College Football 2025 NFL Draft Stock Up Conference Championships: Drew Allar, Tez Johnson, Andrew Mukuba & Cam Skattebo
Check out the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects from the conference championship games
Fans can debate the merits of conference championship games as we prepare for the College Football Playoff, but these matchups hold significant meaning for 2025 NFL Draft prospects. Showcases against elite competition carry more weight in the evaluation process.
Today, we’ll cover nine featured prospects and six honorable mentions who made the most of their championship game appearances. Feel free to let me know if I missed anybody in the comment section.
Ashton Jeanty won’t make an appearance despite a star performance in the Mountain West Championship Game. I avoid including consensus top prospects in this column since there’s not much room for them to climb in the rankings.
Week 0 l Week 1 l Week 2 l Week 3 l Week 4 l Week 5 l Week 6 l Week 7 l Week 8 l Week 9 l Week 10 l Week 11 l Week 12 l Week 13 l Week 14
Only draft-eligible players appear in this series. All heights and weights are unofficial and shared by football programs unless specified. Pressure data, targets, and snap counts are courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Sacks and other official stats are from publicly available box scores.
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Stock Up: Tez Johnson, WR Oregon
Johnson is always hovering around the back end of my top 100. He was No. 101 on my most recent big board, but it’s clear that’s too low. I leaned heavily into concerns about Johnson’s 5'10", 165 lb. frame, but he has the traits to join undersized NFL players like Tank Dell, Josh Downs, and Xavier Worthy as a regular contributor.
Johnson caught 11 of 12 targets against Penn State for 181 yards and a touchdown to win the Big Ten Championship Game MVP. The Nittany Lions couldn’t track him down in the open field. Johnson’s creativity and twitch help him shake defenders in space with sudden cuts and fakes. His background as a punt returner is evident in how he navigates blocks, jukes would-be tacklers, and manipulates space.
Watch Johnson make this catch in front of Zakee Wheatley and just explode past the safety for a touchdown. Here’s the wide angle that shows Johnson find the zone’s hole once the play breaks down. Trying to corral him in space is nearly impossible. Watch him stop on a dime to make two defenders miss on this big gain.
Johnson is a nifty route runner who uses his elite agility and twitch to generate separation against tight coverage. He excels at finding holes in zone coverage. His suddenness and quick footwork in his release and at the top of the stem are difficult to match.
Stock Up: Cam Skattebo, RB Arizona State
Skattebo doesn’t have high end speed or agility but plays with even better contact balance than his 5'11", 215 lb. frame suggests. His physical limitations will drop him to Day 3 in the draft, but Skattebo’s upside as a pass catcher and workman mentality make him a nice third down option.
Skattebo won the Big 12 Championship Game MVP after rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 carries and catching two passes for 38 yards and an additional score. He broke 12 total tackles, generating more than 110 yards after contact.
Skattebo’s thick, muscular frame and elite contact balance make him difficult to bring down. He’s not going to explode for long lateral cuts in space but makes sharp cuts upfield and finds cutback lanes. Skattebo runs through arm tackles and drops his shoulder to meet crashing defenders in the hole. He also uses spins and stiff arms.
Skattebo showed off better burst against Iowa State than I saw from him previously, and he snuck through some tiny run lanes despite his size. His vision and controlled footwork are impressive and make up for some of his physical limitations.
Skattebo is a natural pass catcher who rarely drops the ball. He can win at multiple levels because of his experience as a route runner. He finds space when matched up with some linebackers but isn’t a man-beater when covered by defensive backs.
Stock Up: Andrew Mukuba, S Texas
Mukuba lined up as a slot defender frequently during his time with Clemson, but the Longhorns let him play more true free safety and robber this season. The change in role paid off for Mukuba as he’s in the midst of the best year of his career. He took charge against Georgia, amassing two tackles for loss as part of his ten solo tackles.
