The college football season has wrapped up its Championship Week, and while the dust settles on the 2025 season, the eyes of NFL scouts are already firmly fixed on the horizon – the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and our draft analysts have been diligently taking notes all year, piecing together early rankings for what promises to be an exciting class.
Championship Week certainly offered some standout performances. Mel Kiper Jr. was particularly impressed with Georgia's Zachariah Branch, a wide receiver he's been comparing to Zay Flowers. Branch's sure hands, explosive acceleration, and dangerous return ability against Alabama were a clear indicator of his potential. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, he's projected as a slot receiver, but his versatility could make him a creative weapon for NFL offenses, potentially a Day 1 pick or a second-round steal.
On the defensive side, Ohio State had a couple of players catching the analysts' attention. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., an edge rusher, stepped up in a close loss to Indiana, showcasing the strength and length that has him on the top-100 radar. His impact against the run and his sack numbers are solid. Then there's Sonny Styles, a linebacker Kiper considers the top true linebacker in the class. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Styles is a strong run defender with the potential to play anywhere at the second level, and his coverage skills are showing improvement.
Looking back at who has truly risen since August, Kayden McDonald, a defensive tackle from Ohio State, has made a remarkable leap. He wasn't even on the board over the summer, but after a full-time role in 2025, he's now potentially battling to be the first defensive tackle drafted. His tackle numbers, sacks, forced fumbles, and run stops are impressive, and he's showing he can free up linebackers with his ability to seal the middle. He's strong, quick, and just scratching the surface of his potential, though pass-rushing refinement is still needed.
An honorable mention for a significant riser goes to Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. A solid Day 2 prospect after transferring from Stanford, Bailey has elevated his game considerably in 2025. His blend of speed, power, and bend off the edge, coupled with a consistent ability to get to the quarterback, has him ranked highly. His sack and tackle for loss numbers this season dwarf his previous three years combined, showcasing a dramatic improvement.
As the draft process unfolds, these are just a few of the many talents that will be under the microscope. The journey from college standout to NFL prospect is a long one, filled with development, evaluation, and, of course, plenty of anticipation.
