Another week of the college football season has come and gone, and this one might have been the most unpredictable yet. Seven AP Top 25 teams lost, including top-ranked Alabama and fourth-ranked Tennessee. This week introduced some new names to keep an eye on for the 2025 NFL Draft, while also bringing back some older seniors that have been in draft conversations for a while.

Risers:

Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

When people bring up a Texas Longhorn offensive tackle, many think of Kelvin Banks, one of the premier tackle prospects in the class. However, the work that Cameron Williams has done so far this season at right tackle many have noticed. Other top tackle prospects have underwhelmed up to this point in the season, but Williams has impressed lots of fans, only allowing two pressures in five games for the Longhorns. Williams stands at 6’5 and 335 pounds, a prototypical build for an NFL tackle. Williams’s 82.5 pass block grade ranks in the top 30 among every offensive tackle in the country. 

Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M

I don’t know if there was any other highly-rated quarterback prospect in the country that needed a performance such as the one Weigman had against ninth-ranked Missouri. During summer scouting Weigman argued to be the top quarterback in this upcoming class. Nevertheless, Weigman’s season started with a disastrous performance against Notre Dame that included two interceptions and only a 40% completion rate. Two weeks later, Weigman suffered a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for the past month. In his return to play last Saturday, Weigman did the unexpected and had his best performance of the season with a completion rate over 80% as well as throwing for over 270 yards and picking up a dominant win against a top-ten opponent. Weigman is looking to get back into that QB1 conversation over the next few weeks with quarterbacks like Miami’s Cam Ward and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe struggling against inferior opponents. 

Fallers:

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State

One of the top safety prospects in 2025, Winston saw his season end right after it began in Penn State’s matchup against Bowling Green a month ago. Penn State head coach James Franklin has yet to announce the specifics of the injury, however, Winston’s injury can be considered as long-term. The Nittany Lion’s leading tackler in 2023, Winston was a consensus late-day one to early-day two prospect before going down in the second week of the college football season. 

Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas

The Kansas Jayhawks have rebuilt their football program over the past five years and a large part of that can be attributed to Daniels. The Jayhawks QB1 has had some explosive performances against quality opponents in years past but has disappointed fans to begin the year. The Jayhawks were in the preseason top 15, however after an opening weekend win against Lindenwood, Kansas has yet to win another game. Daniels is already up to 11 turnover-worthy plays according to PFF this season including multiple games with at least three. Daniels’ inconsistencies as a passer have been exposed this season pushing him out of contention to be a day two pick and potentially even day three as well. 

Baller:

Oregon RB Jordan James vs Michigan State (24 rushes, 167 yards, TD)

The true junior has been one of the most impressive running backs in all of college football this season. James’ consistent production can always be counted on week in and week out. James has already rushed for 100 yards in three different games this season. Additionally, James is averaging over 3.5 yards after contact which ranks near the top across the country. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty might have solidified his case for the best running back in this class already, but James could be a sleeper selection early on day three. At 5 ’10 and 210 pounds, James has already rushed for 500 yards this season along with finding the endzone five times. 

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