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 Rate Bowl.
Keagan Johnson, WR
Johnson has bounced around college football. He started his career at Iowa in 2021. Johnson spent two seasons with the Hawkeyes, catching 20 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. He transferred to Kansas State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In that time, he had 53 catches for 586 yards and three touchdowns. This season for New Mexico, he caught 57 passes for 730 yards and three touchdowns.
At 6-foot and 199 pounds, Johnson isn’t the biggest receiver, but has a solid frame for his height. He has good ability to run after the catch and can stretch the field vertically at times. Johnson will likely have to excel on special teams to make an NFL roster.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Darren Agu, EDGE
Agu started his college career at Vanderbilt in 2022. He played three seasons for the Commodores, amassing 30 total tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Before the 2025 season, he transferred to New Mexico. He improved his production by amassing 29 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
He stands at 6-foot-6 and 244 pounds, which gives him a great frame, but he will need to continue filling it out. He has some eligibility remaining, so he may be best served returning to school, where he can improve his pass rush production and build his stock up more.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Anthony Smith, DL
Smith joined the Minnesota football program in 2022. He redshirted in 2022 before suiting up more in 2023. For the 2023 season, he totaled 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. He furthered his development in 2024, as he had 27 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. The 2025 season was his best yet, as he had 32 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Smith has a big frame for an NFL defensive lineman. He could be a bit of a tweener for the NFL, as he is a big for the edge, but small for the interior. His pass rushing production can’t be ignored and smart defensive minds will now how to utilize him to get the most out of him.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Darius Taylor, RB
Taylor was an immediate star for the Golden Gophers. He joined the program in 2023. That season, he played in six games, rushing for 799 yards and five touchdowns. In 2024, he had 986 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He battled injuries this season, totaling 554 rushing yards, 222 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Taylor has good size for an NFL running back. Taylor has solid quickness and nice contact balance. He has shown to have receiving ability as well. His injuries could limit his draft stock, but he is a good player when healthy.
Projected Draft Range: Fourth Round Pick-Sixth Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: TE Jameson Geers (6th-UFA), S Aidan Gousby (UFA), IOL Greg Johnson (UFA), S Kerry Brown (UFA), DL Deven Eastern (UFA), EDGE Jaxon Howard (UFA)
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