2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Cotton Bowl

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Cotton Bowl

How about that Cotton Bowl? Hell of a game in Arlington. Which is crazy because it’s kinda a home game for Texas but I guess that’s not a factor since it’s technically a neutral-site playoff game and Ohio State fans obviously travel. But anywho… before I get to the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report notes for the Cotton Bowl, please also check out my write-up on the Orange Bowl too!

Ohio State won the game 28-14 on what was decided by a fantastic goal line stand but we’ll get to all of that in a bit. Feel free to leave a comment and share this around because you won’t find better 2025 NFL Draft notes on the internet!

Ohio State

Only thing you wonder about with Davison Igbinosun is what are his INT totals going to look like at the next level? Denzel Burke is better than him. Too much guessing and grabbing by Igbinosun. Called for another PI in this one. It sure felt like they didn’t even throw the ball to Burke’s side of the field. Jordan Hancock got tested plenty. We just haven’t seen a ton of him because those two guys are in front of him. Was up and down but he’ll likely be in draft conversations too.

Caleb Downs is the real blue chip guy in the secondary. He’s #builtdifferent. Had the game sealing pick to end the game. Shoot out of a cannon in run support on the negative yard run on the goal line to seal the win. Covers up so many sins in the back end. Hard to complete balls when he’s spying everything. This is very much a post for 2025 but when it comes to 2026, you can make a STRONG argument he’s the single best player in that class. Not that I’m surprised by how it’s transpired. I kinda tried to warn you this was coming…

Both these pass rushers JTT and Jack Sawyer, are very aware of that knack for swatting balls down. 44 is a top ten pick. If he’s not a top 10 pick then we’re living on Mars and ten other aliens are somehow better. Texas, who has an elite offensive line, had no answer for him. Got hurt in the game with some sort of a lower body ankle injury. Came back into the game but sort of slowed down once it happened. Not that it matters long term. 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFLs and it all really came in the first half.

It’s Sawyer who wowed. I used a Sam Hubbard comp in the past. No, no, no. He’s better than that. Too much evidence of that now. Swatting the passes is one thing. He’s creating turnovers on a routine basis. Routinely getting after the quarterback. He looks like a cracked out Trey Hendrickson. May not have the 10-yard split time Hendrickson had at the combine but god he’s good. Has power and instincts. This strip sack return for a score was unbelievable.

Ohio State has 16 sacks through three CFB playoff games. Those two guys have shown you who they are. Value them as such when it’s time to turn the card in.

Quinshon Judkins came to play today. Talking trash one carry in. Guy ran hard today. I think this is the hardest I’ve seen him run all year. Which makes sense if you consider the fact that he’s an under-recruited three star guy that Texas didn’t give enough attention to out of high school. He looked like the guy we saw at Ole Miss who was an absolute stud in this one.

Think Hebie said he best. He was possessed tonight. Literally out here pancaking people for Henderson in the run game on the block. Nine carries for 36 yards and two scores along with three catches for 22 yards. Screw the box score. Had he gotten more carries, he would have wrecked the game. Looked fantastic.

TreVeyon Henderson keeps doing it. Playing his best ball at the right time. By the way, both of these guys look so fresh. You can pretend Ashton Jeanty is better than this guy but it’s laughable. You want to talk about burst? Sheeesh. You see that screen touchdown?

Six carries for 42 yards and this 75 yard house call on the screen pass. It was a huge turning point in the game and I’m not sure they win without it. Pure talent? You got a hard time convincing me someone is better at the position. It’s Henderson and Judkins but also they’re as good as it gets for the upcoming class.

Donovan Jackson super impressed. Can’t believe he looks this good playing tackle. I’d argue he’s better than what Josh Simmons gave them. Actually, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. This Ohio State offensive line got better when that happened. We’ll see how the draft shakes out but Jackson needs to go ahead of Simmons. That much is clear.

Emeka Egbuka was winning his matchup against Barron. Guy came to play in this one. Did most of his damage in the first half but who cares about the numbers. He would put up more numbers if his QB didn’t suck. Not sure if I even need to repeat it but the guy looks like a total clone of JSN.

Carnell Tate was the leading receiver in this one. Who will be a household name next year. They won’t miss a beat in 2026 when Egbuka leaves for the Draft. The freshman Smith is silly in a good way too.

