The first ever 12-team College Football Playoff begins Friday night with Notre Dame and Indiana and rolls on Saturday with a triple-header. In a format featuring some of the best teams in the nation, all eyes will be on the top players for their respective team. Most of them are draft elgibile and will soon make their future plans known if they have not already. The next genertion of NFL prospects will be on display all weekend. Here are some of the best NFL Draft prospects in the College Football Playoff.
Ashton Jeanty RB, Boise State
At this point, everyone has heard of Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State running back has an opportunity to break Barry Sanders’ long-standing rushing record of 2, 628 yards in a single season in the CFP. Jeanty’s breakout season led to a runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy with 2,497 yards thus far and 29 touchdowns. In an era where running backs have seen their value in drafts decline, Jeanty has cemented himself as a first-round pick.
Abdul Carter Edge, Penn State
Carter has led one of the best defenses in college football this season. He currently ranks 12th in sacks with a career-high 10 this season after combining for 11 in his previous two years. On top of the impressive sack totals, he’s accounted for 49 QB pressures and 19.5 tackles for loss. Carter is a consensus top-10 prospect and is ranked in the top-five by some.
Malaki Starks S, Georgia
Starks has been one of the best defensive backs in college football since arriving at Georgia as a freshman, where he was a starter on a 15-0 national championship team. He followed up a stellar freshman campaign by finishing as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation’s best defensive back as a sophomore and again as a junior. In three years, Starks has totaled 194 tackles, 17 pass breakups and six interceptions. He’s been slated as a top-15 pick in most mock drafts.
Kelvin Banks Jr. OT, Texas
Banks is the consensus No. 1 offensive lineman prospect in the 2025 draft and took home the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award this season. Banks supported one of college football’s best offenses, allowing one sack on the year and just three in his career. Although he’s dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to miss the SEC Championship, Banks is expected to suit up in the CFP. Banks is likely to be selected in the top-five of the 2025 draft.
James Pearce Jr. Edge, Tennessee
At one point, Pearce was one of the favorites to go No. 1 overall. But after breakout seasons from other candidates, Pearce’s stock has slightly fallen to the end of the top-10 or middle first-round. His speed off the edge is his biggest strength, which has led him to 7.5 sacks this season after 9.5 in 2023. Pearce earned All-SEC honors this season and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the nation.
Mykel Williams Edge, Georgia
Williams was one of the top prospects in the 2025 class before an ankle injury sidelined him for a few weeks early in the season. In the 10 games he’s played this season, he’s posted five sacks, 24 QB pressures and two forced fumbles. His most impressive performances have come in both matchups against Texas where he combined for four sacks, six tackles and a forced fumble. Williams is a consensus top-10 draft prospect and has solidified himself as a first-round pick.
Emeka Egbuka WR, Ohio State
Egbuka has been one of the leading receivers for Ohio State since his sophomore season where he recorded a career-high 1,151 yards and helped lead the Buckeyes to the CFP. After dealing with injuries for most of his junior year in 2023, he’s tallied 60 receptions (team-high) for 743 yards and nine touchdowns as Ohio State is back in the playoff. Egbuka is likely to be a late first-round or early second-round pick for a team in need of a receiver.
Tyler Warren TE, Penn State
Warren has been a Swiss army knife for Penn State this season, bringing in 88 receptions, carrying the ball 23 times and throwing a touchdown pass. On those 88 catches, Warren has 1,062 yards and six touchdowns and on his 23 carries he’s posted 191 yards and four scores. The 2024 Mackey Award winner, Warren is the consensus No. 1 tight end and is a likely first-round pick.
Jalon Walker OLB, Georgia
The 2024 Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker has been one of the season's biggest risers. He’s been a standout for Georgia’s defense, leading the team with 6.5 sacks. Walker was a dominant force against Texas both times but was an all-around game-wrecker in the first matchup when he had three sacks and eight tackles along with a fumble recovery. Walker is ranked as a top-15 prospect and is a projected first-round pick.
Derrick Harmon DT, Oregon
Harmon has shined for the No. 1 ranked Ducks after transferring in this season. He’s recorded five sacks while playing on the interior defensive line along with nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Harmon is a game-wrecker on the interior that championship teams at the college and NFL level need. He’s currently ranked as a top-20 prospect and a middle first-round pick.
Stats were recieved from ESPN Stats & Info.
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