NFL Draft
12/30/24
7 min read
2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Bowl Game Mania Brings Breakout Performances
The holidays are the last push for 2025 NFL Draft prospects to make a statement in front of evaluators before the offseason craziness begins. Christmas week brought the biggest slate of bowl games of December, and all that is left is a handful of matchups with some of the most recognizable programs in the nation. While the world celebrated the holidays, we evaluated each bowl game from the previous week.
The slew of opt-outs that now inevitably affect bowl games played a part in our risers and fallers from the week. Our top 300 players were represented well enough, and it was a fitting send-off as so many stars ended their collegiate careers on a high note.
Let's examine the three stars who pushed their 2025 NFL Draft stock up and those who fell.
CFB Bowl Game Stock Up Players
We saw enough quality performances to name a couple of other risers who dominated their competition. Here are three more players who caught our eyes during Christmas Bowl week.
Honorable Mentions
- Garrett Greene, QB, West Virginia
- Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
- Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL)
Anotha one for 99.
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) December 1, 2024
Eric O'Neill ups his season sacs total to 11.5, and JMU's defense comes up big again!#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/cvXgKUd9mj
📈Eric O'Neill, EDGE, James Madison
Stats: 9 pressures, 1 sack, 3 tackles
This past week's most dominant defensive player wasn't a surprise if you've been watching Group of 5 this season. Eric O'Neill is one of the two best defenders most of the nation hasn't heard of yet, totaling 58 quarterback pressures and 14 sacks on the year. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder entered the transfer portal but might need to consider the NFL instead.
O'Neill's first season at James Madison was a smash hit. After spending three years with the Long Island Sharks, O'Neill wasted zero time in becoming an elite pass-rusher despite moving up in competition level. He looked like a man going against boys almost every week.
Despite having four games with at least two sacks, his final outing against Western Kentucky might've been his most impressive from start to finish. He was constantly in the backfield, registering his second-most pressures of the season. PFF credited him with an impressive win rate of almost 18 percent.
If the combine goes well, O'Neill could land early on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. His fast ascension in competition aside, he checks the boxes as a dominant force at a smaller school, and he appears to be athletic enough to potentially start in the NFL.
OH MY GOODNESSSSSS RAHJAI HARRIS 🏴☠️🏴☠️#AmericanWay x @ECUPiratesFB pic.twitter.com/oykjwXxPpQ
— The American (@American_Conf) December 29, 2024
📈Rahjai Harris, RB, East Carolina
Stats: 17 carries, 220 yards, 1 TD
A relative unknown entering the second half of the 2024 season, Rahjai Harris has quickly become one of the hottest names among late-round backs. The 5-foot-11, 214-pound back broke out in Week 2 with 141 yards and two touchdowns against Old Dominion but was quiet until Week 9. Starting with that game against Temple, East Carolina found incredible success going to the bruising tailback.
With four of his final six games reaching at least 114 yards, Harris now has a real chance of earning draftable grades. He created 3.72 yards after contact per carry on the season, totaling a whopping 766 of his 1,177 yards. His low pad level and constantly moving feet help overcome a limited top-end speed and lack of high-end production in previous seasons.
Will evaluators overlook that Harris was a part-time player between 2020 and 2023 in favor of a season-ending hot streak? They might not because Harris was one of the nation's top ball carriers to finish the season.
📈Shilo Sanders, SAF, Colorado
Stats: 6 tackles, 1 PBU
Despite being the son of Deion Sanders, the NFL outlook for safety Shilo Sanders hasn't been nearly as optimistic as his brother, Sheduer. Shilo Sanders is a physical, hard-hitting defender who plays well in the run game but has athletic limitations in coverage. He's also prone to making mental mistakes, including taking bad penalties and bad pursuit angles.
Doubt stems from Sanders' career resume, which includes a 16 percent missed tackle rate and 10 penalties committed. However, the second half of Sanders' senior season was much better than his previous time at South Carolina, Jackson State, and now Colorado. His tackling was on point, and his coverage mistakes were few and far between.
His performance against BYU generally continued the positive trend. Sanders has to overcome a lot to be drafted, including the fact he played in college six seasons, but he has special teams and backup value.
CFB Bowl Game Stock Down Players
📉Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado
Stats: 1 receptions, 4 yards
Of the 102 draft-eligible receivers who have played throughout the bowl season thus far, Will Sheppard has the fifth-fewest yards. Colorado's passing game couldn't get anything going against BYU, and Sheppard failed to be part of an answer. His struggles during the last two years have redefined his draft stock.
Once projected as a top-60 player in 2022, Sheppard's outlook is more clouded now. He had a few solid games with Colorado in 2024, but he never broke the 100-yard mark. His lack of separation ability and athletic upside are more obvious now than they were with Vanderbilt from 2020 through 2023.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has impressive body control and a large catch radius, but the archetype of tall, slow receivers isn't in style right now. That doesn't mean there's no role for Sheppard if he steps up in the NFL, but this wasn't a promising season or performance.
Score fast 💨@G27football | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/mZuWMmYVUX
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 27, 2024
📉Gavin Sawchuk, RB, Oklahoma
Stats: 13 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD
A hamstring injury derailed a season that was supposed to be a major step for Gavin Sawchuk. He was so good in 2023, totaling 744 yards and nine touchdowns on 120 carries, that Tawee Walker bolted to Wisconsin. Instead of Sawchuk assuming the full load, he had only 61 yards entering the bowl game.
With 67 yards and a score against Navy, Sawchuk wasn't bad at all in the most productive game of his season. However, it was a grinding, ugly game with only one carry for 10 or more yards. His speed just isn't there to be a more explosive back.
It's possible that 2025 will bring a rejuvenated body and a more impressive skill set for Sawchuk. Hopes he'd ascend into a mid-round pick for this draft seem gone, though. Moving our expectations from 2024 to 2025 could pay off with a big season instead of this past fall.
📉Rocco Becht, QB, Iowa State
Stats: 22/36, 270 yards, 3 TDs
A potential mid-round prospect in the 2025 class, Rocco Becht hasn't been someone most have associated as a quality option despite his impressive numbers and tools of an NFL starter. Like Brock Purdy, Becht doesn't have elite athleticism or playmaking. He does a lot of the small things well, but it's not sexy.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder had a cold streak to end the 2024 season, and his bowl game against Miami wasn't much better despite the raw numbers. It was a checkdown-filled performance against a secondary barely paying attention. His accuracy was poor as he rushed throws made under pressure.
A big day may not have mattered much, but Becht's best bet is to look ahead and build for the 2026 NFL Draft. His smaller stature, lack of standout raw talent, and weak end to the year will have scouts putting him on the backburner anyway.
