NFLMocks’ 5 for 5: Coaches on the Hot Seat, True Freshmen to Watch for 2025 NFL Draft, and More!

We are back with another 5 for 5! Five topics, with a top five for each one. Today’s edition features the biggest surprises of the weekend, coaching hot seats, 2023 NFL Draft stock watch, and more!

Headline #1: Biggest Surprises of the Week

•No. 1: Tua Tagovailoa’s Miami Dolphins Stun Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens with a 21-point Comeback Victory.

When Mike McDaniel arrived in South Beach, he brought the promise of a high-powered offense with him. Well, two weeks into the season, it’s safe to say that the first-time head coach has lived up to the expectations.

For much of the offseason, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa heard over and over again that he didn’t have what it takes to be a starting signal-caller in the NFL. On Sunday, the Alabama Crimson Tide alum threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns!

The lefty eviscerated Baltimore’s defense, using his cheat code wide receivers to punish the Raven’s secondary. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league already. They showed that this weekend with their combined stat line of 22 receptions, 361 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.

These types of numbers haven’t been seen in Miami in my lifetime, which is a great sign of things to come for Dolphins fans. It was an odd set of circumstances that led to the McDaniel-Tagovailoa pairing, but after battling back from a 21-point second-half deficit, it looks as though they’ll be linked together going forward.

•No. 2: Monster Big Ten Performances Show the Conference Should be Taken Seriously.

The Big Ten has long been considered a top-two conference in the nation. This year, they’re laying claim as the best at this point of the season.

No. 3 ranked Ohio State boat raced the Toledo Rockets Saturday, with a 77-21 drubbing of their instate competition. To Toledo’s credit, quarterback Dequan Finn made a couple of eye-opening plays, but ultimately they did not have enough to stack up against the Buckeyes.

CJ Stroud completed 22 of his 27 pass attempts for 367 yards and five touchdowns, a strong boost to his Heisman resume. As long as the defense can hold up, Ohio State is going to be the favorite in every game they play this regular season. It’s time for the Buckeyes to make a run.

Looking to stand in their way are the reigning Big Ten Champions, Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines. Running back Blake Corum dominated Connecticut this past weekend, finding the end zone an astonishing five times en route to his team’s 59-0 shutout.

Michigan’s chances lie squarely on the back of whoever is behind center. JJ McCarthy is the most talented passer on the roster, and it looks as though the coaching staff wants him to step up and end any doubt on who the starter should be. They’ll meet Ohio State at the end of the season, with a strong chance that both are undefeated.

Hoping to play spoiler is the Penn State Nittany Lions. James Franklin’s crew traveled down south and beat the brakes off of the Auburn Tigers. Sean Clifford played very well and thanks to a couple of true freshmen (more on them later) PSU looked like one of the best squads in the nation.

It might be a year early when it comes to their CFB Playoff chances, but Penn State gets Ohio State and Michigan State at home this season. They’ll travel to the Big House to take on Michigan on Oct. 15. I’d circle that date because it’s going to tell us a lot about both teams.

Indiana improved to 3-0, surpassing their win total from the year prior. Minnesota has one of the most lethal run games in the country, spearheaded by Mohamed Ibrahim, and they have yet to drop a game in 2022 as well.

Taulia Tagovailoa even has Maryland undefeated through three games. The Rutgers finish up a quartet of unexpected teams to start at 3-0, as Greg Schiano secured two close victories against Boston College and Temple.

Given how shaky things are in the SEC outside of Georgia, it’s reasonable to believe that the Big Ten could send two teams to the CFB Playoffs this season.

•No. 3: Amon’Ra St. Brown Etches His Name in the NFL History Books.

It’s time to start talking about Amon’Ra St. Brown the way that he deserves to be talked about, with the best of the best at wide receiver. The former USC Trojan recorded his eighth straight game with eight or more catches. A mark that only two other wide receivers have reached (Michael Thomas and Antonio Brown).

The Detroit offense was clicking on all cylinders against the Washington Commanders. They have one of the best stables of weapons in the NFC, and that’s without Jameson Williams, who many believe was the best pass catcher available in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Jared Goff isn’t the guy to take Detroit to the Promise Land, something that the front office knew when making the trade. But he has proven to be an elite bridge quarterback option.

