While the 2025 NFL Draft is still far off in the distance, players that will be drafted early are on the field now. Each week presents unique matchups for draft prospects and this week is no different. Here are NFL Draft prospects to watch in college football week 3.
UNLV got off to a great start to the season and are now 2-0. Their go-go offense has helped them get wins against Utah Tech and Houston. Ricky White has put up some stats the last few years and is worth watching. This season, he has seven catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
White has a tough matchup against some talented Kansas corners in week 3. He didn’t produce much against Houston, so putting up numbers against a power five team could help him. White has good speed and tracks the ball well, making him a good deep threat. He runs after the catch well and can make contested catches well for his size. White will need to add play strength and run his routes with more control, something that can be worked on because he has the quickness and agility to do so.
Kansas has had a good few seasons, but are 1-1 this season. They Jayhawks have had good secondary play over the last few seasons, specifically from Cobee Bryant. So far in 2024, he has three tackles and a pass defended.
He has a tough matchup with White this week. Kansas may not ask him to follow White around, but when they do square off, it is worth watching. Bryant has experience in zone and man coverage, playing a physical brand of cornerback. He has solid ball skills and the production to come with it. Bryant needs to add play strength to help fit his play style and for him to be a better run defender, even if he is willing to help in that regard.
Arizona has started the season off at 2-0. The Wildcats have had some awesome play from their top receiver, Tetairoa McMillan. In two games during the 2024 season, McMillan has caught 12 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns already.
McMillan will have to help Arizona beat a tough Kansas State team that will be physical. He has great size at 6-foot-5, giving him a big catch radius. McMillan can make contested catches and high points the ball. He has good speed as well with long strides to help him separate. McMillan has limited quickness, as it takes a little time to get to top speed. Overall, McMillan is a great draft prospect who will likely be picked early in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kentucky hasn’t had the start to the season that they would have wanted. They are 1-1 and got blown out by South Carolina. One of the bright spots on the team is defensive lineman Deone Walker. He has just three tackles this season, but his impact has been greater than that.
In week 3, Walker will be going up against a great Georgia offensive line. He is huge at 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds. Walker has good strength and moves well for his size, making him tough to block. He attacks gaps well and can take on double teams. More pass rush moves could increase his impact, but for an interior defensive lineman, he can still be effective pushing the pocket.
Colorado State is 1-1 this season. Their offense struggled in week 1 against Texas, but improved in week 2 against Northern Colorado. They have yet to really get their star player, Tory Horton, going this season. He has just seven catches for 74 yards.
Horton will have a chance to prove himself this week against Colorado and Travis Hunter. Last season, Horton was used on a lot of drag routes against Colorado and displayed his ability to run after the catch. He has good speed vertically and a nice catch radius. Getting in and out of breaks can be an issue for him and he needs to add some more strength to his frame.
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