2025 NFL Draft: Updated Scouting Notes and Pro Player Comparisons After CFB Week 8
2025 NFL Draft: Updated Scouting Notes and Pro Player Comparisons After CFB Week 80 of 6
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As the college football campaign progresses, the 2025 NFL draft becomes increasingly intriguing.
Week 8 provided a few standout performances, offering NFL organizations insight into how top prospects are developing in real time.
Players who entered the season with hype have begun to confirm preseason evaluations, while under-the-radar names are rapidly climbing draft boards.
It’s the time of the year when breakout stars emerge, and Week 8 gave us no shortage of talking points.
Below, we’ll dive into updated scouting notes on several key prospects. We’ll also offer pro player comparisons beyond simplistic height/weight/length similarities to give you an idea of how each prospect’s tools and traits could translate to the next level, and we’ll also name few other standouts from play around the country.
Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia1 of 6
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Reminds Me Of: Haason Reddick
Week 8 Stats: 8 tackles, 7 pressures, 3 sacks, 1 FR vs. Texas
Impact Plays: Three sacks in the first half
There are only a few times in a campaign that players have “resume games.”
Week 8 against Texas was that and more for Jalon Walker, who was simply unstoppable on the road against the then-No. 1 ranked Longhorns. Considering he did his damage against Kelvin Banks Jr. and a projected top-60 pick in RT Cameron Williams, Walker showcased his best on the biggest stage.
Like Reddick, an explosive sack artist with the blend of power and speed to overwhelm opponents, Walker projects immediately as a three-down five-technique with the skill set to evolve into a potential double-digit-sack-per-year type of defender.
Potential NFL Fits: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia2 of 6
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Reminds Me Of: Montez Sweat
Week 8 Stats: 4 pressures, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 FF vs. Texas
Impact Play: Forced fumble
When healthy, there may not be a better pass rusher in the class.
Mykel Williams, like Walker, was everywhere for the Bulldogs against the Longhorns. Although he has battled injury early this fall, his length, bend and athleticism showcase one of the highest potential performance ceilings of any prospect in the class, regardless of position.
Like Sweat, Williams can nearly tie his shoes standing up, length that makes him such a tough pass-rusher to counter because of his ability to consistently win the leverage battle by uprooting opposing blockers. Similar to Sweat, a former first-rounder back in 2019, Williams has a knack for ‘winning first’ with his hands, allowing him to marionette the rep at the initial stages.
For Williams, the best ability remains his availability in 2024. And should he remain off the shelf and in the fray the rest of the way, his stock will continue to rise among draft-eligible pass-rushers.
Potential NFL Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina3 of 6
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Reminds Me Of: Kyle Hamilton
Week 8 Stats: 11 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 TFL vs. Oklahoma
Impact Plays: Multiple Interceptions
Week 8 was used as a bit of a coming-out party for Nick Emmanwori. Projected as one of the premier safeties in the 2025 draft class, his impact against Oklahoma has drawn a spotlight to a skill set that projects extremely well to the next level.
He was everywhere: in the box, at free safety, at nickel. No matter where he was, the 6’3″ Emmanwori was sensational for the Gamecocks.
While Hamilton’s range and instincts were unique to the position out of Notre Dame a few years ago, parallels can be drawn from Hamilton, a 2023 first-team All-Pro, to Emmanwori. The size, length and playmaking ability are all there, and the ability to produce at a multitude of alignments and depths are key traits in his skill set.
Emmanwori, a freshman All-American back in 2022, could use Week 8 as a springboard for what’s to come.
Potential NFL Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue4 of 6
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Reminds Me Of: Rashawn Slater
Week 8 Stats: 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 1 pressure allowed in 28 pass pro snaps vs. Oregon
Marcus Mbow (pronounced like ‘bow’) has taken it upon himself to showcase best when the lights are at their brightest.
While he currently ranks a tier below the headliners of the tackle class in 2025, Mbow’s tape against Oregon showcased one of the more dominant outings in 2024 from any draft-eligible lineman.
An extremely fluid mover with elite technique and hand striking, like Slater, Mbow’s performance against the now No. 1-ranked Ducks was as impressive a game as anyone—at any position—had in Week 8.
Through seven starts, Mbow has allowed just two sacks (both in Week 2 vs. Notre Dame) in 195 pass-pro snaps.
Potential NFL Fits: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers
Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville5 of 6
