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The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff offers NFL Scouts an extra data point for evaluation, showcasing talent on the grandest stage in a tournament setting. Below is a detailed analysis of the top players from each team, including all names referenced in the original content, regardless of their ranking.
Ranking the NFL Draft Talent in the College Football Playoff: Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon Lead the Way
Based on our list of draft prospects, the Georgia Bulldogs emerge as the team with the most NFL Draft talent, boasting 12 players across all positions. Headlined by top-tier players like EDGE Mykel Williams, S Malaki Starks, and LB Jalon Walker, Georgia features an average projected draft round of 3.65, showcasing depth at multiple positions with players ranging from first-round picks to late-round developmental talent.
The Ohio State Buckeyes rank second with 11 players, featuring key names such as WR Emeka Egbuka, CB Denzel Burke, and IDL Tyleik Williams, all projected as early-round selections. Ohio State’s players average a 2.41 draft round, making them the most top-heavy team in terms of early-round talent among the playoff contenders.
In third place, the Oregon Ducks bring 9 players to the table, led by IDL Derrick Harmon and OT Josh Conerly Jr., who are projected to go in the first three rounds. Oregon’s players average a draft round of 3.72, highlighting a solid mix of mid-round prospects and developmental talent.
These three programs dominate the College Football Playoff field in terms of NFL Draft talent, each showcasing the pipeline strength to the next level.
2025 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch
1). Oregon Ducks
IDL Derrick Harmon: Powerful run defender with solid hand technique and block-shedding ability. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
OT Josh Conerly Jr.: Athletic tackle with quick feet and potential as a long-term blindside protector. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
WR Evan Stewart: Dynamic receiver with excellent route-running and separation skills. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
EDGE Jordan Burch: Versatile edge rusher with size and power to excel in multiple defensive schemes. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
WR Tez Johnson: Speedy slot receiver with strong hands and yards-after-catch ability. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
CB Jabbar Muhammad: Agile cover corner with good ball skills and instincts in zone coverage. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
OT Ajani Cornelius: Physical right tackle with strong run-blocking ability and a nasty streak. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
QB Dillon Gabriel: Accurate passer with quick decision-making and mobility to extend plays. Projected Draft Round: 4-6
LB Jeffrey Bassa: Versatile linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and special teams upside. Projected Draft Round: 5
2). Georgia Bulldogs
EDGE Mykel Williams: Explosive edge rusher with elite bend and hand usage, making him a disruptive force off the edge. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top ten)
S Malaki Starks: Versatile safety with exceptional range, ball skills, and physicality in run support. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top 15)
LB Jalon Walker: Athletic linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and advanced instincts in coverage. Projected Draft Round: 1
QB Carson Beck: Accurate pocket passer with good mechanics and the ability to process defenses quickly. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
IOL Tate Ratledge: Physical interior lineman with excellent run-blocking power and consistent technique. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
OT Earnest Greene: Strong and reliable offensive tackle with a sturdy anchor in pass protection. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
CB Daylen Everette: Fluid cornerback with quick feet, good recovery speed, and strong press technique. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
IDL Nazir Stackhouse: Stout defensive lineman with the ability to clog lanes and generate interior pressure. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
LB Smael Mondon Jr.: Versatile linebacker with great pursuit speed and strong tackling fundamentals. Projected Draft Round: 5-6
TE Oscar Delp (Georgia): Versatile tight end with great size, reliable hands, and strong blocking skills in both run and pass protection. Projected Draft Round: 6-7
RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia): Explosive runner with elite acceleration, vision, and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Projected Draft Round: 6-7
TE Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia): Athletic tight end with smooth route-running, excellent hands, and the ability to create mismatches in the passing game. Projected Draft Round: 7
3). Boise State Broncos
RB Ashton Jeanty: Dynamic dual-threat running back with elite vision, balance, and explosiveness. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top 20)
4. Arizona State Sun Devils
RB Cam Skattebo: Powerful and compact runner with excellent contact balance and production as a between-the-tackles grinder. Projected Draft Round: 5-6
WR Jordyn Tyson (injured): Explosive deep threat with strong hands and playmaking ability when healthy. Projected Draft Round: NA
QB Sam Leavitt: Athletic quarterback with a quick release and intriguing dual-threat potential. Projected Draft Round: NA
5). Texas Longhorns
OT Kelvin Banks: Elite tackle prospect with exceptional footwork, technique, and versatility to play on either side of the line. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top 10)
OT Cameron Williams: Massive tackle with excellent power and potential as a dominant run-blocker. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
WR Isaiah Bond: Speedy and explosive receiver with strong separation skills and big-play ability. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
QB Quinn Ewers: Talented passer with a quick release, excellent arm strength, and a knack for making plays under pressure. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
CB Jahdae Barron: Physical cornerback with great instincts, tackling ability, and playmaking in the secondary. Projected Draft Round: 2
IDL Alfred Collins: Disruptive interior lineman with a quick first step and the ability to collapse the pocket. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
