The 2025 NFL Draft is still months away, but it's never too early to start looking at prospects.
Fans of some teams might already have their sights set on next April's event, while others are still locked in on the 2024 season. It's still early, but the New England Patriots currently hold the No. 1 pick entering Week 8.
Looking at the college football landscape, it's already been a thrilling season with major upsets and breakout stars. From Travis Hunter's two-way abilities to Ashton Jeanty's record-breaking rushes, there are no shortage of stars who could enter the NFL next season.
Here's a ranking of the top 10 draft prospects for 2025 ahead of Week 9 in college football:
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Travis Hunter, Colorado WR/CB
2024 stats (7 games): 51 receptions, 604 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 19 combined tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
NFL draft outlook: There's a lot of mystery surrounding Hunter considering he's a star on both sides of the ball. Will he specialize once he gets to the NFL? Can he be a true two-way force in a league where that just doesn't happen? Hunter's talent alone makes him a likely top-five pick, with a real chance to be the first player off the board.
NFL
Will Johnson, Michigan CB
2024 stats (6 games): 14 combined tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), 3 passes defended
NFL draft outlook: Another elite defensive back is right there with Hunter. Johnson was a standout on Michigan's title team in 2023, and he followed that up with two pick-sixes in the first four games this season. The 6-foot-2 junior has all the tools to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.
Mason Graham, Michigan DL
2024 stats (6 games): 27 combined tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass defended
NFL draft outlook: Johnson's teammate has only improved his stock in 2024, even after starting on the national championship run. His 3.5 sacks are already a career-best, and he's well on his way to surpassing his 36 tackles from a year ago. Graham is poised to potentially be the first D-linemen selected in April.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado QB
2024 stats (7 games): 2,268 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 72.2 completion percentage, 2 rushing touchdowns
NFL draft outlook: Only 24 Buffs have ever been picked in the first round, but Sanders and Hunter could make it 26. Sanders opted to return to school for another year under his father and head coach Deion Sanders. So far that's looking like the right call, as Colorado has already surpassed its win total from last season (5-2 after going 4-8 in 2023).
Will Campbell, LSU OT
College highlights: 2022 Second-team All-SEC, 2023 First-team All-SEC
NFL draft outlook: Campbell, a 6-foot-6, 323-pound junior, has been a starter for the Tigers since his freshman season. He has the measurables to be an NFL tackle, and the pedigree is encouraging. Former All-Pro tackle Andrew Whitworth is from his hometown of Monroe, Louisiana.
Abdul Carter, Penn State DE
2024 stats (6 games): 27 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 pass defended, 1 forced fumble
NFL draft outlook: The 6-foot-3, 259-pound junior does it all for the Nittany Lions. Carter converted from an off-ball linebacker to an EDGE rusher, and he's playing better than ever in 2024. He leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss and has played a key role in Penn State's perfect 6-0 start.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee DE
2024 stats (7 games): 19 combined tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble
NFL draft outlook: Pearce has been quieter statistically this season compared to 2023, when he had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 13 games. But business could be picking up, as he had two tackles for loss and a sack in Tennessee's loss to Arkansas in Week 6, one tackle for loss, half a sack and a forced fumble in their win over Florida in Week 7 and then 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in their win over Alabama in Week 8.
Cam Ward, Miami QB
2024 stats (7 games): 2,538 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 68.7 completion percentage, 190 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
NFL draft outlook: Ward transferred to Miami for his fifth and final collegiate season, and he's absolutely made the most of it. The Hurricanes are 7-0 and he leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns. If he keeps this up, the 22-year-old star could elevate himself to QB1 status come April.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona WR
2024 stats (7 games): 47 receptions, 780 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
NFL draft outlook: After posting 1,402 yards as a sophomore, McMillan has continued his rampage into 2024. He's leading the Big 12 in receiving yards so far under new head coach Brent Brennan. McMillan is emerging as the top wide receiver prospect in the class (aside from Hunter), though it's obviously still early in the process.
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State RB
2024 stats (6 games): 1,248 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 9 receptions, 39 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
NFL draft outlook: No one is rising faster than Jeanty, who has posted ridiculous numbers for the Broncos. He has 311 yards more than the next closest rusher, and he's doing it at a rate of 9.9 yards per carry. Critics will point to Boise State's competition in the Mountain West, but the 5-foot-9 junior is rocketing up draft boards at a position that isn't typically in the first-round conversation.
