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 conference championship week.
Penn State has had a great season, with just one loss. They have had a better offense this season that has been more creative. One reason for the successful season is the play of the quarterback Drew Allar. This season, Allar has passed for 2,497 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions on 72.2 percent completion.
The Nittany Lions will match up with the Oregon Ducks, who have a talented defense. Allar, and Penn State as a whole, have struggled in big games, so him playing well could really help his stock. He isn’t the most mobile and can be too locked in on pre-snap reads. Allar does have good arm talent and can make multiple reads at times. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Oregon went undefeated this season, with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Their offense has been good and they have had playmakers step up all season long. One of the good draft prospects on offense is wide receiver Evan Stewart. This season Stewart has 47 catches for 609 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games played.
Stewart will be going up against a tough Penn State defense. While he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype of being a highly-rated recruit, he has shown flashes of his athleticism and route running ability. He needs to add more strength and make more contested catches to be more effective at the next level. Stewart is projected to be a mid-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Georgia has two losses this season, but have had a grueling schedule. Their offense has been inconsistent with some of the onus being on injuries. Tate Ratledge has been a good offensive lineman for the Bulldogs over the last several years, but has missed some time himself this year.
Ratledge will be going up against the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Championship Game. He has good size and strength, which helps him move people in the run game and anchor well as a pass protector. His pad level can get too high and he lacks flexibility. Currently, he is a projected mid-round pick.
Texas has just one loss on the season, which came to Georgia. They’ll look to avenge the loss in the SEC Championship Game. Their offense and defense have both played well this season. One of the leaders on defense is cornerback Jahda Barron. In 2024, he has registered 41 total tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defended.
Georgia has struggled to score points at times, so Texas has a chance to limit them. Barron has a filled-out frame and versatility, as he can play multiple positions in the secondary. He has good instincts and can read quarterbacks’ eyes well in zone coverage. His ball skills have improved this season, while his tackling could still be worked on. He is a projected day two pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Clemson has three losses this season, but made the ACC Championship Game because two of their losses were in the nonconference schedule. Their defense hasn’t been as stout as most years for the Tigers, but they still have talent on that side of the ball, including Barrett Carter.
The Tigers play SMU in the ACC Championship Game, which will present some problems for their defense. Carter can help with that, as he has good speed to help him pursue ball carriers. He has shown some proficiency in coverage as well. While he is a bit undersized for a linebacker and can take some time to find the football, he has the physical tools to be successful at the next level. He is a projected day-two pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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