With 2024 NFL Draft Looking in the rearview mirror now, our focus has begun to shift to the 2025 outlook. Next year’s class looks to have another intriguing group of quarterbacks, and the defense is sure to rebound from a type. overshadowed by the offense last weekend.
Who are the top prospects to know? How does the class of 2025 compare to the class of 2024? We asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Field Yates, along with college football reporter Adam Rittenberg, to answer seven big questions about the upcoming draft class.
The 2025 draft out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a year away, so there’s still a lot to learn about this class. But for now, let’s quickly introduce the group of potential customers that stand out. And for more on what to expect from the 2025 class, check out Jordan Reid’s the sketch was too early of Round 1 (ESPN+)
Who is the top quarterback in the class of 2025?
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Start evaluating the class of 2025 as a three-headed monster. Carson Beck (Georgia) is a hot name among NFL scouts, but he will be challenged by Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) can see if those two can take the next step in their game in the 2024 season. Beck’s command of Georgia’s offense was impressive, and he also displayed the light touch and driving arm strength that NFL teams love. He threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions last season. His poor mobility can be questioned, but his pocket movement is excellent.
Another player to keep an eye on is Riley Leonard, now at Notre Dame after transferring from Duke. Scouts love his raw ability, but he needs a jump in production and consistency. However, we have seen it happen before as a quarterback gains experience in college.
Field Yates, NFL draft analyst: The three that caught my eye based on 2023 film study were Sanders, Beck and Ewers — in that order for me. I really think Sanders feels like an early frontrunner to be the first pick in the draft, as his elite passing ability is so impressive. In his first season in Colorado, Sanders completed 298 passes for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns. How can he defend when there is legal time and space.
Adam Rittenberg, national college football reporter: The 2025 QB class doesn’t look like its predecessor, but Beck, Sanders, Ewers and Miami’s Cameron Ward all had potential from the start, especially later runs as a midfielder we saw in Detroit. Beck and Ewers will enter the season as the leading Heisman Trophy candidates. Sanders is looking for better protection and more balance on offense but showed accuracy and toughness downfield in 2023.
Ward briefly entered the 2024 NFL draft before withdrawing and moving out of Washington State to Miamiwhere he will lead a talented offense that includes running backs Damien Martinez, another exciting prospect. Ward is coming off a strong 2023 season where he threw for 3,735 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Which prospects could be the top non-QBs in the class?
Miller: Let’s take a look at next season’s offensive tackle because it’s a good one. Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (6-foot-4, 324 pounds) will battle the LSU curtain guard Will Campbell (6-6, 325 pounds) for the top tackle position and both are great movers with the length and strength to be elite NFL players. This class is also talented on defense, but two offensive tackles will have my attention.
Yates: Colorado WR/DB Hunter Travis and Tennessee Edge Press James Pearce Jr.. are two names that came to my mind immediately, because each name appeared a lot in the movie. Hunter brings rare grace and talent to two distinct positions, displaying effortless speed and instincts. As a receiver, he had 57 catches for 721 yards with five touchdowns last season; in terms of on-ball defense, he made three interceptions and had seven clearances.
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Travis Hunter came up with his second INT of the game
Colorado’s Travis Hunter was impressive with another interception of UCLA’s Ethan Garbers.
Pearce looks to be one of the next elite pass rushers to enter the NFL as he had a breakout season in 2023 with 10 sacks in his true sophomore season. His first burst was very good.
Rittenberg: Expect Michigan to have more high-level draft picks in 2025 than it did in 2024, when it won the national title. Defense back Will Johnson and defensive midfielder Mason Graham Both should hear their names heard in Green Bay soon. Johnson, the No. 23 overall pick of the 2021 ESPN 300, has a dominant 6-2 record and ball skills with four interceptions last season. Graham wasn’t a decorated high school player — he originally committed to Boise State over Michigan — but has become a punishing force in the interior of the nation’s best lineup last fall. He should continue to move up the draft board.
Who are some early draft picks who could step up this season?
