College Football 2024 Stock Up Week 1: Cam Ward, Jalon Walker, & Grey Zabel

We're talking 2025 NFL Draft prospects who impressed in Week 1

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season set the table for the rest of the year. We’ll cover a few of the big names in the 2025 NFL Draft who had good showings and highlight some lesser-known players. Strap in as we break down the best performances from more than 25 players.

I’m going to avoid tune-up games as much as possible. So we won’t go into Jaxson Dart and Tre Harris dog walking Furman 76-0, which unfortunately means I can’t talk about Trey Amos. We might touch on some players from those games as footnotes, but this recap will primarily focus on competitive football games.

Only draft-eligible players appear in this series. All heights and weights are unofficial and shared by football programs unless specified. Pressure data and snap counts are courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Sacks and other official stats are from publicly available box scores.

Follow @Sam_Teets33 on Twitter for the latest updates on content and additional football analysis.

Stock Up: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Scouting Report)

Saturday gave the nation a glimpse of what some people have known since 2022 or 2023. Ward is an NFL quarterback. Maybe even a second round pick. He has the best physical tools of any quarterback in this class. No one in the college ranks matches his arm angles or ridiculous combination of arm strength and velocity. Few, if any, create as well off-script and off platform as him, and those second chance opportunities for offenses are immensely valuable.

In a league where teams that want to win the Super Bowl need to go through unicorns like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes, shouldn’t teams take swings on quarterbacks with the highest upside? You can make a serious argument that Ward’s 99th percentile outcome in the league is better than any member of the 2025 class (no, I’m not calling him Patrick Mahomes; don’t put words in my mouth).

There’s still a fair amount of risk with Ward. The interception he threw against Florida was an inaccurate pass across his body while on the move. That’s just not a smart decision. He also had some poorly placed throws that required his receivers to make nice adjustments and threw without setting his base from clean pockets. These misfires and wild decisions might be baked into Ward’s game at this point, but they don’t outweigh the upside.

Ward’s accuracy, especially on passes to the sideline, has become surgical over the past year. He’s dropping throws into buckets. That improved accuracy and placement pairs well with his explosive arm, which allows him to get the ball to a receiver before defenses close the throwing lane.

Xavier Restrepo also had a great day in the Swamp. He made seven receptions on eight targets for 112 yards and a touchdown. He almost had a passing touchdown too. Sam Brown and Jacolby George are more physically gifted players (Brown might be a top 100 pick), but Restrepo is positioned to lead the team in yards again because of his separation skills, reliable hands, and elusiveness after the catch.

Stock Up: Grey Zabel, LT North Dakota State

If Zabel replicates his performance against Colorado throughout the remaining season (which is a big ask), we could be talking about the next small school guard prospect to go in the top three rounds. Zabel plays left tackle for the Bison, but his 2023 tape revealed some inconsistent footwork and hand usage operating on an island. Those issues would be largely masked by playing inside at guard.

Zabel put together an excellent performance against Colorado’s pass rushers. His footwork, which has always been light and allowed him to cover the whole arc, looked more precise and tempoed. He anchored a bit high but used a wide base and contorted upper frame to hold his position.

I was also impressed by how often Zabel re-anchored considering speed to power was a significant concern for him in 2023 and was one of the reasons why I thought he should kick inside at the next level. There were still a few instances where Zabel’s wide hands allowed the defender to put the left tackle on his heels.

Zabel also got off some snatch-traps. Arden Walker fell victim to one in the first quarter. Zabel seemed to play lower in his pass set than last year. His block framing is still a work in progress, but I thought he had more notable wins with framing and grip strength than in many games last season. He overwhelmed Colorado’s rushers at times and had about as good of a game in pass protection as possible.

The best traits Zabel put on film in 2023 were his mobility and impact in the running game. He effortlessly climbs and pulls to reach second or third level targets and mirrors defenders well in space.

Zabel has starting experience at every position along the line except center.

Stock Up: Jalon Walker, LB Georgia (Scouting Report)

Georgia moved Walker from an edge role to off-ball linebacker this summer, but the Bulldogs continued to use him along the line of scrimmage against Clemson. Walker picked up 1.5 sacks on nine pass rush attempts and six total tackles. On one sack, he used a swipe-rip against right tackle Blake Miller (Scouting Report) before running down the quarterback.

On the other sack, Walker fought through a hold by left tackle Tristan Leigh (Scouting Report) to close the C-gap running lane and bring down Cade Klubnik. Walker isn’t a complete prospect at linebacker, but his pass rush plan, athleticism, and surprising power through his arms make him a potential second round pick.

Stock Up: Jimmy Horn Jr., WR Colorado

Horn played second fiddle to Xavier Weaver at USF and Colorado over the past few years, and drop issues got him in trouble last season. Transfer portal additions Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester seemed to threaten Horn’s place in the pecking order, but he asserted himself as a core member of the receiver room with a big performance against North Dakota State.

Horn made seven receptions on nine targets for 198 yards and a touchdown. His speed stood out on a 69-yard catch and run that saw him leave one NDSU defender grasping at air and another three hopelessly pursuing him. He almost broke another big one on this 25-yard play. NDSU didn’t have an easy answer for matching his angle-erasing speed, which carried him up the seam for an easy 31 yards just before half time. Horn also benefited from busted coverages.

Not lost in this breakdown is how well Shedeur Sanders (Scouting Report) handled pressure and created second-chance opportunities for Colorado’s offense. He played with better poise in the pocket than he ever did in 2023. Wester also made some nice plays and looks like he could be the offense’s best weapon after the catch.

Stock Up: Tyler Baron, Edge Miami

Baron stepped up in the absence of Rueben Bain Jr. The Tennessee transfer amassed a sack and an additional tackle for loss as Miami’s defensive front overwhelmed Florida in the second half of their game. His sack came on an outside spin move against a tight end. Baron’s pressures weren’t cheap production. He dipped and bent under and around the Florida right tackle all throughout the second half. That’s how he landed this massive hit on Graham Mertz (Scouting Report).

Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy lists Baron’s verified measurements as 6-4 3/8, 260 lbs. with 33 5/8-inch arms. The veteran edge rusher amassed 102 pressures across his final three seasons with the Volunteers and applied pressure on 16.4% of his rush attempts in 2023. Baron isn’t the loosest athlete in the world, but he’s an explosive, heavy-handed defender with a developed pass rush plan.

Stock Up: Keon Sabb, S Alabama

Sabb flashed during very limited action at Michigan last year. He transferred to Alabama seeking more opportunities, and boy did he get them in the season opener against Western Kentucky. On his first interception against former LSU and Auburn quarterback TJ Finley, Sabb initially bracketed the vertical pushing receiver (who had been at the top of the two-receiver stack) before reading Finley’s eyes and breaking outside to jump the second receiver’s route.

Sabb’s second interception was just as impressive. He baited Finley into throwing the intermediate crossing route before breaking in front of the intended target.

Stock Up: Kevin Pointer, DT Wake Forest

Pointer put on a clinic against North Carolina A&T. I know I said I wanted to avoid tune-up games, but Pointer popped so consistently that I had to bring him up. He finished the game with five pressures, including a sack, and an additional 1.5 tackles for loss.  

Pointer beat the left guard through the A-gap several times, using his quickness to draw even with the lineman before using his outside hand to prevent a hold or recovery. He almost had a big tackle for loss in the third quarter but couldn’t quite hold onto the running back. Pointer came back and got his TFL on the very next play. Wake Forest did a good job providing the undersized lineman with opportunities to stunt and use his quickness in space.

We also need to talk about Jasheen Davis (2023 Scouting Report). The man is nine sacks away from tying Wake Forest’s all-time record (30) after using North Carolina A&T’s left tackle to sack the quarterback. I know it’s a lower level opponent, but that’s just an incredible rep. Davis doesn’t have a lot of bend to his frame, but his bull rush is stellar. He also has a good number of counters and wins through the B-gap frequently.

