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2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 5
2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 5
What a week of college football. The night game was a total banger and the information process for the 2025 NFL Draft continues to roll on. If you’re looking to get in on the action for football betting, the best odds can be found in the link! Let’s just get to the Week 5 notes!
The slate of games this week includes Virginia Tech vs. Miami, Washington vs. Rutgers, Kentucky vs. Ole Miss, Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State, Louisville vs. Notre Dame, Colorado vs. UCF, and Georgia vs. Alabama.
Virginia Tech
I guess Kyron Drones is related to Cam Ward. Hasn’t been accurate enough to take seriously to this point coming into the game. The game itself he was pretty solid. The feet we knew would be there but he actually made some clutch throws too. Still not efficient which is the whole problem. Two touchdowns, 1 pick, 5.7 yards per attempt, and 57.6%. It is what it is.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland came into the game with six sacks. He got another one in this one. Against the Miami offensive line, it was a good test. Thought he looked alright. Wasn’t blown away but could tell he at least has something to him.
Miami
Cam Ward has been a stud all year. Had a weird fumble to start the game. that looked like it would have been a forward pass if Tom Brady did it. It’s what happened after that really makes you fall in love.
Yes, I said love. How do you not love Cam Ward? More than anything, you can tell he’s got the right stuff inside of him. Mentally tough. Shakes off the weird play and comes out firing. Not hard to sense his confidence. Not hard to see this guy has real eye of the tiger stuff to him. Can tell he feels slighted by being under recruited. Has leadership stuff.
It’s takes a rare athlete to not just dominant but to make the opponent look foolish. This play action ball to Arroyo over the top got people hot and bothered. Put your chubby away!!!
Knows when to take off and run. Makes defenders play at his pace. Everything looks easy and just does whatever he wants.
This one was more of a rollercoaster than performances of the past. Second quarter makes an amazing throw for a touchdown on the run but it’s called back for holding. Next play he forces one trying to get the touchdown back and it’s picked off.
I don’t really care. People make mistakes. What people should care about is Ward’s ability to make the second play. In chaos, he keeps things alive and gives his guys a chance. Quick minded, quick footed, and hungry for more. I know it sounds like I’m blowing him. I’m not trying to. He just has so many nuances in his game that you have to be paying attention to.
Win, loss, it doesn’t matter to me in terms of the player evaluation. You’re never out of it with that guy on the field. Drives right down the field when times get tough. Finished the game 24/38, 343 passing yards, four touchdowns, two picks, and another score on the ground. The guy sleep walks his game to over 300 passing yards. It’s Virginia Tech. I’m very aware of this. But once again, if the draft is today, I’m turning the card in for Ward.
I don’t want to get carried away but the Jimmy Graham comps to Elijah Arroyo might not be ridiculous. That guy is huge but it’s really more about the way he runs. Guys built like that shouldn’t be able to run like that. It’s something to watch. Finished the game two for 88 and a score but who cares about that. It’s almost like Mike Evans and Jimmy Graham had sex and made a baby together to produce whatever that is. Guy is oozing with potential (and thank god because the tight end position in fantasy couldn’t be more of a dead wasteland).
Xavier Restrepo has hands. I trust him on any key down with a ball coming his way. Just finishes. Five for 60 in this one but it’s more than that. He’s just Mr. Reliable.
Can we get Damien Martinez involved in the passing game? First play of the game, he looks like a turd and doesn’t even really attempt to make a play out of a slightly off throw. Next play they go back to him on a screen for five yards. His value is going to be if he can do what Rhamondre Stevenson does in the passing game. He might just be a hammer in between the tackles guy and that’s ok. The guy is a load to tackle. I just wish he looked angrier doing it. Is he going to run hard at the next level or is he going to pull a D’Onta Foreman and only run when it best interests him looking for another contract? That part I’m not sure we know yet. 14 carries for 60 yards of shrug emoji.
Francisco Mauigoa missed the tackle on this touchdown run. Just making a note on it. Gotta have these.
Washington
This team shot themselves in the foot so many times. Missed field goals, penalties on a blocked field goal, turnovers, just awful all the way around. Probably could have won the game and little Belichick actually looked like he was doing a really good job making the adjustments to the adjustment. I don’t really have much beyond that.
Rutgers
Kyle Monangai!!!!!!
I know the Pacheco comps are going to be there. I’ve been guilty of saying the same thing. Except I think it’s time to take it a step further. Monangai is just better. I don’t know how he’s not better. If anything, he’s closer to being Ray Rice level good (character aside on Rice). 25 carries for 132 yards and a score in this one.
