Heading into college bowl season, we will highlight several top prospects who are projected to be sought after in the 2025 NFL Draft. In this edition, we will be highlighting several prospects you need to watch for in the non-playoff bowl games.
WASHINGTON WR DENZEL BOSTON & CB TACARIO DAVIS (LA BOWL DEC. 13)
The Washington Huskies had a strong season after a down year in 2024 and have several draft prospects poised to make the jump this spring, should they declare. The top dawg for the Huskies that Steelers fans need to know is WR #12 Denzel Boston, a big, strong, and athletic playmaker who can play above the rim and is a legit threat in the red zone. Boston showed more nuance to his game this year, playing in the slot as well as out wide, and showcased improved route running to go with his 6-4, 209-pound frame. A likely first-round lock, Boston is on the short list to be Pittsburgh’s first pick in the draft.
CB #8 Tacario Davis is also a height/weight/speed specimen, standing 6-4, 200 pounds, as the former Arizona Wildcat enjoyed his best season in his first year with the Huskies, picking off two passes while logging four pass deflections. Davis brings that Avatar-style build to the position, having the size and length to minimize passing windows, but lacks a little fluidity, making him more of a project for the next level at this juncture.
SOUTH FLORIDA QB BYRUM BROWN (CURE BOWL DEC. 17)
There is a chance that USF QB #17 Byrum Brown opts to enter the transfer portal to make the most of his final year of eligibility instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, the 6-3, 231-pound senior has had an exceptional season, making him a fun study if he were to declare. Brown led South Florida to a 9-3 season while completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,153 yards with 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions, but also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, making him a legit dual threat.
NC STATE DL BRANDON CLEVELAND & CB DEVON MARSHALL (GASPARILLA BOWL DEC. 19)
The NC State Wolfpack has a couple of defenders to keep an eye on in their bowl game matchup against Memphis for the 2026 NFL Draft. DL #44 Brandon Cleveland has the prototypical size that Pittsburgh loves in their interior defenders, standing 6-5, 315 pounds. A stout run defender, Cleveland has only modest pass rush production (six sacks in four seasons), but is a Day 3 name to watch for in this one.
CB #6 Devon Marshall started his career at Villanova but has made an impact since coming over to NC State, picking off four passes the last two seasons with a whopping 14 pass deflections this season, having a 46.9% completion rate allowed when in coverage. A physical tackler as well, Marshall is a sleeper in this draft class who hopes to continue rising up the boards this spring.
TOLDEO S EMMANUEL MCNEIL-WARREN (BOCA RATON BOWL DEC. 23)
For Toledo, S #7 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren finishes out a stellar career with the Rockets, having been a steady producer in the secondary the last three seasons. The 6-2, 202-pound safety does it all, having five picks and 12 pass deflections the previous three years, but also has a whopping eight forced fumbles, having a knack for knocking the football loose. Considered a Day 2 prospect, McNeil-Warren is a key name to watch if he suits up in this one.
UNLV S AAMARIS BROWN (FRISCO BOWL DEC. 23)
The UNLV Rebels have a slept on prospect in S #9 Aamaris Brown, who has produced in a big way this season, having 51 total stops, 3.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, and four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns). Brown transferred from USF this past season, where he was productive in coverage, both at safety and while taking some reps at corner, seemingly being in the right place at the right time to make plays. His athleticism is in question, but his resumé and smarts should get him on a team this spring.
CALIFORNIA CB HEZEKIAH MASSES (HAWAI’I BOWL DEC. 24)
The top prospect that you need to watch in the Hawai’i Bowl on Christmas Eve is CB #5 Hezekiah Masses, who has enjoyed a breakout season as a senior. The 6-1, 185-pound defensive back has picked off five passes with 12 more pass deflections, making plays on the ball regularly in coverage. He possesses the length, speed, and traits needed to play at the next level and is shaping up to be a mid-round pick who a defense tries to develop into an NFL starter.
NORTHWESTERN OT CALEB TIERNAN (SPORTS BOWL DEC. 26)
The Northwestern Wildcats have a solid prospect in OT #72 Caleb Tiernan, who has developed over time, having played over 2,700 offensive snaps with the Wildcats. Tiernan is a brute, standing 6-7 and weighing 325 pounds as a redshirt senior with plenty of experience. He’s a powerful run blocker that moves people with sheer size and strength, but is also technically proficient as a pass protector, making him a high-floor option to consider near the top of the draft.
MINNESOTA DL/EDGE ANTHONY SMITH (RATE BOWL DEC. 26)
Minnesota has a prospect that has been slept on for much of the season, but has put together a breakout 2025 campaign in DL/EDGE #0 Anthony Smith. The 6-6, 285-pound redshirt junior has posted 10.5 sacks and 32 total stops after hitting six sacks last season for the Golden Gophers. Smith primarily lines up on the edge, using his strength, length, and pure athleticism to overwhelm tackles at the point of attack. He’s a bit of a tweener, but a team that has a plan for him could continue to unlock his upside.
