My guy at every position before the 2025 NFL Draft. Probably not the best prospect at each position but my favorite, and the occasional honorable mentione
QB- Jaxson Dart Ole Miss
Dart has slightly below-average height and a thick/sturdy frame. He's an excellent athlete and was very productive in Lane Kiffin's offensive system. Dart connects on a lot of RPOs, quick hitters and seam balls. He has the touch to get the ball up and down at the second level. He flashed the ability to get deeper in his progression, but the first or second option was usually open. His eyes work fast and there are occasions where his feet fail to catch up, which can impact ball placement. He doesn't have a huge power arm, but he has enough to drive the ball outside the numbers without issue. His decision-making continued to improve throughout his college career, but there were still hiccups at times. I love his athleticism and competitiveness as a runner. He can create off-script and execute on designed QB runs. Overall, Dart is still a work in progress, but he possesses starter traits and his competitiveness will endear him to his teammates.
Honorable mention: Kyle McCord Syracuse
RB- Omarion Hampton UNC
Hampton is a big, athletic back. As a runner, he likes to press the hole early before deciding to stay inside or bounce out wide. He has enough speed to capture the corner when he gets to the perimeter. He's a loose runner and has make-you-miss ability in space. He has an impressive blend of power and balance on contact. His vision is a little inconsistent, though. He will occasionally run up the back of blockers. In the pass game, he's effective on angle routes, screens and shovels. He has strong, reliable hands. In pass pro, he is quick to sort and attack blitzers with a sharp, six-inch punch. Overall, Hampton has the size and tools to be an effective starter right away.
Honorable Mention: Damien Martinez
WR1- Jayden Higgins Iowa St
Higgins has outstanding size (6-4, 214 pounds) and play speed. He can play inside, but he's at his best on the perimeter. He can separate vertically and he's efficient in/out of breaks for a bigger wideout. He has strong, reliable hands and fights for the ball in the air. He draws a lot of pass interference penalties. He has sneaky stop/start quickness after the catch, too. His combination of body frame and athleticism reminds me of Nico Collins when he was coming out of Michigan in 2021.
Honorable Mention:
Slot- Savion Williams TCU
WR2- Tre Harris Ole Miss
TE- Tyler Warren Penn St
Warren is a massive tight end who carried the Penn State offense this past season. He lined up in-line, in the slot and as a Wildcat quarterback. His production is the result of his size, catch radius and tenacity. He doesn't generate a lot of separation as a route runner, but he walls off defenders when on the move. Defenders simply can't get through his body to make plays on the ball. He can track the ball over his shoulder and he can high-point the ball when needed. He isn't a nifty option-route type of player. After the catch, defenders bounce off him or go along for a ride as he drags them for extra yardage. As a Wildcat quarterback, he creates space with his power and leg drive. He's effective in the run game and looks to finish when possible. Overall, he isn't as dynamic as Rob Gronkowski was during his career, but Warren is a similar player in a lot of ways.
Honorable Mention: Gunner Helm Texas
LT- Josh Simmons OSU
Simmons is a gifted left tackle prospect. He was having an outstanding 2024 campaign before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October. He has excellent size, movement skills and balance. In the passing game, he has a smooth/fluid set. He can easily redirect and plays with a wide/firm base. He uses a sharp punch before steering and controlling defenders. He will overset on occasion, but he's nimble enough to redirect and recover. In the run game, he plays under control, stays on his feet and maintains leverage/position. He can adjust in space on combos. The main question with Simmons is health. What he put on tape this fall should generate plenty of optimism about his chances of becoming a quality starting left tackle in the NFL.
Honorable Mention: Charles Grant W&M
LG- Tyler Booker Alabama
Booker has ideal size, awareness and consistency. In the pass game, he sets with a wide/firm base and easily absorbs power rushers. He keeps his hands tight and when he locks on, he wins. When he's uncovered, he looks for work and delivers some nasty shots to unsuspecting opponents. In the run game, he can move defenders lined up over his nose and he is excellent on combo blocks up to the second level. He takes great angles, and he gathers and walls off linebackers. Sources at Alabama compare his leadership qualities to those of former Tide star Will Anderson Jr. Booker alleviated some concerns about his athleticism by posting a much better 10-yard split at his pro day than he did at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's still a perfect fit for a gap-scheme team with a power running game.
