NFL Analysis

9/2/24

8 min read

2025 NFL Draft: Stock Report on College Football's Biggest Stars After Week 1

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

College football's Week 1 slate provided us with many good performances from potential NFL prospects. This weekly column will cover which players saw their stock rise and fall following each week of college football.

Here's this week's stock report:

>> READ MORE: Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

CFB Week 1 Stock Up Players

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Stats: Seven receptions, 132 yards, three touchdowns, three tackles

We won't have a firm answer on what position suits Travis Hunter best in the NFL or whether he can play both sides of the ball consistently, but Week 1 offered pretty good proof of what his future on offense could be.

Hunter dominated North Dakota State in a way that transcends concerns about the level of competition faced. Colorado could've been playing the 1985 Bears, and Hunter's execution in key moments would've translated.

With his rare ball skills, flexibility, strong hands, and focus, Hunter's highest ceiling is likely at wide receiver. Those traits are valuable and more difficult to find at cornerback, but it's hard to watch how well Hunter wins on contested catches and think an offense can limit his snaps.

There's simply too much potential for Hunter to be a foundational building block.

Instead of ranking Hunter as our CB3, he has the case to be the runaway WR3 in this class and possibly better. He has the makings of being the next megastar at the position.


Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia

Stats: Two tackles, one interception

Malaki Starks has a knack for making incredible Week 1 interceptions at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After making his college football debut in 2022 with one of the most impressive plays of the season, he did it again against Clemson this week. Starks' body control, ball skills, and timing made for a play of the year.

Clemson has its host of offensive issues, but Starks was as much of a deterrent as any of their limitations. His deep range removes targets from an entire side of the field, if not more. Starks' ability to play in man coverage gives him a level of versatility that rarely is seen. 

The parallels between Starks and a younger Devin McCourty of the Patriots dynasty should propel Starks into the top 10 discussions. Few safeties have the type of impact ability that Starks brings with high IQ and elite physical traits, so he's more than worth the rich investment. 


Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches the ball against Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Arizona Wildcats logo Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Stats: 10 receptions, 304 yards, four touchdowns

If you didn't stay up into the wee hours of Sunday morning, then you missed out on a legendary performance.

Tetairoa McMillan, our WR2 before the season, made his case for being closer to 1B than falling beneath Missouri's Luther Burden III. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder set a school record with his performance, proving to be unstoppable against New Mexico.

McMillan is an innately gifted runner who can quickly change directions and maintain his acceleration through cuts. It's rare to find someone as tall as McMillan capable of being more than just a go-route threat. Instead, McMillan offers Arizona the chance to utilize a full route tree or designed plays that can spring him into open space. 

The best example from Saturday night was his 78-yard crossing route that led to a sprint race to the end zone. McMillan shouldn't be fast enough to win this, but he is consistently open and maximizing his yards after the catch. He could see a Mike Evans-like rise into the top 10.


Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) stiff arms UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jake Heimlicher (51) in the first quarter. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Stats: 20 carries, 267 yards, six touchdowns

It's hard to recall a more absurd stat line for a running back in recent years. Ashton Jeanty is a consensus top-five back in the 2025 class, and he just willed Boise State to a 56-45 win against Georgia State. Averaging an unfathomable 13.4 yards per carry and scoring the team's first six scores will do that.

The Eagles had no way to slow Jeanty or his backup, Sire Gaines, but Jeanty reached deep into his tool chest to maximize his impact. We saw spin moves, stiff arms, and jukes that left Georgia Southern defenders helpless.

Sometimes, it's just too obvious who is way above their peers in college, and Jeanty left any doubt to rest about whether he's ready for the NFL in Week 1.


CFB Week 1 Stock Down Players

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) warms up prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports.

Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M

Stats: 12/30, 100 yards, two interceptions, seven carries, 26 yards

There was a lot of hype around Conner Weigman entering this season, and it made some sense. He completed almost 69 percent of his 119 attempts in 2023 before missing most of the year with injuries. His game against Miami showed some great traits, including the willingness and ability to extend plays outside of the pocket.

However, Weigman's sample size was small, with only four games played in 2023. He also has a hitch in his throwing delivery that prolongs his motion. Against Notre Dame in Week 1, Weigman looked every bit of the inexperienced and developmental project that probably should've been expected.

Only a redshirt sophomore, Weigman's shotput-esque release makes him closer to a non-prospect than someone who can sniff the top 10 anytime soon. His poise and accuracy were also subpar, and while Notre Dame has a great secondary, playing at home should've alleviated more of the nerves. 


Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports.

Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan

Stats: 11 carries, 27 yards, two receptions, zero yards, one touchdown

Donovan Edwards will surely have better games this season and get drafted because he's such a phenomenal athlete, but he's struggled to show he's a viable running back for more than a year.

Michigan eventually pulled away from Fresno State in a 30-10 win, but it was no thanks to Edwards. He was the team's third-leading rusher, averaging only two yards a carry if you remove his longest rush of seven yards.

Kalel Mullings looked more natural and comfortable making reads and executing what he was being asked to do. While Edwards earned the spotlight this offseason for being on the cover of College Football 25, he's more of a conceptual offensive weapon than a star. Watching him continue to stop his feet before deciding will drive any running backs coach up a wall in frustration.

Edwards is likely a late-round pick, at best. He'll either need to play behind a team with Mack trucks along the offensive line or consider moving to receiver to maximize his impressive speed.


Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass warming up before the game against the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium. Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

Stats: 41/48, 380 yards, two touchdowns, -23 rushing yards, three sacks taken, one fumble

There's no question that Dillon Gabriel's passing stat line is impressive, but watching him in his Oregon debut was ugly. Gabriel consistently found an open man but struggled to execute on key third downs in the red zone and take care of the ball by avoiding negative plays.

There's no reason Oregon should've only led by 14 at halftime against Idaho. Week 1 jitters on a new team aren't surprising or unforgivable, but Gabriel has to win in the margins to be drafted higher in 2025 than what he was projected last year.

He has an average arm for an NFL backup but likes to check down too often. His accuracy on intermediate throws will also be carefully scrutinized, and this wasn't the best showing for teams wanting someone who can consistently improve and maximize the offense.  

Tags: NFL Draft

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