The NFL draft kicked off simply as school soccer’s spring switch portal window was set to shut. Though school coaches had been primarily targeted on the ultimate few items of their rosters for the 2025 season, they had been additionally monitoring the choices in Inexperienced Bay.
Few teams have a greater perspective of the draft than school coaches, who instantly labored with or coached in opposition to the gamers listening to their names known as final weekend. The switch portal itself can also be an element, because the elevated motion of gamers exposes them to extra coaches earlier than they end their school careers.
I spoke with coaches and coordinators in each Energy 4 league, each forward of and after the draft, to assemble opinions on standouts, snubs, workforce performances and rather more.
Here is an analysis of the 2025 NFL draft by way of the eyes of school coaches. (Notice: Coaches are listed in accordance with their roles through the 2024 season.)
Leap to a piece:Shedeur’s slide | First spherical observationsNotable tendencies | Staff breakdowns
The largest story through the first two days of the draft was a participant not chosen: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. As soon as projected as a top-five choose, Sanders fell all the best way to No. 144, going within the fifth spherical to the Cleveland Browns.
Coaches tracked the Sanders saga all through the weekend. A defensive coordinator who confronted Sanders wasn’t shocked by the preliminary hesitancy, saying, “I assumed he’d fall however not like this.”
“I used to be shocked,” a Huge 12 coach mentioned. “You by no means know what the interview course of, how that went. I assumed moreover Cam [Ward], he was the second [best] man.”
Others famous that if groups weren’t drafting Sanders as a clear-cut starter based mostly on means that could not be bypassed, they needed to assess how he would match right into a quarterback room that seemingly had a longtime starter.
“[The NFL teams] most likely determine, as soon as it will get so far, is it even value coping with anymore, however there isn’t any method round that,” a Huge 12 coach mentioned. “… In the event you’re not drafting the man to be your starter, it actually would not matter the place you choose the man.”
A Group of 5 coach added: “In the event you’re Tampa and you have Baker Mayfield, would you like the noise related to [Sanders] being your backup quarterback? There’s loads of groups that do not want quarterbacks.”
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A coach who confronted Colorado in 2024 mentioned Sanders might find yourself being a powerful NFL starter however understood the considerations about bringing him in as a probable backup initially.
“I see him competing laborious on the grass, attempting to win the job, making the workforce higher,” the coach mentioned, “however making that room higher?”
Some coaches questioned the considerations about Sanders’ demeanor.
“Individuals have taken quite a bit worse,” an SEC defensive assistant mentioned by way of gamers with questions or off-field situation.
Sanders’ expertise stage drew loads of takes within the media, however coaches noticed him as a succesful professional quarterback who additionally had some query marks.
“He is received a much bigger, stronger physique, he does an important job of extending issues, received the crap beat out of him with a subpar [offensive] line,” a Huge 12 coach mentioned. “However what number of occasions did he make a rhythm-and-timing throw in a window? It is both fast stuff out to the boundary or prolonged performs that he might get the ball deep. That will have been my query: Is he fully there sufficient to be a first-round choose? That does not imply there aren’t causes he should not have gone second by way of fourth.”
Faculty coaches break down the primary spherical
The highest of the draft did not include many surprises as Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and Penn State defensive finish Abdul Carter had been the highest three choices. The Jacksonville Jaguars made a splash in buying and selling up three spots for Hunter, who will try and play each broad receiver and cornerback on the professional stage.
“Travis is just like the rubberband man,” mentioned an assistant coach aware of Hunter. “He understands soccer, is aware of routes off splits, ball expertise are out of this world. His ball expertise are one of the best I’ve ever seen. His endurance is what’s actually loopy.”
A Huge 12 coach added, “There will be a battle to see who will get to make use of him,” referring to the Jaguars’ coaches.
Penn State’s Carter performed exterior linebacker early in his school profession earlier than shifting to defensive finish final fall. He had 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss as a consensus All-America choice in 2024. He joins a New York Giants protection that operates primarily out of the 3-4 set.
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“He is a fairly particular expertise,” mentioned a Penn State supply. “I do not know if he’ll be a pacesetter, however he is positively going to do issues the best method. His character will match proper in there.”
Cleveland made information later within the draft by selecting Sanders — and one other quarterback, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, two rounds earlier than him — however started its choices at No. 5 total following the commerce with Jacksonville. The Browns went with Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham, a two-time All-America choice and a mainstay in a defensive entrance that helped the Wolverines to a nationwide title in 2023.
“He was probably the most disruptive participant in our league final 12 months,” a Huge Ten coach mentioned. “He was actually good.”