Miller: Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker was one of the first watches I fell in love with in preparation for the 2024 college football season. Watching his 2023 tape, I realized Derrick Brown 6-6, 348-pounder vibe. Walker posted 7.5 sacks last season, so he wasn’t just a nose tackle but someone who really impacted the game in three downs. He has a chance to score if he can build on his breakout 2023 season.
I also have to give a shout out to Texas’ new addition from the transfer portal, defensive end Trey Moore. He posted 14 sacks last season at UTSA. The 6-3, 235-pound athlete has elite first-step speed and could be a problem for SEC offenses.
Yates: Alabama receiver Germie Bernard ready for takeoff later moved from Washington, where he was the fourth wide receiver in the best receiver room in the country. He was a star in Alabama’s spring game – he had three catches for 122 yards – and will be a standout.
Meanwhile, Georgia will once again have a star tight end to work with, because Ben Yurosek will make his debut this fall for the Bulldogs after three seasons at Stanford. Yurosek had 42 catches in 2021 and averaged over 15 yards per catch. ONE shoulder injury cut his 2023 season short, but he showed his star performance in Stanford’s season opener against Hawaii with nine catches for 138 yards.
Rittenberg: The trio of passers — Texas A&M’s Nic ScourtonLouisville Ashton Gillette and LSU Harold Perkins Jr.. — should be involved with defensive prospects. Scourton led the Big Ten with 10 sacks last fall and would pair well with Cashius Howell and others to put pressure on the midfielders. The 6-3, 270-pound Gillotte had 22 sacks in his first three seasons at Louisville and can play both on the edge and inside. Perkins has lost 13 sacks and 26 tackles in his first two seasons and should thrive under new coordinator Blake Baker.
What is the initial power of the class?
Miller: Defense! Just as the 2024 draft class is on offense, with a record 23 first-round selections coming from that side of the ball, the 2025 class will be led by defense. Quarterbacks Will Johnson, Travis Hunter and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) both look like future top-10 picks. The defense is also full of Pearce, Graham, Perkins and Michael Williams (Georgia) all show the potential to become superstars at a higher level.
How does the class of 2025 compare to the class of 2024?
Yates: The part that I think is most interesting when comparing the classes is the overall projected depth in 2025 compared to 2024. There were a lot of players that went back to school in the past draft, this is tied to both NIL opportunities and the fact that all NCAA athletes who were in school at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were granted an extra year of eligibility. True freshmen who entered in 2020 or those who entered in 2021 and played right away will enter their final year this season, which will result in a much deeper class.
What is a sneaky college team to keep an eye on 2025 prospects?
Rittenberg: Arizona made three draft picks after a breakout 10-win season, and its 2025 production could be even more significant, especially toward the top of the draft. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 90 catches last season and will again link up with the quarterback Noah Fifita in the fall. Corner defender Tacario Davis tied for the Pac-12 lead with 14 passes in 2023 and boasts a 6-4 mark.
Offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea has started his first two seasons and will help lead a group that replaces first-round draft picks Jordan Morgan. The 6-5, 330-pound Savaiinaea can play both guard and tackle and will likely play right tackle in 2024.
Which prospect’s tape are you excited to watch as you start setting your preseason board?
Miller: The Burden of Luther III, W.R., Missouri. The electric wide receiver could start the year as my No. 1 overall prospect after an 86-catch 2023 season for 1,212 yards and nine scores. Burden has outstanding speed and the ability to move around the field, and proved himself to be an accomplished goalscorer last season. I’d like to study his route running and better understand the nuances of his position, but my first look at him suggests his grades could make him a potential pick. ability in the top 5.
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Luther Burden III had a great 42-yard Missouri TD catch
Brady Cook threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden.
Yates: Deion Burks, W.R., Oklahoma. He was a huge success for the Sooners in the transfer portal after three years at Purdue, and I’ll be studying his tape with the Boilermakers this summer. My initial study tape of him last season (he was draft-eligible last year) showed his passer speed and acceleration. While Burks is listed at just 5-11 and 195 pounds, he falls into that category of prospects where you just need to find a way to generate touches. He caught 47 passes for 629 yards with seven touchdowns in 2023.