Mukuba made several key one-on-one tackles in space, including a first down stop in overtime to limit Trevor Etienne to only a short gain. He played downhill all day, resulting in arguably the best performance of his career. Mukuba isn’t a large defender (6'0", 190 lbs.) but has shown an increased willingness to deliver big hits since returning from injury earlier this season.
Mukuba had an interception called back for an offsides penalty and came close to making a game-changing play late in the fourth quarter. Georgia was in the red zone with the game tied at 13-13 when Mukuba stripped running back Nate Frazier. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs recovered and eventually kicked a field goal.
Mukuba is a fluid, versatile athlete with impressive range and instincts. He didn’t get to show off his ball hawking at Clemson, but the Longhorns playing him in space has resulted in some incredible plays, including this interception from the regular season game against Georgia.
Stock Up: Matthew Golden, WR Texas (Scouting Report)
Golden didn’t have a perfect day against the Bulldogs. He dropped two passes, including a would-be touchdown. However, he only had one drop this season prior to Saturday, so I’m not putting too much stock behind those negative moments. I’m more focused on his eight receptions on 12 targets for 162 yards.
Golden emerged as Texas’ top receiver around the mid-point of the season as Isaiah Bond battled through a frustrating and unproductive campaign. The Houston transfer is only 6'0", 195 lbs. but primarily lines up out wide. He also returns kicks. Golden is a loose, agile receiving threat with fast footwork that makes it hard for cornerbacks to press him at the line of scrimmage.
Golden’s burst off the line and top speed make him a threat to stack cornerbacks downfield or separate on crossers. He accelerates and decelerates at a rare level to run complex routes and generate natural separation. Cornerbacks struggle to match his agility, bend, and dip at the top of the stem.
Golden relied heavily on schemed touches at Houston but runs a more pro-style route tree at Texas. He’s also found himself in more contested catch situations and is surprisingly winning 57.1% of the time.
At the end of the first quarter versus Georgia, Golden ran a comeback route but changed it to a go route after the corner bit down. Quinn Ewers fed a perfectly layered pass, and watch Golden climb the ladder for that football! Earlier in the game, Golden burned Malaki Starks for taking too flat of an angle in coverage and not respecting his speed.
Golden averaged more than 20 yards per reception in his two appearances versus Georgia this season. The fact that we’re not talking about him as a top 100 pick is confusing to me.
Stock Up: Kaytron Allen & Nicholas Singleton, RBs Penn State
Oregon’s defense features several future NFL players down its spine, including Jeffrey Bassa, Bryce Boettcher, Jamaree Caldwell, and Derrick Harmon (Scouting Report) and only allowed 112.3 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That didn’t stop Penn State’s star running back duo from each rushing for over 100 yards. Allen and Singleton looked unstoppable for most of the game.
Allen carried the ball 14 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 15 yards. Singleton (Scouting Report) ran ten times for 105 yards and caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. They combined to rip off seven runs of ten or more yards and break nine tackles for 153 yards after contact.
Singleton was finally back to full health against the Ducks and flashed the elite burst that makes him one of the top 60 prospects in the 2025 class. The 6'0", 227 lb. junior is muscular but possesses rare foot speed and control that allow for sudden cuts and quick deceleration. Singleton reached 21.2 mph on a kick return against Maryland, and that speed translates to his role on offense.
Singleton is an angle-erasing running back with the size and contact balance to survive arm tackles and finish plays falling forward. He’s also terrific in the passing game. Singleton is one of the best pass protecting running backs in this class, and he’s a receiving threat at the intermediate level. He easily stacks linebackers with his superior speed as a route runner.
Allen isn’t as freakishly athletic as Singleton and might return to Penn State for his senior season in 2025. However, there’s still a good chance he joins the current draft class. Allen’s 5'11", 229 lb. build is thicker than his teammates’ and makes him a brick wall in pass protection.
