McCreven’s Mashup: My super-secret crushes early this NFL Draft cycle 

Promise me one thing – don’t tell anyone about these players. They’re my super-secret crushes, okay? Even you aren’t supposed to know, but I guess I’m allowing it this one time.  

Just kidding, that’s what I’m here for. Being a college football fanatic pays off come NFL Draft time, since I’ve already had the pleasure of watching these players for up to 12 weeks.  

Below are five players I’ve been high on that for some reason are not receiving the same attention from the mock drafts I have seen across the internet.  

Anthony Tyus III, RB, University of Ohio 

Tyus rumbled for 1,352 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone year with the Bobcats after spending three years in the Big 10. The Northwestern transfer exploded in the season opener against Syracuse, shoving would-be tacklers to the ground with ease while rushing for 203 yards and two scores.  

The MAC rushing leader carved apart conference foes all season long on the ground, displaying forceful one-cut ability and decisive downhill drive as a rusher. Tyus runs through his pads and is not afraid of contact, oftentimes bouncing off arm tackles and racking up YAC.  

The fourth-year player is also more than willing to protect his quarterback, displaying adequate pass protection skills behind his sturdy 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame.  

Tyus’ raw power and capable hands in the receiving game are reminiscent of Latavius Murray and should serve well on any running back-needy team.  

Billy Bowman Jr., S, University of Oklahoma 

The mean-faced Bowman flashed signs of elite coverage play in 2023, recording six interceptions and three pick-sixes en route to being named a first-team All-American. 

While the interception numbers dipped down to two in 2024, Bowman developed more as a run supporting safety, catapulting himself through the box on many occasions to sling down the ball carrier to the tune of three tackles-for-loss. 

The savvy veteran safety plays with anticipation in coverage regardless of position. Bowman took 397 snaps as a pure safety, 184 in the box and 156 from the slot in 2024. His six interceptions (and three pick-sixes) in 2023 led the nation, with a handful coming at opportunistic times that ended up flipping the game in the Sooners’ favor. 

Bowman developed as a closing safety in 2024, flying downhill in run support and on flat/quick passes. Most notably, Bowman threw down notoriously slippery Missouri receiver Luther Burden III in the open field during a November matchup.  

Bowman’s versatility should warrant a higher draft placement. Pairing that versatility with his elite instinctual play sounds like a match made in heaven for a Brian Flores-led defense in Minnesota.  

Chris Paul Jr., ILB, University of Mississippi 

Paul was a standout presence on the Rebel defense, utilizing a unique and versatile skillset to line up all over the field and wreak havoc on the quarterback.  

Paul (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) tallied 73 tackles on 268 run defense snaps, rushed the passer 75 times and missed only four tackles on 621 total snaps in 2024. While defensive coordinator Pete Golding lined Paul up primarily as an off-ball linebacker, he would sometimes slide the junior down to the defensive front, or even outside in the slot (Jalon Walker, anyone?).  

The fourth-year linebacker is a quick-footed, instinctual threat as a blitzer and is a surehanded tackler. Paul uses his plus athleticism to shift into coverage – quickly at that – and drives on the ball once thrown.  

Paul has four years of SEC experience under his belt (Arkansas, Mississippi) as an off-ball linebacker and can quickly serve as a dynamic special teamer at the next level.  

Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State University 

The Fresno native solidified himself as one of the best receivers in Colorado State history before his season-ending knee injury in 2024, racking up 2,620 yards as a Ram in three years with the program after notching 995 yards for Nevada in two seasons prior.  

The lanky pass catcher played in just five games this season but still managed over 350 yards on 26 receptions. Horton is just as much of a threat on the outside as he is from the slot, taking snaps from both positions before injuring his knee in October.  

Horton uses his excellent size (6-foot-2, 175 pounds), to win with physicality. The veteran receiver displayed elite ball skills in 2023 and routinely won over the middle of the field with hard cutting in routes.  

Horton is also effective in the open field and knows how to use blockers to his advantage. Look for Horton in the middle of day two or beginning of day three.  

Jason Marshall Jr., CB, University of Florida 

Marshall’s boxy frame (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) will intrigue teams looking to bolster its secondary’s run support. The three-year Gator starter compiled 98 tackles (68 solo), eight tackles-for-loss and 25 passes defended in 45 career games. The interception numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, but that’s more a product of pass break-ups than a lack of ball skills. 

Marshall is a hard-nosed, physical corner who isn’t afraid to get dirty in the run game. Using his length, Marshall continuously wins at the line of scrimmage, whether it be in press man coverage or block shedding in the run game to stun his receiver and win immediately. 

A practitioner of the “eat off the floor” mentality, Marshall’s nastiness oftentimes gives him the confidence required to be an outside cornerback in the SEC.  

Marshall fared well against Florida State’s Johnny Wilson last season and matched up against top-level SEC competition all of this season, earning an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl.  

The Florida-product projects as a mid-day two selection as of now but could very well vault up boards come March.