Many anticipated Penn State’s Tyler Warren to be the primary tight finish drafted, however the Chicago Bears bypassed the Mackey Award winner in favor of Michigan’s Colston Loveland at No. 10. Loveland had 649 receiving yards for Michigan’s nationwide championship workforce in 2023, then led the squad final season with 56 receptions — a document for Wolverines tight ends — as one among few vibrant spots for a passing recreation that ranked one hundred and thirtieth nationally.
“The quarterback play [in 2024] type of killed him, he did not have anyone to throw him the ball,” a Huge Ten defensive coordinator mentioned. “However I feel he is fairly particular. He is extra of a receiving tight finish, the place Tyler can type of do all of it. Two good ones, although. Little question about it.”
One other Huge Ten coordinator mentioned the Loveland-Warren query comes right down to “private choice.”
“Warren’s extra of hard-nosed, robust, bodily, together with being receiving risk,” the coach mentioned. “Loveland’s somewhat bit extra of a greater receiver, rather less blocking. I do not know if it was the harm or what this 12 months, however they did not actually use him a ton to dam. So is it, he cannot do it or he was banged up? Penn State’s man is somewhat bit extra of a whole participant.”
One other mid-first spherical debate concerned Georgia defenders Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker. A coach who confronted Georgia final season thought Walker, who gained the Butkus Award because the nation’s prime linebacker and led the Bulldogs in each sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10.5) final season, is the higher total participant. However there’s some place curiosity round Walker, an SEC assistant famous, and the way he’ll be used within the NFL.
Williams, in the meantime, is extra of a pure edge rusher at 6-foot-5 and 260 kilos. He went eleventh total to the San Francisco 49ers, whereas the Atlanta Falcons chosen Walker 4 spots later at No. 15.
“The 49ers are used to enjoying huge guys up entrance,” a Georgia supply mentioned. “That is what makes the Eagles protection so good, as a result of they saved every part condensed within the field. The 49ers had been doing the identical factor earlier than and now with [defensive coordinator Robert Saleh] again, they’re going to take the identical strategy with guys like Mykel.”
One other edge rusher, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart (No. 17 total, Cincinnati Bengals), was additionally among the many extra intriguing first-round choices. He had only one.5 sacks in 2024, fewer than the totals of two different drafted Aggies defensive linemen — Nic Scourton (second spherical, Carolina Panthers) and Shemar Turner (second spherical, Chicago) and plenty of others picked behind him.
However Stewart’s bodily traits — he is 6-foot-5, 267 kilos and ran the third-fastest 40 amongst defensive ends on the mix (4.59 seconds) — make him a real NFL draft-style projection choose.
“There’s simply not that many specimens at that dimension,” an SEC offensive coordinator mentioned.
A Texas A&M supply famous that Stewart, who had 13 quarterback hurries the previous two seasons, would do properly in a locker room stuffed with veteran gamers who demanded accountability.
“He’ll do no matter you inform him to do,” the supply mentioned. “So he will get into a spot the place working and work ethic and preparation and the way you play is necessary, then I feel he’ll do it.”
Draft’s fascinating tendencies
After the draft, a Huge Ten coach recalled speaking with NFL scouts through the season in regards to the 2025 working again class.
“That is one thing that may simply permeate by way of all of the conversations, that the working again class was tremendous deep,” the coach mentioned.
A Huge 12 coach added: “That is one of many strongest working again positions I’ve seen.”
The predictions got here true as 25 working backs had been chosen. Not surprisingly, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, went first at No. 6 total to the Las Vegas Raiders. Few working backs since Saquon Barkley (No. 2 total in 2018) entered the draft with as a lot consideration as Jeanty, who rushed for two,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries final season.
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“He is a very good participant and he would not have a selected weak spot the place he has to return off the sector or something like that,” a Mountain West coach mentioned. “He can go shield, he catches the ball fairly properly. The one factor I might query is what number of miles received placed on him in school.”
There have been debates amongst coaches in regards to the next-best again. Some preferred North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, the one different working again chosen within the first spherical (No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers), whereas others pointed to Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
Henderson, who shined throughout Ohio State’s Faculty Soccer Playoff run, obtained extra buzz getting into the draft however truly went two spots behind Judkins early within the second spherical. Judkins was picked at No. 36 by Cleveland, whereas Henderson went to the New England Patriots at No. 38.
“Henderson had an outstanding ultimate 12 months, as a whole participant,” a Huge Ten defensive coordinator mentioned. “His blocking was subsequent stage, and he stayed wholesome, as a result of that is been the knock on him, his well being points. On the finish of the 12 months, you thought possibly [Henderson] is likely to be somewhat bit higher, however they’re each elite.”