Kentucky
Jamon Dumas-Johnson certainly stands out just eye test wise. Seven tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1.5 TFLs in this one. Not hard to tell he’s a former Georgia player. Stands above the rest of that group.
You can tell Kentucky trusts Brock Vandagriff less and less. They’re just straight up taking him off the field to put in the running QB. He threw the ball better but it still wasn’t great. Guy was just throwing himself into car wrecks on the run in hopes of picking up first downs. The 4th down throw to win the game was certainly clutch but it was a total hope and prayer.
I think Kentucky might have better weapons than Ole Miss. The Wilcox kid has some juice to him. This is a team that could actually match up with them physically. Dane Key and Barion Brown can play. It just might be deeper than that. We saw some Maclin today. Yes, Ja’Mori Maclin, is the cousin of former NFL pro Jeremy Maclin. There were flashes.
Brown probably has the most upside. You can see the ability he has to stretch the field and make plays. Dane Key has some more size to him but isn’t a slow turd at 6-foot-3. Maclin only had one catch for two yards but he’s newer to the mix transferring in. Keep all three on the watch list.
I’m just not sure what you want me to say on this Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. Jersey tough. Has some Brock Holt to him. Clearly, he helps their team. We shall see what happens when Chip Trayanum returns. Looks like he can block. What’s going to matter is if he’s one of those turd Kentucky running backs like Benny Snell and Chris Rodriguez who can’t run enough to ever be something at the next level. Is Sumo-Karngbaye more juiced up to run better than those guys? We’re going to find out eventually. 11 carries for 47 yards in this one.
I don’t scout knickers. I’m not going to pretend like I know what I’m talking about with kickers. This guy he just doesn’t miss every time I watch this team. Alex Raynor making kicks while the Ole Miss guy shanked his was really the difference in the game.
Ole Miss
I’ve never really been a Jaxson Dart guy. At the same time, you have to give credit where credit is deserved. He’s improved as a passer. Always had the ability to take off and run to pick up the chains with the legs. Lane Kiffin clearly helps him with the up tempo style. However, this game is why I just can’t hop on board. Don’t care about the result. It’s a product of the game that’s being produced within the game. Sometimes you fall behind. Sometimes things work against you. Can you make keyhole throws that wills your team back into it? How many did we really get here? Is he really one of those dudes that elevates your team beyond the help you get on the field? Is he an automatic hand the NBA’s version of a hand the max contract to? I just don’t see that even if things develop in a positive direction. It’s almost like he’s Gardner Minshew and Bo Nix combined. His stat line at the end of the game was basically identical to Vandagriff, which is the whole problem. He also had zero production throwing to anyone who wasn’t Tre Harris.
This was really the first I’ve seen of Walter Nolen in an Ole Miss uniform. He was worth whatever they’re paying him. Made a bunch of plays in the backfield. Has an NFL body.
Jared Ivey might be better ^. Just saying. Both defensive lines on each team won their battles.
Ole Miss started slow. Henry Parish really sparked them in the second half. Ripped off some big runs. Miami has so many backs that he transferred here to take the Judkins job. Went down in the third with what looked like an ankle. Came back in the game. Then got banged up again with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. 13 carries for 62 yards and a score. Think he can play. A matter of how good he really is.
I might sound like a broken record here because I think we went over this pretty well last year. I like Tre Harris. I just hope our expectations are in line with where they should be. He’s not DK Metcalf or AJ Brown. I do, however, think he’s better than Jonathan Mingo. He’s similar to Mingo from a size element but he’s way more consistent in the things that matter. Guy gets open and actually has hands with the ability to make more out of what’s given to him. What I more so mean is has good start stops to him. Creates real separation. Just not freaky freak. I just don’t see him being a tilt the field guy.
Terrible fumble that really screwed them in the third quarter. Comes right back and scores this clutch touchdown on 4th down. At this point, it’s pretty obvious he needs to be on the radar and has talent.
Caden Prieskorn almost saved the season. Key 4th down to save the game on a prayer throw, guy high points it like a boss.
Perkins. Sheesh. That’s all.
Oklahoma State
I’m not sure any player confuses me right now more than Ollie Gordon. I genuinely have no idea truly about how good he is. I think he’s better than Chuba Hubbard. I’m just not sure by how much more. He’s bigger than he gets credit for. One play caught a check down and just lowered his shoulder and powered through the defender. It’s also Kansas State and BYU ran through them like a hot knife through butter. Against Arkansas and Utah, he didn’t look good. Today was a much different story. Ran downhill with power and actually got out in space making big plays happen. Finished with 15 carries for 76 yards in what was his best performance and actually made a difference in the fact that the score would have been worse without him.
