The 2024 NFL draft is still several months away, but scouts across the nation are already looking at the 2025 class. Yes, I said 2025.
Teams will weigh the option of drafting a position of need in the current class against waiting 12 months, and having a grasp of next year's potential helps smart franchises make good long-term decisions. As things stand right now, there are no Caleb Williams-level talents returning to college. But there are plenty of blue-chip prospects who have scouts very excited for the upcoming college football season. Who are the top names to know?
With the Jan. 15 declaration deadline behind us, we have more clarity not only on the 2024 draft class but also on who could be part of the '25 group. So let's take a closer look and go position by position for next year's class, starting at quarterback.
Jump to position:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
EDGE | DT | LB | CB | S
Quarterbacks
Carson Beck, Georgia
Beck burst onto the scene in 2023, replacing the graduated Stetson Bennett and leading Georgia to a one-loss season. At 6-foot-4, he is a prototypical pocket passer with the arm talent to sling it all over the field. His QBR of 86.0 in his first season starting is a sign of great things to come, as is his 24-6 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions in the rough-and-rowdy SEC.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers returns for his third season as the starter at Texas, having compiled a 10-2 record in 2023 while throwing 22 touchdown passes to six interceptions. Ewers (6-2, 195 pounds) is a talented thrower and second-chance runner, but he still has to cut down on poor decision-making and improve his deep-ball accuracy. He'll be breaking in an entirely new cast of receivers in 2024, but his talent and coach Steve Sarkisian's scheme have us believing in Ewers' draft status.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders returns to Colorado, and after a red-hot start to the 2023 season -- he was at one point my QB2 in the 2024 draft class -- he will need to finish with more consistency the next time around. Sanders has surgical accuracy and lightning-fast decision-making, but the 6-2, 215-pound passer has to get the ball out faster and take fewer sacks (52 in 2023) behind a rebuilt offensive line. His key playmakers all return, setting him up for a huge follow-up after 27 touchdown passes and just three interceptions this season.
Sleeper: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running backs
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
A transfer from Ole Miss, Judkins will share time in the backfield with returning starter TreVeyon Henderson, but his talent is undeniable. The 5-11 220-pounder rushed for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Rebels in 2023 and has an offensive line at Ohio State that's returning four starters in front of him. Judkins' power, patience and vision could make him a first-round candidate in 2025.
Trevor Etienne, Georgia
The younger brother of Jaguars' running back Travis Etienne Jr. transferred from Florida and could find greener pastures to run through at Georgia. Trevor Etienne is a blur of speed in space and has excellent slashing ability as an outside runner. At 5-9 and 205 pounds, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry and added 21 receptions for a Florida team that too often didn't lean on him when needed. Georgia should fix that.
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
The 6-foot-2, 242-pound Sanders lost most of the 2023 season to a foot injury and decided to transfer from Arkansas to South Carolina. He'll be the focal point of an offense breaking in a new quarterback as he looks to get back to his 2022 form, when he rushed for 1,443 yards and had 28 catches and 12 total touchdowns.
Sleeper: Devin Neal, Kansas
Wide receivers
Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden is one of the best receivers I've seen in person over the past few years, and he put it all together on the field in 2023 to the tune of 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine scores. He has electric speed, deep-threat ability and after-the-catch skills. At 5-11 and 208 pounds, Burden averaged 14.1 yards per catch in 2023 while dropping just two passes on 122 targets.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Arizona may be in a new conference (Big 12) in 2024, but the game plan will remain the same: Get the ball to No. 4. McMillan had a breakout season with 90 catches, 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 15.6 yards per pop. He dominated intermediate routes with his start-stop quickness and 6-5 frame. McMillan has deep-threat size and underneath quickness that will make him a Round 1 lock.
Tetairoa McMillan goes up and snags a TD with one hand to bring Arizona back level with Colorado at 24.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Largely considered a first-round candidate for 2024 before the 2023 season, Egbuka struggled with injuries, catching 41 passes for four touchdowns. He'll return to Ohio State for his senior season with a chance to be WR1 in a new-look offense. Egbuka is a precise route runner at 6-1 and 206 pounds with great field vision, which is why he grabbed 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 scores while healthy in 2022.
