus with plenty of hype. Some would argue that he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations — and the numbers back that up (just 11.0 career sacks in three seasons) — but there is a reliability to his game that shouldn’t go overlooked.
Even if he lacks the sudden burst of other rushers on this list, Tuimoloau is a consistent nuisance because of his bend, balance and instincts to create plays. He would have been a potential first-rounder had he entered the 2024 NFL Draft and has a chance to go even higher with another season of development.
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One of the top high school linebacker recruits three years ago, Barton had his choice of where to play his college ball. But Barton is a legacy at Utah, and there was little surprise when he decided to stay close to home. Both of his parents were multi-sport athletes for the Utes, and all three of his older siblings played on Utah teams.
Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has a great feel for allowing his best players to shine, and Barton was a great example of that last season. With his size, athleticism and versatile skill set, Barton has a lot of what NFL teams are looking for at the position. Both of his older brothers were drafted in 2019 (Cody was a third-rounder; Jackson a seventh-rounder), but Lander has a chance to earn top billing in his family.
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A former four-star recruit out of Miami Northwestern, Payton is a long and limber pass rusher who will be flexed across the front seven in the Seminoles’ scheme.
One of the concerns about his game — which ultimately led him to put off the NFL for another college season — was his lack of power, but scouts say he has worked hard to improve his strength over the offseason.
Florida State has produced two first-round pass rushers (Jermaine Johnson and Jared Verse) over the last three years and Payton could be next.
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Just a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Grant wasn’t considered a top-10 prospect in Michigan’s 2022 class. But the Wolverines’ coaching staff was excited about his combination of size and athleticism. Although his impact last season was mediocre on paper (5 tackles for loss in 15 games), Grant played a key role in Michigan’s title run.
The NFL is looking for athletic force players on the defensive line, and that might be the best way to sum up Grant. With Graham and Grant anchoring the middle, NFL teams will be focused on Michigan’s front this season, especially when it faces Texas’ veteran offensive line in Week 2.
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There were several deserving cornerbacks for this fifth CB spot, but I gave the edge to Delane because of his competitive traits and potential. A former three-star recruit, he became the Hokies’ starter over the second half of his true freshman season and showed intriguing promise last season as a sophomore.
Virginia Tech has had three losing seasons in the last four years, but this is a program on the rise. I was impressed with the level of draftable talent on the current roster, including one of the best cornerback duos in college football: Delane and Dorian Strong.
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I was leading the Andru Phillips fan club during the last draft process, but he wasn’t Kentucky’s only future NFL player in the secondary. (The Giants selected Phillips at No. 70 in April’s draft.)
With his competitive mindset, Hairston is wired the right way for the cornerback position and also has the fluid movements and run-game toughness required to be an NFL starter next year.
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There were several big-time talents in the 2021 high school recruiting class. None ranked higher than Egbuka, who was a top-10 recruit that year out of Washington. With C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Egbuka produced a breakout season for the Buckeyes as a sophomore (74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns). He delivered a productive September last season, too, but a midseason ankle procedure disrupted the rest of his 2023.
Egbuka might not have an elite size/speed package by NFL standards, and he isn’t on the same level of NFL prospect as former Buckeye teammates Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. But Egbuka has NFL starting talent and begins the season as my top-ranked senior receiver. A healthy 2024 season would help his chances of cracking the first round.
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Since the 2021 season opener, in his true freshman season, Burke has been an impact starter for the Buckeyes. It has been a bit of a roller coaster at times, but he played well last season as a junior and bypassed a potential Day 2 draft slot in April to continue his development and make a first-round push.
Burke needs to be more consistent finishing tackles and avoiding contact before the ball arrives in coverage, but he plays with terrific read-react quickness and overall technique to take away passing windows.
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As a true sophomore last season, Gordon emerged as one of the best backs in the country. He finished 2023 with an FBS-best 1,732 rushing yards and was one of only two players to reach 20-plus rushing touchdowns. With Oklahoma State returning all five starters on the offensive line, Gordon should be the favorite for the FBS rushing crown again in 2024.
