These prospects may not have made my 2025 NFL Draft Preseason Big Board, but they are guys you need to know for 2025 Rookie Drafts. Any of these eight prospects could easily end up as a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Quarterback Prospects
Quinn Ewers | QB | Texas | 6’2” | 210 lbs.
Quinn Ewers has always been talented, but we are finally seeing more consistency. Against the Michigan Wolverines (one of the best defenses in the nation) Ewers put on a show. He made several accurate big-time throws to convert 3rd-and-long situations. At the moment, he needs to get healthy. Ewers has always had impressive arm talent and the ability to throw NFL level throws from multiple arm angles, but if he continues to put accuracy on tape in 2024, Ewers will make a big time push to be the best quarterback in this class.
Jalen Milroe | QB | Alabama | 6’2” | 225 lbs.
Jalen Milroe has QB1 potential. He has all the physical tools: speed, elusiveness, and a strong arm. Milroe makes some wow plays, including the 4th-and-30 throw against Auburn to win the 2023 Iron Bowl. However, Milroe also makes some plays that make you wonder what’s going on in his head. He needs to clean up his decision making and accuracy at times, but he has a lot of potential. Milroe has played well to start the season, but he hasn’t had much pressure on him. I’m excited to see how Milroe performs throughout the rest of the season against tougher opponents, starting September 28th against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Cam Ward | QB | Miami | 6’2” | 223 lbs.
Cam Ward had day 2 potential if he had stayed in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, he decided to transfer to the Miami Hurricanes and fight for a first-round draft grade. So far, so good. Cam Ward has transformed himself into a Heisman candidate after three monster performances to start the 2024 season. Ward impressed me against Florida, showcasing his ability to bounce in the pocket like a boxer and then punch the ball downfield into his receivers’ hands. He clearly has a rocket arm, driving the ball into tight windows with velocity. He reminds me of Cam Newton as a thrower. I’m excited to see if Ward can keep up this momentum for the rest of the season.
Connor Weigman | QB | Texas A&M | 6’3” | 220 lbs.
Connor Weigman has an outside chance to end the season as the QB1. A foot injury ended his 2023 season in September, but he still showed flashes of top-tier talent. A high school baseball player, Weigman’s baseball background is evident in his clean, quick release. He wasn’t close to my initial Top 25, because we haven’t seen nearly enough. However, Weigman was my preseason pick to be the breakout QB that ascends up draft boards in the 2025 NFL Draft class. After a tough first game against Notre Dame and a shoulder injury, Weigman declaring in 2025 seems like a long shot. Connor Weigman needs a dominant end to the 2024 season to go that direction.
Running Back Prospects
Ollie Gordon II | RB | Oklahoma State | 6’2” | 225 lbs.
Ollie Gordon II barely missed out on my Top 25, but he is someone you have to know for dynasty fantasy football. Gordon is a bruiser with breakaway speed. He racked up over 1,900 all-purpose yards in 2023. Ollie Gordon II has struggled to begin the season, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. Gordon is a long strider, who doesn’t have much wiggle or shiftiness but is very effective as a one cut back. Similar to a freight train, Gordon is arduous to stop when he is rolling downhill at top speed. Despite a slow start, Ollie Gordon needs to be on your 2025 rookie draft radar.
TreVeyon Henderson | RB | Ohio State | 5’10” | 208 lbs.
TreVeyon Henderson was firmly in competition for the best running back among all prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, he returned to the Ohio State Buckeyes to be the second best running back on his own team, while adding another year of wear-and-tear to his body. Henderson will still be a day 2 candidate, but by returning to a much better running back class, he will be lucky to sneak into the top-5. Henderson is a speed back with the skill to take any play to the house with his high-end breakaway ability. TreVeyon Henderson will likely be an early second round pick in 2025 rookie drafts.
Wide Receiver Prospects
Elic Ayomanor | WR | Stanford | 6’2” | 210 lbs.
My WR4 and just missing the Top 25, Elic Ayomanor is most recognizable from his ridiculous catch against Travis Hunter in 2023, where he held onto the ball against Hunter’s helmet. Ayomanor had a great game against TCU to start the 2024 season with 7 catches and 102 yards receiving. At his best, Elic Ayomanor reminds me of a taller Steve Smith Sr., a burner deep threat that wins 50/50 balls at an alarming rate. Elic Ayomanor could definitely end up as a first-round pick in 2025.
Isaiah Bond | WR | Texas | 5’11” | 180 lbs.
Isaiah Bond was on the receiving end of the infamous 4th-and-30 play against the Auburn Tigers (even though it may have been a push off.) Overall, he wasn’t too impressive at the University of Alabama last year. He mostly worked underneath as a safety option for Milroe, but Bond (and I) believed there is more to his game. He transferred to the Texas Longhorns to prove just that (a team that produced a first and a second-round receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft.) Isaiah Bond hopes to fill some of the void left behind by Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. Texas will remain in the national spotlight as long as they keep winning, so Bond still has time to breakout and show he can be an alpha receiver.
