The 2024 college football season is underway, which gives us a great opportunity to see the top prospects for the 2025 NFL draft in action. Which players are already impressing and look the part of future first-rounders?
After watching game tape over the summer and the first full week of the season, I’m ready to release my debut Big Board for 2025, stacking the top 25 prospects in the class. Defense is the strength of this group right now, but I have three quarterbacks on the list.
Remember, this is not a mock draft or prediction of where players will be drafted. These are my personal rankings. Sure, I want to have a realistic board based on how the draft will play out, but my goal is to include the best players based on what I’m seeing and my own evaluations. In addition to the top-25 list, I also ranked the best prospects at every position at the bottom.
Let’s dig in, and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins on April 24. I plan to update this Big Board often over the coming months as players rise and fall. All stats are through Week 1 of the season.
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Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
2024 stats through one game: 7 catches, 132 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 3 tackles, 0 interceptions
Hunter has a great feel for the game on both offense and defense, and we saw it in Colorado’s opener against North Dakota State. He played a whopping 124 of 126 scrimmage snaps and took over, showing his talent at both receiver and cornerback. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him. He’s a top-two player on my board at both positions.
Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but he also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202
2024 stats through one game: 5 tackles, 1 interceptions, 1 pass breakup, 1 defensive TD
Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball. His pick-six in Michigan’s opener against Fresno State — when he jumped a screen and took the ball 86 yards to the house — was his eighth career interception.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 243
2024 stats through one game: 0 sacks
Pearce played only 16 snaps in the Volunteers’ first game, but he is coming off a 10-sack season in 2023. I see a lot of speed off the edge, and he does a nice job mixing up his pass-rush moves to keep offensive tackles on their heels. Pearce could still add weight to his frame. But even at 243 pounds, he shows the ability to win with power. And when asked to help in run defense, he has the quickness to make plays in lateral pursuit.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
2024 stats through one game: 2 tackles, 0 sacks
Williams is extremely explosive and wins as a pass rusher with speed-to-power. His bend off the edge is outstanding. The tools are all there, and his upside is immense. Scouts just need to see more consistency in his game and some improvement in his sack totals — he had 4.5 in back-to-back seasons while playing in Georgia’s deep front seven.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
2024 stats through one game: 4 tackles, 1 interception
Starks has the skill set to affect the game in a variety of ways. He’s a force against the run from the back end and doesn’t miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent some time lined up over the slot. Plus, he has outstanding hands to finish plays. We saw that in action in Week 1 against Clemson, when Starks made an incredible leaping interception in the fourth quarter.
0:52
Malaki Starks snags spectacular INT for Georgia
Georgia’s Malaki Starks skies for the phenomenal interception.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 259
2024 stats through one game: 1 tackle, 0 sacks
Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience effectively operating as an off-ball linebacker, helping him crack 60 tackles in each of the past two seasons at Penn State. But the hope this season is he can make a dent in opponents’ game plans as a pass rusher off the edge. Carter has the traits to wreak havoc there, getting pressure on 24% of his pass rush snaps last season. He is instinctive and fast flying to the football.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 320
2024 stats through one game: 6 tackles, 2 run stops
I love Graham’s technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness. Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proven effective against both the run and pass from inside. He had 5.5 sacks in his first two seasons at Michigan, and I’d like to see him step up as a pass rusher this season.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
2024 stats through one game: 69.7% completion rate, 278 passing yards, 2 TD passes, 0 interceptions
Beck is a really good decision-maker (six picks in 13 starts last season) who gets the ball out quickly and accurately to all levels of the field. He does a great job reading the field and finding the open target, with a career completion percentage north of 70%. But he’s also mobile and can frustrate defenses with his legs. That’s definitely an underrated part of his game. And even though he sat for a few years early in his career at Georgia, Beck is still only 21 years old.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
2024 stats through one game: 76.5% completion rate, 445 passing yards, 4 TD passes, 1 interception
I have the class’ QB1 race close coming out of the summer, and Sanders is right there with Beck. You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 52 sacks last season but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.
3:05
Mel Kiper Jr. ranks QBs from 2025 NFL draft class
Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders and Quinn Ewers in the 2025 NFL draft class, as well as breakout candidate Cam Ward.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 212
2024 stats through one game: 10 catches, 304 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs
McMillan is a big-bodied receiver who can be a mismatch for smaller corners. And his great size, body control, concentration and hands help him consistently win in contested-catch situations. He can snatch the ball and make it look easy. And while McMillan plays with more physicality than speed, he generates late separation to get open.
