College Football Week 1: 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
The college football season well and truly kicks off this weekend and there are a tonne of exciting prospects on display. Here are six names to keep an eye on.
Kaimon Rucker - EDGE, North Carolina (6-2, 265, Senior)
If you’re looking for a thrilling draft prospect showdown to kick off Week 1, look no further than North Carolina vs Minnesota. That matchup will feature an electric trench battle between Tar Heels edge rusher Kaimon Rucker and Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery.
Rucker, a dominant force last season, led North Carolina with 60 pressures, placing him second in the ACC behind 2023 first-round pick Jared Verse. His explosive burst, bend, and ability to consistently threaten the outside shoulder make him a nightmare for opposing tackles.
Ersery, a fifth-year tackle, is a legitimate prospect in his own right. He earned All-Big Ten honours in 2023 and boasts imposing length and play strength, something that should match up well against a player like Rucker.
The last time these two faced off, Rucker had a relatively quiet outing. Can he reverse his fortunes this weekend and make a statement against one of the Big Ten’s top offensive tackles?
Mark Gronowski - QB, South Dakota State (6-3, 230, Senior)
I couldn’t make this list without including Gronowski. While he may not be as well-known as some of the other players on this list, Gronowski is certainly an intriguing name to watch from an NFL Draft perspective.
He has led South Dakota State to back-to-back FCS national championships and was the 2023 winner of the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. As a prospect, Gronowski possesses impressive size, athleticism, arm strength, and toughness in the pocket.
The biggest question for Gronowski, as is the case with many FCS prospects, is whether he can translate his success to FBS competition. His lone start against an FBS school came in Week 1 of 2022, when he faced Iowa. In that game, he completed just 38.5% of his passes for 87 yards and no touchdowns.
This weekend’s matchup against Oklahoma State, ranked 17th in the AP Top 25, will be a crucial test for Gronowski. A strong performance could elevate his draft stock and turn heads in the NFL scouting community.
Cameron Ward - QB, Miami (6-2, 223, Senior)
Ward is a name that will be getting a lot of attention this season. After initially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, he reversed his decision and transferred from Washington State to Miami. In his two seasons with the Cougars, Ward earned a reputation as a dynamic playmaker, throwing for 48 touchdowns and adding another 13 on the ground.
Ward possesses an excellent arm and his ability to extend plays with his feet is certainly appealing from an NFL perspective. However, he still needs to refine certain aspects of his game, particularly his decision-making under pressure, poise in the pocket, and anticipatory throwing.
Scouts will be closely watching Ward this weekend as he leads the Hurricanes against their rivals, Florida. This matchup will provide a valuable opportunity to assess his progress and see how he handles the pressure of a high-stakes rivalry game.
Jake Briningstool - TE, Clemson (6-6, 240, Senior)
There are countless prospects I could pick in the Clemson-Georgia game, but one player I’m particularly excited to watch is Briningstool. A highly-touted recruit in the 2021 class, he has shown flashes of his potential but has yet to fully realise it. 2023 saw him log career highs with 50 catches for 498 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite his modest production to date, there is reason to be optimistic about Briningstool’s potential. He is an excellent athlete for his size and possesses the natural hands and alignment versatility teams look for at the position.
The question for Briningstool this season is whether he can elevate his blocking skills and take his receiving production to the next level. The Bulldogs are a tough opening matchup, but it will be a great litmus test for what he has to offer.
Conner Weigman - QB, Texas A&M (6-3, 220, rs-Sophomore)
While there may not be a clear-cut elite quarterback prospect in this draft class, several players have the potential to break out in 2024. One name that has been generating plenty of buzz is Weigman.
The former five-star prospect was limited to just four games due to injury last season, but he showed some really promising flashes that have scouts excited. Weigman’s combination of processing ability, accuracy, arm strength, and mobility make him an intriguing prospect for the NFL.
To solidify his draft stock, Weigman needs to prove that he can stay healthy and continue the promising run of form he showed before his injury. His matchup against Notre Dame will provide a valuable opportunity to evaluate his progress and see how he handles a tough test against a quality opponent.
Benjamin Morrison - CB, Notre Dame (6-0, 190, Junior)
On the other side of the matchup, Morrison will be looking to spoil Weigman’s day. In what appears to be a very talented cornerback class, Morrison looks to be one of the names up near the very top and he has been earning first round hype during the offseason.
Last season, Morrison allowed a passer rating of just 60.8 and forced 11 incompletions. He is comfortable in both man and zone coverage, and his smooth athleticism and measured playstyle allow him to blanket opposing receivers with ease.
NFL teams will be eager to see Morrison demonstrate more play strength and improve his run defense. This weekend’s matchup against Weigman and the Texas A&M offense will be a great opportunity for him to showcase what he has to offer.
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.