When last college football season started, we knew the 2024 NFL Draft class would be a whopper. This season? We knew the 2025 class would be a puzzler.
It’s hardly the worst draft crop of all time. There are obvious weak spots, however, including the lack of any consensus not only on QB1 but on the entire top five at that position. Several other position groups are in similar situations.
Given that uncertainty, the 2024 season has been a great opportunity for players to make big jumps up the board. Here’s a position-by-position look at some of the biggest 2025 NFL Draft risers so far this season:
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Key numbers: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds; redshirt Jr. | 2,627 yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs; 41.5 percent on third-and-long, 9.9 air yards/attempt
Nussmeier had a tough one Saturday night at Texas A&M. However, even during his most inconsistent effort of the season, he still managed 405 passing yards.
He’s not an overwhelming talent with eye-popping athletic traits, and he also has accuracy issues that’ll get picked apart if he declares for the 2025 draft. Nussmeier does know how to play quarterback, though. He doesn’t take sacks. He’s a sharp processor and athletic enough to solve problems. He’s mentally tough and can really rip it.
His best comp, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted earlier this month, might be Tony Romo. A competitive, tough, talented survivalist who’s not afraid to work the middle of the field, Nussmeier has converted nearly 42 percent of all third-and-long attempts this year. His best trait other young QBs could learn from? Patience. Nussmeier sat for three full years — two behind Jayden Daniels — without panicking into a transfer. Sometimes, waiting works.
Key numbers: 6-0, 225; Jr. | 2024: 1,144 yards (146 att.), 16 TDs, 5.14 yards after contact; 18 rec., 111 yards, TD
Though still a true junior, Johnson’s work has been impossible to ignore in his first season as a full-time starter. A powerful, smart and decisive three-down back with pass-catching ability, Johnson (who is averaging a whopping 5.14 yards after contact per carry) has been the main event for Iowa’s offense all season. He’s really the only Power 4 starter with numbers comparable to those of Boise State star Ashton Jeanty.
Key numbers: 6-1, 205; Sr. | 2024: 43 rec., 546 yards, 6 TDs; 3.21 yards/route run, 8 contested catches
Egbuka is one of those prospects who’s been around so long that people sort of forgot how good he is. He’s grinded through injury, handled a boatload of off-target throws and continues to be one of the most efficient, dependable pass catchers in America. He’s not on the Marvin Harrison Jr. or Garrett Wilson (or Jeremiah Smith) freak scale, but Egbuka has the type of QB-friendly traits that make guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ladd McConkey worth their weight in gold.
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Key numbers: 5-10, 165; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 63 rec., 638 yards, 8 TDs; 40 first downs
Johnson’s size will limit his potential impact inside some NFL offenses, but his work this season has been undeniable again.
Johnson posted 86 catches for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns last season with prep teammate and extremely close pal Bo Nix, and he seemingly has only improved playing with new QB Dillon Gabriel. Johnson will flirt with a sub 4.3-second 40-yard dash time in Indianapolis — and it’ll turn heads. He’ll have the production to match.
Key numbers: 5-10, 198; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 45 rec., 710 yards, 6 TDs; 2.36 yards/route run; 6 contested catches
He’s not big, and his speed is hardly overwhelming. Restrepo is always open, though. He also doesn’t drop passes, and his vision after the catch is outstanding. Restrepo broke out with an 85-catch, 1,000-yard season a year ago while Tyler Van Dyke was his QB and then immediately became 2025 Heisman hopeful Cam Ward’s best on-field friend upon Ward’s Miami arrival.
The NFL typically complicates things with small-bodied WRs, even when they’re tough enough to win through contact and dependable in any situation. Teams should be careful doing that with Restrepo.
Key numbers: 6-6, 255; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 47 rec., 559 yards, 4 TDs; 40 rush yards, TD
New Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki has been deep in his creative bag this year — and Warren appears to be his muse. A former prep QB, Warren is one of the best big-bodied athletes in the 2025 draft class and has taken snaps at TE, WR, RB, and QB, even adding one at center out of a funky formation.
There’s power and explosion everywhere here. His hands are strong enough to smash an apple, and he can make people miss after the catch. This will be another fun TE class at the top, with several prospects pushing to join Michigan’s Colston Loveland in the top 50.
Key numbers: 6-6, 317; Sr.
Milum won’t be for everyone — with 32-inch arms, he may wind up as a guard on some boards. He’ll also show stiffness and play too high, at times. However, Milum’s arguably been the Power 4’s best run-blocking tackle so far this season. (Pro Football Focus, in fact, grades him No. 1 among 2025-eligible tackles.)
There are things to pick at here, but Milum has not allowed a sack in three years. Moreover, he has not allowed a pressure thus far in 2024. An outstanding athlete with full-body power and a finisher’s mindset, Milum had first-round buzz before the season — and he’s adding more every day.
Key numbers: 6-7, 305; fifth-year Sr.
Lundt is a bit light to stick outside, but his twitch, bend, foot speed and movement skills have flashed again this season. A four-year starter who flipped the switch last season in terms of his technique consistency, Lundt has upped his game even more as a fifth-year senior. In 276 pass-protection reps across eight starts this year, he has allowed just one sack and three pressures.
Perhaps as important, Lundt’s ability to climb and get wide in the run game will make him a highly intriguing zone tackle who might pop even more with added bulk.
Key numbers: 6-3; 325; Jr.
A starter at right tackle since the back half of his true freshman season, Membou is likely a guard-shaped NFL prospect who will arrive with extensive tackle experience. An explosive, quick-footed thumper with length, Membou is an effective climber with enough speed and twitch to reach defensive linemen and recover with power in space against linebackers.
