2025 NFL Draft Stock Up
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Jackson is an early-round pick, and with his team in a desperate state, he stepped up for his team and played left tackle for the Buckeyes while going against an early-round edge rusher across from him in Abdul Carter. Buckeyes’ starting left tackle Josh Simmons was lost for the year, and so was his backup, but Jackson moved outside and really played well to help his team get a huge road win. While Carter beat him for a sack, Jackson had other plays where he kept Carter tied up to let quarterback Will Howard get the ball out.
For the NFL, Jackson is a tough run blocker at the point of attack. He has the strength to latch onto defenders and turn them away from ball carriers. While he isn’t overwhelmingly powerful, he can get a push and drive block defenders. In pass protection, Jackson has has nice balance and shows an ability to bend at the knee. He can anchor and is able to take on quick interior rushers or power nose tackles. This tape will help Jackson get late first-round consideration, and he should not get out of the second round next April.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Nussmeier spent a few seasons as the backup to Jayden Daniels, but now he has taken advantage of the opportunity to start and has turned himself into a legit prospect for the NFL. Nussmeier has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,627 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. There is no doubt that Nussmeier has the arm talent to be a pro starter, as he has a powerful arm that has no issue going vertically downfield. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Nussmeier is getting good pro preparation from Brian Kelly and Nussmeier looks like an early-round prospect for the 2025 or 2026 NFL Draft.
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Taylor has been very good this season, showing the ability to be a functional receiver and also doing a nice job of blocking in pass protection. NFL teams do not expect receiving tight ends to be dominant blockers, but they need to be able to pass protect, and block the c-gap. Taylor has shown that ability while also hauling in 39 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns. He looks like a future three-down starter with the potential to be a good pro just like his Hall of Fame father.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Judkins is a first-round talent, and he put that on display against Penn State last Saturday. Judkins ripped off a chunk run in the first half, showing his speed and explosiveness as the Nittany Lions’ defense bit on a misdirection. Late in the fourth quarter, backed up near the end zone, Judkins ran over a tackler and then went for five more yards to get the Buckeyes a critical first down. Judkins finished running for 95 yards on 14 carries with two receptions for five yards. For the NFL, Judkins looks like a three-down starter. He is big, fast, explosive, and has good instincts. Judkins is also a functional receiver and can run over defenders. Judkins has the talent to go in the back half of the first round, and he should not wait long if he makes it to round two.
Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Hunter has been a physical load for Auburn and has run really hard for the Tigers this season. Thus far, he has averaged 7.2 yards per carry for 863 yards with five touchdowns. He has 13 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. In 2023, he averaged 5.7 yards per carry for 909 yards with seven touchdowns. Hunter is a physical downhill runner who can get yards after contact. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Hunter looks like he could be a day-two or mid-round steal in the 2025 NFL Draft.
T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
Sanders had a good performance against Texas A&M to help his draft grade. In the fourth quarter, Sanders came up with two clutch rushes that helped the Gamecocks close out the win. On a third down, Sanders fired into the A-gap and darted between the left guard and center. He collapsed the pocket quickly and forced an incompletion to get his defense off the field. On the next drive, Sanders had another speed rush, darting past the guard to get a third-down sack for South Carolina. This tape will help Sanders grade with his interior rush ability against Texas A&M.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
At the start of his Ohio State career, there was hype from media that Sawyer would continue the tradition of the Bosa brothers and Chase Young as a dominant edge rusher in Columbus. However, Sawyer has never turned into that player. This season, he has 26 tackles with 2.5 sacks and has been a non-factor in many games. Sawyer looks like a day-three pick and a backup at best in the NFL.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Team sources say they have been disappointed in Walker’s play this season. While Walker is a massive defensive lineman, he plays like he thinks he is an athletic pass rusher and does not overwhelm blockers with size, power, or physicality. Walker plays tall, which leads to issues with linemen getting under his pads. Last year, Walker had 7.5 sacks, and this year, he is not on pace to come close to that, with only 1.5 and three games remaining. Walker has not looked like a first-round pick this season.
