The deadline for gamers to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft has handed, so that you may be moderately assured which gamers in your favourite groups shall be again on campus subsequent yr. Nicely, after all, that is except they enter the switch portal when the spring window opens.
Whereas there’s been loads of hand-wringing and pearl-clutching concerning the present state of faculty soccer (a few of which is deserved), there is no denying that the age of NIL has led to way more star gamers returning to highschool in current seasons. It was once simple to know who can be leaving for the NFL. Is he more likely to be drafted? He is gone. Now, gamers have the chance to weigh the funds. Are they higher off going to the NFL as a mid to late-round choose once they might earn more cash at school subsequent season whereas additionally perhaps even enhancing their draft inventory?
If you happen to want proof of idea, three of the 20 gamers I included on this checklist final yr are again among the many group heading into 2024. In addition they play for a similar group. As you may see, this checklist is not a precise science. I am not merely itemizing the highest 20 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. It is a combination of NFL Draft inventory and value to their present group. I additionally combine issues up by place.
If there’s something to be taught from this yr’s checklist, it is that subsequent yr’s draft class seems to be to be heavier on the defensive aspect of the ball. There’s loads of time for brand new names to emerge, however final yr, we had been assured guys like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Marvin Harrison can be top-five picks. This yr, I could not inform you who the highest QB shall be on anyone’s board a yr from now. There is a good probability it will not be one of many three names listed beneath, however we’ll begin there anyway.
High 20 NFL draft-eligible gamers in 2024 season
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: Ewers is considerably of a polarizing prospect. He got here into school as one of many prime QBs in his class, however he is handled accidents all through his two seasons as a starter for the Longhorns. When wholesome, he is displayed loads of the expertise that made him an attractive prospect and helped get the Longhorns to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. If he exhibits enchancment with new weapons within the SEC subsequent season, he has an opportunity to be taken first total.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami: Ward almost declared for the draft this yr however was lured to Miami, the place he’ll have an opportunity to enhance his inventory with a Hurricanes group seeking to compete for an ACC title. Ward has been inconsistent at instances however had a robust season with Washington State. He has the power to make one thing out of nothing that few others possess.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: Few QBs within the nation impressed me greater than Beck in 2023. He seemed a bit timid early within the season however flipped a change and have become one of many higher passers within the nation. Actually, some guys might go within the first spherical this yr that I would choose Beck over. He has a authentic probability to be the No. 1 choose subsequent season.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State: Henderson was on this checklist final yr, however, very similar to the 2022 season, he handled accidents that saved him out of some video games. He nonetheless averaged almost 6 yards per carry and shall be a featured participant in what must be among the best offenses within the nation. Plus, whereas operating again shouldn’t be a extremely coveted place within the draft’s early rounds, few backs within the nation have the big-play potential Henderson does when he is wholesome.
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Luther Burden, WR, Missouri: Burden was one of many prime gamers within the 2022 recruiting class, and after a sluggish begin as a freshman with Mizzou, he blew up in 2023. He caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and helped lead the Tigers to a Cotton Bowl. He is a nightmare for any defender out of the slot and might be on observe for a fair greater season in 2024.
Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon: Like Burden, Stewart was one of many prime receivers within the 2022 class. In contrast to Burden, Stewart carried out barely higher as a freshman than in his sophomore season. Nonetheless, most of that may probably be attributed to circumstances past Stewart’s management. Stewart has since transferred to Oregon, the place he is seen because the substitute for Troy Franklin within the Geese’ offense. If Stewart places collectively an enormous yr in gold and inexperienced, he might play his manner into the primary spherical.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State: Egbuka was on this checklist final season together with teammate Marvin Harrison Jr., however Egbuka struggled with accidents. He nonetheless completed with 41 catches for 515 yards in 10 video games however averaged solely 12.6 yards per reception after posting 15.6 in 2022. Regardless, he is an unimaginable expertise who will enter 2024 as the highest receiving possibility within the Ohio State offense. That is normally step one towards being a first-round choose.
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon: Very like the QB class for subsequent season, I am not assured about who shall be seen as the highest sort out in subsequent yr’s draft. Final yr, it was Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. A number of candidates might step up this yr, and Conerly is considered one of my favorites. Oregon’s offensive line was a big power final season, and Conerly was glorious in go safety. He has the manufacturing and the traits to garner NFL consideration.
