NFL Analysis
12/3/24
10 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Top Prospects To Watch In Conference Championship Games
Conference championship weekend comes with major implications for the College Football Playoff, but it's also a massive opportunity for NFL draft prospects to show out in front of a national audience.
This year's conference championships is headlined by teams like Penn State, Georgia, and Clemson trying to clinch conference titles and avoid being at the mercy of the CFP committee to get into the 12-team Playoff. For teams like Oregon and Texas, it's an opportunity to secure first-round byes and an extra week off once the Playoff begins.
Conference championships are also a great chance for NFL scouts to get a look at prospects playing some of the best competition they'll face all year. With that in mind, let's take a look at the top prospect in every conference championship this weekend to keep an eye on.
Woooo what a hit, Upton Stout 😤
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 29, 2023
Amazing read, reaction, and tackle pic.twitter.com/3Ann0K1mNg
Conference USA: Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State
Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky 
There are a handful of prospects in the C-USA championship with opportunities to be Day 3 picks. Hilltoppers cornerback Upton Stout could sneak into Day 2 with a strong performance this weekend.
Stout isn't the biggest corner prospect, listed at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds. However, he's an experienced and instinctive CB with over 2,000 snaps played at Western Kentucky and North Texas. Opposing quarterbacks have posted a passer rating of just 77.7 when targeting Stout over his five-year career.
Despite the smaller frame, Stout brings legitimate strength as a press corner and in run support. He has solid top-end play speed and fluidity to stay in phase with even the most explosive wide receivers. While a lack of length could be an issue, he could fit in ideally as a slot corner at the NFL level.
POV you’re in college, the day after Thanksgiving and have to try and tackle Ashton Jeanty at 10 AM pic.twitter.com/ISZBBY7qaI
— Clay (@claypanzeri) November 29, 2024
Mountain West: UNLV vs Boise State
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State 
It's hard to put into words just how dominant Ashton Jeanty has been this season.
The best way to put Jeanty's season in reference to the rest of the country is this incredible stat about his yards after contact. Jeanty leads the nation with 2,287 yards rushing, but his 1,695 yards after contact would *also* lead the nation in rushing ahead of Omarion Hampton, who is currently second in the FBS with 1,660 rushing yards.
Possessing a compact 5-foot-9, 215-pound frame, Jeanty has elite contact balance that makes him a bowling ball bouncing around defenders. He breaks tackles without losing speed, and has the vision to find creases and keep his legs churning for maximum yardage.
The running back renaissance in the NFL this season with Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs thriving with his teams could have a team picking in the top 10 take a swing on Jeanty in the first round.
Tulane’s Patrick Jenkins has a lot more agility than I thought pic.twitter.com/cJGrYx7wz7
— Joe Broback (@joebroback) July 7, 2023
AAC: Tulane vs Army
Patrick Jenkins, DL, Tulane
There aren't any top-tier prospects in the AAC championship, but Tulane's Patrick Jenkins is someone who could make a case for being a late Day 3 pick with a big performance against Army.
Jenkins transferred to Tulane from TCU before the 2022 season, and has been a key pass rusher for the Green Wave over the last three seasons. Per PFF, he's generated 100 pressures in three seasons for Tulane with 13 sacks over that span.
While he's not the biggest DL prospect at 293 pounds, Jenkins has significant playing experience and enough pass-rushing prowess that he could at least earn a UDFA flier if he ends up going undrafted.
A sleeper CB worth keeping tabs on: Iowa State CB Darien Porter. Rare length (6024, 33 1/2-inch arms) and speed (10.6 100-meter athlete). Also has 4 career blocked punts.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 15, 2024
Won't be shocked if a team rolls the dice top-100. pic.twitter.com/VGiiM0Qmro
Big 12: Iowa State vs Arizona State
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
6-foot-4 cornerback prospects aren't usually considered near the top of the draft, but Darien Porter has a chance to shoot up draft boards in the coming months.
A former wide receiver, Porter made the switch to cornerback and has thrived for the Cyclones. He's allowed zero touchdowns when targeted this season with three interceptions, allowing a passer rating of just 7.0 heading into the Big 12 championship.
Along with size and length, Porter has very good top-end play speed and ball tracking ability to not panic and grab wide receivers when targeted deep. He's still a bit stiff in transitioning from his backpedal to follow receivers, but has the length and recovery speed to make up for his current limitations from a technique standpoint.
The upside on Porter is a lockdown corner, but he also brings special teams value with four career blocked punts. That alone should be enough to get Porter drafted, but his physical tools and a strong pre-draft process could have him get early Day 2 consideration.
Say it with us. You Just Got Ugwu'd ‼️@UgwuBrian with the clutch sack#RiseUpRedHawks | 🏆🎓 pic.twitter.com/GUjp7QXfY0
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 29, 2024
MAC: Ohio vs Miami (OH)
Brian Ugwu, EDGE, Miami (OH)
Like the AAC game, there aren't a ton of NFL prospects in the MAC championship. However, Miami's Brian Ugwu has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the conference this season.
