The second half of the NFL season begins, and the first conclusions are obvious: should we prepare for the playoffs or for next year? Now six months before the 2025 NFL draft, DNA of Sports offers you a roster review, with the five best prospects in each offensive position at the moment. The ranking of defensive positions is scheduled for next week.
(*junior, **sophomore)
QUARTERBACKS
1. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
2. Quinn Ewers* (Texas)
3. Drew Allar* (Penn State)
4. Garrett Nussmeier* (LSU)
5. Jalen Milroe* (Alabama)
Other key players cited: Cameron Ward (Miami FL), Carson Beck (Georgia), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss).
If Shedeur Sanders, son of the illustrious NFL player and current Colorado coach, Deion, is generally unanimous within the editorial staff, it is difficult to say the same behind. Progressing in the game, Quinn Ewers experienced physical glitches and a recent lackluster performance against Georgia's solid defense. As for Cameron Ward, candidate for the title of best university player, his antics do not always reassure but he will certainly be a player to follow in the draft process. The big loser at the start of the season is clearly Carson Beck, and his unfortunate tendency to commit numerous turnovers in 2024.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Ashton Jeanty* (Boise State)
2. Quinshon Judkins* (Ole Miss)
3. Ollie Gordon II* (Oklahoma State)
4. Omarion Hampton* (North Carolina)
5. Nick Singleton* (Penn State)
Other players cited: TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Kaleb Johnson * (Iowa), Jaydn Ott * (California).
Again, the trend seems to point to Ashton Jeanty and the others. In a program from a conference that is less visible nationally, the jewel of Boise State is panicking the counters in 2024, with already 1,525 yards on the clock. A feat when we know that he, for example, crossed paths with Oregon, the number 1 in the country at the beginning of November. His main pursuer, the versatile Omarion Hampton, is relegated to almost 200 yards! There are a lot of intrigues in this group, starting with Ollie Gordon and his very relative production this season, after a crazy 2023 campaign, and Quinshon Judkins, former metronome of the Ole Miss offense, and who is gradually taking of magnitude at Ohio State, alongside the more fragile TreVeyon Henderson.
Ashton Jeanty, this blue dream…
RECEIVERS
1. Tete McMillan* (Arizona)
2. Travis Hunter* (Colorado)
3. Luther Burden III* (Missouri)
4. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
5. Evan Stewart* (Oregon)
Other players cited: Tez Johnson (Oregon), Elic Ayomanor ** (Stanford), Tre Harris (Ole Miss), Jayden Higgins (Iowa State), Isaiah Bond * (Texas), Xavier Restrepo (Miami FL).
In Colorado, it's not just for Shedeur Sanders. Because Travis Hunter is undoubtedly THE phenomenon of recent years in College Football. Cornerback by training, the Buffalo can very often move as an ultra-efficient receiver, and appears like the spiritual son of Deion Sanders, through his ability to regularly play double-plateau. A credible candidate for the title of best player of the season, he also seems to be the most sought-after player in the next draft, in positions other than quarterback. The franchises will still be keen to know if it is mainly a receiver or a corner. Less stocked than previous years, in terms of raw talent, this class still has enough to show depth, led by the physical attraction Tete McMillan, a ball magnet despite the disappointing season of his Arizona Wildcats.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Tyler Warren* (Penn State)
2. Colston Loveland (Michigan)
3. Harold Fannin Jr.* (Bowling Green)
4. Gunnar Helm (Texas)
5. Luke Lachey (Iowa)
Other players cited: Oronsde Gadsden II * (Syracuse), Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), Jake Briningstool (Clemson), John Michael Gyllenborg * (Wyoming), Brant Kuithe (Utah), Mason Taylor * (LSU) .
Thanks to his astonishing versatility, Tyler Warren is the tight end whose rating is rising visibly. Applied to the block, effective at reception, more than useful in the Goal Line position, he has often been the offensive regulator for Penn State this year. Behind, Harold Fannin Jr. was the great surprise of the Bowling Green program, with an excellent performance at the start of the season, against the solid defense of the Nittany Lions.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Kelvin Banks* (Texas)
2. Will Campbell* (LSU)
3. Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
4. Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
5. Emery Jones Jr.* (LSU)
Other players cited: Josh Conerly Jr. * (Oregon), Cameron Williams * (Texas).
Announced very high at the start of the season, the LSU duo suffered from slight lackluster performances, notably at South Carolina, but still has serious potential to appear in the first round of the next draft. Minnesota's offensive leader, Ersery seems to have a similar trajectory to that of Taliese Fuaga last year, proving ruthless on the run block and being led to become a major right tackle in the big league.
GUARDS / CENTERS
1. Tyler Booker* (G, Alabama)
2. Jonah Savaiinea* (G, Arizona)
3. Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
4. Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
5. Luke Kandra (G, Cincinnati)
Other players mentioned: Parker Brailsford ** (C, Alabama), Jaeden Roberts * (G, Alabama), Armaj Reed-Adams * (G, Texas A&M), Jonah Monheim (G, USC).
If Jonah Savaiinea has not completely reassured himself about his ability to play on the outside, particularly as a left tackle, his repositioning on the inside could be beneficial to him so as not to overly expose a certain technical waste. After a cannonball start, Tate Ratledge suffered a setback due to injury, but his recent return should tell us more about his continued room for improvement.
