UNC football’s 2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Tony Pauline previews Max Johnson, Kaimon Rucker, Omarion Hampton and more
The Tar Heels had the third pick of the draft in April after the New England Patriots made Drake Maye their quarterback of the future.
It was the earliest a UNC player has been selected since 2017 when Mitch Trubisky was chosen with the second pick by the Chicago Bears. Next year, it looks like the best the program will do is Day 2 picks.
UNC Tar Heels' 2025 NFL Draft Preview
#1 Omarion Hampton
It’s not inconceivable that Omarion Hampton competes to be RB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft. The junior is a complete back with outstanding size, vision, and running skill.
Hampton pounds it out on the inside, controls drives, and is rarely brought down by a single defender. Yet he’s also quick and fast for a 220-pound ball carrier, beating defenders into the open field or making them miss in traffic.
Hampton also possesses solid hands and has the tools to be a feature runner on Sundays, for teams looking for such a player.
#2 Power Echols
My third-round grade on Power Echols is higher than most scouts, who have stamped him as a Day 3 prospect. Yet on film, Echols is a great off-ball linebacker who stands out in space.
He shows great speed as well as explosion and makes plays in every direction. Echols could time under 4.5 seconds in the 40, but he may not measure six feet tall, a major red flag for many teams.
Yet with speed and quickness taking precedence these days, Echols has an upper hand.
#3 Kaimon Rucker
Kaimon Rucker is another terrific football player with ordinary measurables. On film, he looks very athletic, making plays as a pass rusher or against the run.
Rucker is agile, tough, and intense and never gives up on plays. He’s likely to measure 6-foot-1, 265 pounds, and won’t time all that well in the 40 (4.75 seconds), which means he’s more of a situational/scheme-specific player, which will depress his draft stock.
#4 J.J. Jones
Receiver J.J. Jones has the desired measurables for his position, coming in at 6-foot-1.5 and 205 pounds with a 40 time expected to be under 4.5 seconds.
He’s also a fluid receiver who makes difficult and contested receptions while also showing downfield ability. Jones never had great pass-catching numbers at UNC and will now be catching the ball from a brand-new quarterback.
#5 Bryson Nesbit
Bryson Nesbit is an interesting prospect. He’s a terrific pass-catching tight end with natural hands. He’s also built like a possession receiver at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds.
He reminds me of Johnny Wilson, the former 235-pound receiver from Florida State who was selected in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles to play receiver. Whatever position a team drafts Nesbit at, he will be a good possession pass catcher.
UNC's 2025 NFL Draft projections by Tony Pauline
Also Read: LSU football’s elite 2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Sportskeeda Expert previews Will Campbell, Harold Perkins Jr., and co.