College Football Week 2: 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
After a barn-burning Week 1, college football is back on our screens this Saturday. Here are five 2025 NFL Draft prospects you need to watch this weekend.
Anthony Belton - OT, NC State (6-5, 348, Senior)
Tennessee vs NC State is one of just two ranked matchups this weekend. While there will be plenty of great players on display, the matchup between Wolfpack left tackle Anthony Belton and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce is particularly intriguing from a draft perspective.
Belton, in his third season as a starter, has been a solid replacement for former top 10 draft pick Ikem Ekwonu. At 6’5″ and 348 lbs, Belton has a similar physical presence to his predecessor. Unlike Ekwonu though, his best work so far has actually come as a pass protector. That will be tested this weekend in what should be one of the toughest tests of Belton’s college career.
Pearce, a potential No. 1 overall draft pick, is a formidable opponent. If Belton can keep him quiet it would undoubtedly help to boost his draft stock.
James Pearce - EDGE, Tennessee (6-5, 243, Junior)
On the other side of the matchup is Pearce, who is coming off a stellar 2023 campaign that saw him earn First Team All-SEC honours. Pearce is the heart and soul of the Volunteers’ defensive line and led the team with 46 pressures last season.
While he played limited snaps in Week 1 against Chattanooga, Pearce will have a chance to show his full potential against NC State. He is an outstanding athlete with an explosive first step and fluidity to corner and get to the quarterback.
The big question facing Pearce is whether he has the size and play strength to be a consistent impact player, especially against the run. Going up against a player like Belton will be a great test for him and one that scouts will be watching closely.
Jalon Daniels - QB, Kansas (6-0, 220, rs-Senior)
With no blue chip prospects at the position, the 2025 NFL Draft is expected to feature a competitive race to be QB1. While Daniels is certainly not a frontrunner at this point, he is nonetheless an intriguing prospect with breakout potential.
Daniels first gained attention as the Jayhawks’ starter in 2022, throwing for 18 touchdowns and four interceptions and earning Second Team All-Big 12 honours. Expectations were high entering 2023, but a back injury limited him to just three games.
Daniels possesses the athleticism, arm talent, and poise that you desire in a quarterback. However, his durability has been a concern, as he has yet to play more than nine games in a season. Scouts will want to see him stay healthy and put up a strong performance against Illinois this weekend.
Ashton Jeanty - RB, Boise State (5-9, 215, Junior)
Not many players started the 2024 season as well as Jeanty did. In Week 1, he rushed for a school-record 267 yards and six touchdowns in the Broncos’ win over Georgia Southern. Jeanty had already been considered a leading candidate for RB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his performance last week further solidified his status.
Jeanty is known for his toughness and ability to create his own yardage. His compact frame and exceptional contact balance allow him to pinball off would-be tacklers and consistently gain additional yardage. He is also a big-play threat, with 39 runs of 15+ yards since 2022.
This weekend, Jeanty will face a tough test against an Oregon team ranked No. 7 in the country. As with any Group of Five prospect, the question is whether he can maintain his high level of play against Power Four competition. This matchup should be a nice litmus test for the Boise State back.
Deone Walker - IDL, Kentucky (6-6, 348, Junior)
The 2025 draft class looks strong at interior defensive line, and Walker is one of the most notable names. A towering figure at 6’6″ and 348 lbs, Walker led Kentucky with 45 pressures in 2023, a mark that also led all SEC interior linemen.
Surprising as it may seem for a man of his size, Walker’s game is actually built around his ability to get after the quarterback. He has a surprisingly quick first step and good lateral agility, whilst also showing the ability to counter quickly if his initial plan of attack fails.
This weekend, Walker faces a South Carolina offensive line that struggled in Week 1, allowing quarterback LaNorris Sellers to be pressured on 36.7% of his dropbacks. Walker had a quiet outing against Southern Miss in Week 1, so it will be interesting to see if he can make an impact in this matchup.
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.