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2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Conference Championship Week
2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Conference Championship Week
Dare to indulge me on a rant before I get into the meat and potatoes of the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report notes this week? The slate includes a bunch of great games, obviously, but that’s the storyline. This 12 team playoff is BS and creates a scenario where these games really don’t matter. The 2025 NFL Draft is really the only reason to watch this past weekend.
What’s worse is the committee is trash and has no ability to think beyond what the win loss record tells them. Nobody thinks SMU is better than Alabama who is a rational person. Nobody with an IQ above 40 thinks Indiana should be in there over Ole Miss or South Carolina. There will be consequences based on the actions of the committee and they’re going to include the SEC being more powerful than the sport itself. It’s what they deserve based on the lack of leadership within the sport.
There is a really simple solution for the college football playoff. If they just simply took an altered version of the Champions League format, there would never be a discussion about who is in and who isn’t. It’s really not that hard to figure out. The good news is despite how trashy the format is, every game counts in terms of the evaluation for the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s the most valuable piece of information we can get from these games. It is what it is. Let’s understand it and proceed from thre.
The Conference Title Game slate for the 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report includes UNLV vs. Boise State, Iowa State vs. Arizona State, Georgia vs. Texas, Penn State vs. Oregon, and Clemson vs. SMU. SEO is making me list out 2025 NFL Draft for the keyword so if you see that pop in an unnecessary amount of times, you know why. Just a heads up on why the 2025 NFL Draft word is listed so many times, think nothing of it.
UNLV
QB Draw. Talked about it all last week. UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. Guess what he’s good at? Guess what we needs work on? He’s not a 2025 NFL Draft talking point. He’s a Taysom Hill talking point.
It was definitely cold. Both teams were putting the ground all over the place. Not sure what else to say there but the weather certainly looked like it was at least a small factor.
Weird game. A lot of up-tempo nonsense so that they could put the defense right back on the field. Jackson Woodard and Jalen Catalon. Both are NFL players. At this point, we’ll see how they look at the Combine and go from there. I’ll say this though. I like the instincts of Woodard. That’s Jack Campbell except better. Catalon has proved he’s healthy, which was his biggest red flag in the past.
Boise State
I think the broadcast said it best. Everything was on the line. The spot in the playoff. Even the Heisman Trophy (which really was decided last week but the Boise State running back will still attend the event). This is a rematch and there is no question UNLV did the best job of any team at slowing down Ashton Jeanty. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry and didn’t have a single carry over 20-yards the last time they played. This game was a much different story Jeanty was outstanding finishing the game with 32 carries for 209 yards and a score. Also caught two passes too.
Some quick obvious bullet points off the top. Him and Jahmyr Gibbs have the same pre-snap stance where they stand stiff legged. It works for them but it’s still so weird to look at. Hard to tackle, compact, and has incredible balance. Those things are obvious standouts with Jeanty.
He has good patience too. He has feel to him. Not just trying to force these home run balls but there is also a burst to his game in short area. Had a few nice plays in pass pro and looks more than capable in that area. You would think he’s forcing it with the amount of long runs he’s creating but that’s really not the case. This isn’t Reggie Bush running side ways out athleting people.
I don’t think what he’s doing is some fluke. The missed tackles were out of control but I don’t think it’s from UNLV being a clown show team. He’s legit. It’s a matter of how comfortable you are taking him to the point where you’re actually getting surplus value on the pick. How much better is he than the other running backs and even is he? Those are the questions that matter at this point.
What I didn’t expect to say is that maybe these defensive ends are pretty underrated. Maybe it’s not just a Jeanty show because those two absolutely impacted the game. This Jayden Virgin-Morgan might be something. Had a sack and two TFLs in this one. More to learn there. The safety Seyi Oladipo made some nice plays as a blitzer too.
