- The 2024-25 College Football Playoff | Everything You Need to Know About the New 12-Team Format
- NFL Draft Prospects You Need to Watch | Bowl Week 1
- The Best Bowl Game NFL Prospects | Bowl Week 2
It’s hard to believe that the college football season is nearly over. The beginning of bowl season means we will soon crown a champion of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. We are hastily approaching the offseason and the pre-draft process. For diehard Dynasty Nerds like us, it’s time to dive into the film and look at the potential 2025 NFL Draft Prospects. We know that the bowl game schedule is a bit hectic. The goal of this Bowl Preview Series is to provide you with the names of the top upcoming Bowl Game NFL Prospects and where to watch them.
QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings by Tristan Cook
College Football Bowl Game Previews
NOTE: We have done our best to track all of the opt-outs and potential transfers. Bowl game rosters often don’t look exactly like the roster that played all season. We will note absences where we can, but the important thing to take away is that these bowl game NFL prospects are deserving of being on your dynasty radar.
Hawaii Bowl | USF @ San Jose St.
Tuesday, 12/24 | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN
USF | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Kelley Joiner | #8 | RB | 2025 | 5’9” | 195 lbs.
After six seasons with the Bulls, Kelley Joiner is out of collegiate eligibility and headed to the NFL. Joiner showcased dynamic running ability with South Florida this season. He’s got an incredible athletic profile with a lineage of athletes running in his family. Joiner could find a spot on an NFL team as a depth, change-of-pace, third-down back, and/or special teamer.
San Jose St. | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Nick Nash | #3 | WR | 2025 | 6’3” | 195 lbs.
After a monstrous 2024 season that saw Nick Nash as a Biletknikoff Award finalist and the top wide receiver in college football, he has opted out of the Bowl game and will take his talents to the NFL. Nash began his career as a dual-threat QB, starting 6 games in 2021 for San Jose State before transitioning to receiver.
Nick Nash covers massive amounts of ground with long strides and is always a threat to break a big play. Nash understands coverages and finds space well, but isn’t the most physical receiver. He is still a work in progress, despite six years in college. He’s likely a Day 3 receiver and a player to target late in rookie drafts.
Justin Lockhart | #11 | WR | 2025 | 6’3” | 196 lbs.
With Nash opting out, Justin Lockhart has a chance to make a last splash for the Spartans before heading to the draft himself. Lockhart is an older prospect, entering college in 2019 with Nevada before heading to San Jose State. He’s established himself as a deep threat, averaging 18.7 yards per catch on 52 grabs for 973 yards and 5 scores. Lockhart has solid ball skills, good instincts within his routes, and impressive straight-line speed. He’s a potential Day 3 2025 NFL Draft selection and could be a solid player in the NFL.
GameAbove Sports Bowl | Pitt vs. Toledo
Thursday, 12/26 | 2:00 PM EST | ESPN
Pitt | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Gavin Bartholomew | #86 | TE | 2025 | 6’5” | 250 lbs.
As one of the tight ends in the class with a more protoypical size, Gavin Bartholomew is an accomplished pass-catcher who also brings a strong work ethic. He’s heading to the Reese’s Senior Bowl next, which could drastically help his draft stock, as he was primarily an intermediate target in 2024. Bartholomew plays strong, blocks with tenacity, and has enough athleticism to pick up yards after the catch. He’s more of a “typical” tight end, with some versatility and enough understanding of receiving concepts to be a nice TE2 in the NFL. Bartholomew should be taken early on Day 3 of the draft and will likely see the field early.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl | Rutgers @ Kansas St.
Thursday, 12/26 | 5:30 PM EST | ESPN
Rutgers | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Kyle Monangai | #5 | RB | 2025 | 5’9” | 209 lbs.
Kyle Monangai’s playing status for this bowl game still up in the air. During the season, he led the Big Ten in touches (270) and was one of the most consistent backs in the conference. He’s eclipsed 1,200 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons. While he offers little in the passing game, the Scarlet Knights did get him 14 receptions in 2024.
There are things to love about Monangai, but his ceiling is limited. He has great vision, can create in tight spaces, runs hard every play, and doesn’t go down easily. But, a lack of athleticism and breakaway speed are going to limit him.
Kansas St. | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
DJ Giddens | #31 | RB | 2025 | 6’1” | 212 lbs.
DJ Giddens rushed for over 1,300 yards and 7 TDs in 2024, while also catching 21 passes for 258 yards and adding another score. That’s after a successful sophomore season, where he also tallied over 1,500 total yards. Giddens declared early but is still slated to play in the bowl game, as he’s a vital part of the K-State offense. He is a smooth runner and looks effortless when making cuts or adjustments while continuing to run at top speed. However, he runs a bit high and lacks the gear to break away from defenders. Giddens will likely hear his name called in the middle of Day 3 and is a guy I am targeting later in my rookie drafts.
