Risen Star
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My first look at the 2025 class has the lowest number of true first-round grades I've ever awarded. The final list in 2024 had 18 names on it, and the 2023 list had 20. This year, we're at ... 12. There is still time for things to change and that number to grow, but here are the players who deserve a first-round grade on my board right now. (Players' overall rankings are in parentheses after their names.)
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Quarterback (0)
One year after seeing six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, the 2025 class has zero passers with a true first-round grade. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward would have both been ranked behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and even J.J. McCarthy in 2024.
Both Sanders and Ward are talented and have the potential to rise in the pre-draft process, but I wouldn't be comfortable calling them first-round prospects based on this season's tape. That doesn't mean they won't be drafted in the first round. In fact, it's a safe bet that both get drafted in the top five selections; quarterbacks always go early.
Running back (1)
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (No. 7)
Comp: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Jeanty's 2024 stats have become a thing of legend. Prior to Boise State's Fiesta Bowl matchup with Penn State, Jeanty topped the nation with 2,497 yards (only 131 behind Barry Sanders for the most in a single season) and 29 touchdowns while accumulating 1,600 yards after contact.
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Jeanty is a punishing runner with patience, vision and runaway speed, and he can also catch passes out of the backfield and stand up to pass rushers while in pass protection. The Heisman runner-up is a rare, true blue-chip running back prospect.
Wide receiver (3)
Travis Hunter, Colorado (No. 1)
Comp: Odell Beckham Jr., free agent
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hunter won the Heisman Trophy because of his two-way ability, but I think his biggest NFL impact will come at receiver, which is why I rated him here. (He'd be my No. 2 cornerback if he exclusively played defense). Hunter's playmaking ability, burst in space and easy speed are a joy to watch.
He's electric on both sides of the ball. On offense, he had 95 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. And he could be a great punt returner, too.
Luther Burden III, Missouri (No. 10)
Comp: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Burden's numbers as a junior in 2024 (61 catches, 676 yards, 6 TDs) fell from what he accomplished as a sophomore (86, 1,212, 9) due to Missouri's offensive struggles, but he's still one of my favorite prospects. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden has a powerful frame, which makes him great with the ball in his hands. He's also a master of the slot fade. He'll need the right situation to make an immediate impact as a rookie, but Burden's burst and field vision would be dangerous in the hands of a creative offensive coordinator.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (No. 11)
Comp: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
McMillan's 6-foot-5, 212-pound frame sets him apart in a class that's dominated by smaller wideouts. He's a jump-ball specialist but is also a well-rounded receiver who has played in the slot and outside. McMillan is a true "X" receiver who caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns this season, but he has proven to have the necessary burst to be an impact player on underneath routes, too.
Tight end (1)
Tyler Warren, Penn State (No. 9)
Comp: Rob Gronkowski, retired
I don't typically compare prospects to NFL Hall of Famers, but since Gronk isn't in the Hall yet, I'm making an exception because Warren is that rare and that good. The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Warren has the functional quickness and movement of a much-smaller player, more in line with 6-3 tight ends like Trey McBride or Sam LaPorta.
Warren has scored a touchdown this season as a passer, runner and receiver, and he entered the Fiesta Bowl with 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns. He could be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate in the right scheme.
Offensive tackle (1)
Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas (No. 4)
Comp: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Banks has been the anchor of the Longhorns' offensive line since arriving on campus as a freshman. Though his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame might scare some scouts in pass protection, Banks' elite footwork makes up for a lack of length and has helped him allow pressures on an FBS-low 0.3% of snaps. He is also an elite run blocker with the power and agility to overwhelm defenders. Banks has the potential to be a top run blocker in the NFL, either at tackle or kicking inside to guard.
Interior offensive line (0)
It takes a special prospect to get a first-round grade as an interior lineman, and this class doesn't have one yet. LSU's Will Campbell might be ranked as a guard and could ascend to a first-round grade, but he barely misses the cut right now (No. 13 overall on my board). This class is still good and has plenty of promising Day 2 and Day 3 prospects.
-
Quarterback (0)
One year after seeing six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, the 2025 class has zero passers with a true first-round grade. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward would have both been ranked behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and even J.J. McCarthy in 2024.
Both Sanders and Ward are talented and have the potential to rise in the pre-draft process, but I wouldn't be comfortable calling them first-round prospects based on this season's tape. That doesn't mean they won't be drafted in the first round. In fact, it's a safe bet that both get drafted in the top five selections; quarterbacks always go early.
Running back (1)
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (No. 7)
Comp: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Jeanty's 2024 stats have become a thing of legend. Prior to Boise State's Fiesta Bowl matchup with Penn State, Jeanty topped the nation with 2,497 yards (only 131 behind Barry Sanders for the most in a single season) and 29 touchdowns while accumulating 1,600 yards after contact.
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Jeanty is a punishing runner with patience, vision and runaway speed, and he can also catch passes out of the backfield and stand up to pass rushers while in pass protection. The Heisman runner-up is a rare, true blue-chip running back prospect.
Wide receiver (3)
Travis Hunter, Colorado (No. 1)
Comp: Odell Beckham Jr., free agent
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hunter won the Heisman Trophy because of his two-way ability, but I think his biggest NFL impact will come at receiver, which is why I rated him here. (He'd be my No. 2 cornerback if he exclusively played defense). Hunter's playmaking ability, burst in space and easy speed are a joy to watch.
He's electric on both sides of the ball. On offense, he had 95 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. And he could be a great punt returner, too.
Luther Burden III, Missouri (No. 10)
Comp: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Burden's numbers as a junior in 2024 (61 catches, 676 yards, 6 TDs) fell from what he accomplished as a sophomore (86, 1,212, 9) due to Missouri's offensive struggles, but he's still one of my favorite prospects. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden has a powerful frame, which makes him great with the ball in his hands. He's also a master of the slot fade. He'll need the right situation to make an immediate impact as a rookie, but Burden's burst and field vision would be dangerous in the hands of a creative offensive coordinator.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (No. 11)
Comp: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
McMillan's 6-foot-5, 212-pound frame sets him apart in a class that's dominated by smaller wideouts. He's a jump-ball specialist but is also a well-rounded receiver who has played in the slot and outside. McMillan is a true "X" receiver who caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns this season, but he has proven to have the necessary burst to be an impact player on underneath routes, too.
Tight end (1)
Tyler Warren, Penn State (No. 9)
Comp: Rob Gronkowski, retired
I don't typically compare prospects to NFL Hall of Famers, but since Gronk isn't in the Hall yet, I'm making an exception because Warren is that rare and that good. The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Warren has the functional quickness and movement of a much-smaller player, more in line with 6-3 tight ends like Trey McBride or Sam LaPorta.
Warren has scored a touchdown this season as a passer, runner and receiver, and he entered the Fiesta Bowl with 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns. He could be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate in the right scheme.
Offensive tackle (1)
Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas (No. 4)
Comp: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Banks has been the anchor of the Longhorns' offensive line since arriving on campus as a freshman. Though his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame might scare some scouts in pass protection, Banks' elite footwork makes up for a lack of length and has helped him allow pressures on an FBS-low 0.3% of snaps. He is also an elite run blocker with the power and agility to overwhelm defenders. Banks has the potential to be a top run blocker in the NFL, either at tackle or kicking inside to guard.
Interior offensive line (0)
It takes a special prospect to get a first-round grade as an interior lineman, and this class doesn't have one yet. LSU's Will Campbell might be ranked as a guard and could ascend to a first-round grade, but he barely misses the cut right now (No. 13 overall on my board). This class is still good and has plenty of promising Day 2 and Day 3 prospects.