Iowa State
This Rocco Becht is a little bit of a baller. Can’t you just see him stepping into a backup duty and lighting it up for a week. Feels like he could be a great 7th inning reliever for someone. Brock Purdy became better than what people thought. Why can’t Becht do the same? By the way, both Purdy and Becht have elevated Iowa State. Previous QBs who aren’t nearly as good, Iowa State stunk.
Becht has great feel to him. Pretty good at setting his feet and making the right decision. He’s sneaky quick footed like Purdy too. Not a statue. Purdy got killed once upon a time in the Big 12 Title game too. Good enough to get them to that point. Not cyborg enough to win the damn thing by himself. That’s ok. Respect is deserved either way.
Iowa State back couldn’t stop fumbling. That really felt like the nail in the coffin for this game. Ball security is job security. Can’t happen.
Beyond that, I’m not sure how much there is to talk about here. Arizona State was pulling starters by the third quarter. It was 45-10 at the start of the 4th. I could smack talk guys but what’s the point? Darien Porter is a corner with great size but never impacted the game. These two wide receivers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are incredibly mediocre). Don’t care what their numbers were. Higgins is a bad impression of Hakeem Butler and Noel is a tiny slot guy who couldn’t do a damn thing until garbage time. Higgins is probably better but likely out on both.
Arizona State
It’s hard to hate Bo Skattebo. One things I’ve noticed over time with the player is that it looks like he’s redefined his body. Has real power. Not one of these powder puff chubby guys. Can see he hits the gym. Breaks tackles and stays on his feet. He looks like a real running back too. Not someone who is thriving in college but in reality is a fullback. AKA why people missed on Ben Sinnott.
I feel like I could show 30 highlights from this game. The one below will do because all of his runs looked like this. Pin balling off dudes, keeping his balancing, running for more yards, still going, running for more, finally taken down for a huge gain. The former Sacramento State product finished the game with 16 carries for 170 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught another touchdown.
The long runs he broke in this game were so impressive. Just dudes bouncing off him while keeping incredible contact balance. The way he can gather his feet and move in motion with a chain element is impressive. The box score speaks for itself but it’s really the way he’s doing it feels sustainable. Made a few nice hand catches too. Not clunky and smoother pure athlete than you think. Works up field quickly after catching the ball too. Looks like his mind connects to his feet. Hard to ignore this game. Big stock up. Payton Hillis was relevant once upon a time but he never looked this smooth with hands. Mike Allstot with modern evolution may have actually happened.
This Sam Leavitt sure doesn’t look terrible. Jordyn Tyson didn’t play in this one either taking away his top target. Hey, look at that, another QB who scores on a QB draw. I guess this is football now but Leavitt can throw too. The deep shot on the 4th and 1 early in the game was a good ball. He made a bunch of great plays with his feet. Are we sure Michigan State picked the right guy?
Speaking of Tyson being out, boy did this Xavier Guillory. Showed off some serious catch radius on some of these grabs. Two catches, two touchdowns. Both were great plays.
Georgia
Kirby Smart has them boys on defense organized. Yes, he has players but I don’t think this is his most talented team top to bottom. Linebackers are elite but beyond that? God they’re good and prepared. No eye candy cheese. A lot of those run after the catch BS plays around the line of scrimmage just didn’t happen. That’s coaching. You the uneducated viewer can blast Quinn Ewers if you want to. This is SEC football and defense is played on a significantly different level. That’s the truth. You can either listen or not but my track record speaks for itself.
Make no mistake about it. This defense still has a few dudes. Malaki Starks had one play where he was a bit late to react but I don’t care. He’s a stud and the number one safety in the class. Smael Mondon was all over the place. Just covers up so many sins. I can keep repeating myself but you’re on crack if you don’t think he’s one of the best linebackers in the class. I don’t think people understand how good you have to be to even start based on the talent they have on the rest of the roster. The linebacker room at this school is ridiculous. You will be hearing plenty in the future from the underclassmen they have behind him.