Kansas State
If they ever get that Avery Johnson to truly figure it out in the passing game, look out. The problem is that might never happen. He’s got a LONG way to go in that area. The good news is time is on his side. If that guy has the light bulb moment, uh oh in a good way.
DJ Giddens, thank you for showing your worth. Coming in I wasn’t sure why they didn’t just give 80% of the snaps to Dylan Edwards. Not a smurf either like some of these smaller guys that came through there like Deuce Vaughn. Good that he has that size while keeping the speed of past K State backs. Giddens had 15 carries for 187 yards and a score. Edwards only had eight carries and is clearly the backup as the underclassman.
Colorado
Turn the card in for Ohtani. Just turn the card in for Ohtani. How many more weeks do we even have to talk about it?
Ok, fine. I’ll talk about it some more. I just don’t know what you want me to say that I haven’t already. That guy is an alien. Whatever is in his DNA isn’t human. If you’re putting limits on what this guy can do, that’s just a mistake. He’s the best cornerback in the country. It’s a matter of if he’s also the best receiver too. Every week he makes you think about it a little harder. What’s standing out more and more is how he’s setting up DBs as a receiver. You can tell that he knows what the DB is going to do from playing the position and just goes on these option routes that wreck the game.
The interception this week was insane. So is the fact that he’s basically playing every snap on both sides of the ball. Adding in that he also notched nine receptions for 89 yards and a score.
Will Sheppard finally did something. This contested catch stuff is what he was brought into do. He’s been really disappointing but good to see he finally did what he is capable of.
Shedeur Sanders is damn good. He’s just such a trustworthy point guard. Makes big plays down the field. That continues to be consistent. And they needed him to be that to even stay in this game. Had a rough pick to start the game where he didn’t see the defender. Came back and just threw ropes the whole game. Don’t see why his splash throws down the field wouldn’t be sustainable at the next level. Shedeuer just has great feel and poise. You see it every week. Never leaves a game where he isn’t efficient too. Finished this one with 290 yards on 28/35 with 3 touchdowns and one pick. If KJ Jefferson could throw the ball like this down the field, the score would have been flipped. Instead, it’s Colorado winning 48-21 in a route.
The CU running game got going in this one. Certainly helps make this offense more balanced. Dallan Hayden returned but he wasn’t even the story. It was Arkansas transfer Isaiah Agustave who did most of the heavy lifting.
Jimmy Horne and LaJontay Wester are just worth monitoring. For as flawed as this Colorado team is, they don’t lack weapons. Both can play. TBD by how much.
UCF
RJ Harvey. I’m lowkey in? I like him more than I want to admit. Insert flex emoji here. Has a good blend to him. Speed / power looks good. No question anymore it’s his backfield. Made a monster play in the passing game beating a linebacker over the top for a touchdown. Did cough up a fumble but he’s clearly a threat with the ball in his hands. 16 attempts for 77 on the ground and four for 92 and a score through the air.
KJ Jefferson just can’t figure it out. Over and over again he’s just not good enough as a passer. It’s like I’m in a sick alternate universe where I’m Drew Barrymore from 50 first dates except I remember the same BS over and over again. Get him going with the up tempo smoke and mirrors and you just might fall into the trap again. Nothing really has changed here. He’s a bad impression of Cam Newton that really isn’t good at anything other than being a battering ram, which only gets you so far at this position. Taysom Hill?
This may have been the best blocking performance I’ve seen from Colorado. Not a good sign for the UCF DT’s I’ve been hyping up. Just eye test wise, I think it’s pretty clear by now Lee Hunter > Ricky Barber if you have to rank the two.
Georgia
Carson Beck played like trash. What do you want me to say other than that was awful. It was like he was blind. It should have been worse than it was. Should have thrown at least two more picks than he actually threw and that’s being generous. I just don’t know what he’s even seeing out there. Throws a good ball but is he really one of these aircraft carrier athletes?
Second half was much better and you have to wonder how much of it was coaching. How much of it was Kalen DeBoer knowing this system. Remember, he beat up Dan Lanning twice as an underdog last year with Washington. His initial gameplan was off the charts and Georgia looked lost the first 20 minutes of the game. Can’t put that all on Beck.
Deserves credit for almost getting them back in the game. When you see the good flashes, they are wow flashes. He’s big and drops bombs down the field. Two of the three picks actually weren’t on him but he should have thrown more than he actually did if that makes sense. Both picks were on Colbie Young. The first for not running the right route. The second for just having zero effort on a jump ball at the end of the game. His best throw was this one. It was one of the few times he didn’t telegraph something and actually used a pump fake to win the rep.
