2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Rose Bowl

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl was a total blowout. Ohio State beat Oregon in the rematch 41-21 in a game that was over by the first quarter. It was 34-0 before you could blink. Oregon has every right to be pissed about what happened given that they got punished for winning the Big 10 Title game and Ohio State would have been eliminated in any other year. That said, there is still plenty to talk about in terms of the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s have a chat and go over everything you need to know in this iteration of the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report!

Oregon

Hard to blame Dillon Gabriel for what happened. If you watched it, it just felt like a roster game for Ohio State. His guys weren’t open and the Ohio State edge rushers were winning their battles. Eight sacks for Ohio State and their corners won the battle this time, unlike last time. I’d argue the score would have been worse if you swapped QBs. Still was 29/41 for 299 yards and two scores. Not sure anything changed on this front. He can clearly play. Just has the same issue Bryce Young does.

Jordan James left the game early basically right away but that’s ok. I’ve seen more than enough from him this year. He’s on my list of backs I’m all for drafting. Very good player. Not like they had a run game without him, which goes back to the Gabriel point. There was no pathway for Gabriel to play superhero. Noah Whittington couldn’t do a damn thing filling in rushing for literally three yards on six carries.

Evan Stewart dead? The guy can’t be found. Where is he if not in witness protection? I guess he missed the game because of a back issue but was healthy all year so I don’t really get it. He has a past of being a knucklehead so something to keep in mind.

Traeshon Holden stepped up in his absence. A lot of the production came with the game already in hand but he finished with seven receptions for 116 yards and two scores. Kinda looks like Stewart physically but has a bit more height on him. Former Bama guy and honestly, he may be underrated based on playing behind Stewart and Tez Johnson. Has speed. Did anybody notice Stewart not being there because Holden filled the void just fine.

Speaking of Tez Johnson, he was totally shut down. They just weren’t going to let him beat them. Last time he torched them. This time five receptions for 32 yards of meh. Really the first time all season he looked like the under-recruited guy from Troy. Not sure this game changes a ton. He can definitely run and stretch the field. Going to be about expectations. How high are you willing to go for a guy who is 5-foot-10, 165? Certainly can find a role for him but what’s the draft day cost?

These Oregon tight ends are good. Terrance Ferguson had five receptions for 71 yards. Kenyon Sadiq might be the better player when he fills in next year. Both have size and can move better than they should.

Thought Derrick Harmon played well given the circumstances. Had two nice TFLs stopping the run. Made some plays to create pressure. It was Jordan Burch I was hoping for me. Burch has the athlete traits behind him. Not so much in the production department. Couldn’t find him at all.

I like this Jabbar Muhammad but he was outclassed by the Ohio State guys and he’s been grabby in the past. Bryce Boettcher is the guy who might be underrated here. Linebacker who led the team in tackles. Centerfielder for the baseball team and you can see his range out there.

Ohio State

Ohio State has the best roster in the sport. That’s so obvious. Will Howard sucks and I will refuse to spend a single second talking about him other than reminding you he sucks. I’ll bet my life he’s a zero at the NFL level. This team roster wise is just so much better than everyone else and you saw another example in this game.

TreVeyon Henderson is heating up! I’m telling you there’s something about the guy taking his game to another level in these type of games. Stupid amount of talent. Complete back and just has a gear that’s rarely found. He’s just a totally different breed and I’m not sure how to say it any other way. Eight carries for 94 yards and two scores but it’s almost like he’s prime JK Dobbins with more home run ability. Not just one of these small guys ripping off big runs. That’s a real back right there. Underrated hands too. Always shows up in the passing game having three more receptions in this one.

Quinshon Judkins continues to start and get a bulk of the workload. I’m not arguing with their strategy. Judkins is a good back too. I just think at this point we know who the better player is. 17 carries for 85 yards for Judkins. He’s been good since day one with Ole Miss as a freshman. Not sure we learned anything new here other than a continued confirmation both are NFL backs.

This 3 safety look with Caleb Downs just covering up sins everywhere is working. Hell of a job by both of the starting corners in this one. First time around, those guys lost. This time, they were awesome. Denzel Burke I’m not sure that guy lost a single rep during the entire game. Davison Igbinosun has been hit with PI’s in the past but played well. When he can not be overly physical and use it to his advantage, he’s hard to beat and has ball skills. Big fan of both with the obvious being that Downs has Hall of Fame potential.

I know this post is about the 2025 NFL Draft but holy hell Jeremiah Smith. That guy is something. It’s like Ohio State created Frankenstein and inserted Marvin Harrison back onto the team. He’s so ridiculous.

Emeka Egbuka did his usual. Sure looks like a JSN clone to me. Five receptions for 72 yards and this score. Credit to him for showing off the strong hands and finishing this play. I’m not sure how high his ceiling is but his floor is pretty high. He won’t suck. It’s a matter of how good he is.

Gee Scott made one really nice reception for 30 yards. He’s not a gritty blocker like Cade Stover was last year. He’s been there a while. I’m not sure if it’s a case of being overshadowed by the other guys in the passing attack. It’s just hard for me to get behind him as a legitimate starting TE at the NFL level. Curious to see what he looks like during the pre-draft stuff.

Cody Simon was a wrecking ball. Won the MVP on the defensive side. Maybe this is wrong but it’s definitely the best game I’ve seen him play. Stand up linebacker who checks in at 6-foot-2, 235 and totally impacted the game. Stats aren’t everything but they say a lot here (11 tackles, two sacks, three TFLs and a PBU). Guy played with his hair on fire.

Sonny Styles was more of an unheralded hero. He’s someone to really keep an eye on. Former converted safety now stand up linebacker. His range and speed for the position is noticeable. Plus coverage ability and can tackle. Looks like a real player.

Zero sacks the first time around. Eight sacks this time. I think my previous theory may have been on the nose here. During the long regular season, those guys were just playing too many snaps. Not enough capable bodies rotating in and giving them a breather. With time off and postseason play here, Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau has taken their game to another level.

Both were absolute animals during the game. They each had two sacks each. They also swatted a number of passes down. Something that hasn’t really plagued Gabriel this year but they were volleyball spiking a ton of his throws.

Sawyer might be better than the Sam Hubbard comps I’ve been giving him. Not sure Hubbard was making plays on the ball beyond getting to the QB like this. JTT should be a top ten pick in the draft and I’m taking him ahead of every other edge rusher in the draft.

May have been the best game I’ve seen by Tyleik Williams too. Not showing up on the stat sheet but it sure felt like he was constantly creating pressure in the pocket. Constantly winning his match up. Oregon couldn’t run the ball at all. Made life easier on those edge rushers too. Big reason those guys wrecked the game. If you really dig into the game, you notice him a lot beyond the stats.

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