Ugwu has been a productive pass rusher throughout this career, generating 20.5 sacks over the last three seasons. He's also been the RedHawks' most consistent rusher over the last two years, generating 114 pressures over the last two seasons.
The Miami EDGE has solid size at 6-foot-3 and 256 pounds, and the pass-rushing productivity and athleticism to garner Day 3 draft consideration.
Malaki Starks is unreal pic.twitter.com/FdJI1UCHKD
— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) August 31, 2024
SEC: Georgia vs Texas
Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
There's a chance that five, six, or even seven prospects from the SEC championship go in the first round of this year's draft. However, none of those potential first-round picks feel like as much of a blue-chip prospect than Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
A former 5-star athlete, Starks has done nothing but live up to the hype during his time at Georgia. He's a national champion and first-team All-American in 2023, with a chance to earn national accolades again this season.
Starks has excellent length, athletic ability, and versatility in the secondary. He can play as a deep safety and cover sideline to sideline, or fill the run in the box. He's the leader of Georgia's secondary, constantly communicating pre-snap based on motions and formations to get everyone on the same page. He reads his keys and stays disciplined to almost always be in the right position to make a play.
There isn't another safety prospect in this class with the unique skill set that Starks brings, and the argument can be made that he's one of the top prospects at any position in the 2025 draft class.
If #Bengals fans want pass rush opposite Trey Hendrickson, you might want to take a closer look at Mike Green from Marshall. 6’4” 250, currently has 15 sacks on the season. No doubt will be climbing draft boards.
— JONNY 🏈 (@JonnyBengal) November 21, 2024
pic.twitter.com/XSvD1Rs0Sl
Sun Belt: Marshall vs Louisiana
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Of all the small-school prospects on this list, Mike Green has the chance to be the one drafted the earliest.
Green has shot up draft boards with a terrific season for Marshall, generating 16 sacks and 60 pressures so far this season. He's just 0.5 sacks away from the lead in the FBS, behind Boston College's Donovan Ezeriuaku, who is gaining top-50 attention in the 2025 draft.
What makes Green such a dangerous pass rusher is his explosiveness off of the snap, allowing him to win with speed and bend around the edge. He also has a pass-rush bag that includes multiple different moves with very good hand usage to get disengaged and into the backfield.
While his lighter frame could have him struggling to handle the point of attack against the run, he brings so much value as a pass rusher that teams will probably start considering him as their selection early on Day 2.
There’s only ONE Brock Bowers, but Tyler Warren is going to have instant Day 1 impact for a lucky NFL team that drafts him in the spring like Bowers.
— Ray G (@RayGQue) November 30, 2024
Special player. Incredible talent #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Z8tWSj29t3
Big Ten: Penn State vs Oregon
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Abdul Carter probably deserves to be considered the top prospect in this game, but Tyler Warren is quickly starting to establish himself as TE1 in this draft class.
That's saying a lot for a class that includes Michigan's Colston Loveland and LSU's Mason Taylor. However, neither of those prospects have been the kind of offensive weapon that Warren has been this year for the Nittany Lions.
On top of his duties as a tight end, Warren has also been Penn State's preferred QB in wildcat formations. He's already caught 81 passes for 978 yards and six touchdowns, ran for another 189 yards and four scores, and even thrown a touchdown pass.
Along with athleticism, body control, and strong hands in the passing game, Warren is fearlessly competitive as a blocker. There are finer points of technique where Warren could improve, but he's such a unique weapon that he should be an instant mismatch early in his NFL career against second-level defenders.
Barrett Carter is an INSANE athlete 👀
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 15, 2024
The Clemson LB will look to be a top selection in the 2025 NFL Draft with his athleticism and versatility. pic.twitter.com/77SI8xX6b5
ACC: Clemson vs SMU
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
For teams looking for a hyper-athletic linebacker prospects, they'll want to keep a close eye on the ACC championship game between Clemson and SMU.
Barrett Carter has been a mainstay on Clemson's defense for the last few seasons, and continues to develop into a well-round prospect. He's an explosive athlete with terrific play speed, allowing him to fly around the field as a run stopper and in coverage.
Carter's speed is even more beneficial because of his impressive post-snap processing, quickly reading his keys and getting to his spot before blockers are able to reach him. That's important for a linebacker of his size, listed at just 230 pounds, because he can get washed out when having to engage with a lineman who gets a clean shot on him.
Despite the smaller frame, Carter still gives great effort against blockers to get extended and disengaged. His length, speed, and motor will make him a fun prospect, particularly in coverage early in his NFL career as he adds weight and gets comfortable against the run at the NFL level.