Will Howard sucks. Not an NFL guy. Zero percent chance he’s NFL good. If you want to say he’s an experienced college guy who’s old and can do enough to manage the game. I guess, but Kyle McCord is better so there’s that too. His rushing stuff is so overstated too. Had a horrible zone read play where he should have gave it to Judkins and got swallowed by Burke the Texas DE instead. The pick was ugly to open the third. Ohio State wins this game by 20+ if the QBs switch teams. We’re leaving it there because we already crossed the necessary word count on that bum. He’s better than Sam Ehlinger. I’ll give him that. That’s the highest I’m willing to go.

Can’t believe Gee Scott is actually out here doing stuff. 5 receptions!?! That’s a lot for him. He’s not nearly as tough or as good as Cade Stover but he might be more of a thing than bums like Nick Vannett and Luke Farrell. If that knocks your socks off, go right ahead.

Tyleik Williams is a guy. Keeps showing up now. It’s a matter of if Ty Hamilton is too. I thought he was more of a nose but he’s really not big like one. It’s Sonny Styles who has grown on me during this run. Converted safety now linebacker who can really make plays and cover. He might really be something.

Texas

Matthew Golden is the WR1 at Texas. It’s not a question. Ryan Wingo has more potential and will be better eventually but Golden has emerged as the guy right now. Looks like he injured his ankle in the second. Came back into the game and hauled in one more big play. Two receptions for 51 yards but it was the most damage done by a receiver in the game.

Isaiah Bond is a disaster. I have no idea why they even play the guy. He’s still jump cheesing his way into drops. I wouldn’t touch the guy. I don’t know what drugs you have to take to think this guy is a first round pick but anyone who believes that get them away from me. They may as well be the plague. Don’t tell me this guy is good.

One catch for eight yards. Shove it up you know where. Guy stinks. Send him to Australia to run races against Kangeroos in the circus. Guy is a waste of time otherwise. By the way, after that egregious drop, they benched him and never really got back on the field again.

Silas Bolden is way better than him. Has running back like skills in the open field. Electric in the return game. Actually catches the ball like an athlete instead of a noob. It was one catch but everytime he has the ball in his hands, something good happens. He has the best chance to replicate what Turpin is for the Cowboys and I think he can play some trick play RB stuff too.

Think we saw the warts on Quintrevion Wisner. We’ve been seeing them but they’re clear now. He’s a nickel runner. Chase Brown is his future. That’s not a compliment. 17 carries for 47 yards. Just isn’t a complete back. It is what it is. Best used in shotgun passing looks.

Same thing with Jaydon Blue. he doesn’t suck. As long as you’re realistic with who he is. Receiving back. That’s it. Nothing else. But he’s good at it. Two huge touchdowns in this one through the air. Tough cover with speed.

Smoking crack if you think this Jahdae Barron is elite. These Ohio State guys picked him apart. Egbuka did it. Carnell Tate did it and would have cooked him for a touchdown if he didn’t drop it. Not saying the guy is bad but pure movement skills, it’s obvious he can’t keep up with these sports cars Ohio State has. Not saying he’s a bad player. Just looks way better in zone when he can read and react rather than being asked to keep up one on one. Actually looks like he’d be a dangerous free safety. Not saying he’s bad. Just no shot he’s going to enter the league and become Stingley 2.0. No way.

Quinn Ewers. He’s more mobile than he gets credit for but when he has to move his feet in the pocket it always feels shaky. Not going to break any tackles but did show some improve on the flip to Wisner when he hasn’t done a ton of that in the past. Lacks power. If he had it, that puppy gets sneaked in and this game goes to OT.

It wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t Superman like we saw against Arizona State. 23/39 with 283 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick. The pick came in desperation mode when it was already over. His best trait is completing those intermediate throws. Has nice feel. Arm isn’t Joe Milton cannon but he has the necessary arm power on the plus side. Not sure we’re going to learn any more about him if he stays in college. I’d imagine he declares.

Some quick hitters on defense to close things out. Vernon Broughton made one big play to sack Will Howard. He’s not Sweat or Murphy from last year but I think he’s proved he’s a rotation piece at the next level to take seriously. Ethan Burke is a yes for me. Barryn Sorrell starts over him so I guess that’s a yes too. Andrew Mukuba made some plays in coverage. Notice how Jeremiah Smith didn’t eat them alive over the top. He’s a player.

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