Allen lacks elite burst and speed but makes up for it with his imposing power. He lowers his shoulder on the perimeter to bury defensive backs and drags defenders for tough yardage between the tackles. Allen churns his legs to escape arm tackles and finish plays falling forward.
Allen lacks the lateral explosiveness to execute sudden cuts but finds cutback lanes and small run lanes with his impressive vision. He’s primarily a one-cut runner who relies on power, but he breaks out some shifty footwork to freeze defenders in space every now and then.
Stock Up: Jalon Walker & Mykel Williams, Edges Georgia
Walker (Scouting Report) split his 53 defensive snaps in the SEC Championship Game almost evenly between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. He has the athletic traits to play linebacker but is truly at home on the edge. Walker totaled five pressures, including a sack, and two additional tackles for loss against the Longhorns.
Walker lacks traditional size and length for an edge rusher but creates havoc working against linemen because of his explosiveness, bend, and wide array of pass rush moves, including club-swims, cross-chops, long-arms, rips, and swims. With 5:42 left in the third quarter, Walker lined up over the left guard and won through the A-gap with a rip. He didn’t get the sack, but the pressure forced Quinn Ewers to step up into a Damon Wilson II sack.
Walker is still developing his instincts as an off-ball linebacker but makes plays in the run and pass games while lined up along the line of scrimmage. He sets a nice edge in the run game or generates quick penetration. Walker recognizes screens, like the one he blew up against Texas. Walker attacks blocks with surprising strength to stack and shed linemen or uses his quickness to avoid taking on contact.
Williams (Scouting Report) possesses all of the prototypical tools for an edge rusher and then some, but he’s much less polished than Walker. Williams generated five pressures, including two sacks, against the Longhorns.
Williams found success working a swim move through the B-gap against backup left tackle Trevor Goosby several times, including on a play that resulted in a Daylen Everette interception. One of his sacks came after he split pulling right guard Cole Hutson and tight end Juan Davis.
Nine of Williams’ 22 pressures this season, including four of his five sacks, have come in the two games against the Longhorns. His pass rush plan is still developing but features club-swims, cross-chops, long-arms, swims, and two-handed swipes. He projects as a toolsy multi-year project if he enters the 2025 NFL Draft.
Stock Up: Drew Allar, QB Penn State (Scouting Report)
Allar’s game-ending interception versus Oregon was a predetermined throw on a route the receiver never had a chance to win. That’s on the play caller, not the quarterback. Taking that information into account, Allar had a solid showing against the nation’s No. 1 team. I’d argue it was his first good game against an elite opponent in his career.
Penn State has faced many talented programs during Allar’s tenure, but the Nittany Lions haven’t let him sling it in those matchups. The coaching staff seemed afraid to try to win with Allar’s arm despite his anticipation, touch, and velocity. On Saturday, he proved he deserves more opportunities to create big plays with his arm and off-platform ability.
Allar put nice touch on touchdowns to Nicholas Singleton and Omari Evans. He had good placement on an out-breaking route to Tyler Warren early in the third quarter and gunned in a touchdown to Harrison Wallace III while being grabbed by stud pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei. The throw showcased Allar’s arm strength and ability to beat tight windows while off-platform.
Allar isn’t going to create much more than he’s given as a runner, but he battles for extra yardage. He’s a tough guy who willingly takes on contact to complete passes or finish runs falling forward.
Analysts are increasingly flocking to Allar as a potential first round pick. I think they’re desperate for quarterback talent, especially considering Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward aren’t in the playoff. Allar’s ball placement is still hit or miss. His tendency to throw behind his intended receiver on screens and crossers led to an interception that set up an Oregon score.
Allar should return to school for another year. If he declares, he’ll likely finish on my board as a third round value.
Stock Up Honorable Mentions
Domonique Orange, NT Iowa State (Scouting Report)
Arizona State blew through Iowa State’s defense for most of the day, but don’t blame Orange. The 6'4", 325 lb. junior finished the game with three pressures, including a sack, and several tackles. Orange, aka Big Citrus, is surprisingly well-built and quick off the line for such a large player.