Then there’s Mykel Williams who isn’t Jalen Carter but he’s the closest thing he has to resembling that. Although, I think Mykel probably is going to be at his best as a 3-4 defensive end. Sure, it helps Kelvin Banks didn’t play but this guy wrecked Banks the last time they played. Three techs like this don’t grow on trees. I got no problem turning the card in here. 6-foot-5, 265, freaky with power. Two sacks and two TFLs in this one.
Every great defense has a MFer like this on it. You gotta have them. Lion tammer.
Daylen Everette was a big factor the last time these two played and comes up with another turnover in the early stages of the game. He’s shined in both of these matchups. Wrecking ball as a surprise blitzer. Clutch interception. Still a bit handsy in coverage. Had a bad PI at the end of the 4th. Both of his best games of the year have been against Texas. Raising your level of play against level of comp matters. Two picks, a key pass breakup, the guy was awesome. He’s always been talented but you can see the development. Long AF too. Lightbulb moments are happening for him.
Trevor Etienne had a ton of success against a really good Texas defense the last time this game was played. He’s been banged up down the stretch and his status heading into the game was shaky but he suited up. The Georgia run game hasn’t been the same when he’s not out there. It was a rib injury so maybe he’s back, back now. Like last time, Etienne really made a huge difference in the game.
By the way… Coach Smart is right ^. They don’t win without Etienne. He’s the one who allowed Georgia to control the pace of the game and keep things moving on offense.
16 carries for 94 yards and two scores. Also caught five balls serving as a nice checkdown option. Freshy Frazier also looked much better too not being forced to carry the entire rushing attack. Check in the elusiveness category. Not sure he’s a burner burner but he can run. Much thicker than older brother Travis too. I’ve viewed Trevor as the much better prospect and that continues to stay the same for me. I think he’s a starter at the NFL level. Can do a lot of different things and has the wiggle to stay productive.
Classic Arian Smith. Fast but isn’t a real football player. Makes a big play in the first quarter but it’s because of defensive PI and he celebrated like he won the Super Bowl having the game winning catch. Screw him. Cute track guy. Nothing beyond that. Guy stinks. Anybody see him jump into a drop on that play in the second quarter? Guy has absolutely no feel on being a real receiver. To his credit, he was used on a fake punt and fell on a fumble down field. Otherwise, he once again brought nothing to the table.
I just don’t know how much blame you can put on Carson Beck. Offense isn’t putting up points but his targets are lowkey terrible. This might sound crazy but I may go as far as to say this year should be viewed as a positive. Nobody else will view it this way but this is the information process. We’ve now seen what Beck can do when he has great help. We’ve seen what he can do when his help sucks. Why criticize those data points? Be thankful we saw them. How am I supposed to blame Beck for throwing dots right on the money to bum Arian Smith only to watch him jump cheese drop everything thrown his way. This Texas defense is very legit too.
Gunnar Stockton finished the second half after Beck got hurt on the failed hail marry attempt right before the half. Looked the same kinda injury Brock Purdy had in the NFC Title Game a few years ago against Philly but we don’t know for sure as I’m typing this. Doesn’t mean the evaluation has to stop. What does the offense look like without Beck? That’s not the worst thing to see. You can see Stockton can move but you can it’s clearly not the case of Beck can’t get the receivers to play well but Stockton can. It’s clearly the receivers just aren’t very good. The tight ends are way better than the receivers on this team. It’s getting that group to play well which should be possible. Guess what we saw more than anything with the back up? QB Draw…
Georgia was clearly better on offense with Beck. The pick Stockton threw towards the end of the game was puke worthy. There was essentially zero passing offense with Stockton in the game.
Let’s talk about these tight ends. None of them are on the same planet as Brock Bowers. That’s obvious now and probably has been for a good amount of time. Oscar Delp had three catches. Ben Yurosek had two. Lawson Luckie had one. None of them are wrecking the game but they are starting to be more involved. They have to based on the receivers stinking. I’m still waiting for Delp to have a wow game but it still hasn’t happened. Yurosek seems like more of a waste of time but Luckie has a chance to pop next year. That’s how it looks to me right now. Delp could be a gem in the later rounds. I still don’t think we’ve seen his full toolbox.
