What a remarkable 2025 NFL Draft class! It was known for its key selections and many NCAA championship performances from collegiate programs. Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado’s electric two-way star Travis Hunter, and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter were among the standouts. All three of them earned a place in the top three picks! Ohio State and Georgia ruled on draft picks this year. On the other hand, Texas set an all-time best mark for their program.
No position saw a larger haul, with the 25 running backs selected—19 of which came in the depths of day 3. This deep running back class caught the attention of many coaches and scouts, emphasizing the depth of talent available this year. Additionally, Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback from Colorado, was a notable absence on Day 1, raising questions about his draft prospects.
Top Selections Stand Out
One of the most discussed first round picks was Miami qb Cam Ward, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Penn State’s Abdul Carter. These players not only showed off elite talents on the field, but each attracted massive NFL interests.
Ward’s dominance at Miami made him a leading candidate for the first overall pick. His ability to read defenses and make accurate throws has made him a coveted asset for franchises looking for a franchise quarterback.
Hunter, who was your classic two-way player and every bit the attraction as a hitter with loud tools, opened up a ton of eyes, too. The Ravens’ new rookie tight end’s ball skills are described as “out of this world.” His phenomenal stamina makes him the envy of other young men.
For many, Carter’s disruptive presence along the defensive line made him a consensus top prospect. Even one of his own Big Ten coaches referred to him as “the most disruptive player in our league last year.” It was his knack for changing games at the most pivotal moments that ultimately earned him a spot among the top picks.
Record-Breaking Draft Performance
That’s right – the 2025 NFL Draft will be historic for many of these college football programs. Texas was next best with a staggering 12 draft picks. That would be the most in the seven-round draft era for the program. An unnamed SEC coach recently called Texas’s class Texas-sized, pointing to the overwhelming quality of prospects the Longhorns churned out this season.
Ohio State and Georgia made their mark along with Texas, both very brightly with their impressive 10 selections each. Players from both the Buckeyes and Bulldogs were plentifully drafted, further cementing the schools’ stronghold atop the sport’s pyramid.
Alabama drew serious national headlines in its first-ever true NFL draft under head coach Kalen DeBoer with a pair of Day 1 selections. Tyler Booker became a household name when the Cowboys took him at pick 22. This pick established another record, making 17 straight years that Alabama has produced a first-round pick.
“People have taken a lot worse,” – SEC defensive assistant
The Depth of Talent
The depth of talent in this year’s draft was extremely noticeable in the running back class. Indeed, 25 running backs were drafted, including 19 in the 4-7th rounds. The surplus of talented backs led many coaches to question the merits of this year’s running back class.
One Big Ten coach commented on this phenomenon: “That’s something that would just permeate through all the conversations, that the running back class was super deep.” This depth gave teams significant opportunities to improve their rosters.
TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins both generated plenty of buzz last spring. Both of these laudable performers were excellent first-round picks. Their unique skill sets and game-breaking abilities made them must-have options for NFL teams willing to spend premium picks on dynamic playmakers to deepen their backfields.
On Saturday, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel was selected 32nd overall by the Los Angeles Chargers. This was the cherry on top of what has been a great run for quarterbacks in this draft class.
Notable Absences and Controversies
As thrilling as the draft was, not every anticipated superstar had their name announced on Day 1. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders missing the cut for this year’s first round turned a lot of heads and had many analysts and scouts scratching their heads. His lack of selection has spurred talk about possible red flags about his fit in an NFL system.
These are just a few of the issues raised by a cohort of five national coaches. They raised doubts about whether teams would want to manage the distractions that accompany Sanders if he’s a backup QB, especially with more polished seniors such as Baker Mayfield already available.
“If you’re Tampa and you’ve got [Baker Mayfield], do you want the noise associated with [Sanders] being your backup quarterback?” – Group of 5 coach
Even as teams settle on their rosters after the draft, debates over who was picked and how those players will change their new teams should persist. Now, coaching staffs are preparing to build their newcomers into productive players. In the process, they’ll be testing out their game plans for the next NFL season.
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