Whoever the Lions get next, whether it be through the draft or even Lamar Jackson, that player will have an embarrassment of riches to work with on offense.

•No. 4: Georgia Sent 15 Players to the 2022 NFL Draft… & Got Better?

I was pounding the drum for Georgia this offseason, telling anyone who would listen that they weren’t going to take much of a step back in 2022. To my surprise, it looks as though they’ve actually taken a step forward!

In the 2022 NFL Draft, 15 Bulldogs’ heard their name called, setting a new record for the event and the Georgia program. Even with guys like Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and Travon Walker graduating to the NFL, a few key members of the championship defense stuck around in Athens.

Jalen Carter has looked like a top-five player in the country since he first saw the field for the Bulldogs. Kelee Ringo is working his way into becoming the top cornerback in the upcoming draft class. However, perhaps the biggest reason for Georgia’s improvement comes from the quarterback position.

Stetson Bennett retained the starting gig after performing at a high level during the team’s title run. Entering 2022, Bennett was hungry to prove that he isn’t a liability, but rather an advantage.

He’s led the charge each of the first three weeks, looking like a new man with confidence that wasn’t always there in 2021. This is a horrifying thing to hear for any would-be title contenders.

It’s not often, if ever, that one could propose such a claim, but I genuinely believe they are a better team right now than last year. I can’t see anyone beating Kirby Smart’s group in 2022.

•No. 5: Defending AFC Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, Fall to 0-2.

After an impressive offseason from the Bengals front office, fans were expecting another run through the AFC in 2022. Unfortunately for the Cincinnati faithful, things are off to a rocky start.

The defending AFC Champions dropped their week one matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that just lost their longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The Bengals lost week two to the Dak Prescott-less Dallas Cowboys, allowing Joe Burrow to be harassed all day long.

It is a different dynamic altogether when you go from being the hunter to the hunted. Joe Burrow is still as talented as they come, the offense is loaded, and the defense still boasts the same faces from last year’s unit.

The difference is, that Zac Taylor is going to get every team’s best shot week in and week out. As the incomparable Uncle Ben once said, “with great power comes great responsibility”.

The Bengals can’t rest on their laurels and live off of one stray Super Bowl appearance. To make the most of Burrow’s talents, they must keep the hunger that got them to the top in the first place.

Headline #2: NFL Coaching Hot Seats

•No. 1: Matt Rhule (Carolina Panthers)

This is far from a hot take, as many folks around the league have been questioning Matt Rhule’s ability to be a head coach in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers inked him to a seven-year deal worth $60 million in January 2020. Not bad for a guy with such minimal head coaching experience.

The Panthers brass hoped that Rhule could craft a winning culture in Carolina, similar to what he did with the Baylor Bears and Temple Owls before them. It quickly became evident how different of a game the NFL is from college football.

Rhule brought some college RPO concepts with him to the league, nothing too jarring because many teams use these plays in 2022. However, overreliance is something that makes an offense grow stale. And the Carolina offense is staler than the french fry you dropped in the couch cushion a month ago.

Rhule has swung and missed on his quarterback acquisitions, failing to “fix” Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Darnold. Baker Mayfield added his name to the mix when the team traded for him this offseason, but few believe he’s a legitimate long-term answer.

Maybe Rhule can convince owner David Tepper to give him another year to get things right, but with where things are right now, the polarizing head coach is the leader in the clubhouse to get the boot at season’s end.

•No. 2: Frank Reich (Indianapolis Colts)

Matt Rhule may be in the worst spot currently, but Frank Reich is coming off the worst coaching performance of anyone on this list.

The Colts had their season cut short in 2021 when they dropped back-to-back games in weeks 17 and 18 to miss the playoffs for the second time in four seasons under Reich. It’s not that they lost, it’s how they lost.

Carson Wentz put up the worst final week stat line that I’ve ever seen when the team traveled to Jacksonville. After an offseason of shuffling around the roster, Matt Ryan led the team to Jacksonville in week two and suffered the same fate as his predecessor.

If the tie with the Houston Texans didn’t have Reich’s seat warming up, the 24-0 smackdown from the Jacksonville Jaguars should do it. Reich has a ton of goodwill built up with the general manager, Chris Ballard, but if things don’t do a 180°, the writing is on the wall for a change.

