The 2025 college football season kicks off in full force this weekend, and one of the headliners is Ohio State vs. Texas. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook breaks down a prospect who could decide that matchup, highlights a star from Week 0, looks at the Patriots need at tight end, and covers the latest draft buzz.
Key to the Ohio State–Texas Game
One of the biggest factors in the Ohio State vs. Texas matchup will be the play of safety Caleb Downs, widely regarded as the top safety prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. For the Buckeyes to stay competitive, Downs must limit Arch Manning’s deep passing opportunities while also containing him as a runner when plays break down.
Expect Downs to spend plenty of time in the box as well, where he’ll be tasked with slowing down Texas’s powerful ground attack led by CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner, the No. 6 and No. 7 running backs on my draft board. If Downs delivers a big performance, Ohio State should keep this one close. If not, Texas has the talent to win by double digits.
Week 0 NFL Mocks' Player of the Week
Week Zero offered a limited slate of games, but there were still several standout performances. The top showing came from UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas, who rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. His highlight of the day was a 70-yard score in the second quarter where he displayed both excellent contact balance and the speed to finish the long run. While I don’t currently have a draftable grade on Thomas, a season filled with performances like this could quickly change that.
Top tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft
Heading into the 2025 season, Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers stands alone as the top tight end in college football. A first-team All-SEC selection last year, he led the Commodores with 49 receptions while averaging 13 yards per catch. Stowers’ vertical speed jumps off the screen as he has been clocked at 21.43 MPH on GPS tracking, and his contact balance makes him a tough cover. After adding 20 pounds this offseason, scouts will be watching closely to see if that translates into improved blocking. If it does, Stowers has a strong chance to hear his name called in the late first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Speaking of tight ends
One team that may target the position in the 2026 NFL Draft is the New England Patriots. The roster lacks a young developmental option behind veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, both of whom are now over 30. Hooper could also depart in free agency after this season, leaving the depth chart even thinner. Ideally, the Patriots would land Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers in the second round, but if he is off the board, another intriguing option is Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, an ultra-athletic prospect who is expected to have a breakout year.
Big day for Henry
Western Kentucky wide receiver Matthew Henry made an immediate impact in his first game with the Hilltoppers after transferring from Western Illinois. He hauled in seven passes for 148 yards and a touchdown against Sam Houston, highlighted by a 26-yard over-the-shoulder score in the first quarter. This performance is nothing new for Henry as he topped 180 receiving yards in eight games last season. If he continues producing at this level, he’ll put himself firmly on the NFL radar as a priority undrafted free agent and could even sneak into the late rounds of the 2026 draft.
OH MY!
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 23, 2025
Maverick McIvor finds Matthew Henry for an UNBELIEVABLE 26 yard TD 🤯 @WKUFootball pic.twitter.com/5HrrNOKPNz
Senior Bowl snub
One of the most surprising omissions from the preseason Senior Bowl watch list is Arizona State’s Xavion Alford. He enters 2025 with a solid Day 3 draft grade on my board and was ranked the 86th-best player in college football by ESPN. Alford’s cover skills stand out as last season he allowed only seven receptions, the second-fewest among Big 12 defenders with at least 250 coverage snaps. His 14 total targets were also the eighth-lowest in the FBS. If he follows that up with another strong year and posts a good 40-yard dash in the pre-draft process, it’s tough to see him slipping through the draft entirely.
Why Nico left Tennessee
According to Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt, the biggest reason Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee was concern over the offense’s ability to develop NFL quarterbacks. Josh Heupel’s system relied heavily on half-field reads, which raised red flags for Iamaleava and his camp. That limitation has already shown up at the next level, as former Tennessee star Hendon Hooker was cut by the Lions after struggling with similar issues. Iamaleava now finds himself on a weaker roster, and the question is whether he can grow as a passer in a tougher situation or if the lack of supporting talent will stunt his progress.
Underwhelming performance
While Jai’Den Thomas and Matthew Henry stood out in Week One, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson struggled in the Wildcats’ loss to Iowa State. He had trouble throwing the ball in the first half, as poor weather exposed concerns about his small hands and ability to handle the ball in difficult conditions. More concerning, though, was his lack of explosiveness as a runner, an area expected to be a strength of his game. If Johnson doesn’t raise his level of play soon, it’s difficult to project him as a draftable prospect.