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Adam Rittenberg
The NFL draft kicked off simply as school soccer’s spring switch portal window was set to shut. Though school coaches had been primarily centered on the ultimate few items of their rosters for the 2025 season, they had been additionally monitoring the choices in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin.
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.
ESPN 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 way more.
Here is an analysis of the 2025 NFL draft via the eyes of faculty coaches. (Word: Coaches are listed in response to their roles through the 2024 season.)
Bounce to a piece:
Shedeur’s slide | First-round observations
Notable developments | Group breakdowns
The most important 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 decide, Sanders fell all the way in which to No. 144, going within the fifth spherical after the Cleveland Browns traded up for him.
Coaches tracked the Sanders saga all through the weekend. A defensive coordinator who confronted Sanders wasn’t stunned by the preliminary hesitancy, saying, “I believed he’d fall however not like this.”
“I used to be shocked,” a Massive 12 coach mentioned. “You by no means know what the interview course of, how that went. I believed moreover Cam [Ward], he was the second-[best] man.”
Others famous that if groups weren’t drafting Sanders as a clear-cut starter primarily based on skill that could not be bypassed, they needed to assess how he would match right into a quarterback room that probably had a longtime starter.
“[The NFL teams] most likely determine, as soon as it will get so far, is it even price coping with anymore, however there is no means round that,” a Massive 12 coach mentioned. “… For those who’re not drafting the man to be your starter, it actually would not matter the place you decide the man.”
A Group of 5 coach added: “For those who’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.”
A coach who confronted Colorado in 2024 mentioned Sanders might find yourself being a powerful NFL starter however understood the issues about bringing him in as a probable backup initially.
“I see him competing laborious on the grass, making an attempt to win the job, making the workforce higher,” the coach mentioned, “however making that room higher?”
Some coaches questioned the issues about Sanders’ demeanor.
“Folks have taken so much worse,” an SEC defensive assistant mentioned when it comes to gamers with questions.
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 bought an even bigger, stronger physique, he does an excellent job of extending issues, bought the crap beat out of him with a subpar [offensive] line,” a Massive 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 may have been my query: Is he utterly there sufficient to be a first-round decide? That does not imply there aren’t causes he should not have gone second via fourth.”
School coaches break down the primary spherical
The highest of the draft did not comprise 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 to pick out Hunter, who will try and play each vast receiver and cornerback on the professional stage.
“Travis is just like the rubber-band man,” mentioned an assistant coach accustomed to Hunter. “He understands soccer, is aware of routes off splits, ball abilities are out of this world. His ball abilities are the perfect I’ve ever seen. His endurance is what’s actually loopy.”
A Massive 12 coach added, “There will be a combat to see who will get to make use of him,” referring to the Jaguars’ coaches.
Penn State’s Carter performed outdoors 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 reasonably 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 suitable means. His persona will match proper in there.”
Cleveland made information later within the draft by choosing Sanders — and one other quarterback, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, two rounds earlier than taking Sanders — however started its choices at No. 5 total following the commerce with Jacksonville. The Browns went with Michigan defensive sort out Mason Graham, a two-time All-America choice and a mainstay in a defensive entrance that helped the Wolverines win a nationwide title within the 2023 season.
“He was essentially the most disruptive participant in our league final yr,” a Massive 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 2023 nationwide championship workforce, then led the squad final season with 56 receptions — a document for Wolverines tight ends — as one among few vivid spots for a passing sport that ranked one hundred and thirtieth nationally.
“The quarterback play [in 2024] form of killed him, he did not have anyone to throw him the ball,” a Massive Ten defensive coordinator mentioned. “However I feel he is fairly particular. He is extra of a receiving tight finish, the place Tyler can form of do all of it. Two good ones, although. Little question about it.”
One other Massive Ten coordinator mentioned the Loveland-Warren query comes all the way down to “private choice.”
