Draft Insider's notes on 2025's top NFL prospects: Risers and sliders after Week 12 – SEC and Big Ten dominate, lone Colorado prospect shines
Another exciting weekend of college football saw Georgia stave off elimination from the college football playoffs by beating Tennessee, who could be on the brink of not receiving a spot in the 12-team tournament.
Oregon held off a feisty Wisconsin Badgers team to remain unbeaten and atop the standings. Meanwhile, BYU, who had been living close to the edge all season, finally lost a game, falling to Kansas.
On the NFL prospect front, it was another good Saturday for the defenders around the country, as players from all three facets of that side of the ball stood out. Here are the risers and sliders for Week 12.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Risers after Week 12 of college football
#1 Jahdae Barron (CB/Texas)
Coming into the season, Barron’s grades in the scouting community ranged from the early part of Day 2 to the middle of the fourth round. I’ve always believed he was worthy of the former, and Barron has played to that level this season.
He was dominant in all aspects of the game during the Longhorns’ victory over Arkansas on Saturday, finishing with seven tackles, two TFLs, and a sack. Barron also intercepted one pass and broke up another.
His interception early in the game led to the Longhorns’ first score, and they never relented the lead. For the season, Barron has four INTs and eight PBUs. He’s a skilled cover corner who can line up in man coverage or zone, and Barron is effective in playing over the slot receiver.
He measures just under six feet tall and 195 pounds, and it’s not out of the question that Barron moves into the first round if he performs well for scouts in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
#2 Gabe Jacas (DE/Illinois)
Jacas, who broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman, continues to improve his game and his draft stock. During the victory over Michigan State, he recorded five tackles as well as 1.5 sacks and another 1.5 TFLs. That gives Jacas 10 TFLs and eight sacks for the season, as well as three forced fumbles.
He’s a well-built athlete who measures 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds and primarily stands over tackle in the Fighting Illini alignment. Jacas displays a lot of natural pass-rushing skill, but he also does a solid job defending the run.
Teams will have to decide where he’ll line up at the next level, at defensive end or outside linebacker, yet his ability to disrupt the action by making plays behind the line of scrimmage will surely get Jacas middle-round consideration.
#3 Sonny Styles (LB/Ohio State)
A former safety, Styles moved to linebacker this season on a full-time basis and has shown consistent improvement in his game every week.
The Buckeyes’ victory over Northwestern marked his best game to date, as Style finished with six tackles, two TFLs, and two sacks while also breaking up a pair of passes.
Measuring over 6 feet-4 and 240 pounds, Styles is already graded as a Day 2 pick by scouts despite being a true junior. He’s large but also athletic and offers ability in a variety of defensive schemes while possessing a great amount of upside potential.
#4 Nikhai Hill-Green (LB/Colorado)
Despite the nonstop talk about Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, several other players have stepped up for Colorado, who is presently 8-2 and contending for the top spot in the Big 12.
One of those players is linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, who’s elevated his game significantly this season. The well-traveled Hill-Green started his career in Michigan, then moved on to Charlotte last season before landing in Colorado this year.
He presently has a career-best 78 tackles with at least two games remaining in the schedule, and Hill-Green has shown a lot of improvement in pass coverage. The senior measures a fraction under 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, but he is expected to time the 40 in 4.60 seconds.
Graded as a priority free-agent prospect coming into the season, Hill-Green may have done enough to land in the late rounds next April.
#5 Chase Sowell (WR/East Carolina)
Sowell was someone who caught my eye last season with his big-play ability, and he’s done well this year despite the upheaval at ECU, who made a coaching change just one month ago.
In nine games, Sowell has 34 receptions and 678 yards, as well as three TDs, and he has averaged 19.9 yards per catch.
He’s recorded three catches of 50 yards or longer and has a fourth that went 48 yards. Sowell possesses a long (6-foot-3) slender (190 pounds) frame, but he plays fast and has opposing cornerbacks consistently playing back on their heels with his ability to break the long one.
#6 Carson Vinson (T/Alabama A&M)
Vinson is the third small-school offensive lineman to make the risers list this season, and he’s one of the most intriguing.
Holding down the left tackle spot for a Bulldogs offense that ranks second best in the SWAC, Vinson is a long lineman (6-foot-7), who blocks with terrific fundamentals and displays underrated athleticism.
He’s patient in pass protection, making great use of angles off the edge and controlling opponents once engaged in a block. He’s also a strong run blocker who drives defenders off the ball and then works to grind them into the field.
Vinson may ultimately move to right tackle as he has the frame to add more bulk, and he’ll be a good pickup in the very late rounds.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Sliders after Week 12 games
#1 Yam Banks (S/Mississippi)
Two years ago, after his junior season at South Alabama, Banks was graded as a middle-round pick by NFL scouts. Yet his play in 2023 was disappointing, and when Mississippi came calling with a sizable NIL deal, Banks left for Oxford.
His game continues to regress, and Banks now finds himself coming off the bench and fighting for playing time. He has 19 tackles to his credit this season, along with three PBUs.
By comparison, Banks posted 50 tackles, six interceptions, and 17 PBUs in 2022. Unless he somehow turns it around in a big way, Banks will be on the outside looking in when the 2025 draft is over.
Also Read: Insider notes on who's declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft: Penn St. QB Drew Allar's intention, 4 league-ready prospects, and transfer portal predictions