Honorable Mention: Tate Ratledge Georgia
Center- Gray Zabel ND State
Zabel is a versatile offensive lineman with excellent toughness and awareness. He lined up at left tackle in 2024, but he has played four O-line positions during his collegiate career. I believe he's best suited to play guard at the next level. In pass pro, he has quick feet, stays square and catches/absorbs rushers. His lack of length shows up on the perimeter. He allows defenders to capture his chest, but he still possesses the core strength and balance to stall their push. He shows the savvy to snatch rushers when they get overextended. I love his ability to fit up and drive defenders in the run game. He has a great feel on combo blocks, and he always looks to finish. He has a nasty playing style, but he doesn't get caught off-balance. He's aced every test this offseason, from the Senior Bowl to the combine. Overall, I see Zabel as a Day 1 starter at guard.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Mbow
*** I realize Mbow is a tackle but I think his best position will be center, and Zabel is definitely better at guard but I like him so much I didn't want to leave him off.
RG- Donovan Jackson OSU
Jackson has ideal size, strength and bend as an interior offensive lineman. He is best suited at guard, but he stepped up to play left tackle after the Buckeyes lost their starter at the position in the middle of the 2024 season. In the pass game, he sets with a firm anchor, bends his knees and stays attached. He can slide and redirect smoothly. He is keenly aware on twists and stunts. In the run game, he creates movement on down blocks. He has the quickness and athleticism to kick out defenders on outside pulls. He has enough foot speed to reach and seal on the back side. His overall hand placement is excellent in both the run and pass game. He had a couple tough reps against Abdul Carter, but I was impressed with his overall competitiveness at tackle. He is more than functional at that position, but I see him as a top-tier guard.
Honorable Mention: Josh Conerly Oregon
RT Armand Membou Missouri
Membou is a thick/square right tackle prospect with long arms. In pass pro, he explodes out of his stance and shoots his right hand to stab opponents before reworking both hands to control. He can bend and redirect smoothly. He does a good job of staying square throughout the down. He will give some ground versus power before settling down and stopping the charge. In the run game, he attacks the hip on down blocks, displacing defensive tackles. He has knock-back power to uproot defenders over his nose. While some teams might view him as a guard, I have no doubt he's a starting-caliber tackle after getting a chance to see him compete in person.
Honorable Mention: Cameron Williams Texas
Edge1: Donovan Ezeiruaku BC
Ezeiruaku is a compact edge rusher with outstanding length, burst and production. In the pass game, he has a very quick first step and gets on top of blockers in a hurry. He excels at prying open the outside shoulder and cornering toward the quarterback. He has a full array of moves to complement his speed rush. He has won with a club/swim, inside counter, spin move and Euro step. He's an outstanding finisher (16.5 sacks in 2024). Against the run, he needs to be more consistent using his length to stack blocks. He takes them on with his shoulder too often. He shows solid effort on the back side to chase plays. Overall, Ezeiruaku has an ideal body type to rush the passer, and he has all the tricks in his bag to win against good players.
Honorable Mention: Princely Umanmielen Ole Miss
ED2- James Pearce TN
Pearce is a long, lean edge rusher. The Volunteers moved him around in their scheme and he created havoc from a variety of entry points. His first three steps are very explosive when he's rushing off the edge. For such a lean-framed player, he can generate a lot of pocket push with his bull rush. When he's used as a walk-around blitzer, he exposes the lack of athleticism along the interior of offensive lines. They clear the runway for him and he goes to work. His pressure rate stands out among his peers in this class. Against the run, he plays bigger than his weight would suggest. He sets a firm edge, especially against tight ends. Overall, Pearce has double-digit sack potential and should make an immediate impact in the league.
Honorable Mention: Landon Jackson Ark
DT1: Walter Nolen Ole Miss
Nolen is a twitchy defensive tackle who fits best in a penetrating style of defense. Ole Miss slanted him quite often in its defensive scheme and he created some early wins versus the run and pass. As a pass rusher, he can really get off the ball with urgency and roll his hips to jolt blockers. He flashes a violent hump move and can redirect with ease. He needs to improve his vision and awareness, though. He wins a lot of battles but fails to win the war because of his inability to locate the ball. Against the run, he can generate negative plays for the offense by shooting gaps, but he gets caught and washed at times. Overall, Nolen is extremely talented and disruptive, but he hasn't come close to reaching his potential. If he lands with the right scheme/coach, he could emerge as one of the better players in this draft class.
