Surging Stocks: 2025 NFL Draft
By Hayden Shapiro
Here are some players rising up my draft board as we speak. These guys have catapulted themselves into my top 100 prospects. Eight offensive players and eight defensive players; enjoy!
OFFENSE
Xavier Restrepo, WR Miami
Restrepo has lined up all over the offense this season, different from previous years where he was used exclusively in the slot. The 5’10 senior ranks eighth in the nation in receiving yards and is the top target for Heisman candidate Cam Ward. Restrepo shakes defenders down and always seems to have space. He is a master at creating separation whether he’s lined up outside or in the slot. He goes to work inside the numbers where he’s able to reel in check downs and drags, but he is just as valuable outside the hash marks too. He has enough speed to beat you over the top, especially if he mixes in a double move. The Florida native is quickly rising up draft boards and for good reason.
Wyatt Milum, OT West Virginia
Milum is top ten in run block grade and pass block grade, per PFF. Many scouts are starting to think top lineman Will Campbell (LSU) and Kelvin Banks Jr (TEX) are better fit to be guards at the next level; not Milum. Milum’s long, strong arms and 6’6 frame will serve him well at tackle in the league.
Omarion Hampton, RB UNC
Hampton ranks third in the country in rush yards and it’s because the entire Tar Heel offense runs through their backs; he is just the best one. We know UNC loves their big-bodied backs and Hampton fits the mold to perfection. His strong lower body helps him shake off tacklers and, in my opinion, he is the clear RB2 right now behind Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty.
Tyler Warren, TE Penn St
Warren is a touchdown machine. He does so while slipping off would-be rushers, too. I think it’s so interesting that Penn St hasn’t had a star wideout recently, but when you look back it, their past TEs have been really productive. Warren fits the NFL mold for a tight end and can block well. I think he starts on special teams, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a day two pick.
Ricky White, WR UNLV
I could write an entire article on Ricky White and run out of pages; he’s that good and for some reason people are still overlooking him. He had to completely adjust his game due to a sudden, and ridiculous if I may add, QB change, and he did so beautifully. White’s main draw early on in the draft cycle was his dazzling speed and ability to torch defenses over the top, but he’s refined his route running and is making a huge impact in the red zone. His long frame allows him signal caller to just put it up top and odds are that this Rebel comes down with it. His nine touchdowns are not something to overlook as this offense is filled with wideouts, but White emerged as the primary boundary receiver due to his get-off and ball-tracking. He is an NFL wideout and won’t be available past day two of the draft if you ask me. There’s just so much to like about his game.
Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa St
Long, strong, and elite ball-tracking is what separates Higgins and is what allows him to take over games. He isn’t crazy fast and won’t make your jaw drop with jukes and spins, but his consistency is on another level. You go into each game knowing he’s going to do his job, and he does it well. I also need to add that he is a phenomenal blocker in the run game.
Hollin Pierce, OT Rutgers
This mammoth of a human being stands at 6’8 and is a big reason that the Scarlet Knights run attack has been so successful. NFL teams have gone the “high upside route” in recent drafts. This means when someone has the size, production, and intangibles to succeed with some fine-tuning, the player is going to be drafted. Pierce is a hog mauler in the run game and has shown flashes of quick feet, but I want to see more reps against top EDGE rushers. Nonetheless, he is quickly rising up my board and PFF agrees.
Hajj-Malik Williams, QB UNLV
A weird QB situation catapulted Williams into the spotlight, and he is playing really well. Not saying he’ll be drafted, but we see guys like Dorian Thompson-Robinson (CLE) every year go either late or undrafted and make rosters. He throws from multiple arm slots and on the run; I like this guy and so does his favorite target, Ricky White.
DEFENSE
Jahdae Barron, CB Texas
Barron is extremely physical and a more than willing tackler. Barron plays so much bigger than he is, blowing through would-be blockers and disrupting screens. He is best fit at slot corner in the league due to his size, but guys like Devon Witherspoon (SEA) and Kyler Gordon (CHI) have made the position relevant again. The resurgence of slot corners was a much-needed realization for the NFL. The ability to tackle, recognize plays, and get into the backfield isn’t a common thing and Barron does every single one of those things at a high level. He is slowly emerging as my number one cornerback in the class; he just plays the game so intensely.
Shaun Dolac, LB Buffalo
At 225 pounds, Dolac is arguably the best tackler in the country. This isn’t just because he leads CFB in tackles, but the way he does it is really, really intriguing. He’s not going to pop you and force the ball out, but his sideline to sideline speed and high football IQ combo is something you don’t see too often. He is good in coverage given his lateral quickness, but can surprisingly shoot gaps really well and take on guards despite his size. He might be a later pick due to strength of schedule and frame concerns, but Dolac is certainly rising up my board.
Cobee Bryant, CB Kansas
Bryant is an absolute ball-hawk, but something that really stood out to me was his PFF run-defense grade. He ranks seventh in the nation in RDG (run defense grade), per PFF. The fact that this guy primarily lines up near the sticks and is still able to make plays in the run game is very impressive. Not only is this Jayhawk a star run stuffer, but he also has four picks on the year. He is only 175 pounds, so definitely best fit in zone and as a boundary corner, but if he can put on some weight I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him enter the draft cycle as a nickelback. He is arguably my favorite sleeper in all of CFB this year.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE Boston College
Boston College is fun to watch again. Their offense looks like it’s in good hands with Castellanos and their defense is fast and electric. It all stems from their pass rush, most notably Donovan Ezeiruaku. His nine sacks rank third in the nation, but his speed is special. He reminds me a lot of Chop Robinson (MIA); an undersized pass rusher who plays with his hair on fire. He’s all over the field and can certainly be used in a blitz-heavy 3–4 scheme.
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
Setting the edge is a lost art, it really is. We see featherweight EDGE rushers making a huge impact in the league, but the problem with these faster and lighter guys is the fact that they give up so much in the run game. That’s why I’m so high on Umanmielen. He’s got plenty of SEC experience and has started at every level. He uses leverage to more often get inside of tackles and has really long arms that help him apply pressure and disrupt plays from a distance. He’s going to be a day one starter, high floor pick and I wouldn’t rule out Umanmielen going in the top-half of the first round.
Tyleik Williams, DT Ohio St
You need to let DTs develop in the league. Look at guys like Derrick Brown (CAR), Nnamdi Madubuike (BAL), and Jeff Simmons (TEN); the common theme here is they needed time. If someone accepts that Williams is already an outstanding run stuffer, but needs big time help in pass rush situations, he’s going to be a solid nose tackle for years to come. The key is not to rush him into the lineup. I’m not babying him, it’s just that he is really only valuable right now against the run.
Jaylen Reed, S Penn St
A Kevin Winston Jr injury catapulted Jaylen Reed into the starting lineup and he hasn’t disappointed. He has great instincts and uses them to step up and stop runs, something he doesn’t do quite as well as his counterpart Kevin Winston Jr, who had zero missed tackles last season. Where Reed excels is denying soft spots; an art that’s all about instincts and IQ. He doesn’t let WRs sit comfortably in zones and it’ll serve him well at the next level.
Landon Jackson, EDGE Arkansas
I couldn’t make this list and not include Jackson. He looks like he was made in a lab; 6’7 with outstanding reach and flexibility. His bendiness helps him slip through blockers to get to the QB which he does often. He needs to be more patient because his side is often getting thrashed by outside runs, but if he can improve at setting the edge and manage his patience I think a tea takes a swing on him early sheerly because of his insane build.