Nazir Stackohouse is going to be a nice late round nose tackle for someone. Although, I think the bigger story here is that Warren Brinson is really emerging as another dude along the front. He played great. 2.5 TFLs and a sack. Just thought he was awesome in this one.
Texas
Kelvin Banks did not play today. We noted that he left the Texas A&M game early last week. Trevor Goosby did a really good job in his place all things considered. Chambliss got a sack in the first quarter but Gunnar Helm the tight end was left on an island to block. Georgia had six sacks but I really don’t think the line did a bad job. If anything, the right tackle Cameron Williams who has been doing a great job got exposed in this one. Sometimes that happens when you play elite players. This line still has several draftable players.
Isaiah Bond stinks. He looks like if Jaylen Waddle got zapped by the Monstars. At this point, I’m convinced people who think he is it’s solely based on the helmets he’s worn. I’m not sure I’d take him if he was sitting there in the 7th round. What’s he good at? Forget that, his effort stinks too. Also, made another bone headed play picking a defender getting an offensive PI when he could have avoided it or acted better. Picks up a stupid holding call in the second quarter that brought back a nice gain. He sucks. Stop pretending otherwise. Not that talent and acts like he’s wonderful.
Finished the game with one catch for 22 yards. Forget the stats. To me, you see a lack of effort and bone headed mistakes watching the game. Plus he’s tiny. What exactly is there to get excited about?
Let’s be real about it. If you’re going to take one of these small fast guys, I’d rather have this Silas Bolden and hope he can be what the Cowboys have in Turpin. Give me that over this con job of Bond. The play Bolden made where he made a big catch across the middle and held onto the ball. Bond hasn’t made a play like that all year. Plus, Bolden is like 150 pounds and tough. Better in the open field. What am I missing? Little receiver who can go over the middle and do this? Great in space? Forget Bond. I’d rather invest here.
In fact, I think this Matthew Golden, transfer from Houston, might be their best receiver. Eight catches for 162 yards in this one. Not overly big at 6-foot but he’s far more complete than the others on the roster.
This Vernon Broughton has really started taking steps forward. Sweat and Murphy leaving has been noticeable but late in the season Broughton has come through. Stopped a key third and short to force a punt jumping over the top of a pile. Second on the team with 6 tackles. Not an easy thing to do as a DT.
Quinn Ewers really made some quality big time throws down the field in this one. Hating him and thinking Texas is making some crazy mistake not playing Arch Manning is laughable to anyone who believes that. Even the throws that weren’t completed, he gave his guys a chance more often than not. Probably could have been more numbers if his guys finished. 6.5 air yards per attempt prior to the game. One of the lowest marks in the country. This game was different. A lot more fastballs down the field. Got fooled one time on a ball that should have been picked when he thought it was man and the safety peaked over. That’s been a weakness of him. He gets fooled pre-snapped a lot but how much of that is coaching and how much of that is just him not understanding defenses yet. When we project forward, it’s hard to say.
27/46 for 358 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. If Texas had played more complementary football, I bet he looks better. Hard to do that while being constantly underpressure, having no elite wide out, and averaging 1.1 yards per rush. Don’t put this on Ewers. I promise you one QB doesn’t determine the outcome of a game that has this many good players.
This Quintrevion Wisner just keeps getting better. Keeps transforming into more of a real running back the more you see him. The problem is this is Georgia. Still think he’s impressed this year all things considered. As long as you remember he’s the third string back. The more discouraging part is that Jaydon Blue really can’t do anything except catch.
How about some of the hits in this game. Some of these random humans would have died. Andrew Mukuba isn’t just some cover guy. The hit he laid out in OT on Gunnar Stockton… woah. I was super impressed by him. I’ve liked his ball skills in the past but this dude really brought it tackling. Helped in run support, made TFLs. Texas stole this guy from Clemson.