Reich is, by all accounts, a great person and brilliant offensive mind. However, it is starting to show that he might not be cut out to lead a locker room. A fresh voice could be the kick in the butt that the stagnant Colts roster needs.

•No. 3: Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals)

I know, I know… I can hear it already, “but the Cardinals won”! The comeback was fascinating by Arizona on Sunday, this cannot be denied. To say that Kingsbury did much to spark the comeback would be disingenuous if you ask me.

Sure, he called some great plays down the stretch, but a handful of times, Kyler Murray was the sole reason that the Cardinals moved the ball at all. He went full Madden mode, highlighted by this absurd two-point conversion that took a total of 21 seconds in real-time.

Much like Reich, few would say that Kingsbury isn’t a sharp person, but that is not enough to make you a great head coach in the NFL. I understand that DeAndre Hopkins is missing, but the coaching staff knew this would be the case so it’s not a valid excuse.

Sunday’s win possibly buys Kingsbury more life, but the more I watch the Arizona Cardinals, the more that it feels like Kliff and Kyler aren’t meant to be together.

•No. 4: Ron Rivera (Washington Commanders)

The Washington Commanders probably won’t move on from Ron Rivera, but they probably should. Rivera was a fine, if not uninspiring, hire for DC. He took the Panthers to a Super Bowl in 2015 but boasts little success outside of that outlier run.

After he was shelved by Carolina, he signed with the Commanders in 2020, winning seven games in each of his first two seasons. This highlights the fact that he is solid, but nothing more than that.

Rivera is seemingly beloved by the front office, and following the trend of the past three on this list, he is well-liked by the players themselves. It’s all a matter of expectation when it comes to whether or not Washington will consider moving on next offseason.

Are the Commanders content with being “good enough” or do they want someone who can elevate them to a “great” team one day?

•No. 5: Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints)

Dennis Allen served as Sean Payton’s defensive coordinator from 2015-2021 and was promoted to the head coaching position in the wake of Payton’s surprise retirement. Allen worked his way up and earned the favor of the Saint’s front office, so he’s another name that’s unlikely to be discarded after one year.

My reason for adding him to the list lies solely with the fact that the Saints are always looking to go all in and improve their roster for immediate success. Now that they are mostly capped out and have few future draft picks to work with, their best path to improvement could very well be a young offensive specialist that can follow in the footsteps of what Payton did for the franchise.

It’ll take a terribly bad season and will require a worthwhile candidate emerging, but there’s a greater than zero chance that Dennis Allen fails to get more than one year as the head coach. If you think the contract will keep Gayle Benson from writing another check, you haven’t been paying attention.

Headline #3: 2023 NFL Draft QB Stock Watch

•No. 1: CJ Stroud (Ohio State)

As we touched on a bit earlier, CJ Stroud stamped his name in the mind of Heisman voters with a stellar performance Saturday evening against Toledo. He is the favorite to challenge for Heisman honors and a National Championship. This group has the potential to be the best offense that Buckeyes fans have ever witnessed.

Stroud flexed his signature anticipation and timing on each throw against Toledo. He stood tall and confident in the pocket and even used his legs a few times, something that NFL Draft evaluators have been clamoring for.

My favorite play from the Toledo game came when Stroud rolled out and connected with Julian Fleming for a touchdown by putting the ball in a place that only Fleming could get to it. These are the types of traits that will have NFL teams consider tanking to secure the talented signal-caller.

If the 2023 NFL Draft took place today, CJ Stroud would be my No. 1 overall pick with no hesitation. He is a franchise quarterback at the professional level.

•No. 2: Tyler Van Dyke (Miami)

Tyler Van Dyke did not have the same success this weekend when he traveled to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. Miami entered the contest ranked No. 13 in the nation, but woke up Sunday morning with the No. 25 next to their name instead.

Van Dyke never found a groove against the Aggies. In the first half, his pass catchers dropped a whopping four passes, killing any momentum that could have been built. The run game tried to pull their weight, but nothing went as planned for the Hurricanes.

In the second half, Miami was still in a position to come through with a few clutch drives and escape with a hard-fought, but ugly victory. Unfortunately, their star quarterback dropped the ball.

He ended the night with only five completions of 10+ air yards downfield, out of 17 attempts! To put it mildly, this is not good, at all. Much of the reason for this is due to Van Dyke locking his eyes on his first read and never looking defenders off. There were at least eight passes that I counted where Texas A&M could have easily come away with an interception.

If Van Dyke looks this way against college competition, he’s going to be in a world of pain when he gets to the NFL. Arm talent and physical traits are there in abundance, it’s just every other piece of the puzzle that needs put together. I still believe in “Tyler Van Dimes”, but it’s going to take some work to erase this performance from the minds of talent evaluators.

•No. 3: Phil Jurkovec (Boston College)

A name you don’t often hear, at least on social media, is Boston College’s veteran leader, Phil Jurkovec. Jurkovec is in his fifth season on campus, and his third as the starting quarterback.

In his first season as a starter, Jurkovec appeared in 10 games, setting a school record for the most passing yards in a player’s first 10 starts. He scored 20 total touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions and showcased strong technique and understanding of the pocket.

His 2021 campaign was marred with injury, as Jurkovec missed half of the season recovering. In his six total starts, the talented field general looked anything but talented, especially throughout the final four games.

Entering 2022, most wondered which Jurkovec would show up. Luckily for Eagles fans, it’s been more good than bad so far. Jurkovec still has spotty accuracy and ball placement, but where he lacks in those departments, he makes up for with his rocket arm.

Jurkovec is a classic candidate to land with an NFL team and win over a fan base. He’s easy to root for, plays with tons of heart, and possesses a desire to improve each and every day. Team’s will want to see more accuracy before taking Jurkovec early in the 2023 NFL Draft.

•No. 4: Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)

The Tennessee Volunteers have a great college quarterback in Hendon Hooker. Hooker is accurate, risk-averse, and a legitimate threat to tuck and run out of the backfield.

After three years of hit-or-miss playing time with Virginia Tech, Hooker transferred to Tennessee in 2021 and posted one of the best quarterback seasons in Volunteer history. The gifted quarterback threw 31 touchdowns to only three interceptions and he completed 68% of his passes on the year.

The team went 7-6, but few blamed Hooker for this because he played well in nearly every loss. In the six games that his team dropped, Hooker’s completion percentage dipped to 64%, but he accounted for over 300 total yards a game and 15 touchdowns.

Hooker has continued his brand of play in 2022, having yet to throw an interception while completing nearly 70% of his passes. The biggest red flag that he still shows is his propensity to hold the ball for far too long as the play develops.

This is a key reason why he doesn’t turn the ball over much, but it’s also why he was sacked 34 times in only 13 games last season. This won’t fly on Sundays, so Hooker must find a way to speed up his process or NFL defenses are going to feast on his inability to get the ball out.

•No. 5: Jake Haener (Fresno State)

This past weekend Jake Haener led his Fresno State Bulldogs into a showdown with the white-hot USC Trojans. Haener struggled early on in the game, but he still had his team competing and squarely in the football game when injury struck.

Haener suffered what was later ruled as a high ankle sprain, but for a moment, many feared the worst when the quarterback was carted off the field. Rather than a season-ending injury that would have ended his collegiate career, Fresno State is optimistic that this will be an injury he can return from in 2022.

After transferring from Washington in 2018 and sitting out the 2019 season to satisfy the old transfer rules, Haener landed with the Bulldogs in 2020 and has become one of the best quarterbacks in program history.

In 2021, Haener completed 67.1% of his passes and put up an astounding 4,096 yards through the air. His 33 touchdown passes ranked behind only the Carr brothers in the Fresno State record books. He returned to school because he wanted to sharpen up his game before entering the league.

I love the way he throws the ball and I believe in his talent, but it’s worth mentioning that the scheme he plays in makes it easier to put up gaudy numbers compared to those of his peers. That’s not to take anything away from Haener’s achievements, but he’s not asked to do much of the pre-snap stuff that he’ll be asked to do in the NFL.

The process leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft will be telling. He is seemingly going to have a chance to come back this season and show that he’s 100% healthy. When the offseason workout and Senior Bowl portion comes around, that’s when scouts will have a chance to see Haener in a different, less advantageous setting.

Headline #4: Rookies Proving They Were Worth Early Pick

•No. 1: Garrett Wilson (New York Jets)

*Stats from Sunday: 8 Catches, 102 Yards, 2 TD*

The New York Jets shocked the world by coming back from a double-digit deficit in the last couple of minutes of their game at Cleveland. Perhaps the biggest reason for the Jets comeback was the stellar play of rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Wilson became the first Jets rookie receiver to ever record 100 yards and two touchdowns in the same game. On his first touchdown, he shook the defender in the end zone and looked exactly like the player that he was at Ohio State.

The second touchdown put his team ahead and clinched the comeback victory. Wilson showed Jets fans Sunday why general manager Joe Douglas made him the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

•No. 2: Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions)

*Stats from Sunday: 6 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 TFLs*

The Detroit Lions loved Aidan Hutchinson so much as a prospect that they actually got in trouble for sending in their draft pick card too quickly when they selected the former Michigan Wolverine at No. 2 overall.

After the Jaguars took Travon Walker to open the event, it was a no-brainer decision for general manager Brad Holmes to grab the hometown boy. Hutch set school records during his Heisman-finalist campaign in 2021.

He tested out well at the NFL Draft Scouting Combine, cementing his status as a franchise-altering pass rusher. He’s made the decision of Detroit taking him look brilliant thus far.

Hutchinson created pressure consistently during the opening week of the season against Philadelphia. In week two, he flashed his unparalleled potential off the edge. Hutchinson recorded three sacks and six total tackles, wreaking havoc on Carson Wentz all afternoon.

This performance is merely a promise of things to come for the Lions. Hutchinson will be considered a top pass rusher in the NFL by the time his rookie season concludes. Let me introduce you to your favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

•No. 3: Drake London (Atlanta Falcons)

*Stats from Sunday: 8 Catches, 86 Yards, 1 TD*

Drake London became the first rookie wide receiver to put up at least five receptions and more than 70 yards in each of his first two games since Stefon Diggs did it in 2015. In week two, London scored his first career touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

Atlanta nearly overcame a 28-3 disadvantage by charging back to beat the Rams, and London’s eight catches for 86 yards helped Falcons fans forget about Julio Jones, even if just for a few hours.

London went off the board as the first wide receiver taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, even after dealing with injuries and opting out of offseason workouts. His biggest question entering the league was whether or not he could separate consistently, but it looks like it won’t be long before that’s an afterthought.

•No. 4: Zion Johnson (Los Angeles Chargers)

*Stats from Thursday: 2 Pressures, 98% PBE*

Former Boston College Eagle, Zion Johnson, was once a zero-star recruit at little-known Davidson College. He helped lead a staunch rushing attack while with the Wildcats, and after transferring to the ACC, he did the same with BC.

Johnson earned an invite to the Senior Bowl, and he made as much money as anyone that week. Not literally, of course, but Johnson went from a day three flier to a bonafide first-round NFL Draft prospect. The tape was always good, but the way Johnson proved he belonged helped quell any fears.

The Los Angeles Chargers grabbed Johnson at No. 17 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and he has immediately become one of the best guards in the league through two weeks.

The starting guard for the Chargers performed wonderfully against the Raider’s pass rush, and in week two he neutralized Chris Jones nearly every time the two matched up.

Jones didn’t start making a true impact until he shuffled down the line and started taking advantage of the overmatched Matt Feiler. We always knew Johnson was an elite run blocker from day one, but the leaps and bounds he’s grown in pass protection speak volumes.

Between Rashawn Slater, Corey Linsley, and Zion Johnson, the Los Angeles Chargers are a considerably better line than what we saw Thursday night. They just have to stay healthy.

•No. 5: Jahan Dotson (Washington Commanders)

*Stats from Sunday: 4 Catches, 59 Yards, 1 TD*

The Washington Commanders did not come away with a win this weekend, but there were still plenty of positives to lean on. Jahan Dotson, Washington’s first-round pick, has been a steady presence for the Commander’s offense dating back to his arrival at training camp.

Quarterback Carson Wentz is an enigma behind center, but he’s developed a strong connection with Dotson already. Dotson caught two touchdowns in his debut against Jacksonville in week one, and against the Lions on Sunday, he caught another one.

Terry McLaurin is always going to be “the guy” in DC, but Jahan Dotson will be the Robin to his Batman for years to come.

Headline #5: True Freshmen to Monitor for the 2025 NFL Draft

•No. 1: Dane Key, WR, Kentucky

Dane Key is a name you’ve likely heard a few times if you’ve watched the Kentucky Wildcats in 2022. Key is a true freshman, but you’d never know by looking at him. He possesses an NFL-sized frame already and looks the part when he’s out there catching footballs from Will Levis.

Key has caught a touchdown in each game so far this season and is averaging 17.4 yards per reception. Paired with a gunslinger behind center, Key shows no signs of slowing up. The 2025 NFL Draft is ages away, but Key should be a name on your radar already.

•No. 2: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

The next two entries on the list hail from the same school. Abdul Carter was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and opted to attend Penn State. Carter is a jack-of-all-trades type of linebacker, and he showcased this Saturday in the Nittany Lion’s commanding victory against Auburn.

Carter was ejected from the teams opening game for targeting, but he has played each of the past two weeks against Ohio and Auburn, respectively. Carter was all over the place this past Saturday, recording six tackles, multiple quarterback pressures, a batted down pass, a forced fumble, and a sack! Phew!

Carter is going to continue making waves in the Big Ten as a true freshman. He sports the No. 11, a jersey number that is heralded in the Nittany Lions program. Guys like Micah Parsons and LaVar Arrington wore the number before him. Carter is next up!

•No. 3: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State

Let’s stay with Penn State, but this time we will highlight a budding star on the offensive side of the football. Nick Singleton also earned a four-star rating like Abdul Carter, and he has looked dominant in his first year in the collegiate ranks.

Singleton’s statistics are fascinating when looking at them. He’s received exactly 10 carries in each of the first three games for the Nittany Lions. He only tallied 31 yards against Purdue but stepped up to 179 yards against Ohio, and then an impressive 124 yards on the road against an SEC opponent.

Singleton also found the end zone twice against the Bobcats and did the same against the Tigers. He is a thrilling ball carrier to watch, highlighted by his 54-yard and 70-yard touchdowns that are already on his resume.

Things couldn’t be better in Happy Valley, especially considering that Penn State has another four-star true freshman in the wings with quarterback Drew Allar. Penn State is very good right now, they have the potential to be great in the near future.

•No. 4: Dasan McCullough, EDGE, Indiana

Dasan McCullough is the highest-rated recruit in Indiana football history. He grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and chose to stay home and play for the Hoosiers, rather than bolting to the more prestigious schools like Alabama, Clemson, and even Georgia.

McCullough ranked No. 43 overall in the ESPN300, and it’s only taken three games for the superstar pass rusher to make his imprint on the program. McCullough recorded 14 total tackles and three sacks in his first three games at IU. He’s helped propel the team to a 3-0 start, already surpassing their win total from 2021.

It’s not often that you hear Indiana Hoosiers taken in the NFL Draft, at least not in the first couple of days. Only five players since 2008 have been taken in the first three rounds of the draft for Indiana, but McCullough has a great chance to add his name to the list.

Who knows, he could eventually become the first opening-round pick for the school since Thomas Lewis in 1994.

•No. 5: Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia

On the other end of the spectrum, the Georgia Bulldogs consistently send top-end talent to the NFL. In the 2022 NFL Draft alone, they saw nine players taken in the first two days.

With the departure of Travon Walker and Jordan Davis clearing out snaps in the Georgia defense, Mykel Williams is making the most of the opportunity to get playing time on a true title contender as a freshman.

Williams, a former five-star recruit according to 247Sports, recorded his first career sack against Samford in the second week of the season. He didn’t bring Spencer Rattler down this past weekend, but don’t let that fool you, he terrorized the Gamecock’s offense Saturday.

Williams is remarkably polished as a pass rusher given his lack of experience against college athletes. He processes plays so quickly, even looking like he knows what they’re running before they do at times. His phenomenal footwork and athleticism are going to be his calling card at the position.

Of all the guys that were listed in this section, Williams has the clearest path to hearing his name called first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.