2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: GameAbove Sports Bowl

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: GameAbove Sports Bowl

Anytime I watch a Bowl game, you’re going to get 2025 NFL Draft notes on it. We strive to take our NFL Draft content to another level each and every year and are covering the Bowl games on a more consistent basis this year. Next up we have the GameAbove Sports Bowl between Pitt and Toldeo. This game went into 6 OTs so it was fairly entertaining as well.

It’s not like we’re talking about premium prospects in this one but there may be some late round gems to talk about. Let’s go over everything you need to know in this iteration of the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report!

Pitt:

When it comes to Pitt, we’re not looking at anything high round wise. We’re going to focus on a few guys here (Desmond Reid, Gavin Bartholomew, and Donovan McMillon).

I’m trying to figure out what this Desmond Reid is. He’s definitely small but has some wiggle to him. They have him on the punt return team so you know they trust his ball security. He tries to run with power despite the size.

He’s also the entire offense. This was more telling than anything. 2 minute drill before the half deep in their own territory. They go run, run, run, screen pass to the back touching the ball all four times. Without Holstein, they can’t push the ball down the field. He’s the whole offense and that’s not an exaggeration.

Same thing in the 4th quarter. Game is tied at 30. Need one score quickly to win the game. Ball is still going to the running back because they can’t move it otherwise. The QB changed helped but even the throwing attempts were fakes to Reid.

The guy had 37 touches in this one. 5 receptions to go along with 32 carries for 165 yards and a score. The former Western Carolina product is only a junior and can go back to school if he wants to. I’m just not sure given the position of what he is that anything will change. He’s already doing everything. You’re not changing the skillset at this point. Can you turn him into more of a James White type of threat? Going back to school isn’t going to change the fact that he’s 5-foot-8, 175. The guy is what he is at this point. A real player. Just not sure how excited you should really be. The type of guy you’re fine carrying in the preseason and evaluating from there.

Eli Holstein didn’t play in this one. He’s still hurt. The replacement was brutal. He’s throwing up ducks begging to get picked off. That guy David Lynch he can’t play a lick. Julian Dugger took after at the 10 minute mark in the third quarter. Lots of QB designed run plays followed. 5.5 yards per attempt throwing the ball with a lot of nonsense mixed in. Maybe he takes over after Holstein leaves for the NFL. Maybe he doesn’t. Still a freshman so we’ll see.

Kyle Louis has been a playmaker all year and made this one on the extra point. Made a couple of tackles. Had a key pass deflection. But this was the play right here. Playmakers do things like this. It’s certainly something.

PITT BLOCKS THE EXTRA POINT AND RUNS IT BACK FOR TWO 🔥

Kyle Louis went up and got it 💪 pic.twitter.com/cXq7FuV3q6

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 26, 2024

Thought Donovan McMillon looked decent too. Made a few plays in the backend breaking up some passes. Pitt secondary would have been torched more if he didn’t cover up some sins. Freshman Cruce Brookins made the best play with an interception. Looks like a future player with some size. McMillon tackles well from what I saw. Think he has that going. Doesn’t look slow.

The passing game looked broken so WTF do I even say about the pass catchers? No Mumpfield in this one. Gavin Bartholomew had one catch but made plays during the OT period. He’s better than the Toledo tight end. That much is for sure. Just not sure how much of a real athlete he is. 6-foot-5, 250, and looks like a less agile version of Pat Freiermuth. Has a shot to be something but something as in make a roster and be a functional piece.

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: College Football Playoff First Round

Toledo:

I didn’t have high expectations here. We’re looking out for a handful of guys here (Darius Alexander, Maxen Hook, Anthony Torres, and Jerjuan Newton)

I don’t believe Hook played in the game. Seems like an opt out.

Darius Alexander had a sack on the first possession in the first quarter. Important because Pitt is higher level comp than the Mac. 6-foot-4, 310, and looked like a real player. Making plays against the run. There just might be something here. He easily made the biggest impression to me in this game. I mean, this dude is out there dropping into coverage getting a pick six playing defensive line. Scooting around pretty good out there for a DT too.

I thought he looked damn good. This is the type of stuff you want to see. Go make splash plays. You’re Toledo. Go get my attention. Alexander did that. Now I want to see him move around during the pre-draft stuff.

DARIUS ALEXANDER THICC 6!!! pic.twitter.com/EYjGdpgkVd

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 26, 2024

Anthony Torres comes right out of the gate catching a wide open ball in the red area. He’s a zone beater. I don’t see anyway that guy runs fast. Not a chain athlete. Takes time to start the engine when he needs to go. Doesn’t look like a real tight end either. Lines up wide like a receiver. Doesn’t look like a blocker. Not sure I get it. Four catches for 42 yards and a score. His touchdown was a red zone look where nobody covered him. Wouldn’t say I was impressed with what I saw.

Jerjuan Newton showed off some good hands. Bunch of off target throws he had to adjust to and made the play. When I say off target, please don’t ignore that fact. His ball placement was awful and Newton make some great plays to finish the catch.

What I didn’t expect is that Junior Vandeross might be better.

Toledo WR Junior Vandeross III was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after this touchdown celebration. pic.twitter.com/GUT3ulm1wH

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 26, 2024

Newton had eight receptions for 82 yards. Vandeross had 12 for 194 and a score. I guess there’s a reason why BOTH of these guys were first-team All Mac. Vandeross is a smaller receiver but guy had some grease lightning moments in this one. If we learned anything, it’s that maybe we note that it’s time to take them seriously during the predraft process. Keep them on the radar. Those two guys won them this game and tilted the field in their favor. Had no real running back. It was these two converting big plays. It’s not nothing.

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