<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0UtLs7_0w9Iqv1s00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0UtLs7_0w9Iqv1s00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Oct 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The 2025 NFL Draft is taking shape as the midway point of the college football season has passed. Some hardcore draft fans have a good idea of which players have fully broken out in 2024, but most are playing catch up after the NFL season wraps up in February. We've done the dirty work to have eyes on games across every slate thus far.</p><p>With those studies come draft crushes. These players aren't household names and might not be until they perform well above their draft slot on Sundays. However, their tape and metrics check the boxes of a future NFL difference-maker.</p><p>Here are my five favorite players to pay attention to right now so you can look like a genius at work this time next year.</p><h2>5 Underrated Stars for 2025 NFL Draft</h2><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HARVEY FOR THE TD! 😎 <a href="https://twitter.com/UCFFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCFFootball</a> back in front! <a href="https://t.co/AEcfiVRaHI">pic.twitter.com/AEcfiVRaHI</a></p>— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1720925254879498368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2023</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><h2>RJ Harvey, RB, UCF </h2><p>There aren't many more productive rushers across college football in the last three seasons than RJ Harvey. The 5-foot-9, 208-pound senior is far from the most physically intimidating presence, but he's a monster at creating missed tackles and yards after contact. </p><p>With 2,909 rushing yards, a 6.4 average per carry mark, 648 receiving yards, and 33 total touchdowns on his resume, there's little doubt Harvey has NFL talent.</p><p>The key for the Big 12 back to be at least a high-end No. 2 at the next level is that he's one of the toughest backs in the nation to bring down. He creates over four yards after contact per carry, and 436 of his 694 yards this season have come after evading a tackle. He's tied for the fifth-most carries of at least 10 yards, and only five backs have higher yards per route run rate and total receptions.</p><p>The film all backs Harvey's ability to handle 10 carries and be a mismatch for NFL defenses. He's lightning-quick in short spaces, and his naturally low pad level allows him to maneuver through crowded lanes without taking a direct hit. </p><p>With his draft range likely settling into the early part of Day 3, Harvey will be a great value and addition to a zone-based run game. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donovan Ezeiruaku: Gamebreaker. <br><br><br><br>14 tackles<br><br>3 sacks<br><br>4 tackles for loss<br><br>1 forced fumble <br><br><br><br>📺 ACC Network <a href="https://t.co/MwoYFD5uaW">pic.twitter.com/MwoYFD5uaW</a></p>— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCFootball/status/1840104228054090038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><h2>Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College </h2><p>Although Donovan Ezeiruaku has been productive throughout his career, it's not shocking that a 6-foot-2 edge rusher who totaled only two sacks in 2023 fell under the radar. Ezeiruaku was a breakout star in 2022, totaling 61 tackles and 8.5 sacks, but the true sophomore was thin and comparatively short to most effective NFL ends. However, those concerns are being thrown to the side now.</p><p>It's not a great edge class again in 2025, and Ezeiruaku is easily playing the most dominant ball of his career. He's already finished nine sacks and is leading the nation with 12 tackles for loss. Most notable was his career-high 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble against Western Kentucky at the end of September.</p><p>Only three draft-eligible defenders have more total quarterback pressures than Ezeiruaku, so he's one of the nation's most dangerous presences. His speed off the edge and fluidity allow him to put blockers on skates. He'll string together multiple moves that cause confusion and guessing.</p><p>Most importantly, Ezeiruaku has graded out as an excellent run defender in the last three seasons. He's also cut his missed tackle rate from 12 percent to six percent in 2024, so he'll be pushing the first round in mocks soon. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">65-YARDS TO THE HOUSE!!!!!<br><br><br><br>Bazelak ➡️ Fannin for SIX!!!<br><br><br><br>BGSU trails by three, 13-10.<br><br><br><br>📺 SECN+/ESPN+ <a href="https://t.co/j01M4J2MCH">pic.twitter.com/j01M4J2MCH</a></p>— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) <a href="https://twitter.com/BG_Football/status/1837665390962311259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><h2>Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green </h2><p>Leading all tight ends in receiving yards by 189 yards, Harold Fannin Jr. has been the most reliable pass-catching presence at the position across college football. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has created 406 of his 702 yards after the catch. His blend of size, speed, quickness, and reliability at the catch point makes him one of the best tight end prospects of the last five years. </p><p>Now, Fannin is very much a modern-day quasi-tight end. He's lined up in the slot or out wide on 65.3 percent of his snaps and has participated on 92.4 percent of routes. While he's graded as an average pass-blocker, it's not a featured part of his usage.</p><p>It's hard to blame Bowling Green, given Fannin's effectiveness as a receiver. He has zero drops this season and is a three-level threat. No other eligible tight end has more than 10 missed tackles forced, while Fannin has 18. </p><p>He should be in the mix as a top-40 pick in 2025. </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qz5KM_0w9Iqv1s00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qz5KM_0w9Iqv1s00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Iowa State’s Darien Porter (10) shakes hands with Iow’s Jay Higgins (34) and Luke Lachey (85) after the coin toss at the CyHawk game.</figcaption></figure><h2>Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State </h2><p>Standing 6-foot-3 and 192 pounds and estimated to run in the 4.3 range, it's not a question of whether Darien Porter will get a shot to make an NFL roster. Rather, it's more about where he'll be selected. Porter is a former wide receiver, and his ball skills were shown in his first year as a cornerback.</p><p>Only one draft-eligible cornerback has a better passer rating against him, and turnovers have been a big reason why. He has two interceptions on 10 targets in 89 coverage snaps and has allowed only four catches for 36 yards. Unfortunately, he's been limited to only 40 snaps in the last two games due to injury, but he's a budding star. </p><p>With track star speed, elite length, and the natural feel to find the ball, Porter can be an early Day 2 selection. His raw talent will carry him a long way as he continues to refine his technique. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNLV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNLV</a> WR Ricky White III is already off to a fast start tonight. <br><br><br><br>Now has 7 TD catches this season. <a href="https://t.co/qdTE2Y9rdc">pic.twitter.com/qdTE2Y9rdc</a></p>— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1844915590193885284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><h2>Ricky White, WR, UNLV </h2><p>The 2025 receiving class dries up as far as depth quickly, so Group of Five talents can leap some household names. There isn't a better option than Ricky White, who has been tearing it up at UNLV since transferring from Michigan State after 2020. After leading the nation with 1,483 yards in 2023, White is right back at it this year with elite highlights.</p><p>He's already matched his career high with eight touchdowns, and it's because his ability to create separation is effortless. Able to play in the slot or outside, White does most of his damage before the ball arrives. Only 199 of his 517 yards have come after the catch, and he's forced only six missed tackles, so he's someone who can win on isolation routes and doesn't need a super-fancy scheme. </p><p>His athletic 6-foot-1 frame provides a huge catch radius, and his stride allows him to play faster than he might be timed. Plus, he's a special teams ace, notching two blocked punts against Syracuse this year.</p></div></body>

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2025 NFL Draft: 5 Players To Get On Hype Train Now

The 2025 NFL Draft is taking shape as the midway point of the college football season has passed. Some hardcore draft fans have a good idea of which players have fully broken out in 2024, but most are playing catch up after the NFL season wraps up in February. We've done the dirty work to have eyes on games across every slate thus far.

2025 NFL Draft: 5 Players To Get On Hype Train Now

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