“Warren’s extra of hard-nosed, powerful, bodily, together with being a very good receiving menace,” the coach mentioned. “Loveland’s just a little bit extra of a greater receiver, rather less blocking. I do not know if it was the harm or what this yr, 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 just a little bit extra of a whole participant.”
One other mid-first-round 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 high 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 to the San Francisco 49ers, whereas the Atlanta Falcons chosen Walker 4 spots later at No. 15.
“The 49ers are used to taking part in massive guys up entrance,” a Georgia supply mentioned. “That is what makes the Eagles protection so good, as a result of they saved the whole lot 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, Cincinnati Bengals), was additionally among the many extra intriguing first-round choices. He had just 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 lots 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 decide.
“There’s simply not that many specimens at that measurement,” an SEC offensive coordinator mentioned.
A Texas A&M supply famous that Stewart, who had 13 quarterback hurries the previous two seasons, would do effectively in a locker room crammed 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 attention-grabbing developments
After the draft, a Massive Ten coach recalled speaking with NFL scouts through the season concerning the 2025 operating again class.
“That is one thing that will simply permeate via all of the conversations, that the operating again class was tremendous deep,” the coach mentioned.
A Massive 12 coach added: “That is one of many strongest operating again positions I’ve seen.”
The predictions got here true as 25 operating 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 operating 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 extremely good participant and he would not have a particular weak point the place he has to return off the sphere or something like that,” a Mountain West coach mentioned. “He can cross defend, he catches the ball fairly effectively. The one factor I’d query is what number of miles bought placed on him in school.”
There have been debates amongst coaches concerning the next-best again. Some appreciated North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, the one different operating 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 School Soccer Playoff run, acquired 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 exceptional remaining yr, as a whole participant,” a Massive 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 yr, you thought perhaps [Henderson] could be just a little bit higher, however they’re each elite.”
An NFL operating 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 totally different.”
UCF’s RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos) was the one different operating 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 record 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 Giants. An NFL assistant who scouted Skattebo described him as a “laborious charger” who lacks top-end pace however wills his means for yards.
“Can he keep wholesome?” a Massive 12 coach requested. “He is a battering ram and he will be hitting people who find themselves just a little totally different.”
Coaches noticed worth in a number of of the operating backs drafted towards the top of Day 3, together with the Massive 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 shortage of elite quarterback prospects led to some attention-grabbing draft selections, even past Shedeur Sanders’ slide. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart was the one different QB picked within the first spherical (No. 25 total, 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 in addition hung out at Texas Tech, turned the one different quarterback drafted within the first 90 picks. A coach who confronted Shough final season famous that his measurement (6-foot-5, 225 kilos), expertise and skill to throw from totally 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 via the third spherical, when the Seattle Seahawks chosen him at No. 92. Two spots later, Cleveland stunned many by choosing Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, a prolific school quarterback however not projected as one of many high 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 scale, 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 aspect. 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 12 months and the Bronko Nagurski Award winner because the nation’s high defender, did not go till halfway via 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 form of one thing that stood out to me. It particularly felt like linebacker, there have been loads of fairly good guys this yr.”
Ohio State (14) and Georgia (13) produced essentially 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 via 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 high 75. This yr’s output included six defensive or offensive linemen, areas which have grown considerably underneath 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 Massive Ten data for many in a yr (2004). Ohio State had 4 first-round picks in vast receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), offensive guard Donovan Jackson (No. 24 Minnesota Vikings), defensive sort out Tyleik Williams (No. 28, Detroit Lions) and offensive sort out Josh Simmons (No. 32, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs). Coach Ryan Day instructed ESPN a number of different gamers had first-round skill, like operating backs Judkins and Henderson and defensive finish JT Tuimoloau, who went No. 45 to Indianapolis.
Though Tuimoloau and fellow finish Jack Sawyer (fourth spherical, Pittsburgh) acquired 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 strong, was constant, was productive.”
“Seeing him go there was actually acceptable,” he mentioned.