Penn State
Nick Singleton is a good back. Maybe even a great back. I know their offense is weird and outdated but that’s a stud right there. Clear and obvious. Recruiting background supports that claim. Size and speed are check marks. His pass catching ability is a check too. Looks like studs of the past with evolution of pass catching ability.
10 carries for 105 yards along with four catches for 43 yards and a score. It hasn’t always been elite level play but things are clicking now. I’m just telling you right now, I’m not sure I’m taking any back over this guy. Fast, big body, can catch, with power. Hell of a burst too. Love list guy for sure.
Kaytron Allen was fantastic two. Penn State is at their best when those two guys work together. 14 carries for 124 yards and a score. He’s got some nasty in him too. Good between the tackles. Can win short yardage. Think he’s above turd mode too. Thick but not slow either. I bet his 40 time is more than fine. He should be drafted too.
It’s amazing how big of a part of the offense that Tyler Warren is. I still don’t really know how good he is. Pertty decent athlete. Not a clunky mover. Not sure he’s an A hands catcher. Does he scare you in terms of gameplanning? Does he command double teams? I’m not sure about the whole blue chip thing here. He’s an odd player to watch. He’s like an H-back but a way better receiver than to describe him that but also not going to high point and do the Gesicki things. A playmaker but is he really a unicorn like Gronk? Seven catches for 84 yards. He’s been doing good things all year. I just don’t know how you can think what he’s doing is 100% translating to NFL football.
Drew Allar deserves some credit. He may not be better than Dillon Gabriel right now but he has the potential to be. Gabriel was lighting it up and Allar had to play shot for shot. Something he’s basically never had to do. Guy put together some very nice drives with big throws mixed in there. I think it’s safe to say this was Allar’s best game ever.
They opened it up. Throwing it all over the lot with success. Some mistakes but the things he was doing it this one haven’t been there all year. 5.8 yards per attempt still not ideal but I think you have to be encouraged by this. The Josh Allen comps are stupid but it’s plays like this from a size and power standpoint delivering the ball down the field where you’re like… ok… we have something here.
Three touchdowns and two picks. He’s not overly fast but he can move. More of a battering ram but it’s not nothing. Just go back to school Drew. Take another leap next year and let’s revisit this. That has to be the plan.
This Abdul Carter is a freak. All you gotta do is watch some of the plays where he’s in run and chase mode bringing a guy down he has no business even being in the play for. It’s remarkable. He stood up more than he’s been doing as a linebacker too. I bet he runs a woah 40 time. No question he’s legit. Kobe King had a pretty nice game too. Penn State has some underrated guys on that defense that are worth further looks.
Oregon
Big test for Josh Connerly. I’m a huge fan and think he’s a big reason why Oregon has been good this year. Big test for Jordan James too. Hello, Abdul Carter and the 9th ranked defense at stopping the run. They went right at Carter in the run game, which they should be doing. The guy used to be a standup linebacker. He’s literally taken the Micah Parsons transition into DE. Thought Oregon was productive running at his side. Zero sacks allowed. Never a time where it felt like Gabriel was running for his life. I’ve seen enough from Connerly. I’ll turn the card in for him. I can’t imagine I’m taking many tackles ahead of him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ditto for the other in game battle. Jalen Kimber and AJ Harris have played very well this year. It seems that they trust both of them. Penn State has played a ton of man coverage these year comparatively speaking across the country. Penn State also really hasn’t played anybody. This is the real test. Hello, Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart. Both of whom tore up Ohio State’s corners.
Think the play speed with Tez Johnson really stands out. Looks fast and plays fast. Zoom zoom mode. Skinny but talented. Evan Stewart was held in check. Someone with access to this information or someone needs to go back and track the corner assignments. 11 catches for 181 yards and two scores for Tez. Stewart did literally nothing. Tez just keeps doing it. Yes, smaller, but I’m willing to entertain him being legit. Open space the way he moves and converts. Hard to hate on him. He’s only 160 if lucky but he’s so damn quick that I think you have to take him seriously.
I’m in love with this Jordan James. He runs behind his pads. Gets yards after contact. What Dan Lanning really has brought to this program is physical power. James is from Tennessee. Oregon just used to have fast guys. Now they have SEC backs. I’m telling you he’s good and the fact that he ate into Bucky Irving last year speaks volumes. 20 carries for 87 yards and two scores. Three receptions for James too. James is the type of guy you can tell he aces those feet ladder drills. Hesi and go with power. Big fan. Huge fan.
Maybe Noah Whittington is pretty good too… His role has expanded as the season has gone along. The only difference is, Whittington looks like Oregon backs of the past who haven’t turned into anything. More speed than real back. He’s grown on me but I’d guess James leaves for the NFL and he’s the starter next year. We’ll find out more than.
Dillon Gabriel is still a baller. I know he’s short. I know he’s a limited arm talent. It’s like watching a combination of Tua and Bryce Young but knowing he’s like the less talented cousin. He can play and I don’t care what anybody says. He can get the ball to where it needs to go and a lot of QBs can’t in this era. He’s not a QB draw queen like some of these other clowns. Guy was fantastic. 95.4 QBR and did whatever he wanted. 8.8 yards per attempt, 4TD, and no picks. Eye level really good. Big strikes down the field. Penn State defense is legit. Lack of size didn’t feel like a factor. I just don’t know what more there is to say. Magical performance and they needed every bit of it. Gabriel is very much a factor in the 2025 NFL Draft and someone will get someone very capable when he’s called into duty.
This 28 on defense might be something. Apparently he’s the centerfielder on the baseball team. Guy tackles and those backs are not easy to tackle. Keep an eye on this Boettcher. He’s unique in a good way.
Bad Derrick Harmon game. Check yourself into a rehab if you think that’s a first round DT. Had a sack and TFL but I thought he was mostly terrible. Chewed up in the run game. Never wrecked the game with fancy pass rush. If he really controlled the game, Penn State wouldn’t have rushed for 297 yards. Thought the Penn State O Line got the better of him. Jordan Burch was basically a zero too but at least he has tools. This Harmon I don’t see high end potential either. When it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft, you better have several guys ahead of him. This is a depth piece and nothing more.
Clemson
Clemson have been front runners all year. Haven’t beaten a quality team all year. Have bullied everyone they should. Especially the offense. Cade Klubnik has just been shut down against anyone who is competent. QB draw queen. Look 4 touchdowns is cool but what’s the level of comp? Couldn’t do that against South Carolina who apparently isn’t in the playoff over this SMU team that got torched. It will never make sense but whatever.
I’ve already gone on the Phil Mafah rant. He’s been ass like four weeks in a row now. Had a few good games against bad teams. I don’t care anymore. You can have him. SMU was dead and only got back into the game because Mafah stinks. You didn’t watch if you saw it any other way. 13 carries for 28 yards. Clemson wins by 17 or more if he literally does anything. Couldn’t close the game and SMU almost won because Mafah blows ass. That’s the truth.
Sammy Brown is the best player on that team. Insane how he’s overshadowed Barrett Carter. By the way, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Carter. It’s just that you can’t ignore that other dude and he’s going to be there awhile.
SMU
Remember what I said about Kevin Jennings in Week 0? Weird to see how that puppy has played out, huh… It was a cute performance. I like the guy. Go back to school. Maybe for two years. He’s got more levels to climb but has potential. Shouldn’t go in the 2025 NFL Draft but he’s not a zero either.
The SMU back is significantly better than Mafah. This Mafah should quit football. He digusts me.
How anyone watches this team and thinks they belong in the playoff… Covid should have eliminated more of those people and I don’t apologize for it. Thank god we have the 2025 NFL Draft to talk about. God bless the pure college football people forced to cover this nonsense. I couldn’t imagine.
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Trey Daubert
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