Sleeper: Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Tight ends
Colston Loveland, Michigan
You saw how valuable Loveland is as both a receiver and a blocker during Michigan's national title run. The 6-5, 245-pounder has some Sam LaPorta to his game as a three-down asset. He caught 45 passes for four touchdowns this season, second on the team in receiving, and now has a chance to be the top target with Roman Wilson headed to the NFL.
Mason Taylor, LSU
The son of NFL legend Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor didn't have great numbers in 2023 (348 yards, one TD) as the LSU offense focused on its elite wide receivers, but the sophomore's play was impossible to miss. Taylor is a powerful middle-of-the-field option thanks to his 6-6, 255-pound frame, and he has 74 catches for 762 yards in two seasons. His 2024 campaign could top those totals with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. off to the NFL.
Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
A transfer from Arizona State, Conyers will be expected to boost the Red Raiders' middle-of-the-field passing game. He has grabbed 68 receptions for five scores over the past two seasons, but his potential is sky-high as a seam-busting route runner at 6-4 and 270 pounds.
Sleeper: Maliq Carr, Michigan State
Offensive tackles
Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Banks has allowed two sacks in his two seasons starting at left tackle while shutting down some of the best pass-rushers in the country. His agility in space at 6-4 and 324 pounds is stunning, but his improved power is why we're listing him as OT1 for 2025. Banks is a complete pass-protector who could very well be a top-five pick in 2025.
Will Campbell, LSU
Campbell saw a massive jump in play as a second-year starter, allowing zero sacks after surrendering five as a freshman. The former top-rated player from the state of Louisiana in the 2022 recruiting class, Campbell has NFL size (6-5, 325 pounds), length and power at the point of attack. He looks like a firm Round 1 player with a year of games remaining to build his stock.
Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
The right tackle allowed one sack this season and was an elite run-blocker for an improved Arizona team. At 6-5 and 330 pounds, Savaiinaea shows aggressive hands and exceptional quickness, as well as a mean streak that offensive line coaches will love.
Sleeper: Earnest Greene III, Georgia
Interior offensive linemen
Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
A redshirt sophomore in 2023, Jackson started 13 games for a second-straight season and once again allowed a single sack. At 6-4 and 320 pounds, he was also the best run-blocking guard I saw in college football all season. The Buckeyes' offensive line is in good hands in 2024, and Jackson should hear some Round 1 buzz.
Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
A versatile starter with experience at left and right guard, Fairchild was flawless in pass protection with zero sacks allowed and one penalty all season. Returning for his junior season, the 6-5 315-pounder should be on every preseason All-America list.
Parker Brailsford, Washington
An undersized center with 275 pounds on a 6-2 frame, Brailsford wins with leverage and quickness. The anchor of the 2023 Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line, Brailsford is ideal for zone-blocking schemes at the next level and ranks as the top center for the class. He recently entered the transfer portal, so we'll see where he is playing in 2024.
Sleeper: Tate Ratledge, Georgia
Edge rushers
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
A legitimate top-five returning player for the 2025 draft class, Pearce is a 6-5, 242-pound blur rushing off the edge. With 43 pressures and 9.5 sacks in 2023, Pearce established himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the SEC. In fact, an AFC West scout who covers the conference told me Pearce would be the first defensive player drafted in the 2024 class if he were draft-eligible. Expectations are high for Pearce, but his speed and savvy pass-rush moves are worthy of the hype.
James Pearce Jr. picks off Deacon Hill and takes it back to the Volunteers' end zone with a 52-yard pick-six.
JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Tuimoloau was actually on this list last January for the 2024 class but made the decision to return to Ohio State to put together a more consistent senior season and chase a Big Ten title. He posted five sacks and 32 pressures in 2023 and has proved himself in big moments, but NFL scouts will want to see more consistent production from the 6-4, 270-pound senior.
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
While watching Jackson in person against BYU this past season, I was convinced he would be a future top-50 selection. The 6-7 281-pounder has awesome play power and length, but it's his uncanny quickness at that size that leaves you really excited about his potential. Jackson will look to build on his 6.5 sacks in 2023 during his senior season, with a shot at a Round 1 grade hanging in the balance.