He set a school record with 304 receiving yards in Week 1 against New Mexico and also tied Arizona’s TD reception record with four. It’s a great start for a player I’m excited to watch over the rest of the season.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
2024 stats through one game: 1 start, 0 sacks allowed
Banks has 28 career starts under his belt, with every single snap coming at left tackle. And amazingly, he has given up only two sacks. He has the mobility to quickly block off the edge and then the frame and strength to take care of power rushers. He just needs to become more consistent in the run game as a blocker.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 208
2024 stats through one game: 4 catches, 49 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
Burden is an explosive playmaker who really stands out after the catch, using his quickness and elusiveness to pick up extra yards. His 710 yards after the catch last season ranked third in the nation. He also tracks the vertical throws well and makes some big plays down the field.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 323
2024 stats through one game: 1 start, 0 sacks allowed
Campbell has started for LSU since 2022 and hasn’t given up any sacks since that first season. He has a big frame, and his solid footwork and technique make him an effective pass protector at left tackle.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
2024 stats through one game: 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup
Morrison has extremely sound technique in the way he covers opposing receivers. He’s really good in press coverage and gets his hands on the ball before it arrives to the receiver. The ball skills are impressive. Morrison had nine interceptions and 17 pass breakups over his first two seasons.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
2024 stats through one game: 8 catches, 87 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
If you are looking for a tight end who can consistently stretch the deep middle part of the field, Loveland is your guy. He has averaged 9.2 air yards per target over his three college seasons. I’m going to be watching him closely this season as his role continues to expand in the Michigan offense.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
2024 stats through one game: 74.1% completion rate, 260 passing yards, 3 TD passes, 1 interception
Ewers has the opportunity and traits to catch Beck and Sanders in this quarterback class, but he needs to continue improving his consistency as a passer. Though he has already taken big steps there since his freshman year — his completion rate jumped from 58.1% in 2022 to 69.0% in 2023 — he misses on too many throws.
Ewers can spin it effortlessly to any part of the field and hit his spots, though, thanks to elite arm talent. He also does a nice job avoiding pressure in the pocket, slipping and sliding to create time and room to operate.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 339
2024 stats through one game: 0 tackles
Grant started only five games before this season, which means 2024 should be huge for his draft stock. Considering his size, he has terrific athletic traits and explosion. His instincts stand out, too — he’s an extremely alert football player. And while he might not rack up sacks (3.5 last season), he is adept at batting down passes at the line of scrimmage, recording five pass breakups in 2023.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 245
2024 stats through one game: 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss
Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He’s a versatile defender, with experience both as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215
2024 stats through one game: 20 carries, 267 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs
After finishing just outside the top 10 in rushing last season with 1,347 yards, Jeanty picked up where he left off, running wild on Georgia Southern to the tune of 267 yards and six (!) scores in Boise State’s first game. He’s a determined runner with excellent contact balance, forcing an FBS-high 100 missed tackles last season. And don’t sleep on his receiving skills. He has sure hands out of the backfield, catching 43 passes in 2023.
1:51
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty runs for 267 yards and 6 TDs in win
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty shines in the season opener, running for 267 yards and six touchdowns in a win over Georgia Southern.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 327
2024 stats through one game: 4 tackles, 1 run stop, 1 sack, 0.5 tackles for loss
I like the way Williams plays hard right to the whistle. He’s stout against the run up the middle, but he also shows the quickness and suddenness to penetrate the backfield, wrapping up running backs behind the line of scrimmage or pressuring the quarterback. Can he take the next step as an interior pass rusher? He could rise in the rankings.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315
2024 stats through one game: 1 start, 0 sacks allowed
Jones is the second LSU tackle to make my early Big Board (Campbell at No. 13). Despite 25 career starts, his game is still raw. But I’m intrigued by his upside. If he puts it all together, he’s going to be a very good right tackle in the NFL.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 193
2024 stats through one game: 0 tackles, 0 interceptions
Revel came to East Carolina in 2022 after a few years at Louisburg College, and his physical traits and speed have impressed scouts. He’s big and long, and his excellent instincts and ability to locate the ball down the field help him make plays. He has one interception during his time at East Carolina, but he broke up nine passes last season. Revel was my preseason pick for the toolsy prospect with whom scouts will fall in love.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330
2024 stats through one game: 1 start, 0 sacks allowed
Ersery is a massive blocker who has made 28 career starts, nearly all of which at left tackle. He drives defensive ends off the ball with his power and uses his movement skills to keep quicker pass rushers in check. Ersery is a rising prospect in the early parts of the season.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 285
2024 stats through one game: 4 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 run stops
Scourton joins the Aggies after two seasons at Purdue, and SEC run games will feel his presence in a big way. He had 14 tackles for loss and 12 run stops last season, using his frame and strength to stop ball carriers in their tracks. Scourton is a power rusher off the edge, but he also shows impressive closing speed to the QB and is always hustling.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 345
2024 stats through one game: 2 tackles
Thanks to his gap-filling 6-foot-6 frame, Walker recorded 22 run stops and 17 tackles for loss over the 2022-23 seasons. He’s more than just a run stuffer, though, as he has an impressive array of pass-rush moves for a defensive tackle of his size and finished last season with 7.5 sacks. He’s scheme-versatile, too.