TE Gunnar Helm: Reliable tight end with strong hands, solid blocking ability, and versatility in offensive schemes. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
S Andrew Mukuba: Rangy safety with good instincts, coverage versatility, and effectiveness as a blitzer. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
6). Penn State Nittany Lions
EDGE Abdul Carter: Explosive pass rusher with excellent athleticism, bend, and a relentless motor off the edge. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top 15)
TE Tyler Warren: Versatile tight end with strong hands, great route-running ability, and consistent production in the passing game. Projected Draft Round: 2
QB Drew Allar: Big-armed quarterback with good pocket presence and the ability to make plays at all levels of the field. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton: High-upside edge rusher with great length, burst, and the versatility to fit multiple defensive schemes. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
S Kevin Winston Jr. (injured): Intelligent safety with strong instincts and tackling ability in both run and pass defense. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
RB Nick Singleton: Powerful and dynamic runner with home-run ability and a knack for making defenders miss. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
7). Notre Dame Fighting Irish
CB Benjamin Morrison (injured): Technically sound cornerback with elite instincts, ball skills, and physicality in coverage. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
S Xavier Watts: Playmaking safety with excellent range, ball-hawking ability, and physicality in run support. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
TE Mitchell Evans: Reliable tight end with strong hands, excellent blocking ability, and a knack for making contested catches. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
IDL Howard Cross III: High-motor interior lineman with great leverage, quick hands, and effectiveness against the run. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
IDL Rylie Mills: Powerful defensive lineman with versatility to play across the line and strong upside as a pass rusher. Projected Draft Round: 4-5
QB Riley Leonard: Mobile quarterback with a quick release, solid mechanics, and dual-threat ability to extend plays. Projected Draft Round: 6-7
LB Jack Kiser: Intelligent and instinctive linebacker with reliable tackling and effectiveness in zone coverage. Projected Draft Round: NA
8). Ohio State Buckeyes
WR Emeka Egbuka: Smooth route-runner with elite separation skills, strong hands, and playmaking ability after the catch. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
OT Josh Simmons (injured): Physical tackle with good size and potential as a developmental pass protector. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
CB Denzel Burke: Shutdown corner with excellent footwork, instincts, and ball skills in man coverage. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
IDL Tyleik Williams: Explosive interior defender with a quick first step and the ability to generate consistent penetration. Projected Draft Round: 1-2
EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau: Versatile edge rusher with excellent power, athleticism, and the ability to impact both the run and pass game. Projected Draft Round: 2
RB Quinshon Judkins: Physical runner with elite contact balance, vision, and home-run speed. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
RB TreVeyon Henderson: Explosive three-down back with great acceleration, versatility, and pass-catching ability. Projected Draft Round: 3
EDGE Jack Sawyer: High-upside pass rusher with great length, motor, and developing technical skills. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
IOL Donovan Jackson: Powerful interior lineman with advanced run-blocking ability and solid pass-protection technique. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
CB Davison Igbinosun: Long and physical corner with great recovery speed and upside in press coverage. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
S Lathan Ransom: Reliable safety with good instincts, tackling ability, and versatility in coverage. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
9) Tennessee Volunteers
EDGE James Pearce Jr.: Explosive pass rusher with great size, speed, and the ability to disrupt the backfield consistently. Projected Draft Round: 1 (top 20)
IDL Omarr Norman-Lott: Powerful interior lineman with excellent hand usage and the ability to collapse the pocket. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
RB Dylan Sampson: Versatile runner with strong vision, elusiveness, and a knack for finding the end zone. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
10) Indiana Hoosiers
EDGE Mikail Kamara: High-motor edge rusher with quickness and solid production as a pass rusher. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
IDL CJ West: Strong and athletic interior defender with solid gap control and potential as a disruptive run stopper. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
QB Kurtis Rourke: Smart and accurate passer with good decision-making and ability to lead a balanced offense. Projected Draft Round: 5-6
LB Jailin Walker (Indiana): Versatile linebacker with solid tackling fundamentals, good sideline-to-sideline range, and upside as a coverage defender. Projected Draft Round: NA
11) SMU Mustangs
QB Kevin Jennings: Dual-threat quarterback with strong leadership qualities and the ability to create plays off-script. Projected Draft Round: NA
RB Brashard Smith: Productive runner with quick acceleration and good receiving skills out of the backfield. Projected Draft Round: NA
12) Clemson Tigers
LB Barrett Carter: Explosive linebacker with excellent range, instincts, and ability to contribute in coverage and run defense. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
IDL DeMonte Capehart: Physical interior defender with good strength and the ability to anchor against the run. Projected Draft Round: 2-3
OT Blake Miller: Reliable offensive tackle with strong fundamentals in pass protection and run blocking. Projected Draft Round: 3-4
TE Jake Briningstool: Athletic tight end with excellent route-running, strong hands, and the ability to stretch the field vertically. Projected Draft Round: 5-6
QB Cade Klubnik: Accurate and poised quarterback with quick decision-making, solid mechanics, and the ability to extend plays under pressure. Projected Draft Round: NA