Stock Up: Aireontae Ersery, LT Minnesota (Scouting Report)

Ersery allowed one quarterback hurry in a train wreck of an offensive game between Minnesota and North Carolina. The matchup everyone bookmarked heading into the night between him and Kaimon Rucker was fairly one-sided with Ersery overpowering the Tar Heel in the run game and not having his range or anchor tested much in pass protection.

The best reps of Ersery vs. Rucker came late in the fourth quarter. Ersery won the first play with some firm extensions that never let Rucker get close enough to execute his swim move. Rucker came back and got a pressure on a two-handed swipe speed rush.

Ersery was imprecise in the run game at times, but he also cleared out a few defenders. It was a significant mismatch any time he lined up across from Desmond Evans. Ersery did a good job angling his body to seal run lanes but could’ve taken some better angles going into blocks.

According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Ersery is verified at 6-6, 337 lbs. with 34 1/8-inch arms. He checks all of the size measurements for an NFL offensive tackle and was a member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List this summer for hitting 18.34 mph on a GPS and running a 1.52 10-yard split. We’re not even going to get into his weight room heroics.

Stock Up: Anto Saka, Edge Northwestern (Scouting Report)

For reasons beyond my knowledge, Saka only played 139 defensive snaps in 2023. He beat Graham Barton for a sack, scorched Caedan Wallace, and dumped Julian Pearl, but the Wildcats kept him on the pine. It looks like that won’t be the case this year.

Saka applied six pressures, including a half sack, on 20 pass rush attempts in Northwestern’s home opener against Miami (OH). He is one of the most explosive edge rushers in college football and is clearly learning to turn his speed into power. Saka also flashes some fantastic bend to quickly win around the tackle’s outside shoulder.

It’s unlikely Saka meets all of the NFL’s measurement thresholds, but he could be an excellent situational rusher at the next level.

Monday Morning Ramblings on LSU vs. USC

All aboard the Nuss bus! I caught a few questions for having Garrett Nussmeier No. 53 on my most recent top 200 2025 NFL Draft big board, but he so clearly has the juice. The redshirt junior opened the night completing some rhythm passes but quickly kicked things up a notch with touch passes painting the sideline of the end zone and layered throws near the numbers.

Nussmeier also showed off some nice pocket control. He isn’t a big threat to run, but he’s more than comfortable rolling away from pressure and navigating muddy pockets. The play calling helped, but Nussmeier did go nine of 11 for 86 yards and a touchdown against the blitz in the first half, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid.

In the first half, Nussmeier went seven for eight for 94 yards and a touchdown when targeting Kyren Lacy. The duo didn’t connect in the second half (this is what I get for starting to write this section at half time).

USC made key adjustments defensively, and LSU’s offense failed to evolve for most of the second half. Nussmeier was almost perfect in the first half, but some miscommunications, a missed throw in the flat, and uber-conservative play calling hindered LSU until they were forced to start pushing the ball downfield again.

There were growing pains for Nussmeier, but it was still an impressive game that showcased a ton of potential. The Tigers need to let him rip the ball more. In the second half, it looked like they were playing not to lose instead of playing to win.

You’ll hear a lot of buzz words like “tools” and “talent” thrown around by people questioning USC’s Miller Moss and his role in the college football quarterback ecosystem. Playing for Lincoln Riley certainly doesn’t hurt, but Moss executed clean, efficient football and made several NFL throws on Sunday night.

The two Moss throws that stand out the most are the go-ahead touchdown on a fade route that he dropped in a bucket with 5:44 remaining and the hole shot to Kyron Hudson between the corner and safety coverage to set USC up to take the lead with less than a minute remaining in the game. Miller might not have the best velocity or arm strength, but his ball placement and anticipation pop.

Speaking of popping, Hudson at least deserves a mention for that ridiculous catch in the first half. Running back Woody Marks, who iced the game with a touchdown, and safety Kamari Ramsey also lived up to the hype. Marks has a nice mix of explosiveness and twitch that translates well to a one-cut style. Ramsey looked instinctive and dialed in. His football IQ and closing speed are going to earn him a lot of attention this year.