Orange generates some pressure in the passing game with swipe-rips, clubs, humps, swims, and rips. He also has the leg drive and upper body strength to push the pocket, pry open gaps, or bull rush through linemen. Orange’s motor was turned all the way up on Saturday. He needs to be more mindful of anchoring in his gaps and focus less on pushing vertically for penetration. He resets the line of scrimmage when faced with single run blocks.
Jalen Travis, LT Iowa State
Travis’ 6'7", 340 lbs. frame and long arms made him an unassailable fortress for most of the Big 12 Championship Game. He really was a man amongst boys. Travis quickly killed pass rushes by unleashing his long arms and clamping down to keep defenders outside of his frame and helplessly flailing.
Travis’ improved kick step protects his outside shoulder early in the rep, and he showcases impressive ability to mirror and match defenders in space. Footspeed isn’t a strong suit for Travis, but he redirects well to pick up stunts and slam the door shut on some B-gap rushes. His anchor makes him too sturdy for defenders to rush through.
Travis needs to play to his size more often in the run game, but he makes a few key blocks in that area every week. He helped clear the way for a red zone touchdown run in the first half against Arizona State.
Trevor Etienne, RB Georgia
This hasn’t been the season Etienne envisioned when he transferred from Florida. Injuries hindered his development, but we saw his dynamic athleticism in Georgia’s win against Texas as he battled through a rib injury. Etienne carried the ball 16 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns and forced five missed tackles.
Watch Etienne bounce this run outside and then lower his shoulder to drive the safety three yards into the end zone. There was also this 48-yard run where he broke through an Andrew Mukuba arm tackle before erasing a few pursuit angles with his great speed. Etienne put the game away in overtime, breaking more arm tackles in the process.
Brashard Smith, RB SMU
Smith looks more and more like a running back every game. The former Miami wide receiver still runs a few routes out of the slot, but his vision and burst as a running back are the best elements of his prospect profile. Smith is a dynamic slasher who sets his blocks up well and uses hesitations, spins, and rocker steps to make defenders miss in tight spaces.
Smith uses his speed and acceleration to turn the corner on outside runs. His improvement between the tackles has propelled him up draft boards. Smith makes quick decisions and locates tiny run lanes to squeeze through. The rapid development of his natural feel for the position is exciting.
Xavier Guillory, WR Arizona State
Guillory was a star at Idaho State before transferring to Arizona State, but he hasn’t lived up to his potential with the Sun Devils because of his speed limiting how much separation he generates. With Jordyn Tyson sidelined, Guillory stepped up to snag two touchdowns on Saturday.
Guillory beat Jeremiah Cooper off the line on the first touchdown and later scored on a slot fade against Myles Purchase. Guillory didn’t win off the line against Purchase but made a spinning, fully extension hands catch through defensive pass interference.
Tre Stewart, RB Jacksonville State
Stewart led the Gamecocks to a dominant 52-12 win in the Conference USA Championship Game. He carried the ball 27 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns while snagging three passes for 54 yards. He broke five tackles, and eight of his runs went for ten or more yards.
At 5'10", 192 lbs., Stewart is a tough, undersized back who projects as a UDFA signee. He runs with a low pad level and excellent quickness between the tackles. Stewart’s quick feet help him redirect and bounce runs outside where his acceleration takes over. He is patient behind the line of scrimmage before accelerating to hit the hole at top speed.
Stewart bobbles some targets in the passing game but has the quickness in his first ten to 15 yards to out-leverage linebackers in coverage.
Heisman Ladder
1. Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
2. Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
…
3. Dillon Gabriel, QB Oregon
4. Cameron Ward, QB Miami
5. Cam Skattebo, RB Arizona State
6. Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
…
7. Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina
8. R.J. Harvey, RB UCF
9. Harold Fannin Jr., TE Bowling Green
10. Tyler Warren, TE Penn State