2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Kinder’s Texas Bowl

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Kinder’s Texas Bowl

We’re grinding through these New Year’s games for the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report and shifting our attention to the Kinder’s Bowl. LSU won pretty handily 44-31 and was over quickly despite it becoming a shootout. I know it was just a Big 12 team but LSU might be damn good next year, especially with the incoming transfer portal class. Let’s get to the notes!

Baylor

Josh Cameron is probably the only guy I want to talk about here. He did a lot of the heavy lifting notching eight receptions for 111 yards and a score. The LSU secondary isn’t anything to write home about but Cameron was buzzing out there. A lot of this stuff has been watching ghosts. Whether it be Denzel Mims or Tyquan Thornton, they flame out because it’s more sizzle than steak. Cameron might have a bit more steak but I’m not falling for it. His hands look better than those of the two previous guys I mentioned. Who knows what his plans are but he could become something if he goes back and continues to hone in on the route running. Just finished his junior year so we’ll see. Can’t imagine he’s going high if he does come out this year.

LSU

Garrett Nussmeier is coming back and he came out firing in this one. Then again, he’s playing a Big 12 team so it would be more of a failure if they didn’t come out firing. People can say what they want but the dude is a baller. This was a walk in the park performance. Did whatever he wanted and was efficient. This game was over 5 minutes in. He just totally took over the game.

His pure arm power is underrated. Has real zip. Had one bad pick where the DE dropped in coverage and he never saw it. Finished the game 24/34 for 309 yards (8.9 YPA) with three touchdowns and a pick. You know I’m high on him if you have been reading all year. The best thing you can say about him is that he’s a real gunslinger quarterback. Guy leads, makes big throws, but will give it to the other team. He’s going to get drafted higher than you think he is in 2026.

How about this tight end, Trey’Dez Green? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that LSU won’t miss Mason Taylor next year. Talk about a serious flash Green showed in this one. 6-foot-7, 245 freshman. Yeah…

Finished the game with six catches for 53 yards and two scores. I have no idea where they found this guy but holy hell. Something to keep in your back pocket.

We’ve been waiting for this all year but here comes Chris Hilton Jr. He hasn’t been healthy all year. Guy showed up BIG in the Bowl game. Dude is legit in terms of the speed department. You can trust him to stretch the field. He looked damn good today. Total lightning rod and I think he can get open on the intermediate stuff too. It’s very possible he’s a dude but just haven’t totally seen all that he’s capable of yet. By the way, this LSU wide receiver room next year is going to be LOADED. Regardless, if he’s healthy, he’s a weapon and that’s obvious. I’m sure people would be thrilled if he’s the next TY Hilton but talent wise, he has more in the tank to be better than that.

If Aaron Anderson wants to be part of that mix, he better work on those hands. Dropped a touchdown that later led to a missed field goal. Later in the third quarter had a fumble after a nice reception. He can definitely run though. Has immense pure talent. Had more than one drop though in this game and it just can’t happen.

LSU always has NFL backs. It’s a matter of if they’re too much of a knucklehead to deter them from becoming that. Caden Durham should be on the scale of legit. I’m expecting a big sophomore season next year. Josh Williams is more of the depth body not sure he’s much more than that. Kaleb Jackson is the one who feels like he has a high ceiling and we’ll see if he hits that in the coming years.

I’m a huge fan of Sai’vion Jones. That’s an SEC body right there who can rush the passer. That’s a ceiling player right there. Big frame, mucks up the play, can rush but also has power and does things in the run game. I’m a fan of this one. Bradyn Swinson is good too but Jones has a run up the stairs holding bricks feel to him.

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