Welcome to the first of my weekly article where I will go over emerging storylines from the College football season that impact the NFL draft. Now that summer scouting is done and the season has started we are seeing some storylines materialize over the first couple weeks. So lets get to it.
Running Backs Had Big Days
One of the big stories for the 2025 NFL draft is the running back group. It is seen as the deepest group in the class which a bunch of backs that could be good NFL players. Over the first couple weeks of the season the group has played well especially guys like Devin Neal (Kansas), Jordan Waters (NC State), Jamal Haynes (Georgia Tech), Jordan James (Oregon), Kyle Monangai (Rutgers), RJ Harvey (UCF), Terion Stewart (Bowling Green), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams (Michigan State), Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State), DJ Giddens (Kansas State), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Arizona), Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), and Jonah Coleman (Washington).
The Return?
Ja’Quinden Jackson and Nicholas Singleton seem to be back. Jackson showed some flashes in 2022 after switching positions, but didn’t play as well in 2023, but so far in 2024 he has back to back 100 yard games with five touchdowns over those two games. Singleton rushed for just over 1,000 yards in 2022 and looked to be a breakout candidate in 2023, but had some struggles and rushed for only 752 yards. In two games so far in 2024 he is averaging 116 yards a game. Jaydn Ott has struggled out of the gate, rushing for just 60 total yards with an average of 2.6 a carry over his first two games two games.
Wide Receivers Are The Talk Of The Town
The wide receiver class for the 2025 NFL draft looks to be massive and there are already some emerging storylines with players having big first couple weeks.
Could Tetairoa McMillan challenge Luther Burden for wide receiver one? In the first game of the season he had 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Kevin Concepcion is having a big start to his 2024 season. Is it too early for 2026 draft talk? because he looks like he might be one of the top receivers for that class. Also Ali Jennings (Virginia Tech), Zakhari Franklin (Illinois) and Isaiah Neyor (Nebraska) all seem to be back as NFL prospects. All three dealt with injuries in 2023 and barely played, Neyor has dealt with injuries the last two seasons. Jayden Higgins (Iowa State) has also had a real solid first two weeks.
Slot Receivers Making A Big Impact?
Taylor Morin, Deion Burks, Isaiah bond, Jimmy Horn, Jaylin Noel and Mario Williams have all had big starts to their 2024 season. The slot receiver group for the 2025 NFL Draft looks like it will be deep.
Some Receivers Are Breaking Out?
Jordan Moore (Duke) and Tai Felton (Maryland) seems to have emerged this season. It was thought that Kaden Prather was going to be the breakout for Maryland. He started the season fast with 18 catches, 330 yards and three TDs through just two games. Moore a former quarterback has emerged as Maalik Murphy’s only consistent receiving threat.
There’s Lots Going On With The Quarterbacks
The quarterback class appears deeper than the 2024 group, with several players improving their stock. Taylen Green (Arkansas) has bounced back from a rough 2023, while Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State) shows slight improvement. Cam Ward has excelled early, throwing six touchdowns and completing over 70% of his passes, positioning him as a potential QB1. Hudson Card impressed in one game, completing 24 of 25 passes, and both Quinn Ewers and Shedeur Sanders look better. Conner Weigman struggled initially but improved, while Graham Mertz, Donovan Smith, and Drew Allar experienced mixed performances. Joey Aguilar is a sleeper, but KJ Jefferson’s performance has been disappointing.
This Will Be An Interesting Tight End Class
The tight end class looks to be interesting with some guys coming on this season. Orande Gadsden II is now a full fledged TE. Colston Loveland had a big first two weeks. What is Brant Kuithe’s stock at 25 and two season ending injuries? Justin Joly is coming on as a sleeper/late riser. He has had 9 catches for 105 yards for a NC State team whos passing game goes mostly through Kevin Conception. Harold Fannin Jr has also looked great the first two games and is likely to become more well known among the big media.
There Are Some Defensive Linemen That Are Emerging
Jahvaree Ritzie has 5 sacks for North Carolina in just two weeks after having just two career sacks entering 2024. He’s a athletic freak that seems to finally be pulling it all together and is a player to keep an eye on the rest of the way. Aaron Graves has three sacks so far after coming in with a total of 5.5 in his career. He is a bit of an undersized 3 tech.
The Depth Of The Defensive Back Class Is Confirmed
The defensive back group in this draft class is particularly strong, as evidenced by standout performances in the season’s first two weeks. Keon Sabb (Alabama) has two interceptions, while Will Johnson (Michigan) has emerged as a lockdown corner with a pick-6. Kansas features solid cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson, both contributing with pick-6s. Texas safeties Jahadae Barron and Andrew Mukuba have also recorded interceptions. Other notable players include Aydan White (NC State), Tommi Hill (Nebraska), and Shavon Revel (East Carolina). Travis Hunter has excelled at both WR and CB, and Ike Larsen (Utah State) has gained recognition as an underrated ball-hawk with multiple interceptions over recent seasons.
For More Great Content
Follow me on Twitter @bmaafiNFL and follow us @GridironHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in NFL and College Football, Click here!