An NFL working backs coach added: “Judkins, his Ole Miss movie was higher than his Ohio State movie. Placed on Ole Miss versus Alabama or Ole Miss versus LSU, it is completely different.”
UCF’s RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos) was the one different working again chosen within the second spherical, and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers) turned the only real third-round choice. Rounds 4-7 featured 19 backs being drafted. The checklist might have been even longer, as achieved backs like South Carolina’s Raheim Sanders went undrafted.
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, who completed fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, went early within the fourth spherical to the New York Giants. An NFL assistant who scouted Skattebo described him as a “laborious charger” who lacks top-end velocity however wills his method for yards.
“Can he keep wholesome?” a Huge 12 coach requested. “He is a battering ram and he will be hitting people who find themselves somewhat completely different.”
Coaches noticed worth in a number of of the working backs drafted towards the top of Day 3, together with the Huge 12 group of Kansas State’s DJ Giddens (fifth spherical, Indianapolis Colts), Kansas’ Devin Neal (sixth spherical, New Orleans Saints) and Tahj Brooks (sixth spherical, Cincinnati), in addition to Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai (seventh spherical, Chicago).
The dearth of elite quarterback prospects led to some fascinating draft choices, even past Shedeur Sanders’ slide. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart was the one different QB picked within the first spherical (No. 25 total, New York Giants), which did not shock coaches who had confronted him. Louisville’s Tyler Shough, a 25-year-old who as soon as backed up Justin Herbert at Oregon and likewise frolicked at Texas Tech, turned the one different quarterback drafted within the first 90 picks. A coach who confronted Shough final season famous that his dimension, expertise and talent to throw from completely different arm angles undoubtedly helped his profile.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe was invited to the draft however did not hear his identify known as till halfway by way of the third spherical, when the Seattle Seahawks chosen him at No. 92. Two spots later, Cleveland shocked many by selecting Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, a prolific school quarterback however not projected as one of many prime draftable QBs.
“I do not see the analysis of Gabriel over [Will] Howard,” a Energy 4 defensive coordinator mentioned, referring to Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, who wasn’t picked till the sixth spherical by the Steelers. “I am not saying both of them is extra proficient than Sanders, however Will Howard’s a greater professional prospect than Gabriel with the dimensions, arm power, the passing tree that he needed to throw at Ohio State.”
One other development school coaches seen was the general depth on the defensive facet. The draft featured 30 defensive tackles, 29 cornerbacks, 27 edge rushers, 22 linebackers and 19 safeties. South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, the SEC Defensive Participant of the Yr and the Bronko Nagurski Award winner because the nation’s prime defender, did not go till halfway by way of the fourth spherical, when the Chargers chosen him.
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“Simply realizing some guys who did not get drafted or getting drafted actually low tells me that there have been loads of good gamers,” a Energy 4 defensive coordinator mentioned. “That was type of one thing that stood out to me. It particularly felt like linebacker, there have been loads of fairly good guys this 12 months.”
Ohio State (14) and Georgia (13) produced probably the most draft picks, adopted by Texas with 12, its most within the seven-round draft period. Though the Longhorns have despatched batches of gamers to the NFL by way of the a long time, their 2025 output is notable due to the place they had been across the time coach Steve Sarkisian arrived. Texas had solely 5 complete draft picks in 2019 and 2020, and none within the first two rounds. In 2022, Texas had zero gamers drafted for under the second time in its historical past.
However the Sark impact has proven up previously three drafts with 28 choices, together with 5 first-round picks and 12 within the prime 75. This 12 months’s output included six defensive or offensive linemen, areas which have grown considerably beneath Sarkisian.
“Texas had an enormous quantity, set the document,” an SEC coach mentioned. “Three years in the past, they did not have anybody. Now he units the document. That is fairly spectacular by Sark.”
Added an SEC offensive coordinator: “Particularly on protection, they’re ridiculous.”
Drafts from Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, others
A number of school groups stood out throughout draft weekend, and coaches weighed in on how issues unfolded and who went the place.
Ohio State Buckeyes: The reigning nationwide champions led all groups with 14 gamers drafted, which tied Ohio State and Huge Ten data for many in a 12 months (2004). Ohio State had three first-round picks in broad receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), defensive deal with Tyleik Williams (No. 28, Detroit Lions) and offensive deal with Josh Simmons (No. 32, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs). Coach Ryan Day advised me a number of different gamers had first-round means, like working backs Judkins and Henderson and defensive finish JT Tuimoloau, who went No. 45 total to Indianapolis.
