NFL Draft Watch: Rising Stars in the 2025 Draft Class You Need To Know

As we hit the halfway point of the 2025 college football season, the landscape of this year’s upcoming draft class is taking shape.

A year of where-did-they-come-from chaos seems to have bled into the draft class as well.

Big names from preseason have flamed out.

Teams that weren’t expected to be packed with talent are pushing breakout players to the middle of the table in spades.

Unexpected risers to the top echelon of the draft class are plentiful. Keep an eye on these five intriguing prospects for all-star game invitations.

Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas:

Though he profiles more as a day two draft pick, “intriguing” might as well be the middle name of the Boise State transfer. He has traits of a Josh Allen clone and about the same amount of refinement as Allen did coming out of Wyoming. He’s someone to watch for fans of a team with an older QB who may need a developmental guy to turn into a starter.

Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma:

Kanak could run the fastest 40-yard dash of any tight end this year and is the kind of talent that creates a crazy mismatch against linebackers at the NFL level. Though he’s a work in progress as a blocker, his athleticism will surely impress when he gets a combine invite and could earn him a place on teams who have their tight ends fill more of an h-back role.

Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon:

Pregnon’s elite reactive athleticism should earn him a place in the top 100 and the emergence of Dante Moore as a plus starter could catapult him even further. As he takes his place at all-star games this offseason, watch to see where teams have him play, as some are theorizing he could be a five-position player.

Anthony Smith, EDGE, Minnesota:

Smith reminds me of an edge rusher from last year’s class who has been an absolute stud when he gets on the field, Nic Scourton. If you’re looking for the next large, long, and well-rounded edge rushing prospect that can play every down, Smith has the tackle for loss statistics and pass rush juice to back it up.

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State:

Johnson could be the first group of five prospect drafted this year. His sticky coverage and nose for turnovers has helped turn San Diego State into a Mountain West contender. The multiple pick sixes racking up over 140 yards in turnover yardage prove he can flip momentum in a flash.