Of the final 17 Heisman Trophy winners, 16 turned first-round NFL Draft picks, together with the final eight straight. And there’s a excessive chance of that streak being prolonged one other season.
Predictably, all 4 finalists for the Heisman have NFL futures forward of them. How early will they be drafted? How will their talent units transition to the professional degree? Let’s study.
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Gabriel is the one Heisman finalist who’s not projected to be a first-round choose in April. And since he’s vastly undersized by NFL requirements (verified 5-foot-10 1/2 and 200 kilos), he will likely be missed by many all through the method.
I admit, I wasn’t very excessive on the lefty passer at first, both. However after returning to his tape regularly all through this season, I discovered it straightforward to realize an appreciation for the way in which he performs. A fast-footed athlete, Gabriel constantly throws with anticipation and accuracy, and the ball comes off his hand a lot better than anticipated.
What I admire most is his fast set off. Gabriel has a fantastic really feel for route timing in relation to protection, which permits him to remove issues rapidly and hearth passes with out overthinking.
On this fourth-down play with 9 minutes left within the Huge Ten Championship Recreation, Gabriel begins to his left earlier than returning to his proper and hitting tight finish Terrance Ferguson on the dig route for the primary down. There isn’t a panic in his eyes or toes, and he creates a transparent sightline by calmly shuffling to his proper whereas staying in rhythm and delivering with placement. That is the good things.
Gabriel’s NFL Draft projection
Go forward, rely out Gabriel — he’s used to it. However he has the football-playing instincts to beat his diminutive measurement, and his arm and mobility are adequate for the following degree. I’m not saying Gabriel will likely be a first-round choose like this yr’s different Heisman finalists. In my view, although, he’s a greater NFL prospect than Stetson Bennett, who was drafted in Spherical 4. Gabriel is innately assured and obsessive about profitable — two qualities that can assist him join with NFL coaches all through the method.
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The No. 1 prospect on my most up-to-date top-50 board, Hunter must be the primary non-quarterback chosen within the 2025 draft.
Much more spectacular than Hunter’s explosive athleticism are his instinctive ball expertise, that are what make him so productive on each side of the ball. Except for his bodily potential and stamina, Hunter deserves quite a lot of credit score for the psychological dedication required to play each offense and protection. There’s a purpose why two-way gamers are so uncommon — not solely do you need to be a super-athlete, however staying locked in on the psychological facet is taxing, as nicely.
Time will inform if Hunter sees snaps on each side of the ball within the NFL. The more than likely end result is he turns into a beginning cornerback and sees a small share of performs on offense. That stated, I can perceive why a staff would need him on offense: to get the ball in his fingers.
Regardless, Hunter will likely be one of many prizes of this draft class.
Hunter’s NFL Draft projection
He must be drafted within the high three and is a robust contender to be the No. 1 choose, relying on how the draft order shakes out. He’s a thin-limbed athlete, and his play energy is a query mark, however the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. From staff to staff, Hunter would be the closest factor to a consensus high prospect on this class.
It was love at first sight once I studied Jeanty’s movie over the summer time. Like I wrote in my preseason positional preview, he separated himself as RB1 coming into the yr. And along with his record-setting 2024 season, Jeanty has additional distanced himself from the remainder of a stacked working again class.
Constructed low to the bottom with large run energy, Jeanty is equally instinctive and athletic along with his potential to press, arrange blocks and burst by way of holes. His contact steadiness is uncommon, which helps him break tackles in several methods — Jeanty has a mixed 216 pressured missed tackles over the past two seasons (62 greater than No. 2 on the listing). He has additionally flexed his dwelling run potential this season with 5 carries of 70-plus yards, tied with LaDainian Tomlinson for the single-season FBS file.
Embody his passing-down expertise as a sure-handed receiver and bodily blocker, and Jeanty has the complete talent set to be a right away weapon within the NFL.
Jeanty will get dinged by some for stacking most of his manufacturing towards Mountain West opponents, however he didn’t have a lot hassle dashing for 192 yards and three touchdowns (with eight pressured missed tackles) towards Oregon earlier this season.
Jeanty’s NFL Draft projection
There isn’t a doubt that Jeanty is a first-round working again and would be the first participant chosen at his place. However how early will that occur? Though he is among the greatest skills on this class, Jeanty gained’t be a lock for the highest half of Spherical 1 due to want and worth questions. Might a playoff staff within the again half of the primary, just like the Washington Commanders or Denver Broncos, get a steal if he falls?
My very early guess is Jeanty will likely be drafted within the vary of picks 11-18, both after a commerce up or by a shock staff (like when the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs No. 12 in 2023).
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Regardless of Miami falling in need of an ACC title and the School Soccer Playoff, Ward did his half by placing collectively the best single season on the quarterback place at school historical past. He led the FBS in performs of 10-plus (178) and 20-plus yards (73), and the Hurricanes paced all faculty soccer groups at 44.2 factors per sport.
Along with his arm expertise and elusiveness within the pocket, Ward is an thrilling participant who can preserve performs alive and sling the ball to each inch of the sector. The looseness in his sport is a double-edged sword — it permits him to improvise and create, nevertheless it additionally results in turnover-worthy selections and pointless sacks. That isn’t going to alter in a single day, however I feel Ward has the psychological toughness to climate early storms as he adjusts to NFL-level pace.
Together with Ward’s expertise on the tape, NFL scouts communicate very extremely of his composed management and total confidence. These will likely be sturdy promoting factors when he interviews with groups this spring.
Ward’s NFL Draft projection
Had been he in final yr’s draft, Ward would have competed with J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix for a spot within the QB4-to-QB7 vary. However within the 2025 draft class, he has one of the best probability of being the primary quarterback taken — doubtless making him a top-10, presumably even top-three, choose. With the way in which the draft order is trending, it actually feels doubtless that Ward will likely be carrying a Giants or Raiders uniform subsequent season.
(Picture of Travis Hunter: Dustin Bradford / Getty Photographs)