Though Tuimoloau and fellow finish Jack Sawyer (fourth spherical, Pittsburgh) obtained extra consideration as school gamers, Williams going first among the many defensive linemen did not shock Day, who known as him “our best man, simply was stable, was constant, was productive.”
“Seeing him go there was actually applicable,” he mentioned.
Ohio State provided a portion of the Day 3 draft worth, particularly on protection with linebacker Cody Simon (fourth spherical, Arizona Cardinals), security Lathan Ransom (fourth spherical, Carolina), deal with Ty Hamilton (fifth spherical, Los Angeles Rams), cornerback Jordan Hancock (fifth spherical, Buffalo Payments) and cornerback Denzel Burke (fifth spherical, Arizona).
“I feel they will play for a very long time within the NFL,” Day mentioned. “We have had guys who’ve left in three years. These guys have been 4 or 5 years in this system, performed loads of soccer, performed the longest season ever, performed probably the most huge video games ever.”
Howard had the longest wait amongst Buckeyes draft picks, because the championship QB went No. 185 total to Pittsburgh.
“It is thrilling, man, to see him go there, for his or her want, for his or her state of affairs, it is an important alternative for him,” Day mentioned. “You simply get to the purpose the place you simply get stressed as a result of you do not know the place it will be. You see these different guys getting drafted and simply wish to know the place you are going to be. So I do know these had been an extended couple days for him, however in the end, loads of reduction realizing he will an important group.”
Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama’s first true NFL draft beneath coach Kalen DeBoer featured two Day 1 choices, extending this system’s document streak of years with a first-round choose to 17. Tyler Booker was the fourth offensive lineman drafted however the first non-tackle, because the guard went to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 total.
The second-team AP All-America choice began 12 video games at left guard final season and one at deal with, a spot DeBoer would not rule out enjoying sooner or later.
“Considering forward down the street, I do not suppose it is so far-fetched that if he will get within the league for a few years, he could not turn out to be a deal with,” DeBoer advised me. “I feel he is such a flexible participant. He can play inside. I do know he might snap the ball and play heart, from how good he’s. He’ll pour himself into no matter it’s.”
Milroe was a wild card getting into the draft, undoubtedly probably the most explosive runner among the many prime quarterback prospects and an efficient downfield passer. However his total accuracy fluctuated throughout his second season as Alabama’s starter. DeBoer thinks Milroe may benefit from being in Seattle, even when he is enjoying behind veteran Sam Darnold for some time.
“It is one other set of verbiage and all that type of stuff,” DeBoer mentioned. “So having somewhat perspective, type of sitting again and seeing if another person can do it is not all that dangerous. He did that a number of years right here, after which he received his likelihood.”
Crimson Tide security Malachi Moore might turn out to be one of many higher mid-round worth choices, as he went late within the fourth spherical to the New York Jets. Moore had some turbulent moments final season however nonetheless earned second-team AP All-America honors.
“His place flex — he performed within the nickel place at occasions earlier in his profession after which clearly moved again to security for us — so he is been part of loads of conferences and realized loads of protection,” DeBoer mentioned. “He performs with an depth, and it isn’t simply on recreation day. He brings it each day.”
Oregon Geese: Solely 4 groups reached double digits in draft picks, and Oregon was one among them following its first season within the Huge Ten. The Geese had a team-record 10 gamers chosen, together with six gamers within the prime 100. Oregon’s line-of-scrimmage success confirmed up within the draft, as defensive deal with Derrick Harmon (Pittsburgh) and offensive deal with Josh Conerly Jr. (Washington Commanders) went within the first spherical, and defensive linemen Jordan Burch (Arizona) and Jamaree Caldwell (Chargers) each went within the third spherical.
Terrance Ferguson, who earned all-league honors in numerous conferences throughout his final two seasons, was the fourth tight finish chosen, No. 46 total to the Rams.
“He is turn out to be a extra full tight finish,” Geese coach Dan Lanning mentioned. “He is at all times been a very savvy route runner, a consolation blanket for the quarterback, a man they know the place he will be at, what sort of route he will run. However I assumed he received quite a bit higher at blocking this previous 12 months.”
Oregon had quarterbacks drafted for the second straight 12 months, and working again Jordan James (fifth spherical, San Francisco) adopted 2024 draftee Bucky Irving.
