The 2024 college football season is reaching its thrilling climax with the highly anticipated College Football Playoff National Championship Game set to unfold on Monday night. Fans are buzzing with excitement as Ohio State prepares to face off against Notre Dame at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. This matchup promises to deliver intense action and unforgettable moments, but as we gear up for the championship, there’s another topic sparking interest across the football landscape: the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mel Kiper Jr. shakes up the draft board
Before the championship game kicks off, ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has made headlines by updating his 2025 NFL Draft Big Board, showcasing a fresh Top 25 player ranking. The changes reflect a dynamic college football season, with significant movement outside the coveted Top 10. This is the time for players to shine, and Kiper’s insights provide a glimpse into the future of the NFL.
Top prospects to watch
Among the standout players in Kiper’s rankings is the remarkable Travis Hunter, who continues to hold the top spot. The newly crowned Heisman Trophy winner has solidified his status as a likely Top 3 pick in the upcoming draft. Hunter’s versatility is unmatched; he excels on both offense and defense, showcasing his dominance with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups, alongside 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.
Kiper praises Hunter, stating, “Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways. … Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts.”
Defensive powerhouses
Another name rising up the ranks is J.T. Tuimoloau, a defensive force who has drawn comparisons to former Penn State star Micah Parsons. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, Tuimoloau finished the season with 12 sacks, 61 pressures, and an NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss. Kiper highlights his versatility, noting, “Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience effectively operating as an off-ball linebacker. … He is instinctive and fast, flying to the football.”
On the other side of the ball, Graham from Michigan is making waves as a plug-and-play prospect. Weighing in at 320 pounds, he has been the backbone of Michigan’s defense, recording 52 tackles, 26 pressures, and 3.5 sacks in 2024. Kiper admires Graham’s technique and power, stating, “His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness.”
Quarterback showdown
As the quarterback position remains a focal point in the draft, Ward and Shedeur Sanders are emerging as the top prospects. Ward, a fourth-place Heisman finalist, led the FBS with 39 passing touchdowns and only seven interceptions, while amassing 4,313 passing yards. Kiper notes, “Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. … I like his toughness, swagger, and confidence.”
Meanwhile, Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has proven himself worthy of the hype. He led the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage, finishing the season with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. Kiper is impressed by Sanders’ ability to throw on the move, saying, “He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball.”
Rising stars in the draft
Among the exciting prospects is Ashton Jeanty, who finished just shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing record. Jeanty led the nation with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to evade defenders with 126 missed tackles. Kiper emphasizes Jeanty’s all-around skills, stating, “He has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.”
Another notable player is McMillan, a 6-foot-5 receiver who ranked third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Kiper highlights McMillan’s size and skill set, saying, “He can be a mismatch for smaller corners. His great size, body control, concentration, and hands help him consistently win in contested-catch situations.”
Defensive playmakers
The draft class is also rich with defensive talent. Johnson, a cornerback, remains a top-rated player despite missing six games due to injury. Kiper praises his instincts and ability to read quarterbacks, stating, “Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him.”
Additionally, Walker, a linebacker from Georgia, capped off his collegiate career with impressive stats, including 62 total tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2024. Kiper describes Walker as explosive, noting, “He gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers.”
Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board — Nos. 11-25
As we look at Kiper’s rankings, here are the players rounding out the Top 25:
11. Will Campbell, OT, LSU
12. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
13. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (+4)
14. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (-1)
15. Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia
16. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (+4)
17. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina (-1)
18. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (-4)
19. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (-1)
20. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (-1)
21. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
22. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
23. Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M (+3)
24. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee (-1)
25. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (-1)
As the season concludes and the draft approaches, excitement is building for college football fans and NFL enthusiasts alike. Who will rise to the occasion and make their mark in the professional ranks? The stage is set, and the future looks bright for these talented athletes!