Ohio State equipped 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), sort out 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 essentially the most massive 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 scenario, it is an excellent alternative for him,” Day mentioned. “You simply get to the purpose the place you simply get wired as a result of you do not know the place it may 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 a protracted couple days for him, however finally, loads of reduction realizing he will an excellent group.”
Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama’s first true NFL draft underneath coach Kalen DeBoer featured two Day 1 choices, extending this system’s document streak of years with a first-round decide 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.
The second-team AP All-America choice began 12 video games at left guard final season and one at sort out, a spot DeBoer would not rule out for Booker sooner or later.
“Pondering forward down the street, I do not assume it is so far-fetched that if he will get within the league for a few years, he could not change into a sort out,” DeBoer instructed ESPN. “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 essentially the most explosive runner among the many high quarterback prospects and an efficient downfield passer. However his total accuracy fluctuated throughout his second season as Alabama’s starter. DeBoer thinks Milroe may gain advantage from being in Seattle, even when he is taking part in behind veteran Sam Darnold for some time.
“It is one other set of verbiage and all that form of stuff,” DeBoer mentioned. “So having just a little perspective, form of sitting again and seeing if another person can do it is not all that dangerous. He did that a couple of years right here, after which he bought his likelihood.”
Crimson Tide security Malachi Moore might change into 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 is not simply on sport day. He brings it day-after-day.”
Oregon Geese: Solely 4 groups reached double digits in draft picks, and Oregon was one among them following its first season within the Massive Ten. The Geese had a team-record 10 gamers chosen, together with six gamers within the high 100. Oregon’s line-of-scrimmage success confirmed up within the draft, as defensive sort out Derrick Harmon (Pittsburgh) and offensive sort out 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 change into a extra full tight finish,” Geese coach Dan Lanning mentioned. “He is all the time been a extremely 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 believed he bought so much higher at blocking this previous yr.”
Oregon had quarterbacks drafted for the second straight yr, and operating again Jordan James (fifth spherical, San Francisco) adopted 2024 draftee Bucky Irving.
“There’s not so much Jordan cannot do,” Lanning mentioned. “He is extra of a downhill runner than Bucky was. He is performed an excellent job, although, of taking checkdowns and turning them into constructive performs, changing 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 attention-grabbing query earlier than the draft.
“For those who stacked all of the [College Football] Playoff groups up from high 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 high 50 and solely two within the high 100 — cornerback Benjamin Morrison (No. 53, Tampa Bay) and security Xavier Watts (No. 96, Atlanta). The Irish had been the final word workforce in 2024 and, judging by their recruiting underneath coach Marcus Freeman, ought to see their draft numbers rise within the coming years.
Morrison was amongst a number of gamers with first-round skill who slid due to harm or different components (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 taking part in within the NFL, these guys [Morrison and Watts] are simply nearly as good or higher.”
Like Ohio State’s Howard, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard additionally had a protracted wait within the draft, earlier than Indianapolis chosen him halfway via 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 cross makes an attempt.
“Loads of the discuss 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 at No. 35 and sparked a sequence of Gamecocks who heard their names known as.
South Carolina had two extra top-50 picks in defensive sort out 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 and so they 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 instructed ESPN. “The way in which that we’re recruiting and the way in which that we’re growing our roster, after they get into our program, NFL groups acknowledge that, and they will proceed to return round right here.”
South Carolina needs to be a think about 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 sphere and the drafts from 2012 to 2014, when this system produced 5 top-60 picks.
“I feel there’s loads of guys on this yr’s class which might be going to go to the NFL and be professionals 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 vast receiver Tai Felton (third spherical, Minnesota Vikings). Fellow Terrapins vast receiver Kaden Prather went to Buffalo within the seventh spherical.
“KP was a steal, being drafted this late,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley instructed ESPN. “Buffalo bought an incredible worth in a man like KP, and Tai has a chance to go play for what I really feel is among the finest, if not the perfect, receivers coaches [Vikings’ 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 yr’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 yr’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 bought a bunch of gives on the finish, however loads of them have some great tales of being guys that we believed in, that we developed. They put the work in. We gave them the course.”
