NFL Analysis
9/18/24
8 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking 10 Best Prospects In The Big Ten
The 2024 college football season is off to a terrific start as September continues. Through the first three weeks of action, the Big Ten has proven to be filled with playmakers. Expect the 2025 NFL Draft to see much better representation from the expanded Big Ten than recent drafts relying on Ohio State and Michigan for stars.
The additions of Oregon and USC, plus the emergence of Nebraska and Illinois, have made the conference deeper than ever. As we look at the top 10 Big Ten prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, remember that guys not included likely would've been last year.
However, the conference is stacked, so high-end contributors have been left off our list.
Ranking Best Big Ten Prospects
Let's start with eight honorable mentions who just missed the cut from our top 10. These are in positional order.
Honorable Mentions
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
- Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
- JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
- Kevin Winston, SAF, Penn State
- Xavier Nwankpa, SAF, Iowa
4 consecutive plays that sum up the Drew Allar experience
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 10, 2024
1. Awful inaccurate pass
2. Tight window "how many college QBs can do this" type of throw
3. Good pocket navigation, avoids pressure, keeps his eyes downfield, drop
4. Laser/reminder that Tyler Warren is his only weapon pic.twitter.com/TR2jykZxQz
10. Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon 
The race to be the top receiver prospect in the Big Ten is a close one between Evan Stewart and Emeka Egbuka. It depends more on what type of player an offense needs. Stewart is a speedster who wins at all three levels with his quickness, precise footwork, and versatility to play inside or out.
With Zay Flowers and Tank Dell finding success as leaner but explosive playmakers, Stewart can continue the trend in 2025. At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Stewart is surprisingly reliable as a possession option despite his build, and his route running is already NFL-caliber. Combined with a supercharged burst that allows him to create separation, Stewart can easily fit into any NFL offense.
9. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State 
Having a knack for finding the ball and disrupting passes automatically puts a cornerback on the NFL's radar, but then combine a 6-foot frame and physical run defender, and you have a top-40 overall prospect. Denzel Burke is each of those things. He's proven to be a sturdy, reliable playmaker for the Buckeyes since his freshmen season and has starred in multiple schemes.
Burke has some areas for improvement, as he's not an elite athlete. His footwork and poise in coverage can be fine-tuned to overcome some stiffness and average deep speed.
Looking back at the 80-yard TD that was taken off the board for Quinshon Judkins:
— Stefan Krajisnik (@skrajisnik3) September 12, 2024
The penalty was called on Bryson Rodgers, which is… interesting. He’s at the top of the screen.
He should be recognized on this play because he was MOVING to keep up with Judkins down the field. pic.twitter.com/D85MylJNyh
8. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The 2025 running back class will bring the ground game back to greatness across the NFL. Quinshon Judkins is part of the revival efforts. Whether he's the top back in the group or not, Judkins is a dynamic lead back who gives defense fits.
His remarkable burst, acceleration, and contact balance make him a nightmare to tackle without a help defender. He's compactly built and capable of maximizing every yard available to him. Judkins doesn't have the home run speed of some other backs, but few run it better on a play-by-play basis.
7. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The massive middleman for Ohio State's elite defense could be this year's version of Seattle's 2024 first-rounder Byron Murphy III. Tyleik Williams, at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, is a game-wrecker who can play all three downs. Whether he's asked to hold double teams or penetrate the gap and rush the passer, Williams has proven to be more than capable.
Consistency with his pad level and overall impact can elevate Williams from being a late first-round prospect to a much higher range. It's hard to find monstrously big men who can move like Williams, so a strong showing against Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan can boost him.
6. Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
A plug-and-play three-down defensive end, Jack Sawyer has the blend of skill and athleticism that every team wants. During the last year, he's used his tools more effectively, understanding better how to convert his speed off the line into power and then shedding blocks before finishing plays.
His relentless effort makes him as annoying as he is dangerous for offenses to deal with.
5. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan 
Conjure an image of what you'd expect from a tight end that former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh would want. Colston Loveland is who you're thinking of. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder uses his terrific size and speed to win as a blocker and vertical receiving threat.
He's a chess piece who wins as an inline tight end and outside receiver.
His quickness for his build is certainly unique. While he's not as effective blocking as denser tight ends, he does enough to positively impact the offense. He should be a top-25 pick.
The 2026 #NFL Draft Class will be historic at the QB position. Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier (If he stays), Nico Lamaleava, Miller Moss (If he stays), + MORE.
— • Colton Edwards • (@cedwardsNFL) September 15, 2024
Miller Moss:
Quick release, angle freedom, quick and decisive ball distribution, and good touch at all levels of the… pic.twitter.com/tBH4DgdyBM
4. Miller Moss, QB, USC
It's too early to anoint Miller Moss of anything just yet, but his first few weeks in the Big Ten have gone well. The heir to Caleb Williams has held his own in limited playing time since arriving at USC in 2021. Through two games, he's completed just under 73 percent of his passes for 607 yards and two touchdowns.
His quick release and great accuracy stand out immediately, as he can pepper defenses with intermediate throws with plenty of zip. He processes the field before and after the snap better than most seasoned quarterbacks, so there's real potential that Moss is at least a high-end game manager in the NFL.
3. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State 
Penn State has been a factory for freak athletes in recent years, and Abdul Carter is next up. Moving from a mixed linebacker/EDGE role last year to a full-time pass rusher, Carter's development is under the microscope. What isn't up for debate is that he's as athletic as the NFL's top-tier defenders.
Now, Carter must master his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame and maximize his 4.48 40-yard dash speed and 4.35 shuttle explosiveness. The tools are insane, and the film and production are good enough to spend a high pick on Carter.
Will Johnson just put this one out of reach.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 1, 2024
The star @UMichFootball DB returns the INT 8️⃣6️⃣ yards 😎#B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/BL1khAkZHf
2. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
You could easily flip Will Johnson and Mason Graham for the top spot of who is the best Big Ten prospect and be correct. Either could well be the top overall player in the entire 2025 class. Johnson is as close as it gets to Sauce Gardner as a prospect, boasting elite size (6-foot-2), good speed (4.44 40), and terrific ball skills.
Johnson will immediately be a CB1 as he enters the NFL. Look no further than his fantastic showings against Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Isaiah Bond in 2023 to see his effectiveness.
1. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Finding a disruptive interior tackle can transform a defense in a similar way to how a quarterback elevates an offense. It's not quite the same, but Mason Graham is the engine that has put Michigan's defense into overdrive throughout his tenure. His presence is felt on all downs and offenses have no choice but to account for his role on any given play call.
His impact is far beyond his 5.5 career sacks, and the 6-foot-3, 318-pounder projects as someone who can fit in any defensive alignment.
