2025 NFL Draft Stock Up
Woody Marks, RB, USC
Marks ran well for the Trojans in 2024 averaging 5.7 yards per carry for 1,133 yards with nine touchdowns. He had 47 catches for 321 yards through the air. Marks (5-10, 208) has a strong build and could be a riser if he runs well during pre-draft workouts. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Smith ran hard for the Mustangs in 2024 averaging 5.7 yards per carry for 1,332 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Smith showed good receiving production in other seasons. Smith (5-10, 196) could stand to get stronger for the NFL.
Moliki Matavo, TE, UCLA
Matavo had a solid season for the Bruins in 2024 with 41 catches for 506 yards and two touchdowns. Matavo is a big tight end who could be a Y tight end candidate for the NFL. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
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Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Restrepo is a shifty slot receiver who produced a lot of clutch plays for the Hurricanes in 2024. He caught 69 passes for 1,127 yards with 11 touchdowns. The previous season he had 85 catches for 1,092 yards with six touchdowns. Restrepo (5-10, 198) is a dangerous route-runner with quickness. He could be a nice backup and rotational receiver that might develop into a starting slot as a pro.
Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pitt
Bartholomew has 37 catches for 303 yards and four touchdowns. He was a decent contributor in other seasons and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. At 6-foot-5, 250-pounds Bartholomew has the potential to be a solid backup in the NFL.
Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Bech had a solid season for the Horned Frogs hauling in 62 passes for 1,034 yards with nine touchdowns. It was a huge jump over his previous seasons. The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Bech has quality size to him but will need to run well in the lead-up to the draft. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
The 6-foot, 205-pound Royals has played well in 2024 catching 55 passes for 834 yards and six touchdowns. In 2023, he had 71 receptions for 1,080 yards with 15 touchdowns. Royals accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Speaking with team sources, they didn’t like Ward taking him out of the game in his final contest for Miami. Ward was making a business decision to duck out and let his teammates finish the bowl game. Sources felt that Ward should have just decided to opt out before the game. By the time of the 2025 NFL Draft, this probably will be forgotten. However, Ward opting out midway through Miami’s final game does not bolster the image of him as a great leader and teammate.