Honorable Mention: Joshua Farmer FSU
DT2 Derek Harmon Oregon
Harmon is a quick, disruptive defensive tackle with excellent instincts. As a pass rusher, he has quick hands to knock away the punch of opposing linemen. He also has a club/rip move that helps him collect early wins. He flashes an occasional bull rush, but I'd like to see more of it because it's effective. Against the run, he's very aware and avoids getting displaced by down blocks. He can anchor down versus double-teams and he excels at shooting gaps to disrupt and redirect runners. Overall, Harmon has a great feel for the game and can create a lot of havoc despite lacking an elite trait.
Honorable Mention: JJ Pegues Ole Miss
MLB- Carson Schwesinger UCLA
He is an ultra-instinctive linebacker with range and cover ability. Against the run, he is quick to key/diagnose. He is adept at beating blockers to spots, dipping underneath and avoiding them with quickness. He struggles to free himself when he's forced to engage blocks. He has outstanding lateral range, and while he lacks thump, he's a reliable tackler. He is smooth and fluid in coverage and has the agility to mirror/match tight ends and running backs. I love his play speed and energy. He chases plays all over the field. Overall, Schwesinger isn't the most imposing figure, but he's going to rack up production because of his blend of speed and instincts.
Honorable Mention: Poo Paul Ole Miss
CB1- Maxwell Hairston Kentucky
Hairston is a lean, athletic cornerback with ideal play speed and fluidity. In press coverage, he incorporates a one-hand jam before turning and carrying vertical routes. He has plenty of burst/speed. In off coverage, he likes to settle and catch receivers at the break point. He'll need to play cleaner with his hands down the field at the next level. In Kentucky's defense, he rolled back to play in the middle of the field versus certain formations/motions, but he was late to diagnose and react from that alignment. He's willing in run support and is a dynamic blitzer. He was limited to seven games this past season due to a shoulder injury, which impacted his tackling. He had a very productive 2023 season (five interceptions) but wasn't targeted much in the games I studied from this past year. Overall, Hairston offers an enticing blend of movement skills and production.
Honorable Mention: Shavon Revel ECU
CB2: Trey Amos Ole Miss
Amos has excellent size (6-foot 3/4, 195 pounds) and is a fluid/smooth athlete. He split five seasons between three different schools (Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi) during his college career, leading Ole Miss with 13 pass breakups in 2024. He has average twitch and burst, but he plays with excellent instincts and ball skills. He can play the ball with his back to the quarterback as well as any cornerback in this draft. The only real question I had about his game was his top-end speed and he alleviated those concerns with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Honorable Mention: Will Johnson Michigan
Safety1: Nick Emmanwori South Carolina
Emmanwori is a massive safety prospect with ideal instincts and ball skills. He fits best as a strong safety, big nickel or sub linebacker. He can consistently undercut routes and take the ball away in those roles. He trusts his eyes and drives on the ball. He had multiple pick-sixes in the games I studied. He does have a little tightness that shows up in man coverage, but he has enough speed to recover. When he's aligned in the deep half, he's not as effective. He doesn't see/react as well at that depth. Against the run, he is aggressive to fill and he's a strong tackler on the front side. He will have some run-by misses when chasing from the back side. Overall, Emmanwori will be a difference-maker provided the team that drafts him deploys him close to the action.
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Reed PSU
Safety2: Jahdae Barron Texas
Barron is a talented Swiss Army Knife. He aligned outside, in the slot and in the box as a dime linebacker for the Longhorns. He made impact plays in every game I studied. He's a quicker-than-fast athlete with outstanding eyes and conviction. He's at his best when he can play off and see through receivers to the quarterback. He reads the QB's drop and anticipates to beat pass catchers to the ball. He doesn't waste steps and has outstanding hands. He lacks elite top speed, but he's always in position and he is excellent at locating/playing the football downfield. He has good timing and feel as a blitzer. He can adjust from pass to run defense to collect tackles. His batting average as a tackler in space is very high. Overall, Barron excels at taking the ball away and reminds me of Brian Branch when he was coming out of Alabama.