CLEMSON WR ANTONIO WILLIAMS & PENN STATE IOL OLAIVAVEGA IOANE (PINSTRIPE BOWL DEC. 27)
Plenty of Clemson’s top prospects have already opted out of the bowl game to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, but one name we’re waiting on is WR #0 Antonio Williams, who had a bit of a down season while battling injuries. Still, the 5-11, 200-pound junior rallied to post 55 receptions for 604 yards and six total touchdowns on the year, being an explosive playmaker down the field as well as in the YAC department close to the line of scrimmage. A likely Day 2 pick if he declares, Williams could be seen as a value, as his 2024 tape popped off the screen with more consistent quarterback play.
Penn State G #71 Olaivavega Ioane has been dominant for most of the season, rising up the ranks quickly this year thanks to his steady play both in the run game and pass protection. The 6-4, 328-pound redshirt junior is a people mover as a run blocker, a big reason for Penn State’s success upfront in that area, and is also sturdy in pass pro, with good hand usage and the size to anchor against big interior rushers. One of the top guard prospects in the draft, expect to hear Ioane’s name called early this April.
UCONN WR SKYLER BELL (FENWAY BOWL DEC. 27)
The top prospect to watch in the Fenway Bowl is UCONN WR #1 Skyler Bell, who is enjoying a stellar 2025 campaign, having 101 receptions for 1,276 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bell transferred from Wisconsin in 2024 and has been a steady producer the last two seasons for the Huskies, being a guy that wins both down the field with speed and his leaping ability, as well as close to the line of scrimmage with his route running and strong hands at the catch point. Bell is a well-rounded possession-style receiver who should hear his name called in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
SAN DIEGO STATE CB CHRIS JOHNSON (NEW MEXICO BOWL DEC. 27)
The San Diego State Aztecs have a highly-touted prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft with CB #1 Chris Johnson, who has capitalized on a strong 2025 season, picking off four passes with two of them going back for touchdowns. The 6-0, 185-pound senior is a capable tackler in run support, also forcing five fumbles over the past three seasons, but does a good job positioning himself to play the ball when in coverage with receivers. His testing in Indianapolis will go a long way in deciding how high he gets drafted this coming spring.
MISSOURI OL CAYDEN GREEN (GATOR BOWL DEC. 27)
Missouri OL #70 Cayden Green is technically a junior and could return to school. Still, the 6-5, 324-pound blocker finished the season earning Second-Team All-SEC honors and has started games at both tackle and guard the past two seasons, giving him the versatility and experience NFL teams love. He’s a better run blocker than pass protector right now and is probably better suited for guard at the next level, but there are a lot of flashes on his tape for a team to develop into a quality player should he declare.
LSU CB MANSOOR DELANE AND S A.J. HAULCY (TEXAS BOWL DEC. 27)
The top cornerback prospect on many people’s boards is LSC CB #4 Mansoor Delane, having 11 pass deflections and two interceptions on the season. The 6-0, 190-pound senior transferred from Virginia Tech this spring and fit right in the SEC, earning First-Team All-Conference honors while having the lowest passer rating when targeted of any corner in the conference (26.7%). A likely top 20 pick, Delane is a name to watch if Pittsburgh is in the market to take a cornerback high in the draft.
S #13 A.J. Haulcy will play against his former team in this matchup, as he transferred from Houston prior to the start of the season. Haulcy has been a ballhawk the past two seasons, picking off eight passes while deflecting 11 others. However, the 6-0, 222-pound safety is also a quality defender in the box thanks to his size, having 89 total stops this season at LSU as a guy that can undercut a route or come downhill and make a stop with a runner in the hole.
TENNESSEE WR CHRIS BRAZZELL II AND ILLINOIS EDGE GABE JACAS (MUSIC CITY BOWL DEC. 30)
The Tennessee Volunteers have one of the top receiver prospects in this draft class with WR #17 Chris Brazzell II, who is a tall, long pass catcher. Brazzell stands 6-5 and weighs 200 pounds, and can fly down the field, utilizing his long strides, height, and leaping ability to be a jump-ball/red-zone threat. Brazzell went over the 1,000-yard mark this season with nine touchdowns, having that explosive big-play ability that NFL passing games are looking for.
For The Fighting Illini, EDGE #17 Gabe Jacas is a game wrecker who finished third in the Big Ten in sacks this season (11), and now ranks second all-time for Illinois in the sack department. Jacas is a well-built dude, standing 6-3, 275 pounds with great play strength and explosiveness, making him a stout run defender as well as a strong power rusher that will have a long career in the league.
USC WR MAKAI LEMON AND TCU S JAMEL JOHNSON (ALAMO BOWL DEC. 30)
The USC Trojans and the TCU Horned Frogs face off in the Alamo Bowl. For USC, the top name to watch is WR #6 Makai Lemon, who may opt out due to the fact that he’s considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in this draft class and a likely first-round lock. Lemon has caught 79 passes for 1,156 and 13 total touchdowns this season, being a slightly undersized (5-11, 195 pounds), yet explosive playmaker with the speed, route running, and sure hands to make him a reception machine at the next level.