Sleeper: Ethan Burke, Texas
Defensive tackles
Mason Graham, Michigan
Graham is a top-five 2025 prospect heading into next season for me. The 6-3, 318-pound junior notched three sacks and 21 pressures in Michigan's heavy defensive line rotation, but on a weekly basis he was the Wolverines' best defensive lineman. His power, quickness and ability to diagnose offenses are all A-plus traits.
Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
A surprising returnee to Georgia, Stackhouse had top-50 buzz before the 2023 season. The 6-3 320-pounder posted two sacks while anchoring the defensive line on rushing downs. He's built more in the mold of Jordan Davis than Jalen Carter, to compare him to former Georgia first-rounders on the defensive line and brings immediate value as a gap-plugging nose tackle.
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
A top prep recruit back in 2022, Nolen transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss in December and brings huge expectations with him to Oxford. He's coming off a four-sack season (10 pressures), and Nolen has to tap into his quickness and power at 6-4 and 290 pounds to see an uptick in production. He belongs on this list based purely on potential, though, and will be someone scouts line up to see in a new location and new scheme.
Sleeper: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Linebackers
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter was widely considered a Round 2 player for 2024 when this past season began, but he'll return to Clemson and enter the 2025 draft process as my top-ranked linebacker. A true weakside player, Carter has nine sacks, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. At 6-1 and 230 pounds, he's a superstar with three-down ability at the next level.
Abdul Carter, Penn State
It has been a long two years waiting to evaluate Carter for the NFL draft. Wearing the famed No. 11 jersey for Penn State, Carter posted 11 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and an interception in his first two seasons. A true do-it-all linebacker, Carter has the closing speed, instincts and coverage skills at 6-3 and 250 pounds to be a first-rounder in April 2025.
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
A bit of a surprise as a returning player, Stutsman had an all-conference season in 2023 with 15.5 tackles for loss and three sacks while playing in the middle of the field for Oklahoma. The 6-4 241-pounder has excellent length to disrupt passing lanes and the open-field speed to be a playmaker behind the line of scrimmage.
Sleeper: David Bailey, Stanford
Cornerbacks
Will Johnson, Michigan
There's a great chance that Johnson will open the 2024 season as my No. 1 overall prospect. The 6-2 202-pounder looks like an NFL starter after two years in college. Johnson has seven interceptions during that time while not allowing a single touchdown in 2023. He has all the tools -- quickness, burst and vision -- to be great in the NFL.
Travis Hunter, Colorado
A two-way star for the Buffaloes, Hunter might project at wide receiver, cornerback or both for the pros. He suffered a lacerated liver midway through the 2023 season that cost him valuable playing time, but he showed his playmaking ability with two interceptions on defense (and 57 catches and five scores offensively). His NFL position will be debated, but there is no argument the 6-1, 185-pound Hunter is an elite playmaker.
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison was one of the most impressive coverage players I saw this season. He posted 13 pass breakups and two interceptions (running his two-year total up to seven) and allowed just 3.6 yards per attempt in his direction (14th in the FBS). Morrison (6-foot, 185 pounds) might not have the name recognition of Johnson and Hunter right now, but he's a first-round talent.
Sleeper: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Safeties
Malaki Starks, Georgia
A returning leader on the Georgia defense, Starks (6-1, 205 pounds) makes play after play in the middle of the field. He had two interceptions and six pass breakups in 2023, and he showed remarkable instincts coming up to play the ball in pass and run defense. He's the top-ranked returning safety in the nation.
Malaki Starks tracks down the ball and rises for an impressive interception.
Andrew Mukuba, Texas
A transfer from Clemson, Mukuba will look to anchor a Texas secondary that was abused by Washington in the College Football Playoff. At 6-foot and 195 pounds, he brings 35 games of experience to the Longhorns with 13 career pass breakups and an allowed completion percentage of 29.6% (tied for ninth-best) in 2023. Texas needs a marquee safety, and Mukuba is primed for a breakout season in terms of on-the-ball production.
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Sources at Ohio State rave about the 6-4 Styles and his potential as a breakout player in 2024. A first-year starter this past season, he allowed just seven completions in coverage for 110 yards. He's yet to get on the board with an interception, but behind a strong returning defense for next season, he's poised to break out.
Sleeper: Akili Arnold, USC