Although it’s still early in the college football season, and most of the excitement around the gridiron is pointed towards the looming start to the NFL regular season, it’s never too early to take a look at the NFL draft big board to get familiar with some of the top prospects who could hear their name called in the 2025 edition of the draft.
Saturday’s college football slate will be headlined by a flurry of top-caliber prospects with early first-round grades and beyond. Saturday will be headlined by a premier battle between the No. 3 Texas Longhorns and the defending champion No. 10 Michigan Wolverines. Saturday will also feature other intriguing matchups like Baylor vs. No. 11 Utah, Boise State vs. No. 7 Oregon, Colorado vs. Nebraska, No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State, Arkansas vs. No. 16 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Iowa vs. Iowa State.
With multiple power-five and ranked matchups, several blue-chip prospects will be on the field on Saturday. While the 49ers have their eyes set on another run to the Super Bowl, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan currently hold a first-round pick, a second-round pick and a pair of third-rounders in the 2025 draft.
Here’s a look at six names to keep an eye on for the draft while watching college football on Saturday.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Before officially entering the SEC, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns will have to go through the reigning national champions Michigan Wolverines in one of the top billed games of the 2024 season so far.
Sitting at No. 4 in the AP polls, Texas boasts one of the best offenses in college football, centered around Heisman hopeful Quinn Ewers. Helping push Ewers is Alabama transfer wideout, Isaiah Bond. After two seasons with Nick Saban at Alabama, it didn’t take long for Bond to step in as one of Ewers’ top pass-catchers in Austin.
In the Longhorns season opener against Colorado State, Bond grabbed five catches for 61 yards and a score. Bond also carried the ball once for a 25-yard gain against the Rams.
Bond’s acceleration in and out of crisp routes mixed with serious play-making ability should put him position to play on Sundays. However, Saturday against Michigan will provide a true test for the impressive pass catcher. On Saturday, Bond is set to matchup with top-rated Michigan corner Will Johnson.
CB Will Johnson
While J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Roman Wilson all headlined Michigan’s national championship run, the Wolverines’ defense was the steady centerpiece. While Michigan’s offense and coaching staff has a new look, the Wolverines defense is loaded with talent from last season, starting with star corner Will Johnson.
In 2023, Johnson was named defensive MVP of the national championship game along with being named a first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten. Now, Johnson is lined up to be the first Wolverine to come off the board in the 2025 NFL draft.
Johnson’s 2025 campaign started strong as he secured an 86-yard pick six against Fresno State last week. However, Johnson wasn’t perfect against the Bulldogs. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson was targeted eight times, giving up five catches for 77 yards.
Johnson will likely have his hands full again on Saturday, matching up with Isaiah Bond and the high-powered Texas offense.
Texas OT Kelvin Banks
When it comes to the San Francisco 49ers, looking ahead, some positions they could target in the draft probably start with the offensive line. Luckily for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, talent will be on display in the trenches of the Big House on Saturday.
Kelvin Banks will be in charge of anchoring the Texas offensive line in front of Ewers against a star-studded Michigan defensive line. Banks was named a 2024 preseason AP All-American and a preseason First-Team All-SEC tackle by members of the media.
Banks will be tasked with slowing down Josaiah Stewart and Mason Graham. Stewart is coming off a five tackle game with two sacks against Fresno State.
It wouldn’t be right to move on from Michigan vs. Texas without mentioning one of the top tight ends in the nation, Colston Loveland. It doesn’t take long to see why the the 6-foot-5, 245 lb star will likely hear his name called early in the 2025 draft. At his size, Loveland waists no steps, and moves easy up and down the field with impressive fluidity and acceleration.
After leading Michigan in recieving in the national championship against Washington, Loveland’s 2025 season picked up right where he left off, securing eight catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in the Wolverines week one win against Fresno State.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
If the Heisman race was decided on the opening week of the college football season, Boise State Ashton Jeanty would likely be in line to receive some votes. In the Broncos week one blowout win over Georgia Southern, Jeanty posted video game numbers, rushing for 267 yards and — six touchdowns.
On Saturday, the playoff hopefull Broncos will get a serious step up in competition, facing No. 7 Oregon in Eugene. While Boise State looked sharp in their opener, Oregon came out of the gates slow, holding off Idaho in a sloppy 24-14 win on Saturday.
If the Broncos can line up an upset against the Ducks, Jeanty will likely be heavily involved early and often.
NC State OL Anthony Belton
Utah LB Lander Barton
After quietly impressing as a freshman and sophomore, Utah linebacker Lander Barton has high expectations coming into his junior season. As the Utes quietly boast one of the top teams in the Big 12, Barton, brother of Denver Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, will help anchor things on Kyle Whittingham’s defensive unit.
Barton is tough and doesn’t shy away from the big hit over the middle, but where he’s stood out is in coverage with his sideline to sideline speed. At 6-foot-4, Barton’s athleticism should help hear his name called in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL Draft: 6 players to watch in college football week 2
