2025 NFL Draft: Updated Scouting Notes and Pro Player Comparisons After CFB Week 9
As the college football campaign progresses, the 2025 NFL draft becomes increasingly intriguing.
Week 9 provided a few standout performances, offering NFL organizations insight into how top prospects are developing in real time.
Many players who entered the season with hype have begun to confirm preseason evaluations, while under-the-radar names are rapidly climbing draft boards.
It's the time of the year when breakout stars emerge, and Week 9 gave us no shortage of talking points.
Below, we'll dive into updated scouting notes on several key prospects. We'll also offer pro player comparisons beyond simplistic height/weight/length similarities to give you an idea of how each prospect's tools and traits could translate to the next level, and we'll also name few other standouts from play around the country.
Advanced stats via Pro Football Focus.
Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado
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Reminds Me Of: Unique football player considering production at multiple positions
Week 9 Stats: 9 receptions (9 targets), 153 yards, 2 TDs and 4 PBUs vs. Cincinnati
In a sport where players are often pigeonholed into specific roles, Travis Hunter is redefining what it means to be a flat-out star.
Against the Bearcats, Hunter proved once again why he deserves to be in the conversation for the No. 1 overall selection in April, amassing 68 offensive snaps with 62 more coming on defense. He has continued to showcase the ability to take over a game on either side of the line of scrimmage, an ability we have not often seen in college football's illustrious history.
Health is the only thing that will hamper Hunter from potentially winning the Heisman Trophy and going No. 1 overall come springtime. He's sensational.
Potential NFL Fits: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints
Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
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Reminds Me Of: Ameer Abdullah
Week 9 Stats: 23 carries, 278 yards, 2 TDs vs. Kentucky
Impact Play: 45-yard TD run
Another name to know in what projects to be a historic pool of talent at RB, Jarquez Hunter ran roughshod over the Kentucky defense in Week 9.
While not the biggest, Hunter is a powerfully built ball-carrier who uses his natural low center of gravity to work through defenders.
Built nearly like a carbon copy of Abdullah out of Nebraska in 2015, his elusive yet rocked-up build allows him to create both inside and outside the tackles, and he competes in pass pro despite his overall mass. Hunter has rushed for 90-plus yards in three of the past four weeks against Oklahoma, Georgia and Kentucky.
Potential NFL Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
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Reminds Me Of: Jermaine Johnson II
Week 9 Stats: 7 pressures, 4 hurries, 2 sacks vs. Oklahoma
There are only a few times in a campaign that players have "resume" games.
While the Sooners have struggled mightily on offense this fall, Week 9 against Oklahoma was that and more for Princely Umanmielen.
Like Johnson, an explosive sack artist with the blend of power and speed to overwhelm opponents, Umanmielen, a transfer from Florida, projects immediately as a three-down five-technique with an advanced pass-rush repertoire.
He can win with speed to the outside, through the chest plate of an opposing tackle, and has the necessary anchor and pursuit ability to track down ball-carriers in the fringe areas.
Potential NFL Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals
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Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
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Reminds Me Of: A larger Marcus Mariota
Week 9 Stats: 23/29, 314 yards, 5 TDs, 8 carries, 9 yards, 1 TD vs. Mississippi State
Impact Plays: Four straight scoring drives to open the game
A transfer from Boise State, Taylen Green opened eyes in Week 9, dominating the Bulldogs' defense up and down the gridiron.
An elite dual-threat weapon at 6'6", Green's ability to beat teams both through the air, and on the ground has made him one of college football's most electric playmakers at the position. While each week hasn't been perfect as he adjusts to life in the SEC, Green has continued to take steps as a pre-snap processor, completing 67 percent or more of his passes in each of the last three weeks in matchups against Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State.
While Green is much larger and built differently than Mariota, both players had an excellent ability to create with their lower half with limitations through the air (velocity, vertical touch, accuracy under pressure inside the pocket). Green, a redshirt junior, has all the potential in the world considering his athletic profile should he continue to evolve as a pocket passer.
Potential NFL Fits: Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins
BJ Mayes, CB, Texas A&M
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Reminds Me Of: Caelen Carson
Week 9 Stats: Six targets against (2 catches), 2 INTs vs LSU
A transfer from UAB by way of Incarnate Word (FCS), Mayes saved his best collegiate performance for the perfect time against the Tigers.
Mayes is similar to Caelen Carson from a frame perspective and in their zone ability, but Mayes' ability to live inside at nickel at 6'1" paints an entirely new picture on what he could be for an NFL secondary. He's showcased excellent eyes to make plays on the football, is a willing tackler in the open field and has the footwork and hips to slide, shuffle and run with various types of receivers.
While much of the attention for the No. 10 ranked Aggies centers around their defensive front, Mayes has begun to draw a spotlight himself on the outside.
Potential NFL Fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks
Other Notable Standouts
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Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M: 7 pressures, 6 hurries, 1 sack vs. LSU
Chandler Morris, QB, North Texas: 38/55, 449 yards, 3 TDs, 36 rushing yards, 1 TD vs. Tulane
Makhi Hughes, RB, Tulane: 30 carries, 195 yards, 1 TD vs. North Texas
Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota: 9 catches (12 targets), 117 yards, 2 TDs vs. Maryland
Savion Williams, WR, TCU: 3 catches (4 targets), 81 yards, 1 TD, 11 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD vs. Texas Tech
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