1. Carson Beck, Georgia
2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
4. Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
8. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
9. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
10. Will Howard, Ohio State
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
3. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
5. Jaydn Ott, California
6. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
7. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
8. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
9. Jonah Coleman, Washington
10. Damien Martinez, Miami (Fla.)
1. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
2. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
3. Brant Kuithe, Utah
4. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
5. Ben Yurosek, Georgia
6. Kalel Mullings, Michigan
7. RJ Maryland, SMU
8. Jack Velling, Michigan State
9. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
10. Corey Dyches, California
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
3. Luther Burden III, Missouri
4. Tre Harris, Ole Miss
5. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
6. Bru McCoy, Tennessee
7. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
8. Isaiah Bond, Texas
9. Xavier Restrepo, Miami (Fla.)
10. Savion Williams, TCU
0:53
Travis Hunter opens up scoring for Colorado with 41-yard TD
Travis Hunter takes off for the end zone after the catch for the 41-yard Colorado touchdown.
1. Colston Loveland, Michigan
2. Luke Lachey, Iowa
3. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
4. Tyler Warren, Penn State
5. Mason Taylor, LSU
6. Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss
7. Oscar Delp, Georgia
8. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
9. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
10. Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
1. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
2. Will Campbell, LSU
3. Emery Jones Jr., LSU
4. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
5. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
6. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
7. Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
8. Charles Grant, WM & Mary
9. Anthony Belton, NC State
10. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
1. Tyler Booker, Alabama
2. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
3. Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
4. Tate Ratledge, Georgia
5. Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
6. Joshua Gray, Oregon State
7. Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
8. Jalen Rivers, Miami (Fla.)
9. Jonah Monheim, USC
10. Parker Brailsford, Alabama
1. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
2. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
3. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
4. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
5. Jah Joyner, Minnesota
6. Tyler Baron, Miami (Fla.)
7. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
8. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
9. Jordan Burch, Oregon
10. Davin Vann, NC State
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
3. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
4. Deone Walker, Kentucky
5. DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
6. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
7. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
8. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
9. Jordan Phillips, Maryland
10. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
1. Barrett Carter, Clemson
2. Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
3. Deontae Lawson, Alabama
4. Lander Barton, Utah
5. Jackson Woodard, UNLV
6. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
7. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
8. Francisco Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
9. Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky
10. Jacob Dobbs, JMU
1. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
2. Mykel Williams, Georgia
3. Abdul Carter, Penn State
4. Jalon Walker, Georgia
5. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
6. Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina
7. Patrick Payton, Florida State
8. Trey Moore, Texas
9. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
10. Derrick Moore, Michigan
1. Will Johnson, Michigan
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado
3. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
5. Tacario Davis, Arizona
6. Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
7. Denzel Burke, Ohio State
8. Quincy Riley, Louisville
9. Jahdae Barron, Texas
10. Sebastian Castro, Iowa
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
2. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
3. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
4. Keon Sabb, Alabama
5. Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
6. Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
7. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
8. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
9. Malachi Moore, Alabama
10. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
1. Graham Nicholson, Alabama (K)
2. Trey Smack, Florida (K)
3. Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida (P)
4. Noah Burnette, North Carolina (K)
5. James Burnip, Alabama (P)