Honorable Mention: Billy Bowman OK
* I left nickel off because Emmanwori and Barron would also be my top nickel corners on top of being my top safeties.
Kicker- Andres Borregales Miami
Borregales has the accuracy and the leg to make it as an NFL kicker, going 18-of-19 in 2024 including two field goals over 50 yards. He's also known to come through in high-pressure situations. He doesn't have the strongest leg out there, but the consistency is there. His brother spent the 2021 offseason with the Buccaneers and stayed on their practice squad that year.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Fitzgerald FSU
Punter- Alex Mastromanno FSU
Kick Returner- Matthew Golden Texas
Golden is the No. 27 overall prospect on PFF's big board, and the speedy receiver will bring added return value to his NFL team. He wasn't as productive after transferring to Texas, as he had 15 kick returns for 302 yards (20.1 average) and a 60.4 PFF kick return grade, but his sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash speed makes him a threat to go the distance on every return.
Golden had a stellar 2023 season as a kick returner, with nine returns for 321 yards (35.7 average per kick return) and two touchdowns to go along with an 88.9 PFF kick return grade (second best in college football).
Honorable Mention: Bayshul Tuten VT
Special teamer- Ricky White UNLV
White doesn't have the same special teams workload history as other players, but his 2024 season was stellar. His 91.9 PFF special teams grade was the highest grade for a college player in six seasons. White blocked four punts on his 53 punt return team snaps in 2024. One of those blocked punts, versus Hawaii, led to a safety, and another against Syracuse was recovered by a teammate for a touchdown.
White also recovered a blocked punt (not his) for a touchdown against Fresno State. He made a tackle short of the line to gain on a fake punt attempt by San Diego State, resulting in a turnover on downs. When not blocking punts, White was effective at helping the vice double-team the opposing gunner.
Honorable Mention: Carson Schwesinger UCLA
**Summaries pet Daniel Jeremiah and PFF
Who you got? Who is your favorite players?
Wow did you watch all these guys play? whatever the caseI think it's super impressive. Bravo to you.
Impressive work
@Jclayton92 :ok: =D>
Interesting write up on Ricky White...I had no idea about his ST success. Maybe a good late round pick. STs is important and oft overlooked
Nice job (but I do smell just a hint of Ole Miss bias...lol - that's okay, I have a blatant Syracuse Orange bias)
Quote from: FL GMAN on April 22, 2025, 03:29:30 PMWow did you watch all these guys play? whatever the caseI think it's super impressive. Bravo to you.
I have done extensive tape on them all but a bulk of the information comes from Jeremiah and PFF, I tend to agree with the way Jeremiah sees things and pff is just another data point.
Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 22, 2025, 04:14:24 PMInteresting write up on Ricky White...I had no idea about his ST success. Maybe a good late round pick. STs is important and oft overlooked
Nice job (but I do smell just a hint of Ole Miss bias...lol - that's okay, I have a blatant Syracuse Orange bias)
A super strong Ole miss bias but it's in a year were there will likely be 7-8 Ole Miss guys drafted.
Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 22, 2025, 03:02:42 PMMy guy at every position before the 2025 NFL Draft. Probably not the best prospect at each position but my favorite, and the occasional honorable mentione
J: You know your college football, but you're going to have to explain why Abdul Carter isn't anywhere.
Was it because you couldn't decide which position to put him in?
He didn't even make "honorable mention" (i.e., second place) at any position.
Bob
Quote from: Bob In PA on April 23, 2025, 11:09:08 AMJ: You know your college football, but you're going to have to explain why Abdul Carter isn't anywhere.
Was it because you couldn't decide which position to put him in?
He didn't even make "honorable mention" (i.e., second place) at any position.
Bob
Haha I love him and Hunter as a prospect but this thread were more "my guys" or guys that I really really like after watching the tape. I would have left qb off altogether but it was an entire team, but we've done a ton of tape and talk on Carter, Hunter, and the Qbs so this was more about other guys that I think are phenomenal. Like Nolen, Barron, Farmer, Emmanwori, Ezeiruaku, Savion Williams, Hampton etc who I think will be elite players at the next level but don't get the necessary hype that other players get.