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State: Buckeyes in every single place you look! Severely, Ohio State has accomplished a superb job convincing guys to return to highschool subsequent yr. Jackson is not the largest title, however he is a vital participant for the Buckeyes. General, the Ohio State offensive line was underwhelming in 2023, however Jackson stood out for his capacity to carry up in go safety and transfer folks out of the way in which within the run sport.
J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State: Tuimoloau is the third member of Ohio State who was on this checklist final season and is returning for an additional run. He did not have as many tackles for loss in 2023 as in 2022, however he was nonetheless a nightmare for opponents as he tallied 37 pressures this season. He’ll be a part of an Ohio State line of defense that must be among the best within the nation.
Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: Actually, the way in which issues have gone lately, I might get away with itemizing Georgia’s two-deep for this story and hit on extra gamers than I missed. Walker has an opportunity to emerge as a prime edge rusher within the class subsequent season. He led Georgia with 5 sacks in 2023 however would in all probability get extra if enjoying in a scheme that blitzed greater than Georgia. He is lengthy, fast, sturdy, athletic and versatile. He is principally all the things you search for in a prospect.
Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss: My apologies to Texas A&M followers who’ve already seen Evan Stewart on this checklist and now get Nolen thrown of their faces. Like Stewart, Nolen was considered one of Jimbo Fisher’s recruiting wins who will play elsewhere in 2024. Nolen’s a monster who does monster issues, and he’ll present up at Ole Miss as the most effective participant on its protection from Day 1 and might be a Day 1 NFL Draft choose.
Mason Graham, DL, Michigan: Keep in mind that man on the Michigan offensive line who terrorized Ohio State, Alabama and Washington? He shall be again subsequent yr as a result of he is not eligible for the draft! Graham wasn’t some unknown within the 2022 recruiting class, however he wasn’t thought-about an elite prospect out of highschool. He is thought-about elite now, although. Inside defenders who can cease the run and blow up pockets from the within are among the most coveted gamers within the sport, and Graham matches the invoice.
Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan: As does his teammate! Like Graham, Grant was a four-star prospect within the 2022 class who has developed right into a monster at Michigan. He is an enormous human being who’s simply as able to selecting you up and throwing you out of his manner as he’s chasing down a operating again within the open area. Severely, writing up these final 5 gamers has my coronary heart racing about subsequent yr’s line of defense class.
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Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson: Jeremiah Trotter led Clemson in tackles this season and shall be one of many prime linebackers taken within the draft, however I am greater on Carter than Trotter. Carter is huge and powerful sufficient to assist in the run sport, however he is fast sufficient and has the athleticism to assist out in go protection, too. These are the traits it’s essential be a three-down off-ball linebacker on the NFL degree proper now, and may Carter proceed down his present path, he’ll be a coveted participant subsequent spring.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma: I do not know that Stutsman has the athleticism to wow you in a mix setting, however he is received sufficient to succeed on the subsequent degree. Plus, I do not care what his cone drill seems to be like; simply placed on the tape and watch Stutsman play. He is a heat-seeking missile who flies to the ball and places an finish to the play. He had 104 tackles for the Sooners this yr, together with 16 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception.
Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado: Colorado received lots of consideration in 2023, and whereas there was extra flash than substance total, Hunter is flash, substance and a future first-round choose. I’ve him listed as a nook right here, but when he needed to play receiver on the subsequent degree, he might simply show to be a first-round choose on that aspect of the ball. He is an unimaginable soccer participant who has an opportunity to be a perennial All-Professional at nook, similar to the person teaching him in Boulder, Colorado.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: Johnson is the third Michigan defender from its 2022 recruiting class on this checklist, however he was the highest-profile participant of the three and has lived as much as the billing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lengthy, sturdy, athletic and with a bulldog demeanor that is coveted at nook. There is not an project he is unwilling to tackle, neither is there one he cannot win. Any time you are tasked with shadowing guys like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze, and also you achieve slowing them down, groups will discover.
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State: Burke is not the tallest nook, however his size makes up for it. He did not present up at Ohio State as a ready-made nook, however he is gotten higher every season with extra expertise, and his 2023 season was his greatest but. Ohio State getting him to return for an additional yr is a large win for the Buckeyes and will show to be an even bigger win for Burke.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: Georgia had an unimaginable secondary this season, and it may be higher in 2024. Starks is a dream prospect at security. He possesses all the things you need in a participant from a bodily and expertise perspective, and he combines all of it with the mentality of a participant who might be a captain of your protection for a decade. He is simply considered one of my favourite gamers within the nation, no matter place.
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