2025 NFL Draft prospect watch: Risers & Sliders after Week 3: FSU's DJ Uiagalelei dips while Texas A&M, Memphis prospects shine
It was an interesting Saturday on the college football field, as two of the three major programs from the state of Florida went down to defeat as the terrible campaigns for the Gators and Seminoles continued.
The SEC gave us several outstanding battles to watch, and Alabama went into Madison and destroyed the Wisconsin Badgers.
From the NFL prospect point of view, several sleepers and lesser-known, next-level prospects displayed their skills and made league scouts take notice. Here are the risers and sliders for Week 3.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Risers after Week 3 of college football
#1 Trey Zuhn III (T/Texas A&M)
Zuhn was someone who really caught my eye two years ago when he was a redshirt freshman, and he continues to improve. Starting every game at left tackle for the Aggies since 2022, Zuhn is a terrific pass protector who blocks with solid fundamentals and shows ability on the second level.
He’s fluid for a taller left tackle and shows great intellect in his blocking as well as athleticism. I presently grade Zuhn as a potential Day 2 pick, and he comes with a large upside.
#2 Seth Henigan (QB/Memphis)
It was yet another loss for Florida State, which fell to 0-3 on the season. Memphis went into Tallahassee and controlled the game from early in the first quarter, and Henigan led the way.
His numbers were solid, not spectacular, as Henigan threw for 272 yards on 25-for-32 passing with one TD and an interception. What was masterful was his accuracy and poise.
Henigan was methodical, leading Memphis to four different scoring drives and a 17-point lead. His ability to read the Seminoles' defense and accurately place passes was also impressive.
Scouts are split on Henigan, as some grade the senior as a middle-round pick while others believe he’ll end up an undrafted free agent. Henigan lacks great physical skills, yet his mental acumen and leadership ability are worth a pick late in Day 3.
#3 Corey Kiner (RB/Cincinnati)
One week after a heartbreaking one-point loss to Pittsburgh, the Bearcats beat interstate rival Miami rather handily. In both contests, Kiner was a factor and a major force for the offense.
Most recently, he totaled 126 yards on 21 carries after 149 yards on 20 handoffs the prior week. Kiner is a sleeper of sorts and comparable to Kenneth Walker III, the former Michigan State running back now lighting it up for the Seattle Seahawks.
Kiner is a powerful ball carrier with a low center of gravity who shows great short-area quickness and the ability to make defenses miss.
He’s not much of a receiver out of the backfield, recording just two receptions this season with a career total of 18, yet Kiner has enough skill to be a productive rotational ball carrier on Sundays and is a good fit as a fifth-round prospect.
#4 Jacob Zeno (QB/UAB)
No quarterback prospect in the nation receives the amount of disrespect in the scouting community as does Jacob Zeno.
Despite a breakout season last year in which he completed just under 74 percent of his throws and passed for more than 3,100 yards, Zeno entered the season graded as a street free agent by most scouts.
In three games this season, he is completing just under 71 percent of his throws, and he threw for 235 yards with three TDs Saturday against Arkansas.
Zeno is a big-armed passer with the athleticism necessary to beat opponents running with the ball. He has incredible upside, and Zeno is a Day 3 pick in the draft with the hopes of tapping into his potential.
Sleeper Prospects in 2025 NFL Draft chatter
#1 Mehki Butler (G/Arkansas State)
The Wolves acquitted themselves well, traveling to the Big House and keeping the game close but eventually falling short and losing to Michigan by a score of 28-18. Though the offense struggled to keep pace with their defense, Butler stood out throughout the entire game.
He routinely handled the Michigan duo of Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, neither of whom recorded a sack or tackle for loss. Butler is powerfully built at 6-foot-2.5 and 325 pounds and displays outstanding strength in his overall game as a run blocker and in pass protection.
The sky is the limit from here on out for Butler, who projects as a Day 3 pick, as Michigan was the toughest challenger ASU will face this season. I would expect to see Butler on the roster of a postseason All-Star game and would not be surprised to see him at the combine.
#2 Isas Waxter (CB/Villanova)
Waxter was graded by league scouts as a potential Day 3 pick entering the season, and watching the film from last year, the opinion is justified. The small-school corner has NFL size at 6-foot-1.5, 208 pounds, solid speed and terrific ball skills.
He’s a feisty corner who also shows great instincts on the field and is a ballhawk in the secondary. A year ago, Waxter accumulated three interceptions and 11 PBUs to go along with 26 tackles.
He’s been a bit slow out of the gate this season with an injury, yet Waxter is a small-school prospect to keep an eye on in the late rounds of next April’s draft.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Sliders after Week 3 games
#1 DJ Uiagalelei (QB/Florida State)
Any number of Seminoles could’ve made the sliders list, but Uiagalelei is the obvious one. He’s played poorly all season long and was unable to exploit a marginal Memphis defense.
Uiagalelei barely completed 50 percent of his throws against Memphis, finishing 16-for-30 passing for 201 yards and one interception. In three games, Uiagalelei has thrown for just 465 yards and one TD.
He left Clemson after two disappointing seasons, then showed signs of life last year at Oregon State.
Yet during the FSU losing streak at the start of the season, Uiagalelei looks like nothing more than a strong-armed athlete who is a long way from being NFL-ready, and he may not get drafted next April.
Also Read: Longtime Draft expert reviews Indiana Hoosiers' 2025 NFL-ready class ft. Nick Kidwell