2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Orange Bowl

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Orange Bowl

Notre Dame wins the Orange Bowl 27-24 over Penn State in a highly entertaining game that featured strong rosters on each side… along with some of the worst QB play you will ever see. That’s about the best spark notes version I can give you. Except this isn’t Spark notes. You’re here for the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report notes and I have PLENTY to say on this game.

The game was a pick em on the points spread before the game and it played out just about that way. We learned some things so let’s get right down to business have a chat about what went down tonight.

Here are your Orange Bowl notes for the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report!

Notre Dame

Riley Leonard QB draw queen. He’s got nothing. He’s working with a 7 – 2 in his hand. Daniel Jones feels like his ceiling, not floor. Brutal pick early in the game. Can’t complete a pass down the field unless his guy breaks a tackle. He’s about as bad as it gets as a passer.

By the way, I think both coordinators for Notre Dame have done a great job. He’s getting the most out of the trash he’s given. This is the same guy who ran the Jayden Daniels LSU offense last year.

Brutal coming from behind. Two minute drill was brutal. If he can’t play from in front you may as well bench him and that’s college. He exited the game after taking a hit in the second. Backup Angeli came into the game and two plays in you can tell he’s miles better as a passer.

There’s no other way to say it. He sucks and not only does he suck but he has zero feel too. How do you have a delay of game on the first play of the second half? Zero self awareness. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Notre Dame won this because of literally anyone else.

18 carries on the ground for 35 yards. That’s who he was tonight while throwing two ugly picks. Won the game because Allar was somehow worse. No idea how they didn’t bench him but they survive anyway.

Jeremiyah Love is a tough MFer. Dude is clearly on fumes banged up with a knee injury. Has a big ass brace on it. It wasn’t sexy but it was impressive the way he gutted this out. 11 carries for 45 yards and this score. Not draft eligible this year but damn he’s impressive.

Mitchell Evans actually did something. It’s about damn time. Had one big catch for 32 yards. Finished with 58 yards. It’s about the first time I’ve seen him where he doesn’t look like a trainwreck. My stance is still the same. 6th or 7th round.

Beaux Collins with a zero again. Rumor on the street is he had the flu against Georgia last week. Well, he did nothing post flu so maybe he just sucks, as I’ve been saying all year. Was a zero in the game.

Jordan Faison has been their number one. Yes, the glorified lacrosse player. Not today. Jaden Greathouse was the hero and this touchdown really saved the day. Just a sophomore but a nice coming out party for him. I’d imagine he’s back next year so we’ll keep things moving.

Don’t have much to add on this defense minus the fact that Penn State wide receivers were basically held scoreless. They clearly miss Mills and the front kinda got pushed around. Xavier Watts tried to do his best to slow down Tyler Warren but Warren got his. Jordan Clark and Christian Gray were good all night. Gray was the one with the game sealing pick.

Penn State

This dude Abdul Carter is an absolute freak. The more you see him, the more there’s no doubt he’s a real blue chip player. He’s instinctive. Riley Leonard tried his QB Draw QB BS to start the game. Carter isn’t even moving. It’s like he’s standing still and boom, you’re done buddy. He’s not just a freak athlete. The brain to be where he needs to be works. He’s moving fast but slow at the same time. He’s just going to be a guy where you turn the card in and you sleep just fine at night.

Number 11 just wouldn’t let Leonard run at all. His rushing totals in this one were drastically different from last week. Zone read on the third possession. No chance you’re fooling him with that scrub Leonard. He’s banged up too and cleary has a shoulder injury. He’s literally out here winning every rep with one arm. He’s outrageous.

Guy was in the backfield on basically every snap. Had a boatload of sacks in this one. Could have called a penalty on the right tackle every play. Constantly being held. I don’t want to get carried away but he looks like a spitting image of Micah Parsons.