There are issues with his protection sets outside. But if we’re translating what he’s shown to the guard position, his burst off the snap alone can make up for an awful lot. Membou opened the year as one of the top underclassmen guards nationally and — despite his lack of natural tackle size — hasn’t allowed a sack or a QB hit in nearly 300 pass-pro snaps this season.
Key numbers: 6-8, 344; fifth-year Sr.
An all-time “first off the bus” guy, Pierce’s frame (nearly 400 pounds as a former walk-on in 2020) is a sight to behold on its own. He’s stiff and will waist bend, and there are times when his relative inexperience still shows up on tape — he didn’t begin playing the sport until his junior year of high school. However, Pierce has flashed all sorts of traits teams often bet on later in drafts. His power and size get him through a lot, but his athletic recovery has shown up at times this season.
Key numbers: 6-5, 322; Sr.
Dellinger has made starts at tackle, center and guard for LSU since his true freshman season, spending the last two as the Tigers’ full-time left guard. For an LSU team with two of the most physically gifted OT prospects in America (Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr.), Dellinger also stands out as one of the country’s most consistent guards.
His football IQ, punch and anchor have made him a really strong interior protector, with enough power to hold his own on the ground. A big-time athlete, from a family of athletes, Dellinger has allowed just one sack over the last two years.
Key numbers: 6-3, 275; Jr. | 2024: 25 pressures, 6 1/2 sacks, 8 1/2 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles
Illinois has had a good run the last few years of sending defensive prospects to the NFL, and Jacas will join that list sooner or later. Still just a true junior, Jacas has lined up all over the Illini front this season and shown impressive coverage range, both vertically and laterally.
A three-year starter, Jacas also has an 18.1 percent win rate this year and has produced at least one sack in four of Illinois’ five Big Ten games.
Key numbers: 6-1, 245; Sr. | 2024: 23 pressures, 6 1/2 sacks, 23 run stops, 27.5 percent win rate
There are obvious size concerns. After playing in the back of a heavy edge rotation on last year’s national championship squad, however, Stewart (now a captain) has been Michigan’s top pass rusher this season. He has one of the best win rates in America.
Key numbers: 6-3, 290; Sr. | 2024: 24 pressures, 7 sacks, 15 run stops
Barrow is still a bit undersized to be an NFL defensive tackle. However, he’s played a little bit of everything up front for the Hurricanes this season — mostly inside but also on the edge and even some in coverage.
Barrow’s explosion, bend and hand efficiency have led to consistent interior pressure. He has at least one sack in five of his last six games.
Key numbers: 6-5, 284; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 26 pressures, 18 hurries, 7 sacks
Another versatile edge who has played several spots up front while also possessing some coverage range, Ivey in half a season nearly has career highs in pressures and sacks. This has been, by far, the most consistent performance of his five-year career (he began at Georgia Tech) — especially as a run defender. Stock up.
Key numbers: 6-2, 245; Jr. | 2024: 30 tackles, 17 pressures, 5 sacks
Walker entered the year as a top-50 player in the 2025 class; he’s likely going to close it as LB1. A player with positionless qualities, Walker has been a menace off the edge and difficult to handle in the stack. He’s a playmaker Kirby Smart has moved all over the place this season.
Walker has been a big-game player for the Bulldogs, too — check the Texas and Clemson tapes.
Key numbers: 6-2, 235; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 77 tackles, 18 pressures, 4.0 sacks, two pass breakups
After a terrific four-year run at UC Davis, Buchanan transferred up to Cal this season and has been even better. Long, rangy, smart and constantly around the football, Buchanan’s production in the run game has been elite. He’s made 37 run stops and has three double-digit tackle games, including 15 in a one-point loss to NC State.
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Key numbers: 6-1, 235; Sr. | 2024: 59 tackles, 37 run stops, 20 pressures, 2 1/2 sacks, 3 pass breakups
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After four solid but hardly overwhelming seasons at Arkansas, Paul has exploded in the stack this season for the Rebels and been one of the best tacklers in the country to this point — in 407 defensive snaps, Paul has missed just two tackles. He’s also a serious coverage presence.
Key numbers: 5-11, 200; fifth-year Sr. | 29 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 4 forced incompletions, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery
Barron was good — not great — last year at Texas. He opted to come back to get better before heading off to the NFL, and it’s worked.
One of the most versatile DBs in America, Barron has played corner, safety, slot and in the box in pressure packages this season. His ball tracking has been terrific, and he’s constantly around the football.
Key numbers: 5-10, 195; Sr. | 24 tackles, 10 forced incompletions, 4 pass breakups, 2 INTs
Well-balanced with a great gas pedal and an eye for the football, Walley has been very difficult to stack or beat this season. He is one of just eight players to record at least 10 forced incompletions this year, per PFF’s tracking. He’s eclipsed several numbers from a pretty ho-hum junior year and looks much more like the breakout player we thought we saw back in 2022.
Key numbers: 6-3, 227, Jr. | 2024: 49 tackles, 3 forced incompletions, 2 pass breakups, 4 INTs, 2 TDs
A member of Bruce Feldman’s 2024 Freaks List, the massive and explosive Emmanwori (42-inch vertical) has been all over the field for South Carolina and continues to work in a bit of a positionless role on the back end.
Emmanwori’s athletic traits are off the charts — and his production is starting to catch up. Watch out for this prospect.
Key numbers: 6-0, 201; fifth-year Sr. | 2024: 46 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 INTs
One of the smartest back-end players in the country, Moore probably would’ve been drafted last season had he declared. Instead, he remained to captain new coach Kalen DeBoer’s first defense and is in the middle of arguably his finest year. A true freshman starter for Nick Saban, Moore could be one of the first safeties off the board next spring.
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(Top photos of Emeka Egbuka and Jahdae Barron: Tom Hauck / Getty Images; David Buono / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