Stock Up Week 1 Honorable Mentions

Isaiah Neyor, WR Nebraska (2022 Scouting Report)

I thought Neyor was a solid fifth round-caliber player when he transferred from Wyoming to Texas for the 2022 season. Unfortunately, a torn ACL cost him all of 2022, and he only made one catch in 2023. The move to Nebraska has already breathed new life into Neyor. He made six receptions on eight targets for 121 yards and a touchdown in Nebraska’s home opener vs. UTEP.

Neyor was at his best operating as a vertical threat for Wyoming. Nebraska gave him the opportunity to show that he still has it, and Neyor rewarded his new team with a long touchdown. He has the size (6'4", 220 lbs.) to bully cornerbacks at the catch point and extend for passes outside his frame.

Jaylen Reed, NB Penn State

Reed was everywhere for the Nittany Lions. He delivered several big hits, including one on Kole Taylor that forced an incompletion, and recovered a fumble early in the game. Reed was the heartbeat of Penn State’s defense, flying around the field to attack screens, run the alley to challenge RPOs, and limit yards after the catch.

The Nittany Lions have produced a lot of professional talent in their secondary in recent years. Reed certainly looked like an NFL player against West Virginia.

Josaiah Stewart, Edge Michigan (Scouting Report)

It was written in the stars from the moment Michigan gave Mike Sainristil’s No. 0 to Stewart. The former Coastal Carolina record-setter is in for a big season. He posted four pressures, including two sacks, and an additional tackle for loss against Fresno State.

Stewart is about as undersized as you can get for an edge rusher, but he’s surprisingly resilient against the run and just finds a way to make plays. He lacks elite bend but has a relentless motor and an array of pass rush moves. Many linemen struggle to match his burst off the line of scrimmage. Stewart can thank Derrick Moore for the assist on his first sack.

Harrison Wallace III, WR Penn State

Penn State hasn’t had a pass catcher produce more than 700 yards in either of the past two seasons. Wallace is on pace to change that after making five receptions on eight targets for 117 yards and two touchdowns against West Virginia. Wallace made several impressive catches while dealing with tight coverage, inconsistent ball placement, or limited room to operate along the sideline. He showed off some nice speed on this long, uncontested catch and run for a score.

Wallace somehow managed to get both feet down on a back shoulder fade in the end zone. Credit Drew Allar (Scouting Report) for the placement, but that’s a heck of a catch.

DeMonte Capehart, IDL Clemson

Capehart got engaged early in Clemson’s loss to Georgia with a tackle for loss on a stunt. Capehart is a powerful defensive tackle who is finally getting his chance to shine after spending his first four seasons buried on Clemson’s talented depth chart. He has the long arms and power to reset the line of scrimmage and blow up offensive linemen.

Capehart appeared to force a fumble around the 4:16 mark in the third quarter, but it wasn’t counted on the stat sheet.

Clemson safety R.J. Mickens also had a good game. The secondary’s veteran leader is often overlooked by the national media, but he cleans up a lot of mistakes for the Tigers. 

Tai Felton, WR Maryland

Per Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Felton is 6-0 7/8v, 180v lbs. I was expecting a big game from his larger teammate Kaden Prather (6-3 1/4v, 211v lbs.), but Felton hauled in seven of nine targets for 178 yards and a pair of scores, including a 75-yard catch and run. He even made a stop on the punt coverage unit.

Karon Prunty, CB North Carolina A&T

Prunty didn’t have his best showing against Wake Forest, but his tall frame and arm length translated well. He had a few nice reps battering receivers early in the play and staying in phase with good leverage throughout the route. Prunty also got unlucky once or twice where passes were completed despite his tight coverage. 

Gracen Halton, IDL Oklahoma

Halton is an undersized interior defensive lineman for the Sooners who played fewer than 100 defensive snaps in 2023. Surely that will change this year after he produced four pressures, including 1.5 sacks, on 12 pass rush snaps against Temple. One sack came on this swim move against the right tackle. Halton also ripped the ball out in the run game.

