2025 NFL Draft: Updated Scouting Notes and Pro Player Comparisons After CFB Week 14
As the 2024 college football regular season concludes, the 2025 NFL draft has become increasingly intriguing.
Week 14 featured a few standout performances, offering NFL organizations insight into how top prospects have developed and where said prospects will land on leaguewide draft boards.
Many players who entered the season with hype have had a full campaign to confirm evaluations, while under-the-radar names are rapidly climbing draft boards with championship weekend, bowl season and the CFP on the horizon.
Here, 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 NFL. We'll also name a few other standouts from around the country.
Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
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Reminds Me Of: James Conner
Week 14 Stats: 32 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD vs Ohio State
While Donovan Edwards was expected to take hold of the offensive reigns for Michigan this fall, it's been Mullings, a linebacker convert, who has led the way for the Wolverines offense in 2024.
Although many didn't give Michigan a shot against Ohio State—the Wolverines entered Saturday's matchup as 20.5 point underdogs—Mullings' ability to holster the offensive workload for HC Sherrone Moore raised eyebrows towards his pro projection. Considering Ohio State's frequency of stacking the box to limit Michigan's ground game, Mullings' knack for space and creating positive yardage allowed Michigan to churn clock.
Like Conner, with an even loftier athletic profile, Mullings' ability to explode through creases, or decelerate, jump-cut and attack backside lanes is impressive for a ball-carrier of his size (225-plus pounds).
Potential NFL Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
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Reminds Me Of: Matt Asiata
Week 14 Stats: 21 carries, 177 yards, 3 TDs vs. Arizona
If you don't know Skattebo, now is a perfect time to become familiar with his name as well as the impressive, multi-faceted skill set of the former Sacramento State transfer.
The bell-cow back and hefty straw that stirs the drink for the Arizona State offense, Skattebo is, oftentimes, a one-man show in the backfield. It hasn't mattered if teams stacked the box or sent extra bodies downhill on run downs, Skattebo's ability to find open lanes has remained on full display all campaign long.
In just the last two weeks (vs. BYU and Arizona), Skattebo has rushed for 324 yards and six touchdowns while averaging nearly seven yards a carry in those matchups combined.
Similar to Asiata, Skattebo's versatility will pave the way for snaps, but his production when awarded with touches could see him outperform expectations early on in his career. He's a name to watch as the Sun Devils search for a Big 12 title this Saturday against Iowa State.
Potential NFL Fits: Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
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Reminds Me Of: Azeez Ojulari
Week 14 Stats: 12 pressures, 5 QB hits, 4 sacks vs. Pittsburgh
As the weeks progress, Donovan Ezeiruaku has continued to showcase why his name deserves to rank among the elite pass-rushers in the upcoming class.
A four-year standout for Boston College, Ezeiruaku has amassed 18 pressures in just the last two weeks alone, and he ends the regular season ranked second in pressures (59) among all FBS-qualified edge-rushers.
Similar to Ojulari, with consistent measurables, Ezeiruaku has the get-off and bend to threaten the outside shoulder with consistency, along with an ever-improving pass-rush repertoire to win through the chest of opponents or to the inside.
A riser in the process as the season wore on, he's looking to become the highest-drafted pass-rusher out of Boston College since Harold Landry (second round) in 2018.
Potential NFL Fits: Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, New York Giants
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
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Reminds Me Of: Vita Vea
Week 14 Stats: 5 pressures, 5 hurries, 2 run stops vs. Ohio State
At 335 pounds, watching Kenneth Grant push bodies around on run downs only to distort the line of scrimmage on passing downs is an absolute treat.
You won't have the pleasure of watching Michigan in the CFP this winter, but when you get a chance to watch some film on this year's draft class, put Grant atop your priority list.
A powerfully built interior defender with herculean athleticism at his size, the 6'3" Grant was sensational against the Buckeyes, consistently defeating isolated blocks and shrinking the pocket on long down-and-distances.
Comparisons to Vea don't come around often, but the way Grant moves at his size, along with the fundamental power and technique he operates with, showcase a high-floor (and high-ceiling) prospect who is expected to hear his name called early in April.
Potential NFL Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
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Reminds Me Of: Sydney Brown
Week 14 Stats: 9 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 QB hit vs USC
Football IQ and a high level of intelligence pop off the screen when watching Xavier Watts.
He's always in the right spot, is a constant communicator, and checks all of the fundamental boxes teams will look for in a potential contributor at the safety position.
Like Brown out of Illinois a few years back, Watts wins from the shoulders up before he ever intercepts a pass or blows up a run play in the fringe areas. Meaning, he often sees it before it happens.
Watts' knack for film study has remained evident in his tape over the last few years in South Bend, showcasing a highly intuitive and athletic prospect who should make an impact quickly at the next level.
Potential NFL Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans
Other Notable Standouts
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Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: 34-42, 438 passing yards, 5 TD vs. Oklahoma State
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: 37 carries, 226 yards, 1 TD vs. Oregon State
Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami: 9 catches (11 targets), 148 yards, 1 TD vs Syracuse
Dont'e Thornton, WR, Tennessee: 3 catches (4 targets), 118 yards, 2 TDs vs Vanderbilt
Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia: 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 1 pressure allowed in 335 pass pro snaps during the regular season
Advanced stats via Pro Football Focus.
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