Oklahoma State has a rich history at running back, but it hasn’t produced a top-40 pick at the position since Barry Sanders 35 years ago. Gordon has a chance to change that in April. The Fort Worth, Texas, native lacks refinement in a few areas, but he is a wild horse with the ball in his hands and has the tools to be a dynamic pro.
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Last September, North Carolina eked out a double-overtime win against Appalachian State — Hampton’s breakout performance (234 rushing yards, three touchdowns). He finished the 2023 season with an ACC-best 1,504 rushing yards and joined Gordon as the only FBS players to surpass 1,500 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns last year.
Although QB Drake Maye is now in the NFL, Hampton will have a chance to compete for RB1 status in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is one of the better pass-protecting backs in college football, which will appeal to NFL teams.
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Born and raised in Canada, Ayomanor attended high school in Massachusetts and was a three-sport star (basketball, football, track). He committed to Stanford over Notre Dame, Tennessee and others, but spent his first season in Palo Alto rehabbing a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. After returning to the field last season, Ayomanor gradually shook off the rust and settled in as Stanford’s No. 1 pass catcher, leading the Cardinal with 62 catches for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns.
In the last draft cycle, there wasn’t much on the Stanford roster that excited NFL scouts. Ayomanor, however, certainly has the attention of evaluators, despite just one season of film and production. It will be interesting to see if he takes another step.
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Stutsman committed to Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma out of high school. As a sophomore, he became a starter under new head coach Brent Venables and battled through ups and downs to lead the Big 12 in tackles (125). As a junior last season, Stutsman reached All-America status and was ready to jump to the NFL Draft before a change of heart led him back to Norman.
Stutsman is quick (too quick at times) to key, read and fill, and he only knows how to play one way — which NFL coaches will appreciate. With some improvements in coverage and another productive season at Oklahoma, Stutsman has the talent to establish himself as a top-40 pick.
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An LSU transfer, Jackson officially put himself on my early round radar with his Alabama tape last season. He uses his length to dip and maneuver around the outside shoulder of blockers and also shows terrific awareness in the run game.
Jackson’s tape gave me flashbacks of Preston Smith, who was drafted 38th overall in 2015.
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A former five-star recruit, Walker was one of the highest-ranked defensive players in the 2022 recruiting class. And in his limited action on the field in Athens, it’s been easy to see why. Even though this ranking might feel premature because of his inexperience, Walker impressed when given his chances last season and is poised for a breakout 2024 season, his third in the program.
How exactly will Georgia use Walker this season? He has been seeing most of his practice reps at inside linebacker, but the staff envisions him as a hybrid player who will do a little bit of everything as they look to maximize his athletic tool box. He has a different skill set than Quay Walker and Nolan Smith but might be somewhere in the middle of those two former first-round Georgia linebackers. Regardless, look for Walker to be an NFL Draft “riser” throughout this season.
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Last fall, I did a full scouting report on Barron, expecting him to shine during the pre-draft process and be a Day 2 pick. But he was lured back to Austin for his fifth season — a huge addition for the Longhorns as they attempt another national championship push.
Barron doesn’t have elite size or speed by NFL standards, but he plays instinctively and controlled, offering versatility in the secondary. Head coach Steve Sarkisian calls him the “glue” of the Texas defense.
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In the 2021 recruiting class, Kirby Smart signed four of the top-five recruits in the state. The one who got away? Carter, who committed to Clemson and was the prize of Dabo Swinney’s 2021 class. He became a full-time starter as a sophomore and surprised many when he bypassed a potential top-100 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft for one more season at Clemson.
The appeal with Carter is clear: He is a hyper-athletic pursuit defender with above-average speed and the play personality desired for the position. If he cuts down on the missed tackles and makes more plays in coverage as a senior this season, Carter can cement top-50 status.
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A dynamic receiver, cornerback and track athlete in high school, Bond was a top-50 recruit and one of the top signees in Alabama’s 2022 class. He became a starter as a sophomore last season and led the Tide in receptions (48), as his chemistry with Jalen Milroe started to blossom.