27/50 for 439 passing yards and three picks/touchdowns each. Screw the stats. Here are my real thoughts after the game.
My QB board has shifted. It’s Cam Ward, Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders, and Jalen Milroe in that order. Beck does too many things well to totally write him off. The hype is real. He’s big, throws a damn good ball, and can move. He’s sort of like Matthew Stafford with more mobility but less horse power in the arm. Think he will be a quality starter. What range that actually falls in remains to be seen. Guess what? Very real chance these teams play again… or maybe even two more times.
Jalon Walker is the go to pass rusher for this team. You can see Kirby is dialing him up every chance he gets. Alabama didn’t give up a sack the entire game. I’d have to watch it more closely for every single rep but there’s no doubt he’s freaky and fast.
Malaki Starks did his best to cover up the sins but couldn’t save the entire secondary. Daylon Everette certainly lost his fair share of matchups on the outside. The middle linebackers didn’t wreck the game but I thought Smael Mondon had a good showing. Had a nice pass deflection in this one. If you want to bang on CJ Allen (who will be a monster) for getting beat over the top on an RB wheel route, you knock yourself out. I won’t.
Too bad Oscar Delp couldn’t look less like Brock Bowers. Maybe Georgia would have got pummeled less if he was Brock Bowers. Delp has not played well at all. Two bad drops in this one. He’s been stock down all year.
Solid day for Trevor Etienne. No real complaints. Did Etienne things but they were down from the jump so it’s hard to really dive into it.
Dillon Bell keeps making plays. Had a rushing touchdown. Won that deep ball over the top. Again, I don’t know what he is but if that’s a tight end, I’m interested. Chess piece that keeps getting better at being a weapon. Has to be on the radar the more and more he’s involved.
Dominic Lovett will be a functional slot guy at the next level. Won’t be as crafty as Ladd McConkey but I think we’ve seen enough to know he can play, at this point.
Arian Smith is the one who is actually getting better. Always could run but now he’s finally making real plays. Six receptions for 132 yards and a score. Not big and have to be calculated how you use him. When I say fast, I mean fast. Just needs to keep polishing his game to be that real receiver.
Alabama
It all came together for Jalen Milroe. I’ve been trying to warn you this was coming. Maybe not this exactly but the warning signs were there. 4.35 or something close to it is coming at the Combine. Lamar Jackson wishes he could run like this. That brilliant MFer DeBoer keeps oozing in him. Throwing the ball better and played great. Touch accuracy will never be elite and the pick was sort of on him for the ball being behind the intended target. Still, just looks way more confident just in the pocket making decisions. Has an absolute cannon on him. It’s an A- arm strength and his pure arm power is better than what Beck has.
The point is a lot of people thought what we’re seeing now was impossible. How much of this is DeBoer responsible for? This is what I tried to tell you about Michael Penix. If DeBoer oozed into Milroe like this, shouldn’t the Falcons be nervous? Getting Milroe to walk out of a game like this throwing 27/33 felt impossible two years ago. His rushing ability is already next level. Gotta keep him managed throwing wise but we’re no longer talking about a project. This is a real prospect.
These linebackers are something. How about how great they did in coverage? Jihaad Campbell with a pick. Deonte Lawson was inches away from a pick six. Athletic and are showing they can wreck the game. How can you not be impressed? In on both and Lawson keeps giving me CJ Mosely flashbacks. The fact that Campbell is doing this after “playing the wrong position for two years” (Nick Saban’s words not mine) needs to be talked about.
Germie Bernard is a yes for me. Nothing sexy just 25 receiving yards but he’s got ability. It’s just that the 17-year-old is a freak.
Quick Hitters:
I planned on primarily watching the UCF/ Colorado game during the 3:30 window but it was in a weather delay until 4:20. As I always do everything Saturday, I flip back and forth a bunch. Just going to drop some quick thoughts to wrap up the week from game snippets I saw.
Ashton Jeanty… Woah.
Miller Moss is better than Cody Kessler but worse than Caleb Williams. Can we agree on that? Wisconsin really isn’t good but he played well and has some baller qualities to him.
Tawee Walker > Chez Mellusi
Tyler Shough > Riley Leonard
Jarquez Hunter is underrated and looks a lot like Tank Bigsby with more passing ability upside.
Nic Scourton had two sacks and four TFLs. Guy looked like a monster out there.
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