Summary of Our 2025 NFL draft picks in action

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Lebanon, TN – Amazingly in the end, we cannot believe how many of the 257 college players selected in the 2025 NFL draft this past weekend. We attended 101 NCAA games since 2020. Granted, we may have missed some due to injury or other circumstances when we watched their teams compete. On the other hand, the extended eligibility due to Covid-19 in 2020 and the flexibility of players transferring (too often, in our opinion) also allowed us to see as many as we did. In our final analysis, we estimate that we saw 123 players selected in this year’s draft play during their collegiate careers.

It definitely helped that we attended games played by talent-rich programs like Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Michigan, and others play. However, we savor our strategy of seeing other teams play. Sometime we’re not sure who, if any, we see get selected to perform at the next level. Among such programs, we captured players from Montana State, Toledo, Central Michigan, Navy and Western Kentucky earn invitations to join the professional football ranks. We look forward to seeing how big they can make it at the next level.

Part of the fun of Collegefootballfan.com – sharing our experiences

Despite camera issues at certain games and not happy with the quality of cellphone pics, or not keying on certain players we should have recorded in our photo albums, we captured quite a few of the latest NFL entries on snapshots. We share them with you below. Note that we present pictures of players here not displayed in previous articles depicting our projections before the draft. Please go back to previous articles. We provide predictions regarding where these players ended up in the 2025 NFL draft. We can say that one, OT Clayton Webb of Jacksonville State, did not meet our late round expectations. Already, we know he found his opportunity as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. Round by round, we show in order where players we’ve seen in action entered the 2025 NFL draft.

Second round selection – hard to keep track without game programs any more

In the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Bengals selected South Carolina LB Demerius Knight as the 49th pick. We saw him in the Gamecock win against Vanderbilt in 2024. However, we realized we also saw him play in a Charlotte loss against Navy in 2023. Here he is (28) as a 49er.
In the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Bengals selected South Carolina LB Demerius Knight as the 49th pick. We saw him in the Gamecock win against Vanderbilt in 2024. However, we realized we also saw him play in a Charlotte loss against Navy in 2023. Here he is (28) as a 49er.

Third Round selections

WR Isaac TeSlaa of Arkansas races for a score against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl early in their 55-53 OT victory. The 6'4" D-3 transfer turned heads his junior season as the second leading pass catthcer. His seniior season performance against Texas A&M with 120 yards impressed teh Detroit Lions who selected him No. 70 overall.
WR Isaac TeSlaa of Arkansas races for a score against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl early in their 55-53 OT victory. The 6’4″ D-3 transfer turned heads his junior season as the second leading pass catcher. His senior season performance against Texas A&M with 120 yards impressed the Detroit Lions who selected him No. 70 overall.
DT Vernon Broughton of Texas (45) looking to make a stop here against Arizona State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game in Atlanta. He went 71st to the New Orlean Saints.
DT Vernon Broughton of Texas (45) looking to make a stop here against Arizona State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game in Atlanta. He went 71st to the New Orlean Saints.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts (0) shown here in Capital One Orange Bowl CFP action in their win over Penn State this past season. The Atlanta Falcons selected him at No. 96 overall.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts (0) shown here in Capital One Orange Bowl CFP action in their win over Penn State this past season. The Atlanta Falcons selected him at No. 96 overall.
Seen here in 2022 against Troy, Western Kentucky DB Upton Stout (21) makes the stop. He went to the 49ers as he 100th selection in the 2025 NFL draft.
Seen here in 2022 against Troy, Western Kentucky DB Upton Stout (21) makes the stop. He went to the 49ers as the 100th selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Among some third-round selections pictured previously in draft previews: Darius Porter, Toledo DE to Giants; Harole Fannin, Jr. Bowling Green TE to Browns; Jaylon Noel, Iowa St WR to Texans: Dylan Fairchild, Georgia OL to Bengals; Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (UCF) QB to Browns. Other third round selections seen in action are not pictured. Among them: Darren Porter, Iowa State CB to Raiders; Shavon Revel, East Carolina CB to Cowboys; and Josiah Stewart, Michigan (Charlotte) DE to Rams.

