2025 NFL draft rising stars you need to know

Halfway through the 2025 college football season, the draft landscape is starting to take on a clearer shape — but it’s far from settled. Preseason favorites have fallen off, mid-major programs are producing surprise stars, and a handful of previously unheralded players are forcing scouts to recalibrate their boards.

Below are five prospects who have climbed onto radar screens and could earn invites to top postseason showcases and the NFL Combine. Each profile highlights what makes them attractive to pro teams, what still needs work, and where they might land on draft weekend.

Midseason scouting: why the 2025 draft class is so fluid

Scouts are busy updating rankings as new film and stats arrive. Injuries, scheme fit, and rapid development can vault a player into early-round conversation or push another down the list almost overnight. That volatility favors players who pair physical traits with quick learning curves — athletes teams believe can be coached into pro-level starters.

• Preseason hype has proven fickle; several projected top prospects have cooled.
• Programs outside the Power Five are delivering pro-ready talent at a higher rate than expected.
• Postseason all-star games and the NFL Combine will be vital for measuring traits against peers.

Five breakout prospects likely to draw invite attention for 2025

Taylen Green — Quarterback, Arkansas

Taylen Green stands out as a high-upside, developmental passer with a rare blend of arm strength and mobility. After transferring from Boise State, he’s flashed the kind of physical profile NFL teams covet for quarterbacks who can grow into starting roles over time.

• Strengths: Big arm, improvisational running ability, playmaking upside on designed rolls and zone-read plays.
• Concerns: Mechanics and decision-making remain inconsistent; needs more polish reading pro-level defenses.
• Pro projection: Day-two selection candidate; fits teams seeking a developmental QB to sit behind a veteran and grow into a starter.

Jaren Kanak — Tight End, Oklahoma

Jaren Kanak has become one of the most intriguing receiving tight ends in college football. He offers rare speed and seam-stretching ability for the position, creating matchup problems against linebackers and slower safeties.

• Strengths: Exceptional straight-line speed, route versatility, natural ball skills that translate to contested catches.
• Concerns: Still raw as a blocker; needs to develop hand placement and leverage for NFL blocking schemes.
• Pro projection: Teams that use hybrid H-back/tight end packages will value his receiving upside; a strong Combine showing could move him up draft boards.

Emmanuel Pregnon — Interior Offensive Lineman, Oregon

Emmanuel Pregnon’s athleticism inside the trenches has made him a focal point of Oregon’s offense. He combines quick lateral movement with a rare reaction speed for an interior lineman, allowing him to mirror rushers and climb to the second level on pulls.

• Strengths: Reactive feet, ability to handle stunts and blitzes, mobility in space that fits zone-heavy schemes.
• Concerns: Some evaluators wonder about his ultimate best position on the line; he could project to multiple spots at the next level.
• Pro projection: Top-100 upside; if Dante Moore continues to elevate Oregon’s offense, Pregnon’s draft stock could climb further.

Anthony Smith — Edge Rusher, Minnesota

Anthony Smith has emerged as a consistent finisher off the edge, pairing length and power with athletic bend. His production includes impressive tackle-for-loss numbers and consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

• Strengths: Size, long arms, ability to convert speed-to-power on the rush, and an every-down presence in Minnesota’s front.
• Concerns: Needs to tighten up some technique elements against elite tackles and maintain snap-to-snap motor.
• Pro projection: A versatile, day-one rotational edge with the look of a player who could develop into a three-down starter.

Chris Johnson — Cornerback, San Diego State

Chris Johnson is the kind of cornerback whose play can flip a game. With sticky coverage skills and a knack for turning turnovers into points, he has been a key reason San Diego State is competing in the Mountain West this season.

• Strengths: Quick hips, ball awareness, and a track record of creating game-changing turnovers, including return yards after interceptions.
• Concerns: Evaluators will want to see how he handles consistent NFL-caliber speed and separation over a full season of heavy targeting.
• Pro projection: Could be the first Group of Five cornerback selected if he keeps producing; special-teams value and ball skills add to his appeal.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.