Donavon Greene, WR Wake Forest

Prior to Wake Forest’s season opener, Greene’s last game was on Dec. 23, 2022. He missed the entire 2023 season with a knee injury that required surgery and was clearly excited to be back on the field for the Demon Deacons. He made three receptions on four targets for 72 yards and a touchdown and forced three missed tackles, most of which came on this hard-fought catch and run for a touchdown on a wide receiver screen.

Greene’s teammate Taylor Morin also flashed. Unlike Greene (6'2", 210 lbs.), Morin is a small (5'11", 185 lbs.), shifty receiver who relies on his speed and elusiveness. He made six receptions for 100 yards and amassed 117 yards on four combined kick and punt returns, including a 73-yard punt return touchdown.

Big Time Players Making Big Time Plays

Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado

I’m not denying that Hunter is an excellent cornerback prospect who could develop into a blue chip player at the position, but he’s just so much more compelling at wide receiver in my opinion. Check out the touchdown catch he made in the front corner of the end zone while being interfered with. The ball skills, body control, and concentration are just unreal.

Jahdae Barron, DB Texas

Barron (5-11 1/4, 194 lbs. per The Athletic) lacks the size of a prototypical cornerback and projects best in the slot at the NFL level. His ball skills and ability to read the quarterback led to a nice interception against Colorado State. Barron is also a willing contributor in run defense.

Malaki Starks, S Georgia

Starks hauled in a beautiful interception covering Clemson receiver Tyler Brown in the slot in off-man. His ability to play man coverage at that size makes him a one-of-one safety prospect in this class. Starks has been “the guy” since he was a freshman picking off Bo Nix in the first game of his career.

Isaiah Bond, WR Texas

Bond projects as an NFL slot receiver because of his lack of size, but he’s a fluid, explosive, and loose athlete. He’s a natural separator who cornerbacks struggle to mirror and match through his release. In Bond’s Texas debut, the Colorado State defender ripped his mouthpiece off his helmet at the line of scrimmage. Bond continued the play, left the CSU corner in the dust, readjusted his helmet mid-route, and caught an easy touchdown.

Nic Scourton, Edge Texas A&M

Scourton totaled four pressures, including a sack, in his Aggies debut. He went down with a leg injury midway through the second quarter but returned and got a PBU after a swim move and drew a holding call on Notre Dame left tackle Anthonie Knapp less than a minute before halftime. Scourton’s sack came on his signature spin move.

Jake Briningstool, TE Clemson (Scouting Report)

Most of Clemson’s bright spots against Georgia were on the defensive side of the ball. Briningstool’s sick one-handed grab over cornerback Daylen Everette was about as good as it got for the Tigers. Briningstool is competing with a laundry list of prospects for the TE2 spot in the 2025 draft.

Men Among Boys

Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State (Scouting Report)

Jeanty kicked off his Heisman Trophy campaign with 20 carries for 267 yards and six touchdowns against Georgia Southern. The Eagles aren’t a great program, but they pushed Boise State until the late second half. Jeanty forced 11 missed tackles and produced five runs of ten or more yards in the 56-45 victory.

At a verified 5-8 1/4, 217 lbs. (via The Athletic’s Dane Brugler), Jeanty is a compact running back with quick feet and sharp cutting ability. He’s an explosive weapon with the burst and speed to hit home runs. Jeanty is also a loose athlete who makes defenders miss in space with jukes, hesitation moves, spins, and stiff arms. Being built so low to the ground helps his contact balance, and he drops a shoulder every now and then to roll over a defender.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

I wouldn’t consider New Mexico a significant opponent for a Power Four program, but we need to talk about McMillan. He made ten receptions on 15 targets for 304 yards and four touchdowns. The connection he and Noah Fifita have is special and will propel McMillan to All-American honors.

McMillan quite literally ran by New Mexico’s cornerbacks for big plays. He has a massive catch radius to play above defenders at the catch point and the long strides to gain ground afterward. McMillan also showed off more dynamic movement on Saturday than in past performances.