For TCU, the top prospect to watch is S #2 Jamel Johnson, who has had a great 2025 season in his own right, logging 89 total stops (54 solo), four interceptions, and three pass deflections. The 6-1, 200-pound junior has been a ballhawk for TCU, doing a great job relying on his instincts to make plays to take away the football. Currently projected to be a Day 2 pick, Johnson could return, but the expectation is that he’ll declare.
IOWA OL GENNINGS DUNKER & VANDERBILT QB DIEGO PAVIA (RELIAQUEST BOWL DEC. 31)
The Iowa Hawkeyes are known for the trenches, and they have another quality prospect this year in OL #67 Gennings Dunker. The 6-5, 315-pound senior has the size and the play demeanor you look for on the offensive line. Dunker is a nasty run blocker who can also move his feet in pass protection. Dunker projects to kick inside at guard at the next level for most teams. He could have a strong career there, given his strengths, or opt to stay at right tackle for some power-run offenses.
For Vanderbilt, the man to watch is QB #2 Diego Pavia, who is up for the Heisman Trophy this year after a phenomenal 2025 campaign. Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season while completing 71.2 percent of his pass attempts. The mobile quarterback has also rushed for 826 yards and nine scores on the ground. Pavia has been written off by many as a suitable NFL quarterback because of his measurables, but, just like he’s done throughout his career at Vanderbilt, he’ll look to prove the doubters wrong at the NFL level.
ARIZONA STATE WR JORDYN TYSON & CB KEITH ABNEY II (SUN BOWL DEC. 31)
The Arizona Sun Devils are set to face the Duke Blue Devils in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve. WR #0 Jordyn Tyson is the favorite to be the top receiver drafted this spring as the 6-2, 200-pound junior has battled through injury this season, but has still 61 receptions, 711 yards, and nine total touchdowns after going over 1,100 yards last season. Tyson has a well-rounded skill set and should thrive at the next level.
CB #1 Keith Abney II is a Day 2 prospect that has good size (6-0, 190 pounds) and has been a steady producer in the secondary, having two interceptions and 12 pass deflections, but also makes plays close to the line of scrimmage with two forced fumbles and a sack on the year. Abney earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors and is in a great place to declare early should he decide to make the jump as a junior.
TEXAS LB ANTHONY HILL JR. & CB MALIK MUHAMMAD (CITRUS BOWL DEC. 31)
The Texas Longhorns face the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl, and Texas has several prospects to keep an eye on in this matchup. LB #0 Anthony Hill Jr. has been a force all season, racking up 70 total tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. The 6-3, 238-pound Hill has the size, strength, and speed of an NFL linebacker and is shaping up well to be one of the top off-ball linebackers in the draft thanks to his ability to blitz and play the run as well as to drop into coverage.
CB #5 Malik Muhammad has represented himself well in coverage, being a slighter corner (6-0, 188 pounds) that operates well in zone coverage, making plays with the football in front of him. Muhammad has 30 total stops, a sack, four pass deflections, and two picks on the year, and joins a loaded cornerback class as a likely mid-round pick.
UTAH OT SPENCER FANO & CALEB LOMU (LAS VEGAS BOWL DEC. 31)
The Utah Utes face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Las Vegas Bowl, and Utah has two high-pedigree tackles in OT #55 Spencer Fano and OT #71 Caleb Lomu. Fano is considered a top 10 prospect, standing 6-6, 302 pounds, and is a mauler in the run game, combining impressive athleticism at his size along with tenacity and aggressiveness to be a handful upfront. Lomu is more technically sound as a prospect, standing 6-6 and 304 pounds, but is leaner and needs to add more strength for the next level. Still, Lomu moves great in pass protection and can make blocks out in space, having plenty of potential if further developed.
CINCINNATI LB JAKE GOLDAY & DL DONTAY CORLEONE (LIBERTY BOWL JAN. 2)
The Cincinnati Bearcats have a couple of notable draft prospects, with the top name being LB No. 11 Jake Golday. The 6-4, 240-pound senior has the size you want at the position, as well as the smarts to come downhill against the run, rush the passer, and drop back in coverage. He has 104 total stops on the year (38 solo) along with 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble, being an intriguing name to watch in a good inside linebacker class for this draft.
DL #2 Dontay Corleone was once a highly desired prospect, but health issues caused him to miss time this past year, limiting him to 14 total tackles on the season without a sack. The 6-1, 335-pound Corleone has averaged three sacks a season leading up to 2025, having impressive quickness to go along with his sheer size to plug the middle against the run. Should he be healthy, Corleone could end up being a good value pick in this draft class.
WAKE FOREST DL MATEEN IBIROGBA (MAYO BOWL JAN. 2)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. For Wake Forest, the name to watch is DL #99 Mateen Ibirogba. Ibirogba stands 6-3 and 296 pounds, with good size to take on blockers up front in run defense. He isn’t much of a pass rusher, having just two sacks on the year, but he’s a depth piece at the next level that a defensive line coach can try to groom to get more out of in that department.