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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.

Omarion Hampton - Source: Imagn
Omarion Hampton - Source: Imagn

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.

Power Echols - Source: Imagn
Power Echols - Source: Imagn

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.

Kaimon Rucker - Source: Imagn
Kaimon Rucker - Source: Imagn

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.

J.J. Jones - Source: Imagn
J.J. Jones - Source: Imagn

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.

Bryson Nesbit - Source: Imagn
Bryson Nesbit - Source: Imagn

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

North Carolina Pro Prospects

Grade

Rnd

Pos

Full Name

Yr

#

3.72

3rd

RB

Omarion Hampton

3Jr

28

3.64

3rd

OLB

Power Echols

4Sr

23

3.41

5th

DE

Kaimon Rucker

4Sr

7

3.38

6th

WR

J.J. Jones

5Sr

5

3.35

6th

TE

Bryson Nesbit

4Sr

18

3.34

6th

CB

Marcus Allen

3Jr

29

3.29

7th

DT

Kevin Hester Jr.

5Sr

98

3.28

7-FA

DE

Desmond Evans

4Sr

10

3.07

FA

CB

DeAndre Boykins

4Jr

16

3.04

FA

WR

Nate McCollum

5Sr

6

3.02

FA

CB

Alijah Huzzie

5Sr

28

3.00

FA

QB

Max Johnson

5Sr

14

2.98

FA

DT

Jahvaree Ritzie

4Sr

5

2.95

FA

TE

John Copenhaver

5Sr

81

Also Read: LSU football’s elite 2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Sportskeeda Expert previews Will Campbell, Harold Perkins Jr., and co.

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