Draft Risers Through Two Weeks
Written by: Max Szostak
While we’re just two weeks into the season, a few players have already exceeded expectations and completely changed the trajectory of their draft stocks. Here are my six biggest 2025 NFL Draft risers early on in this college football season.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
After nearly declaring for the 2024 draft, Ward withdrew his name and transferred from Washington State to the University of Miami. Ward had a lot to prove in his 5th season of college football and it took just one game for him to silence most doubters. In his first start with the Canes, he went into The Swamp and hung 385 yards and 3 touchdowns on the Gators. He made plenty of NFL throws to all levels of the field, navigated the pocket with confidence, and showed off his ability to extend plays. Through two games, Ward has completed 75% of his passes for 689 yards, 7 total touchdowns, and 1 interception putting the NFL world on notice. He has the opportunity for a huge statistical season given Miami’s remaining schedule, and in a weaker QB class, he could play his way into being a day 1 pick.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Jeanty was among the top running backs for many heading into this season but I don’t think anyone expected this. Through two weeks the 5’9” 215 lb superstar has cruised to 459 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground, making him an early Heisman favorite. He’s averaging 10.2 yards a carry and he’s done it in road environments against Georgia Southern and Oregon. Jeanty is no stranger to success. He rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore while tacking on 569 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air. Jeanty’s elite vision and explosiveness are bringing plenty of eyes to Boise State’s Smurf Turf as they gear up for a 3 game homestand where Jeanty will undoubtably run wild. He’ll have the chance to be the RB1 in an extremely talented class as well as helping Boise State make a push for the College Football Playoff. This kid is special.
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Through two weeks, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the best pass rushing team in the nation according to PFF in large part due to the arrival of Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard. Stewart is perhaps the best true freshman in the nation while Kennard is making a name for himself after transferring over from Georgia Tech. At 6’5” 250 lbs Kennard’s 10 pressures, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles rank 9th, 2nd, and 1st in the nation and put him on pace for career highs in each statistic. If this impressive breakout season continues as the Gamecocks go through SEC play, I think Kennard could end up becoming a day 2 draft pick.
Harold Fannin Jr, TE, Bowling Green
Did you think you would be tuning into a tight matchup against Bowling Green and Penn State last Saturday, cause I didn’t. After doing so, it was hard to miss the 6’4” 230 pound tight end shredding the Nittany Lions defense. Fannin hauled 11 of his 13 targets for 137 yards and a touchdown, earning him a 93 PFF receiving grade and an overall PFF grade above 89 for the second straight week. The Falcons will travel to College Station on September 21st to play Texas A&M giving Fannin yet another opportunity to put his name on the map against a P4 team.
Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
After a really strong 2023 season, the redshirt senior is off to yet another good start in 2024. At the center of a talented Iowa defense, Higgins does it all. Run defense, coverage, tackling, you name it. Against Iowa State Higgins racked up 11 tackles, 6 defensive stops (a tackle that constitutes a failure for the offense, PFF) a forced fumble, and an interception. Higgins waited his turn behind former 1st round pick Jack Campbell and is now doing an excellent job leading one of the Big Ten’s better defensive units. He’s a name to watch as conference play begins.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
It was known that the Arizona wideout was one of the leaders in this stacked receiver class, but he’s started the 2024 season on a historic pace. Against New Mexico in week 1 he pulled in 10 catches for 304 yards and 4, yes 4, touchdowns. He was quiet against FCS Northern Arizona but I don’t expect performances like that to persist as the difficulty in Arizona’s schedule ramps up. McMillan is an explosive player with a massive 6’5” 220 lb frame and great hands. He’s undoubtedly a first-round pick, it’s just a matter of whether he’ll end up being selected in the top 10 or not.
While each of these players have a lot left to prove before the draft rolls around, their 2024 campaigns are off to a heck of a start. Keep an eye out for these names as the season continues.