“There’s not quite a bit Jordan cannot do,” Lanning mentioned. “He is extra of a downhill runner than Bucky was. He is accomplished an important job, although, of taking checkdowns and turning them into constructive performs, turning into a greater route runner in his time right here, has been good in safety. There’s loads of worth, and there is a ton of depth at that place on this draft.”
Notre Dame Preventing Irish: Preventing Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock posed an fascinating query earlier than the draft.
“In the event you stacked all of the [College Football] Playoff groups up from prime to backside, talent-wise, what had been we? Perhaps 5? Six?”
Notre Dame gained its first three CFP video games and reached the nationwide championship with a roster that produced six NFL draft picks, however none within the prime 50 and solely two within the prime 100 — cornerback Benjamin Morrison (No. 53, Tampa Bay) and security Xavier Watts (No. 96, Atlanta). The Irish had been the last word workforce in 2024 and, judging by their recruiting beneath coach Marcus Freeman, ought to see their draft numbers rise within the coming years.
Morrison was amongst a number of gamers with first-round means who slid due to harm or different elements (Michigan cornerback Will Johnson was one other). Watts was one of many extra achieved defenders getting into the draft — Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner in 2023, back-to-back All-America choice, 13 interceptions and 27 passes defended previously two seasons — however was the sixth security chosen.
“These guys are going to have lengthy NFL careers,” Freeman mentioned of Morrison and Watts. “As I have a look at a few of our guys which might be at the moment enjoying within the NFL, these guys [Morrison and Watts] are simply pretty much as good or higher.”
Like Ohio State’s Howard, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard additionally had an extended wait within the draft, earlier than Indianapolis chosen him halfway by way of the sixth spherical. Leonard rushed for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns in his solely season with the Irish, and he accomplished two-thirds of his go makes an attempt.
“A variety of the speak is, he is an ascending participant,” Freeman mentioned. “He’ll be a man that is not close to his ceiling. He can proceed to enhance, which is intriguing for the NFL.”
South Carolina Gamecocks: The Gamecocks despatched a team-record 11 gamers to the NFL mix and had 5 drafted. Though South Carolina produced no first-round picks, security Nick Emmanwori went No. 35 total and sparked a collection of Gamecocks who heard their names known as.
South Carolina had two extra top-50 picks in defensive deal with T.J. Sanders (No. 41, Buffalo) and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (No. 49, Cincinnati). Kennard, the workforce’s most embellished particular person defender, went early in Day 3.
“It actually resonates when individuals, whether or not or not it’s a highschool coach or an NFL personnel man that has been at different colleges beforehand, they arrive in right here they usually discuss our physique sorts and simply, ‘Hey man, you guys look a lot extra athletic, you guys are a lot longer,'” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer advised me. “The best way that we’re recruiting and the best way that we’re creating our roster, after they get into our program, NFL groups acknowledge that, and they will proceed to return round right here.”
South Carolina ought to be a consider upcoming drafts, as gamers like quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive finish Dylan Stewart are producing early consideration. Beamer was an assistant at South Carolina from 2007 to 2010, forward of a historic run on the sector and the drafts from 2012 to 2014, when this system produced 5 top-60 picks.
“I feel there’s loads of guys on this 12 months’s class which might be going to go to the NFL and be execs for a very long time, identical to these guys from that period with [Jadeveon] Clowney and Stephon Gilmore and Melvin Ingram,” Beamer mentioned. “This is not going to be simply one thing that is like a flash within the pan.”
Maryland Terrapins: Regardless of solely 4 wins final season, Maryland had six gamers drafted, tying Notre Dame for the eleventh most draft picks amongst school groups. The Terrapins led off with broad receiver Tai Felton (third spherical, Minnesota Vikings). Fellow Terrapins broad receiver Kaden Prather went to Buffalo within the seventh spherical.
“KP was a steal, being drafted this late,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley advised ESPN. “Buffalo received an amazing worth in a man like KP, and Tai has a possibility to go play for what I really feel is among the finest, if not one of the best, receivers coaches (Vikings coach Keenan McCardell) within the nation.”
Maryland has had a number of gamers chosen in 5 of the previous six NFL drafts, however after producing three offensive line choices and three defensive again choices from 2023 to 2024, this 12 months’s output was heavier on defensive front-seven gamers and receivers. Locksley famous that Maryland’s losses at offensive line and defensive again contributed to final 12 months’s struggles, however he expects the NFL pipeline to repay.
“They weren’t all five-stars,” Locksley mentioned. “[Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II] was a closely recruited man that received a bunch of gives on the finish, however loads of them have some large tales of being guys that we believed in, that we developed. They put the work in. We gave them the course.”
