The end of the university season is fast approaching and with that, the last registrations for the draft are expected in mid-January.
This is a great opportunity to take an overview of the forces present, focusing on a top 10, defensive this time, by position.
For certain positions, the preferential role is provided in parentheses. Just like the supposed and anticipated projection.
EDGE RUSHERS
1. Abdul Carter (Penn State, Top 15)
2. James Pearce (Tennessee, 1st round)
3. Nic Scourton (Texas A&M, 1st-2nd round)
4. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M, 1st-2nd round)
5. Mykel Williams (Georgia, 1st-2nd round)
6. Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss, 1st-2nd round)
7. Mike Greene (Marshall, 1st-2nd round)
8. Bradyn Swinson (LSU, 1st-2nd round)
9. Jack Sawyer (Ohio State, 1st-2nd round)
10. Jordan Burch (Oregon, 1st-2nd round)
Abdul Carter and the others. Despite a class that is dizzying with its raw talent and depth, it is currently difficult not to consider the Penn State player as the number 1 in his position and a potential top 10 next April. Obviously compared to Micah Parsons, because of his position, his university (and even his number), Carter demonstrated flawless adaptability, moving without the slightest worry from a status of linebacker to exclusive edge rusher, for undeniable success in 2024 (58 pressures and 12 sacks in 15 games). Behind, there will be something for everyone, between the slender and sprawling pass rushers (Umanmielen, Swinson, Kennard) and the more robust and valuable profiles on the run stop (Scourton, Burch, Williams).
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Mason Graham (Michigan, Top 15)
2. Walter Nolen (Ole Miss, 1st round)
3. Kenneth Grant (Michigan, 1st round)
4. Deone Walker (Kentucky, 1st-2nd round)
5. Derrick Harmon (Oregon, 1st-2nd round)
6. Tyleik Williams (Ohio State, 2nd round)
7. Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee, 2nd-3rd round)
8. Alfred Collins (Texas, 2nd-3rd round)
9. TJ Sanders (South Carolina, 2nd-3rd round)
10. Nazir Stackhouse (Georgia, 4th round)
This position tends to take us away from real athletic phenomena over the years, and 2025 should be no exception to the rule. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant played key roles in Michigan's national title a year ago, Walter Nolen is an ultra-versatile force of nature and Deone Walker is the nose tackle capable of anchoring any front seven. Still behind, Omarr Norman-Lott is a player who can win big during the draft process and in particular the Combine. A certified rusher, he still pays for his excess enthusiasm in terms of tackling, but his explosiveness will make more than one salivate.
Omarr Norman-Lott, a nightmare on Tennessee's rotation in 2024.
LINEBACKERS
1. Jalon Walker (Georgia, 1st round)
2. Jihaad Campbell (Alabama, 1st-2nd round)
3. Barrett Carter (Clemson, 2nd round)
4. Lander Barton (Utah, 3rd round)
5. Jay Higgins (Iowa, 3rd-4th round)
6. Smael Mondon (Georgia, 3rd-4th round)
7. Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma, 4th round)
8. Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss, 4th-5th round)
9. Cody Simon (Ohio State, 5th round)
10. Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon, 5th-6th round)
This is arguably the least exciting position in this class right now, but a team in need of depth could find what it's looking for with quite a few established players. Barrett Carter, Jay Higgins and Danny Stutsman, to name a few, may no longer have significant room for improvement for many, but they have been defensive bosses within their universities and have character and desire to bring in particular on the run stop. Jewel of the position, Jalon Walker has more the profile of a fairly hybrid edge rusher, on the model of a Payton Wilson (Steelers) in 2024.
CORNERBACKS
1. Will Johnson (Michigan, 1st round)
2. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame, 1st-2nd round)
3. Shavon Revel (East Carolina, 1st-2nd round)
4. Trey Amos (Ole Miss, 1st-2nd round)
5. Jahdae Barron (Texas, 1st-2nd round)
6. Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky, 2nd round)
7. Azareye'h Thomas (Florida State, 2nd-3rd round)
8. Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State, 3rd round)
9. Zy Alexander (LSU, 3rd round)
10. Darien Porter (Iowa State, 3rd-4th round)
The long injuries to Morrison and Revel could redistribute the cards in the spring, as depth is required in this position. Trey Amos (Ole Miss) has taken on a new dimension this season, having already lived up to expectations at Louisiana and Alabama. Azareye'h Thomas is another current curiosity. In a cataclysmic Florida State formation in 2024, especially on defense, the former star recruit confirmed all his potential, with solid foundations on one-on-one defense and changes of direction.
Kevin Winston Jr., ready to see the end of the tunnel?
SAFETY
1. Malaki Starks (NS, Georgia, 1st round)
2. Nick Emmanwori (SS, South Carolina, 1st-2nd round)
3. Xavier Watts (FS, Notre Dame, 2nd round)
4. Kevin Winston Jr. (FS, Penn State, 2nd round)
5. Malachi Moore (NS, Alabama, 3rd round)
6. Billy Bowman (FS, Oklahoma, 3rd-4th round)
7. Jaylen Reed (FS, Penn State, 4th round)
8. Andrew Mukuba (FS, Texas, 4th-5th round)
9. Xavier Nwankpa (SS, Iowa, 4th-5th round)
10. Hunter Wohler (SS, Wisconsin, 4th-5th round)
As with cornerbacks, star safeties question their ability to return to 100%, following an injury. Rod Moore missed all of 2024 with knee soreness, and many franchises are likely to be cooled by such history. Another long-term unavailability, that of Kevin Winston Jr., nugget of the Penn State defense in 2023 and sidelined from the field due to a torn cruciate ligament. Hard blows for some, which allowed Nick Emmanwori and Xavier Watts, authors of a great end of season, to climb the hierarchy and claim, at least, the first two rounds of the draft.
