The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, but the buzz surrounding the potential top prospects has been eminent since the beginning of the 2024 college football season. The most notable aspect of this draft class has been the overwhelming amount of quality quarterback talent, but it also has a multitude of other highly rated prospects in all positions scattered across the board. Out of the multiple quality players this class has to offer, this is a list of what many consider to be the most pro ready, decorated and talented players that will be major talking points when Draft Day comes around.
Cam Ward
Likely the most talked about and highly rated prospect of the draft, the former Miami quarterback had a season for the ages in his single year with the Hurricanes. Ward finished the season with 4313 passing yards, 39 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, had a completion percentage of 67.2 and finished 4th in the Heisman voting while also being named a first-team All-American. The story of Ward has also been something special, going from an above average starter at Washington State to leading college football in touchdown passes at one of the game’s most prestigious programs. Even though Miami was ultimately snubbed from making the postseason, Ward’s lone season at Coral Gables was incredible and many mock drafts have him as the consensus top pick in the draft that has the ability to turn around a struggling franchise.
Shedeur Sanders
Another QB prospect under a huge media spotlight, Shedeur Sanders was one of the most intriguing stories in college football. Ever since his father, hall of famer Deion Sanders, was hired as Colorado’s new head coach in 2022, it’s been nothing but a rise to the top for Shedeur. The quarterback finished his last season with 4134 yards, 37 touchdowns and led college football in completion percentage at an astonishing 74% on the dot. Due to the knowledge passed down from his father, who has a hall of fame level understanding of how NFL defenses are drawn up, many look at him as the most “pro ready” quarterback in the class because he’s learning the other side of the ball from one of the best defensive players in the history of the game, which has to count for something when evaluating talent.
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) pushes away from the arms of UNLV defensive lineman Tatuo Martinson (98) on a run in the first half of the Mountain West Championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Probably the most surprising and unexpected season out of any other player this season, even the most optimistic fans couldn’t have predicted that Ashton Jeanty would finish second in the Heisman voting. The Boise State running back finished his final season with 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-American and helped lead the Broncos to a first-round bye in the playoffs. And despite losing to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, where Jeanty was limited to just 104 yards off 30 carries with zero touchdowns, that shouldn’t take away from the incredible run he took Boise State on that season. He established himself as the top short yardage back in the draft and if drafted by the right team, he can make an immediate impact and help turn around teams that could benefit a lot from his talent and in-game knowledge.
Travis Hunter
Another reason why Colorado captured most of the national media, on top of having one of the top QB prospects on their 2024 roster, they witnessed one of the best seasons from any cornerback in college football history from Travis Hunter. The Heisman winner finished his award-winning season with 25 solo tackles, 36 combined tackles, four interceptions and finished as the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year because of it. While his strength has been on the defensive side of the ball, Hunter has made it clear that he wants to play on both offense and defense in the NFL, which has stirred up some controversy between draft analysts and coaches. Regardless of the ultimatum he gave to not play football again if he’s said no, the talent he possesses on defense is undeniable and teams that need an upgrade on defense are going to do what they can to draft him when available since many teams are going to be calling about him.
Abdul Carter
By far the most highly rated edge rusher in this draft class, Abdul Carter in his three years at Penn State has been a beast on the gridiron. Starting all 16 games in the 2024 season, he finished with 24 tackles for loss (which led college football), 68 combined tackles and two forced fumbles on his way to being named a first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. With him on the line, Penn State had one of the best defenses in the country and was seen as a dark horse in the playoffs. After taking care of SMU in the first round, they got past Boise State to face off against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl and despite falling just short 27-24, Carter showed out with five total tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. His greatness sometimes goes under the radar since most of the focus is on the offensive side of the ball, but Carter balled out in his last season at Penn State, and just like Travis Hunter, there will be many teams hoping they can land him with one of their top picks and start fixing their defense around his potential.