Who are some of college football’s top talents to watch in 2025? Let’s take a look.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is arguably the most gifted defender in college football. He can play in deep coverage, stick in man coverage, get downhill or scrape in the box, and play physical at the line of scrimmage. He has spent the last two seasons as the leader of both Alabama and Ohio State’s defenses. Downs is one of the most highly graded players in the country, according to PFF, and is considered a generational safety prospect in the upcoming draft. Now that Ohio State has experienced an exodus of talent, Downs will likely see a necessary uptick in production.
2024 Stats: 82 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 INTs, 6 pass deflections
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith is 6’3 223 pounds, runs like the wind, possesses an elite route tree, excels after the catch, and has sticky hands. That’s why some scouts like to call him the best wide receiver prospect since Julio Jones. Smith quickly burst onto the college football scene but made his mark in the college football playoff, totaling 381 yards and 5 TDs in four playoff games against some of the nation’s best defenses. With Julian Sayin under center for Ohio State, Smith will have no shortage of opportunities in 2025.
2024 Stats: 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, 17.3 yards per catch, 15 TDs
Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
Hill is college football’s premier linebacker and perhaps the best in-the-box defensive player in the country. At 6’3 238 pounds, Hill runs an estimated 4.48-4.55 40-yard dash, and his speed flashes throughout the game. He runs sideline-to-sideline like a 225-pound linebacker, and he thumps like a 250-pound linebacker. In addition to his off-ball responsibilities, he also rushes the passer at an elite level. Headed into his junior season, Hill will be looking to win the Butkus Award and lead Texas to its first national championship since 2005.
2024 Stats: 113 tackles, 17 TFLs, 8 sacks, 1 INT, 4 forced fumbles
At 6’3 265 pounds, Parker possesses both power and speed off the edge. He has a nose for the quarterback and for the ball. Known as a disruptor, Parker wreaks havoc on offenses every time the ball is snapped. Opposing offensive coordinators hyperfocus on Parker while game planning, though their efforts are often in vain. With a rumored 40-yard dash time around 4.65, Parker can chase down opposing QBs and RBs in the backfield when the play breaks down. Parker is headed into his junior season and is looking to further prove himself amongst Clemson’s recent history of dominant defensive linemen.
2024 Stats: 57 tackles, 20 TFLs, 11 sacks, 6 forced fumbles
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is the prototype all-around running back. He’s a perfect mix of size, agility, contact balance, vision, and speed. According to On3, Love has an electronically timed 40-yard dash of 4.48 and a 100-meter dash time of 10.76. These times were taken back in high school, and Love has since become stronger and faster. Love managed to carry the Fighting Irish to the national title game, and his next goal should be to push for the Heisman Trophy. Love will undoubtedly be the first RB drafted in the NFL Draft next spring.
2024 Stats: 163 carries, 1,125 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, 17 TDs; 28 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Manning is stepping into arguably the most quarterback-friendly system in the country. Steve Sarkisian’s system will give Manning the platform he needs for a Heisman-caliber season. Before his years at Texas, Sarkisian spent two seasons as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. In 2019, Tua Tagovailoa passed for 2,840 yards and 11.3 yards per attempt in 9 games. In 2020, Mac Jones passed for 4,500 yards on 11.2 yards per attempt.
At Texas, Quinn Ewers’ lack of arm strength dropped those yards-per-attempt numbers to 7.8 and 8.8. In his 90 attempts last season, Manning averaged 10.4 YPA. The Longhorns’ offense will thrive on Manning’s ability to throw the intermediate and deep ball.
2024 Stats: 67.8%, 939 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs; 25 carries, 108 yards, 4 TDs
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Williams is one of the highest-rated wide receiver recruits of all time. Once the highest-rated WR in the 2025 class, Williams reclassified to the 2024 class. Famously 17 years old last season, Williams was one of the most electric players in college football.
Williams excelled in an offense that featured a running quarterback, and a quarterback change in 2025 is likely to provide a boost to Williams’ production. Additionally, Alabama’s acquisition of Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator means that Alabama’s offense will focus on stressing defenses vertically. Williams’ elite speed, route-running, and high-point ability will be on full display.
2024 Stats: 48 receptions, 865 yards, 18 yards per catch, 8 TDs
Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
Perkins is a “do-it-all” linebacker for the Rebels. An All-SEC player and an All-American honorable mention, Perkins is the focal point of Pete Golding’s defense. He will be expected to contend for the Butkus Award in 2025. Perkins is a heat-seeking missile in run defense and a twitched-up pass rusher off the edge. At 6’2 220 pounds, Perkins possesses elite speed. He was once a 2,000-yard rusher in high school. According to On3, his 40-yard dash time was electronically measured at 4.47. He will be the unquestioned leader of the Ole Miss defense in 2025 and looks to be an impact player at multiple levels.
2024 Stats: 60 tackles, 14 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 1 INT
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Simmons was the most electric freshman on the defensive side of the ball in 2024. Mostly used as a situational pass-rusher last season, Simmons was noticeably impactful during his snaps. Now that Simmons has gained more muscle mass, he will see the field as a full-time player, meaning his run defense will add to his overall impact. Arguably the fastest rusher off the edge in the entire country, he will be looking to stake his claim as the nation’s best pass-rusher in 2025.
2024 Stats: 48 tackles, 14 TFLs, 9 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Moore was one of the nation’s premier cornerbacks last year as a true freshman and is PFF’s #1 returning cornerback in college football. He’s a long, rangy cornerback, standing at 6’2 200 pounds. He possesses great top-end speed, but he also has a knack for making big hits. Moore does not shy away from contact, whether it’s in pass coverage or run defense. Even as a freshman, Moore is eye-popping on tape. If people were asked to pick the best NFL prospect from Notre Dame’s defense, they would most likely select Moore, not knowing that he has two seasons left before draft eligibility. As a sophomore, Moore will challenge as the best cornerback in college football.
2024 Stats: 48 tackles, 2 INTs, 11 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles
