2025 NFL Draft: Carson Beck, Prospects with Most to Gain in CFB Conference Title Game

Certain games just mean more. With NFL draft evaluations, every chance to break down a prospect is important, but the biggest games against the best competition hold the most weight.

The 2024 regular season is now complete, and the championship weekend is looming.

A year ago, the likes of Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan posted outstanding efforts for the Washington Huskies as they claimed a Pac-12 title on their way to a national championship game appearance. They all heard their names called in the following April's first three rounds.

How an individual performs in the biggest moments simply matters to a much greater degree.

As such, the upcoming contests have an asterisk when it comes to the overall evaluation. The championship and playoff contests will be skewed heavily by the NFL scouts, front-office personnel and scouts.

Along with the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's weekly breakdown of the trending prospects from last week's action courtesy of Brandon Thorn, Cory Giddings, Dame Parson and Matt Holder, we'll look ahead to the weekend and see which individuals have the most to gain during these program- and possibly draft-defining meetings.

1. Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State

Sometimes, a prospect needs a little time for the light to go on. In the case of Penn State's Abdul Carter, the light went from a flickering candle to a spotlight.

He has been on a tear of as of late now that he feels comfortable working off the edge after previously playing off-ball linebacker. He's now looking like a possible top-10 draft pick.

"The reason why B/R hasn't been nearly as high on Carter as other outlets is that he is new to the position and needs to improve his technique," Holder said. "However, Carter has shown growth and been on a tear with six sacks in his last five games. Especially with another big performance in this weekend's Big 10 Championship and the upcoming College Football Playoffs, the Penn State product could easily cement himself as this year's Edge1."

2. DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines upset the Ohio State Buckeyes by doing what they do best: Play a physical brand of football and dominate at the line of scrimmage.

Defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant led the way. The former is already considered a top-three talent overall. The latter is more of a nose tackle, though he belongs in that first- or early second-round draft conversation.

"A big reason why Michigan pulled off the upset against rival Ohio State last weekend is the Wolverines won in the trenches and kept the Buckeyes to 3.0 yards per carry," Holder said. "Grant had a fantastic game, taking on and defeating double-teams throughout the afternoon. He also managed to get some pressure as a pass-rusher, which will help boost his stock heading into draft season."

3. OT Marcus Mbow, Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers endured a brutal 1-11 campaign, but offensive lineman Marcus Mbow turned out to be a silver lining to an otherwise gloomy campaign.

"Mbow is one of the more athletic tackle prospects in the class with an extremely polished skill set using his hands in a variety of ways to win, steal and secure leverage on defenders in the run and pass game," Thorn said.

"The 21-year-old blocker is a weapon on the move in the run game, with enough play-strength to see the field early on in his pro career. He is also a candidate to play other positions during the All-Star game circuit which should further bolster his draft stock.

"Despite playing on a bad team consistently found in disadvantageous down-and-distance situations, Mbow was a very good pass-protector, who more than held his own against quality competition in the Big Ten this season."

4. WR Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas

In a loaded conference, while playing a typically run-first Arkansas Razorbacks program, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong produced and gave the team a legitimate threat through the air.

"Armstrong is a tall (6'4") and long-limbed pass-catcher who wins in multiple ways," Parson said. "The 2024 campaign was a strong showing for him, as he leads the SEC with 1,140 receiving yards. He succeeded against Missouri's defense in the short/quick game and attacked the intermediate areas in the middle of the field to the tune of 128 yards. He runs well enough routes for a taller receiver to separate against man and zone coverages."

5. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord experienced one of college football's worst meltdowns this season when he threw five interceptions in an important conference meeting with the Pittsburgh Panthers.

However, credit must be given when he plays positively, not just negatively. He leads the FBS with 4,326 passing yards, including an impressive 380-yard, three-touchdown outing against the Miami Dolphins.

"McCord had one of his best games of the season against Miami's secondary," Parson said. "He was decisive and instinctive and played with the confidence needed in a starting quarterback in a big-time game. He delivered the ball accurately all over the field.

"In McCord's last four games, he's thrown eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. He's proved to be more than a game manager."

1. QB Will Howard, Ohio State

Will Howard played his worst when the Ohio State Buckeyes needed him to play his best.

After jettisoning and scapegoating Kyle McCord a year ago, the Buckeyes still fell completely flat at the game's most important position against the archrival Michigan Wolverines, with Howard completing under 58 percent of his passes and throwing two interceptions.

"Unlike Ohio State's former quarterback, the program's current one had his worst performance when things matter the most," Parson said. "Howard was indecisive, slow with his reads and kept from attacking down the field. He did not negotiate the pressure well when it leaked through the offensive line. He did not utilize his mobility to counter the Wolverine's pressure packages.

"Howard was not allowed to manage the game, and it went poorly."

2. DL Deone Walker, Kentucky

At 6'6" and near 350 pounds, Deone Walker has the size, strength and athleticism to dominate at the collegiate level. He didn't. Far too often, he got driven off the ball because he plays too high.

"Simply put, Walker is too big to be getting pushed around in the running game the way he did this season," Holder said. "He also had an underwhelming campaign as a pass-rusher, going from a potential first-round pick to likely a Day 2 guy.

"The true Junior might be better off returning to school, getting in better shape and trying again next year."

3. RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Ohio State's offensive line didn't play well this season. Josh Simmons' season-ending knee injury didn't help matters. But the Buckeyes still featured the nation's best one-two punch at running back. Well, that was the argument. It didn't ring true when Ohio State hosted the Michigan Wolverines.

Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson managed 67 yards on 22 carries. The latter played particularly poorly by averaging 2.1 yards per tote.

"Henderson's draft stock will be tricky," Parson said. "He's not the bell cow anymore. To make matters worse, Henderson struggled to find any room to work against Michigan's defensive front. He was held in check and kept from breaking into the open field, where his speed was a factor."

4. WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

Missouri's Luther Burden III declared for the 2025 NFL draft after a one-catch, 11-yard effort.

To be fair, multiple factors played into his downturn in production this season, and he has traits to make him successful at the next level. But an effort in producing nearly half as many yards as the prior season has to be brought into question.

"Burden was once viewed as a sure-fire lock as a top-10 pick," Parson said. "He's not any longer.

"He did suffer from being in an offense that does not ask a lot out of him as a route-runner and natural separator. He has the athleticism to play as a Z-receiver but has been relegated to the slot. He remains talented, but pairing him with a creative offensive coordinator as a rookie will be paramount."

5. CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

The question about Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston isn't whether he's talented enough to play at the next level. Rather, will he be able to hold up when regularly facing bigger and strong wide receivers, while being forced to be a factor against opposing run games?

"Hairston's draft stock is on a slight down trend due to his inconsistency in physicality, particularly in tackling, despite being a strong coverage defender," Giddings said. "Standing 6'1" and weighing 186 pounds, he is an intelligent corner with good ball skills, excelling in press and zone coverage. His ability to stay in phase with receivers and capitalize on opportunities in the air makes him an intriguing prospect.

"However, his lack of physicality, especially in the run game, has been a lingering concern.

"At times, Hairston has showed reluctance to engage in open-field tackles and shied away from contact, which raises questions about his ability to be effective in defensive schemes that require cornerbacks to be more aggressive against the run.

"While his coverage abilities remain solid, his lack of consistent tackling could hinder his value at the next level unless he can develop a more aggressive mindset in that area."

Big 12 Championship: Iowa State v. Arizona State, 12 p.m. (ABC)

The Iowa State Cyclones feature a pair of future NFL wide receivers in Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. The former gets the nod here as the most to gain for a few reasons.

The biggest reason stems from competition. Arizona State's best cornerback, Shamari Simmons, is its primary nickel corner. Noel, meanwhile, lines up on the slot more than any other ISU receiver. Good-on-good matchups are always something scouts want to see to get the best indication of how prospects will do against NFL talent.

Also, Higgins holds advantages as a 6'4" target compared to the 5'11" Noel, while also being the Cyclones' leading receiver. Neither of these points are meant to slight Noel, who is a legitimate prospect. They're simply reasons why a standout performance could mean more for him than his teammate in this particular contest.

Unfortunately, the opportunity to compare Iowa State's wide receivers to Arizona State standout Jordyn Tyson won't happen since the redshirt sophomore is now out for the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury.

Big Ten Championship: Penn State v. Oregon, 8 p.m. (CBS)

Somewhat of a theme will develop over these next seven prospects, because three of them include quarterbacks.

The 2025 QB class can be described as shaky at best. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward appear to be first-round locks. The race for QB3 is wide open, though, with numerous names capable of claiming the spot.

Two may be higher on this list than Penn State's Drew Allar, but a strong showing in the Big Ten Championship Game followed by stellar play in the College Football Playoff will go a long way to establishing him as a top-five quarterback prospect.

The 6'5", near-240-pound Allar has prototypical size and ability to rip the football into tight windows. At the same time, Penn State lacks the weapons out wide to allow the quarterback to consistently threaten all three levels. Tight end Tyler Warren is a first-team All-Big Ten performer. No one else on the roster even managed half of his 81 receptions.

Also, the former 5-star recruit is a solid athlete, but he's not the type of runner who's going to consistently threaten defenses.

Oregon's top-10 defense will provide an immense test that the Penn State quarterback must show he's more than capable of handling to deserve high-round consideration.

Big Ten Championship: Penn State v. Oregon, 8 p.m. (CBS)

Much like the quarterback class, the incoming crop of offensive tackles can be viewed as suspect.

The Oregon Ducks do feature a pair of blockers—left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and right tackle Ajani Cornelius—who will hear their names called during NFL draft weekend. How high they go could be determined over the next month or more, starting with upcoming individual matchups that will be heavily scrutinized.

Penn State is as difficult of a matchup for bookend tackles as anyone can face in college football this season.

The previously mentioned Abdul Carter has been a buzzsaw since the start of November, which propelled him to winning this year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. On the flip side, Dani Dennis-Sutton is another early-round edge defender, who's battled injuries this year but came on strong last week against the Maryland Terrapins.

Conerly and Cornelius will be tested at every turn. Both defensive ends will push the former to show whether he has the movement skills to counteract elite athletes, while the latter must display a different level of physicality against the smaller defensive ends to improve his stock.

ACC Championship Game: Clemson v. SMU, 8 p.m. (ABC)

The running back class for the 2025 draft is loaded, and NFL teams will find quality ball-carriers well into event's third day.

So, individuals from the position group must find ways to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crop.

The Mountain West Championship Game will feature Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, who's already the class' RB1 and has an outside shot of eclipsing Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.

From there, a multiple of quality runners should be available.

SMU's Brashard Smith has been overlooked throughout this process because he's a wide receiver convert playing for a newly rebuilt power program. After three years with the Miami Hurricanes, he joined the Mustangs this year. The 5'10", 196-pound offensive weapon already posted 1,157 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns.

A matchup against the Clemson Tigers not only places a spotlight on Smith, but he also has an opportunity to put up numbers against a blueblood program. During a three-game stretch against the Duke Blue Devils, Pittsburgh Panthers and Boston College Eagles, he ran for 398 yards and five scores.

Smith will now face the nation's 73rd-ranked run defense, which presents an opportunity for a big outing on a bigger stage.

Sun Belt Championship: Marshall v. Louisiana, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Underclassmen, especially those not expected to be high first-round draft picks, tend to be passed over as the evaluation process ensues. After all, hundreds of senior prospects need to be assessed.

Sometimes, though, an underclassman pieces together a special season, which forces everyone to take notice.

Case in point, Marshall's redshirt sophomore Mike Green is having the type of campaign that a national audience should tune in to watch during this year's Sun Belt Championship.

Currently, the reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year is tied for second at the FBS level with 16 sacks (a conference record). His 21 tackles for loss lead the nation. He presents electric first-step quickness and flexibility to bend the edge, with the ability to close on quarterbacks in a blink.

Prospects who can consistently harass opposing quarterbacks are always highly valued. Green might be a sub-250-pound edge-defender, but he gets after it, even against top competition.

The Marshall defender registered three sacks against the Thundering Herd's top opponents this season: the Ohio State Buckeyes and Virginia Tech Hokies.

A national spotlight game may be enough for Green to finally gain the recognition he deserves.

SEC Championship: Georgia v. Texas, 4 p.m. (ABC)

The SEC Championship will be littered with future NFL talent, of course, and Georgia edge defender Mykel Williams presents arguably more upside than any other individual about to compete in this contest.

So much so that he entered this season as a dark-horse candidate to be the 2025 No. 1 overall pick.

The premise at the time was built upon Williams' combination of power, length and explosivity translating to the edge, where he converted full-time this season.

At times, the 6'5", 265-pound defender looked like he could be dominant force. Other times, he didn't make much of an impact at all.

With the regular season complete, Williams contributed only three sacks. Although two of those came during Georgia's first meeting with the Texas Longhorns, the dynamic of this matchup differs from that contest because Longhorns' Kelvin Banks Jr. is dinged. The first-round left tackle prospect is currently listed as questionable.

Whether Banks plays or not, Williams needs a big game. The defensive lineman should dominate a backup or take advantage of a pass-protector who's not at full strength.

If the 20-year-old is coming off the other edge, he'll be matched up with another left tackle prospect in Cameron Williams.

Whatever the case, the Georgia underclassman needs a successful outing to show why some believe in his potential.

SEC Championship: Georgia v. Texas, 4 p.m. (ABC)

Go back and look at all of the preseason mock drafts. Each and every one will have had Georgia's Carson Beck listed as one of the top two quarterback prospects, often among the top five-to-10 selections.

He's no longer viewed in the same manner, though a strong finish to an up-and-down season could well propel him back into the QB3 mix and eventual first-round status.

The same calm, cool and efficient passer who appeared last season didn't open this year's campaign. He appeared to be pressing too much when asked to do more.

During a three-game stretch against the Mississippi Bulldogs, Texans Longhorns and Florida Gators, the senior signal-caller threw eight interceptions. To be fair, the Bulldogs won each of those games.

However, Beck has been a far smoother operator during Georgia's final three contests, with 941 passing yards and a 11-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Continued momentum where the pocket quarterback is dealing and hitting NFL-caliber throws, particularly against the Longhorns for a second time, will go a long way in Beck reestablishing himself among the class' top quarterback options.

SEC Championship: Georgia v. Texas, 4 p.m. (ABC)

While SEC Championship counterpart Carson Beck is looking to regain his previous status, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has always been a wild card for the upcoming class.

When Ewers is working in-rhythm and playing confidently, he provides runs of excellent play. But his tape is littered with poor pocket presence and questionable decisions.

The junior has a lot to overcome in the upcoming title game.

First, he must play well. That's a given. But the talented Georgia defense is going to attack. The quarterback was benched for a period during their last meeting. A strong comeback effort will go a long way to dispelling previous concerns.

Second, Arch Manning can't steal the show. Even if Ewers plays relatively well, discussion about whether Manning's status will be brought up throughout the contest. The Texas coaching staff may even have an offensive package implemented for the sophomore signal-caller. Ewers must take everything in his stride and provide no reason for a potential switch to occur.

Third, Texas is looking to make its mark during the program's first season as part of the SEC. Georgia is the current bully on the block. A win in this setting will say a lot about the Longhorns and the quarterback who leads them.

Comparatively, Beck is simply working his way back into first-round consideration. Ewers can make a much bigger leap overall simply by living up to expectations and delivering when it matters most.