Fourth Round of NFL 2025 draft

Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten runs for yardage against Boston College in their win this season. He ran for 266 yards and four TDs that evening. He'll be4 playing for the Jaguars who selected him at 104.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten runs for yardage against Boston College in their win this season. He ran for 266 yards and four TDs that evening. He’ll be playing for the Jaguars who selected him at 104.
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo runs in for the two-point conversion to knot the score in regulation, 24-24, in the Peach Bowl vs. Texas. The New York Giants selected him at No. 105.
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo runs in for the two-point conversion to knot the score in regulation, 24-24, in the Peach Bowl vs. Texas. The New York Giants selected him at No. 105.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Georgia RB Trevor Etienne at No. 107. After transferring from Florida, he rushed for 609 yards and nine TDs his senior year in Athens - shown here against Auburn in UGA's 31-13 win.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Georgia RB Trevor Etienne at No. 107. After transferring from Florida, he rushed for 609 yards and nine TDs his senior year in Athens – shown here against Auburn in UGA’s 31-13 win.

SEC players among the bottom of the third round

We saw RB Jarquez Hunter (27) in action here against Penn State in 2022. In the following two years, we saw him in action again against Vanderbilt and UGA respectively. The LA Rams selected him as No. 117.
We saw Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter (27) in action here against Penn State in 2022. The following two years, we saw him in action again against Vanderbilt and UGA respectively. The LA Rams selected him as No. 117.
South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway throws his 284 lb frame around in 2022 against Kentucky. The Las Vegas Raiders will look for him to do the same for them taking him 135th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway throws his 284 lb frame around in 2022 against Kentucky. The Las Vegas Raiders will look for him to do the same for them taking him 135th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

Among fourth-round selections pictured in previous draft previews are Gunnar Helm, Texas TE selected by the Titans. Jaylin Lane, Iowa State WR went to the Commanders. Other players seen selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft include Jack Kiser, Notre Dame LB to the Jaguars; Cody Simon, Ohio State LB to the Cardinals; Jack Sawyer, Ohio State DE to the Steelers; and Kyle Kennard, South Carolina DT to the Commanders.

Fifth and Sixth Rounders of the 2025 NFL draft

Maryland S Dante Trader (12) seen here in the Terps 2023 Music City Bowl win over Auburn. He landed with the Dolphins with their pick at no. 155.
Maryland S Dante Trader (12) seen here in the Terps 2023 Music City Bowl win over Auburn. He landed with the Dolphins with their pick at No. 155.
Colorado State WR snags a catch against Middle tennesse in 2023. In 2024, he earned all MWC first team honors wiht 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight scores. The Seattle Seahawks selected him at No. 166.
Colorado State WR Tory Horton (14) snags a catch against Middle Tennessee in 2023. In 2024, he earned All-MWC first team honors with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight scores. The Seattle Seahawks selected him at No. 166.
Auburn DE Jalen McLeod (35) pursues Maryland QB in 2023 Music City Bowl, He's headed to play for the Jaguars selected as draftee No. 194.
Auburn DE Jalen McLeod (35) pursues Maryland QB in 2023 Music City Bowl. He’s headed to play for the Jaguars selected as draftee No. 194.