68 Ventures Bowl | Arkansas St. vs. Bowling Green
Thursday, 12/26 | 9:00 PM EST | ESPN
Bowling Green | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Harold Fannin Jr. | #0 | TE | 2025 | 6’4” | 230 lbs.
Perhaps the best offensive player in this slate, Harold Fannin Jr., had a phenomenal 2024 season. He finished second in the NCAA in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,342). He will likely be headed to the NFL Draft, but has not indicated his status for this bowl game. Fannin is smaller for a TE and plays more like a receiver.
He’s a great route runner and is phenomenal with the ball in his hands. Fannin isn’t afraid to block, but his size and strength will likely limit him in the NFL. Fannin’s name will likely be called on the Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he should be one of the top TEs in rookie drafts.
Birmingham Bowl | Vanderbilt @ Georgia Tech
Friday, 12/27 | 3:30 PM EST | ESPN
Vanderbilt | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Eli Stowers | #9 | TE | 2025 | 6’4” | 225 lbs.
A former 4-star quarterback recruit, Eli Stowers began his college career at QB for Texas A&M. He switched to the tight end position, transferred to New Mexico State, before moving to Vanderbilt as a grad transfer. Stowers caught 45 passes for 583 yards and 4 TDs this season, displaying an excellent feel for the receiving skills of being a TE. He’s still raw, but is a natural athlete, and the NFL should take a shot on the Commodore TE on the Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl | Arkansas @ Texas Tech
Friday, 12/27 | 7:00 PM EST | ESPN
Texas Tech | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Tahj Brooks | #28 | RB | 2025 | 5’10” | 230 lbs.
Tahj Brooks has been the definition of a workhorse back for the past two seasons. He’s tallied over 300 touches each year, and has been the most productive back not named Ashton Jeanty. Brooks is a powerful runner who maintains a low center of gravity. He has excellent vision, is patient enough to allow blocks to develop, and would thrive in a zone-running scheme.
As a pass-catcher, Brooks has soft, reliable hands. He doesn’t possess a second gear to break away from defenders and also isn’t particularly elusive in open space. Regardless, Brooks will find a role in the NFL, and I could see him being taken on the Day 3 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Direct TV Holiday Bowl | Washington St. @ Syracuse
Friday, 12/27 | 8:00 PM EST | FOX
Washington St. | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Kyle Williams | #2 | WR | 2025 | 6’0” | 186 lbs.
As John Mateer’s WR1, Kyle Williams thrived in 2024, catching 60 balls for 1,026 yards and 13 scores. He’s been a big-play threat over his five years in the NCAA, starting at UNLV before joining the Cougars in 2023. Williams profiles for the NFL as a slot receiver, but Wazzu used him all over the field. His ability to create serious separation with twitchy, sudden moves will help him thrive in the NFL on quick routes from the slot. Williams doesn’t have the strength to handle NFL corners off the line, but he’s fun with the ball in his hands and should be selected early on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Syracuse | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Kyle McCord | #6 | QB | 2025 | 6’3” | 220 lbs.
A former 5-star prospect who came into college as an Ohio State Buckeye, Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse and thrived in 2024. He led the NCAA in completions, attempts, yards, and yards per game, but also threw a dozen interceptions. McCord had an intriguing profile entering college, but never seemed to get his footing in Columbus. The Orange let him open his game more, and he made some impressive throws while leading his team to a 9-3 record. He’s the prototypical passer the NFL used to love, but he’s not very mobile, and will still need development. It’s hard to see the NFL not drafting him and giving him a chance, but McCord will likely be a late-round selection.
Oronde Gadsden II | #19 | TE | 2025 | 6’5” | 236 lbs.
Oronde Gadsden II is one of the toughest players to evaluate. His college production was not questioned, as he had phenomenal 2022 and 2024 seasons. Gadsden has good movement skills for a tight end, and is dangerous as a receiver in that role, but he doesn’t have the weight to hold up as a TE in the NFL.
But, if he’s split out wide and used more as a receiver, Gadsden doesn’t have the movement skills to create separation against NFL corners. Regardless, a team will likely take a gamble on Gadsden. I have him projected as a 4th Round player. For fantasy purposes, if he gets the TE designation, he could be valuable like he was in college fantasy.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl | Texas A&M @ USC
Friday, 12/27 | 10:30 PM EST | ESPN
USC | Bowl Game NFL Prospects
Woody Marks | #4 | RB | 2025 | 5’10” | 208 lbs.
After being primarily a pass-catching back for four years at Mississippi State, Woody Marks received a full workload in 2024 with the Trojans. He’s a player who should see a rise in draft stock through the offseason in a loaded RB class. Marks is the most accomplished pass-catcher and this year he displayed patience, an ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces, and explosiveness in spades. He’s not the most physical back, but has the size to handle a larger workload. Marks should be a Day 3 selection at worst, and could hear his name called earlier with a good pre-draft process.
To find out more about the College Football Playoff, check out our overview by Keith Ensminger:
