College Football Week 4: 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
We have three ranked matchups to look forward to in Week 4, but there is interest and intrigue far beyond that if you’re looking for prospects to watch.
Here are five names that I will be watching closely this weekend.
David Bailey - EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250, Senior)
If trench battles are your thing, then make sure you are tuning in to watch Texas Tech face off against Utah this weekend.
Red Raiders edge rusher David Bailey has been one of the most impactful pass rushers in the country through the first three weeks of the season. His 16 pressures lead all Power Four edge rushers and he has logged a very impressive 24.5% pass rush win rate.
Bailey’s game is built around his quick twitch athleticism and ability to threaten opposing tackles around the outside shoulder. He has also flashed some potential with inside counters, forcing tackles to overset before crossing their face to get at the quarterback.
This weekend will be the toughest test that Bailey will face all season as he prepares to go up against Utah’s highly-touted tackle duo. Right tackle Spencer Fano is in the conversation as one of the top five players in the 2026 class, and left tackle Caleb Lomu is a toolsy lineman who offers real upside.
Both tackles are renowned for their athleticism, so they should be a tough matchup for Bailey. The one big question scouts will be wanting him to answer is whether he has counters at his disposal if he can’t win with speed. We will get a good answer to that this weekend.
Raleek Brown - RB, Arizona State (5-9, 195, rs-Junior)
In my Week 3 scouting notebook I highlighted the performance from Arizona State running back Raleek Brown, and he’s firmly on my radar again this week.
Brown is a former four-star recruit and was the No. 3 ranked running back in the 2022 recruiting class. He saw playing time as a freshman at USC and led the Pac-12 in kick return yards, before redshirting the 2023 season after a switch to wide receiver.
He transferred to Arizona State in 2024, but a hamstring injury limited him to just 47 yards all season. He looks to have found fitness in 2025 and is making the most of it. Through the first three weeks of the season he has recorded 292 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. Six of those have gone for 15+ yards and he has forced 20 missed tackles.
Whilst he is on the smaller side, Brown’s ability to make a difference as a runner, receiver, and returner will earn interest at the pro level. He’s a very good athlete too – he ran the 100m in 10.91 seconds in high school and was clocked at 21.6mph against Texas State last week.
In Week 4, Brown faces a good Baylor defense. Another big game here will no doubt see him earn much more national attention.
Tyreak Sapp - EDGE, Florida (6-2, 274, rs-Senior)
Things are looking increasingly bleak for Florida after a dismal loss to LSU in Week 3. This weekend’s clash with Miami doesn’t feel like it will be a very competitive affair, but there are still some good prospect matchups to watch.
The one that really piques my interest is Gators edge rusher Tyreak Sapp going up against Miami’s offensive line, in particular their right tackle, Francis Mauigoa.
Sapp has been solid through three games this season, but it is fair to say he has fallen short of expectation. He established a reputation as an exceptional run defender in 2024, but through three games he has just four defensive stops, with all but one of those coming against USF in Week 2. His pass rushing production has been similarly modest.
He could boost his stock significantly this weekend though with a big performance against Mauigoa, who has looked excellent so far this season. The right tackle has been dominant in the run game and has been solid as a pass protector. If Sapp can get the better of him and make some splash plays, he’ll definitely be getting some attention.
Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana (6-5, 225, rs-Junior)
One of the quarterbacks earning plenty of buzz over the offseason was Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, with several high-profile analysts highlighting him as a potential first round pick.
Mendoza began his career at Cal. After redshirting in 2022, he won the starting job midway through the 2023 season. In his first full year as a starter in 2024 he threw for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, before transferring to Indiana.
There is a lot to like about Mendoza’s game when projecting to the NFL. He has a great feel for ball placement and touch, and shows the ability to work through his reads as a passer. He is also comfortable throwing with anticipation and is not afraid to stand in the pocket under pressure.
Early returns at Indiana have been good, with Mendoza completing over 70% of his passes and throwing for nine touchdowns and no interceptions. The Hoosiers have had a very easy schedule though and this weekend’s matchup against Illinois will mark the first time they have faced Power Four competition. Scouts will be circling this matchup and will want to see how Mendoza fares against a good defense.
Xavier Chaplin - OT, Auburn (6-7, 348, rs-Junior)
The big story with the Oklahoma-Auburn game will be centred on Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold and whether he can get the better of his former team. From a draft perspective though, the player I’m most excited to watch is their left tackle, Xavier Chaplin.
Chaplin began his career at Virginia Tech, spending three seasons with the Hokies. He started for two of those, before transferring to Auburn ahead of the 2025 season. The early returns have been promising. Chaplin has been a mauler in the run game and solid in pass protection.
As a prospect, Chaplin’s strengths are readily apparent. He is a hulking tackle who routinely overwhelms his opponents with his sheer size and strength. His anchor is rock solid, and he showcases a fierce punch to jar defenders in the run game. His issues have been primarily around his ability to consistently sustain blocks, and in handling true speed around the arc.
That’s what makes this weekend’s matchup against Oklahoma such an interesting watch. Chaplin will face off against the Sooners’ toolsy edge rusher R Mason Thomas. The two players offer contrasting skillsets, with Chaplin relying on size and power and Thomas winning with burst and bend. This will be a big test for both players, and we should see some exciting one-on-one battles.
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.