Players from Navy and Montana State get their shots

Navy S Rayaun Lane (18) taken No. 189 by the Jaguars. He was taken as the first Midshipman ever selected as a DB by and NFL team. Shown here in action against Charlotte in 2023.
Navy S Rayaun Lane (18) taken No. 200 by the Jaguars. He was taken as the first Midshipman ever selected as a DB by an NFL team. Shown here in action against Charlotte in 2023.
Penn State LB Kobe King (41) playing against Notre Dame in 2024 Peach Bowl in CFP Semi-final. The Minnesota Viking picked him as the 201st player in the 2025 NFL draft.
Penn State LB Kobe King (41) playing against Notre Dame in 2024 Peach Bowl in CFP Semi-final. The Minnesota Vikings picked him as the 201st player in the 2025 NFL draft.
Could be a surprise low-round developmental QB. Tommy Melltot led the Montana State Bobcats to the FCS championship game in 2024. Seen here in opening season comeback upset over FBS New Mexico. Good dual threat, but small frame and arm strength are questionable until late rounds if a team wants to consider him in special packages. NewMexico
QB Tommy Mellott led the Montana State Bobcats to the FCS championship game in 2024. Four-year starter, he’s seen here in opening season comeback upset over FBS New Mexico. The LV Raiders put him on their roster with the 213th pick.

In the fifth round, players pictured on previous draft pages display Marcus Mbow, Purdue OL to Giants; Keandre Lambert-Smith Auburn (PSU) WR to the Chargers; and Drew Kendall, Boston College OT to the Eagles. Other fifth rounders seen on our schedules include Jeff Bassa, Oregon LB headed to the Chiefs; Elijah Roberts, SMU DT moving to the Buccaneers; and Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame TE on to play for the Panthers.

The only player pictured previously in the sixth round is Riley Leonard, Notre Dame QB drafted by the Colts. Among others we saw play collegiately, we list S Jaylen Reed of Penn State going to the Texans; DL Warren Brinson of Georgia going to the Packers; DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland of Virginia Tech drafted by the Eagles; and OT Cameron Willimas of Texas also joining him with the Eagles.

Last Round selections of the 2025 NFL draft in action

No. 4 CB Donte Kent of Central Michigan closees in on an Ohio U. ball carrker in the 2024 contet we attended in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The Steelers saw him enough to take him at No. 229.
No. 4 ,CB Donte Kent of Central Michigan, closes in on an Ohio U. ball carrier in the 2024 contest we attended in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The Steelers saw him enough to take him at No. 229. He played in 53 games for the Chippewas over five seasons.
WR Kaden Prather (1) of Maryland on the end of a 57-yard pass to set up the third Maryland TD of the first quarter against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl. The Buffalo Bills took him on as No. 240.
WR Kaden Prather (1) of Maryland on the end of a 57-yard pass to set up the third Maryland TD of the first quarter against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl. The Buffalo Bills took him on as No. 240.

Also in the final round, only one of our pictured players in our previous draft reports fell into the last round. Our caption on him read, ” Projected to be drafted in Round 2. We don’t consider him a long-term investment in the pros.” So, maybe our views were more in line among more real scouting reports than the media’s opinions than we thought. Texas QB Quin Ewers became the 231st player selected in the 2025 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Among other players we witnessed on the playing fields: OT Jack Nelson of Wisconsin went to the Falcons at 218 and SMU RB Brashard Smith went to the Chiefs at No. 228. Teams saw more value in other positions than to take a chance a developing Ewers for the future.

Transferring doesn’t guarantee long-term success

Remember all the hype about him transferring to Texas from Ohio State? This demonstrates the level of talent between college and pro football. Other last rounders we witnessed taken after Ewers include Iowa OL Mason Richman to the Seahawks; Utah Ute TE Caleb Lohner to the Broncos; Long Snapper Julian Ashby of Vanderbilt to the Patriots; and Luke Lachey, Iowa TE injured in 2023 and son of All-Pro Jim Lachey selected third spot up from Mr. Irrelevant. Good luck to all the players on making it on their respective new rosters or wherever they end up. It’s got to be quite an honor to get selected at this level.

Great book to read before the upcoming season!

Edited and pictures published by Stephen Koreivo – member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to review the book and to purchase a copy today. Enjoy the stories and read his essays regarding the current changes taking place and changing this great game! Please submit a review on our Amazon Author Page as well. Thanks.!

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