2025 NFL Draft stock watch: Risers and sliders after Week 9 – SEC prospect struggles, Big Ten prospects move up the ladder
It was status quo during Week 9 of the college season, as all the teams in the top 10 except for LSU came out winners. The NFL prospect front was highlighted by players from the offensive side of the ball, including three skilled players.
Here are the risers and sliders for Week 9.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Risers after Week 9 of college football
#1 RJ Harvey (RB/Central Florida)
Despite a furious comeback, Central Florida came up short to conference foe BYU on Saturday by a score of 37-24.
Yet despite a poor passing attack once again, Harvey did all he could to carry the offense, and he’s now over the century mark this season for rushing yards after just eight games.
To date, Harvey has totaled 1,017 yards on 149 carries (6.8 yards per attempt) and 13 TDs. He’s rushed for more than 100 yards in all but three games this season. At 205 pounds, Harvey is explosive, strong and fast. He can run through tackles or away from defenders, and he’s always finding ways to pick up positive yardage.
He’ll be a terrific Day 3 choice and projects well as a rotational back for Sunday.
#2 Woody Marks (RB/USC)
After three productive seasons at Mississippi State, Marks transferred to USC and is having a career campaign for a struggling Trojans team.
Marks has rushed for 755 yards and eight TDs this season, adding another 30 receptions for 285 yards. He’s a creative ball carrier who shows great vision and picks his way through the traffic.
He’s also a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield who has been very productive in that aspect of the game.
At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, Marks is more than just a third-down back; rather, he’s a prospect at the position who could spell a starter and see significant playing time in the NFL.
#3 Jack Velling (TE/Michigan State)
Following his former Oregon State coach to Michigan State, Velling is living up to the expectations of NFL scouts.
One year ago, he finished with 29 receptions and eight TDs. This year, he already has 27 receptions for the upstart Spartans, though Velling has not found the end this season.
A natural pass catcher with outstanding length and athleticism, Velling has the speed to split the seam and the size to make the tough catch in a crowd. He comes with a frame that can get bigger as well as a ton of upside to his game.
#4 Xavier Chaplin (T/Virginia Tech)
Chaplin is a redshirt sophomore prospect I wrote about over the summer, grading him as a terrific future prospect, and he hasn’t disappointed this season.
He’s a big, fluid left tackle who stands out in pass protection and has the power to dominate as a run blocker.
After a rough start, Chaplin has really settled into his game and has shown a lot of improvement. He now projects as a late Day 2 pick, but he has the possibility to move into the top 45.
Sleeper Prospects in 2025 NFL Draft class
#1 CJ Nunnally (LB/Akron)
Nunnally came to Akron by way of Independence Community College after a short stint at Jackson State, but he has settled in and is developing into a terrific prospect.
He’s accumulated 37 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and three sacks, as well as three QBHs. He’s coming off his best game of the season this past weekend, recording 10 tackles against Eastern Michigan.
Earlier this year, Nunnally posted five tackles against Ohio State and then another five against Rutgers, showing he’s not afraid of better competition.
While he primarily comes out of a three-point stance, Nunnally shows enough athleticism to stand over tackle and play a traditional linebacker position.
Small-school Prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft Class
#1 Ja'seem Reed (TE/San Diego)
Reed is one of the hidden gems from the small-school ranks, as he’s a large college receiver who projects to tight end on Sundays.
Reed has 48 catches with six TDs in seven games this season after 56 receptions a year ago. He’s a smooth athlete who catches the ball extremely well, gets down the field to split the seam, and makes the tough catch on the sidelines.
Reed must learn to block, but he’s a terrific move tight-end prospect who, at the very least, should find a home on a practice squad at the next level.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Sliders after Week 9 games
#1 Antwane Wells Jr. (WR/Mississippi)
Wells was graded as a potential Day 2 choice entering his senior season at South Carolina in 2023, but three games into the campaign he was lost for the year to a significant foot injury.
As a junior at South Carolina in 2022, Wells caught 68 passes for 928 yards. Scouts were hopeful Wells would return to prior form and gave him an early Day 3 grade before this season, his first at Mississippi, but it’s been an uphill climb for Wells.
In six games, he’s caught just 20 passes in the Rebels’ pass-happy offense. He’s a bigger possession wideout with reliable hands, but last year’s injury plus the inability to return to prior form this season is destroying Wells’ draft stock.
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