The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl.
Dane Key, WR
Key spent the first three seasons of his college career at Kentucky. He had 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns during his time for the Wildcats. Key transferred to Nebraska for the 2025 season. As a Cornhusker, he caught 35 passes for 424 yards and five touchdowns.
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Key has solid size for an NFL receiver. He has plenty of production during his college career and can be a solid possession receiver option in the draft. Key could be drafted in the later rounds.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Dasan McCullough, EDGE
McCullough joined Indiana in 2022, producing as a freshman with 49 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He spent the next two years of his career at Oklahoma. With the Sooners, he registered 47 total tackles and six tackles for loss. He transferred to Nebraska for the 2025 season. McCullogh has 21 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks.
He stands 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, which gives him a nice frame for an NFL edge rusher, but he needs to fill out his frame a bit more. McCullough had an encouraging start to his career, but has not had the same sack production near the end. He’ll have to work on his game to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: OT Elijah Pritchett (6th-UFA), IOL Rocco Spindler (UFA), CB Ceyair Wright (UFA), OT Turner Corcoran (UFA)
Opt-outs/Injuries: RB Emmett Johnson Jr. (3rd-5th)
Lander Barton, LB
Barton followed in his family’s footsteps to play for Utah. He had 46 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a freshman. In 2023, he only played in seven games with 34 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. For the 2024 season, Barton tallied 72 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks. This season has been another successful one, as Barton has 51 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Barton has excellent size for an NFL linebacker. He has shown great versatility and can do plenty of things for an NFL team, but may need to make his way on special teams first.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Tao Johnson, S
Johnson started his career as a wide receiver at Utah. He moved to the defensive side of the ball in 2023, amassing 33 total tackles and five passes defended this season. In 2024, he improved to have 70 total tackles, one interception and four passes defended. This season, he has had 48 total tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended.
He stands at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, which is decent size for an NFL safety. Johnson is just a redshirt junior who may return to school to boost his NFL Draft stock.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Other Draft Prospects: CB Smith Snowden (6th-UFA), QB Devon Dampier (UFA)
Opt-outs/Injuries: OT Spencer Fano (1st), OT Caleb Lomu (1st-2nd), EDGE John Henry Daley (3rd-5th), EGE Logan Fano (6th-UFA)
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