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 Sugar Bowl.
Xavier Watts, S
Watts joined Notre Dame in 2020 and has stuck with the program over the last several seasons. He jumped into the starting lineup at the end of the 2022 season, then was one of the best defensive backs in the country for 2023 and 2024. This season, Watts has registered 59 total tackles, nine passes defended and six interceptions.
At 6-foot and 203 pounds, Watts has solid size for an NFL safety. His instincts and ball skills help him make plays on the ball and stick out among other safeties. He is good in deep zone coverage, even without elite range. Watts has done enough to warrant consideration on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Howard Cross III, DL
Like Watts, Cross has been in the Notre Dame program for a long time. He joined the Fighting Irish in 2019, got his first start in 2021, then played a larger role over the last three seasons with the program. In 2024, Cross has 24 total tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Cross is an undersized NFL defensive lineman at 6-foot-1 and 288 pounds. He lacks strength, but has natural leverage to help him win. Cross also moves quickly for a defensive lineman. His size may limit his draft stock, but he still can be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
*CB Benjamin Morrison is a projected first-round pick, but will not play in this game due to an injury.
*DL Rylie Mills is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected mid-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: TE Mitchell Evans (5th-7th), EDGE RJ Oben (6th-UFA), QB Riley Leonard (6th-UFA), LB Jack Kiser (6th-UFA), LB Jaylen Sneed (6th-UFA), WR Beaux Collins (6th-UFA), OT Pat Coogan (6th-UFA), P Bryce McFerson (UFA), OT Tosh Baker (UFA), WR Kris Mitchell (UFA)
Malaki Starks, S
Starks joined Georgia in 2022 and immediately started for the Bulldogs. He helped them win a national championship that season and has retaine his role in the secondary ever since. In 2024, he has registered 73 total tackles, one interception and three passes defended.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Starks has solid size for an NFL safety. He hasn’t played his best this season, but has enough tape out there that really impresses scouts. Starks has good range, coverage skills and ball skills. He could be selected very early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Fist Round Pick
Jalon Walker, EDGE
Walker joined Georgia in 2022 and played as a reserve and on special teams. He continued in that role in 2023 before jumping into the starting lineup in 2024. This season, Walker has posted 57 total tackles, 11 tackels for loss and 6.5 sacks.
He has good size for an NFL linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds. Walker plays linebacker for Georgia, but might be better as an edge rusher at the next level. He gets good pressure on the quarterback, although his length may not be the greatest for an edge rusher. A team drafting him will need to have a good plan on how to use him.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
*QB Carson Beck will miss this game with an injury. He is a projected day-two pick.
*P Brett Thorson will miss this game with an injury. He is a projected undrafted free agent.
Other Draft Prospects: EDGE Mykel Williams (1st), IOL Tate Ratledge (2nd-3rd), OT Earnest Greene (3rd-5th), CB Daylan Everette (3rd-5th), DL Nazir Stackhouse (3rd-5th), IOL Dylan Fairchild (4th-6th), IOL Jared Wilson (4th-6th), LB Smael Mondon (4th-6th), TE Oscar Delp (4th-6th), RB Trevor Etienne (5th-7th), OT Xavier Truss (5th-7th), TE BenYurosek (6th-UFA), WR Dillon Bell (6th-UFA), DL Warren Brinson (6th-UFA), WR Dominic Lovett (6th-UFA), WR Colbie Young (UFA), QB Gunner Stockton (UFA), RB Branson Robinson (UFA), Edge Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (UFA), WR Arian Smith (UFA)
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