I just think we’re slowly finding out that Dani Dennis-Sutton is a real player too. Incredible strip sack right before the half. Left tackle for Notre Dame left the game and DDD feasted on him. How about the pick in the 4th he had? That was something. Those are the plays NFL guys make. Dude has serious length on him and wouldn’t have made this play otherwise. Dude has raised his stock a TON. Had two sacks and is building serious momentum.

The running backs both looked good. They would have lost by 100 if they didn’t. It’s hard not to fall in love with Nick Singleton. He has more pure speed for a big back than way most that come out. You’re out of your mind if you think this isn’t one of the premier backs in the class. Don’t care what anybody says. He’s as good or maybe even better than Saquon Barkley was in college. Right out of the gate, he catches a screen pass and it’s WOAH.

Tough to tackle. Continues to show serious leg drive. Big time runs in close. Weapon in the passing game. No shot he runs a slow 40 time. Just has a different burst to him.

Penn State offensive line did a really nice job in this one so can’t ignore that fact.

15 carries for 84 yards and three scores for Singleton. Two catches for 33 yards as well. Allen did his thing too. Nothing surprising on that end. He’s a quality power back. 19 carries for 82 yards for Allen.

They just don’t trust Drew Allar. Don’t care about the result of the game. He’s not ready for the NFL. When you’re calling run plays on third and six you don’t trust your guy. He’s not accurate enough. Got bailed out by a flag on a horrible pick inside the red zone. Horrible throw to Nick Singleton on a ball he probably should have caught but it was low and inside. Missed him again on the next play on a wide open wheel route. The guy might get horny off of having zero feel and feeling the need to throw everything 100 MPH for no reason. Arm power isn’t his problem.

By the way, he got bailed out by flags TWICE. Should have thrown two additional picks. The one in the fourth to Tyler Warren when he was triple covered was as bad as it gets.

The version we saw Allar play against Oregon was nowhere to be found. This is about the worst version I’ve seen of him ever. The positive is that he still can pick up first downs with his legs. It’s not burning speed but he’s a big body and not the easiest guy to bring down. Height and size on his side. Regardless, he was unplayable bad. Gave the game away with what should have been a third pick late in the 4th.

Notre Dame is playing heavy-man coverage. It’s man basically every snap. It’s not like it’s a case where he’s young and seeing crazy zones he’s not used to. Guy just stinks and it is what it is. This was a Karl won the argument game. Finished the game 12/23 with 135 yards and no touchdowns. Threw what should have been three picks and the one that stood lost them the game. Shout out to Greg McElroy for being the biggest dope on the planet!

Tyler Warren is literally lining up at quarterback every other play. They have no trust in Allar. He could have done more damage if Allar showed any ounce of accuracy. They have Warren out here attempting throws too.

He’s not slow. I think that’s the best thing he has going for him. Versatility is obviously a plus. We saw him high point the ball incredibly well against Boise. If you’re looking for reasons to believe, he can move. Not a clunky athlete and can actually nuance his way to stopping and starting with explosion out of the breaks.

Let’s just make one thing clear about Warren. I have this draft on the way but Garrett said it well during the game.

How about this one. I almost forgot Julian Fleming was on the team. Talk about a guy who has done literally nothing. I only noticed him because there was a run play where he clearly held but didn’t get called for it. Very concerning he’s a zero in this offense. Time to give up the former Ohio State product. Shame Harrison Wallace couldn’t get anything going either but it’s clear now he’s a very poor impersonation of KJ Hamler, Jahan Dotson, etc.

AJ Harris might be something. He’s kinda emerged as their top corner. He’s out here covering Mitchell Evans in the slot too early in the game to stop a third down. It’s the safeties who have started to grow on me more. Nice pick for Zakee Wheatley in this one and did a really nice job spying some of those QB draws. Looks long and played the ball well in the air.

Kobe King got cooked in coverage a few times. Not that it’s easy being a linebacker covering one on one but he’s much better in a role that doesn’t require him having to do that. He also got hurdled bad by a hampered Love.

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