The Longhorns had five players with 25-plus receptions last season, and all five are now in the NFL, including early-round picks Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. But Texas returns a potential first-rounder at quarterback (Quinn Ewers) and a veteran offensive line, making Bond’s arrival an ideal fit for both sides. Going into his junior season, the stage is set for the Alabama transfer to earn first-round grades.
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Texas A&M had the No. 1 recruiting class in 2022, and Nolen was viewed as the prize of the group (No. 2 recruit in the country, behind only Travis Hunter). Though he was solid in his two seasons with the Aggies, he has yet to live up to the sky-high expectations attached to him. Nolen entered the transfer portal this offseason (ranked as the No. 3 transfer recruit) and wound up at Ole Miss.
His scouting report currently feels incomplete, but the raw talent and on-field upside made it necessary that I include Nolen on this list. Ole Miss has the talent to be a top-10 team, and Nolen’s development will play a factor. NFL scouts are taking an optimistic, yet cautious approach with him.
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The “other” edge rusher at Ohio State, Sawyer was a five-star recruit (like Tuimoloau) and became a full-time starter last season as a junior, leading the Buckeyes with 6.5 sacks.
Sawyer, who was voted a senior captain, is well-rounded off the edge with the hand usage to break down blocks and create movement. I wish his arms were longer and his first step was quicker, but he controls the point of attack and is always in chase mode.
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A well-traveled prospect, Jackson signed with Maryland and had a promising freshman season for the Terps in 2021. The Florida native moved back home, though, and joined Miami in 2022 before transferring to Florida State for the 2023 season.
He had to sit out most of last year due to transfer rules. However, Jackson did play in the Seminoles’ bowl game and flashed enticing skills. At 6-5, 330 with long, powerful arms, he is built for the NFL game.
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The Hurricanes added several high-profile transfers this offseason, like quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Brown is the highest drafted of Miami’s incoming transfers. The Savannah, Ga., native spent two seasons at West Virginia (2020-21) and two seasons at Houston (2022-23), leading the Cougars in receiving last year with 62 receptions for 815 yards and three touchdowns.
If the 2025 NFL Draft were tomorrow, I don’t think Brown would be one of the first five receivers drafted. If you’re looking for an underrated senior prospect ready to emerge, though, Brown has the talent to ascend.
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It was impossible to miss Burks when watching Purdue last season, and now he joins a Sooners offense that should average close to 40 points per game in 2024.
Though he is short, Burks isn’t small and looks like a running back with the ball in his hands, breaking tackles and creating after contact. With his suddenness and body control, he can be a dynamic weapon at the next level.
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Courtesy Oklahoma athletics
Another former five-star recruit who started at Texas A&M, Stewart was considered the top high school receiver in the 2022 class. His skinny body type is a concern, but Stewart can absolutely fly and has the start-stop burst to create separation as his route running develops.
Although he didn’t look like a top-50 prospect in his two seasons with the Aggies, Stewart has a chance to really emerge catching passes from Dillon Gabriel in 2024.
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The top-ranked high school quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, Allar backed up Sean Clifford as a freshman before becoming Penn State’s starter last year. He posted respectable production (59.9 completion percentage, 2,631 passing yards and 29 total touchdowns), but he struggled mightily against the best opponents on the schedule, including disappointing outings against Michigan, Ohio State and then Ole Miss in the bowl game.
It doesn’t take long to understand the hype attached to Allar. However, it is just as easy to spot his inexperience. I understand the skepticism, but I have hope for Allar’s development because of his natural talent and the fact that his surroundings were abysmal last season — Penn State replaced its offensive coordinator midseason, its offensive line had several low moments against formidable competition and its wide receivers were below average in terms of route timing and finishing skills (28 of Allar’s incompletions last season were considered “drops,” fourth most in the FBS).
For several reasons, you can expect plenty of Will Levis comparisons for Allar throughout the process.
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(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; Photos of Carson Beck, Will Johnson and Travis Hunter: Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Gregory Shamus, Ryan Kang / Getty Images)
