NFL Draft Notebook: Kyle McCord, Kyle Kennard have seen their NFL Draft stock skyrocket

As the college football season comes to a close, it’s time to evaluate how players’ performances have shaped their NFL Draft stock. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook shines a spotlight on five prospects whose stock has soared, led by Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord and South Carolina defensive end Kyle Kennard. Beyond these rising stars, this edition explores standouts from conference championship week, examines prospects whose stock has taken a hit, and much more

Five players who elevated their draft stock in 2024

1. Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

Kyle McCord’s transfer from Ohio State to Syracuse proved to be a career-defining decision. The quarterback led the nation in passing and shattered Syracuse single-season records for yards, completions, and touchdown passes. Once viewed as a priority free agent, McCord now carries a solid Day 2 draft grade. He’s positioned to become Syracuse’s first quarterback drafted since Donovan McNabb in 1999.

2. Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina

Kyle Kennard is another success story from the transfer portal. After moving from Georgia Tech to South Carolina, Kennard dominated the SEC, leading the conference with 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. His ability to win with speed off the edge or overpower blockers has made him a coveted Day 2 prospect—an impressive rise for someone once projected as a late-round pick.

3. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

Elijah Arroyo’s breakout season at Miami erased doubts after injuries limited his first two years. Despite entering the year with just 11 career receptions, Arroyo emerged as a dangerous weapon, catching 31 passes at an average of 17 yards per reception. He also excelled as a blocker, earning a respectable 69.5 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Arroyo is now poised to be an early Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

4. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

In 2024, Darien Porter transformed from a backup into one of the premier cornerbacks in college football. The 6-foot-4 standout leveraged his rare combination of size and speed to stifle opposing offenses, allowing just 29% of passes thrown his way to be completed. His dominance was reflected in an elite 90.2 Pro Football Focus coverage grade. With his physical tools and ability to thrive in press coverage, Porter has cemented himself as a highly regarded draft prospect.

5. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

Cameron Williams seized his opportunity as a first-time starter for Texas, quickly proving he belongs among the nation’s elite offensive linemen. He allowed just three sacks all season and impressed scouts with his exceptional strength. Previously projected as an undrafted free agent, Williams is now being discussed as a potential late first-round pick, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database.

Top five performances from conference championship week

1. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo delivered the most memorable performance of conference championship week. Averaging an impressive 10.6 yards per carry on 16 attempts, Skattebo racked up 170 rushing yards. His bruising running style was on full display as he forced 11 missed tackles. Beyond his dominance on the ground, Skattebo made an impact in the passing game, hauling in two receptions for 38 yards. He capped off his remarkable day with three total touchdowns.

2. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Ashton Jeanty delivered a statement performance in the Mountain West Championship against UNLV, making a compelling case for the Heisman Trophy. UNLV, the only team to hold Jeanty to under 4 yards per carry during the season, couldn't replicate that success. Jeanty dominated with 209 rushing yards on 32 carries, including a spectacular 75-yard touchdown run. This standout effort came against a UNLV defense ranked 10th nationally against the run, cementing Jeanty's status as the top running back in the 2025 NFL Draft.

3. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson made history as the first wide receiver to win the Big Ten Championship Game MVP award, thanks to a stellar performance against Penn State. Johnson caught 11 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his exceptional ability to gain yards after the catch, with an impressive 121 YAC on the day. Scouts may view Johnson similarly to how they evaluated current Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell, who came out of the University of Houston and became a third-round pick.

4. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette delivered the top defensive performance of the week, earning SEC Championship Game MVP honors. Everette showcased his playmaking ability with two interceptions and excelled in coverage, holding his assignments to just three receptions on nine targets. His lockdown defense played a crucial role in Georgia's knocking off Texas for the second time this season.

5. Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State

A player to watch in the FCS playoffs who had a big game last weekend is Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott who leads the top ranked Montana State Bobcats. In his game against Tarleton State he completed 22 of 25 passes for a career high 300 yards and four touchdowns. However, the most impressive stat with the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year is that he threw 26 touchdowns and just one interception this season.

NFL Draft news and notes

Carson Beck's draft stock takes a hit: Heading into the season, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was seen as a potential top NFL Draft pick, with outlets like CBS Sports touting him as the number one draft pick. However, his stock has plummeted over the course of the year and could now land him as late as Day Three. The reasons for this decline were evident in the SEC Championship game, where Beck struggled to lead the Bulldogs’ offense. He completed just 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards with no touchdowns. In contrast, sophomore Gunner Stockton stepped in for an injured Beck in the second half and outperformed him, going 12 of 16 for 71 yards and a touchdown. Scouts are likely concerned about Beck’s lack of playmaking ability. The Bulldogs’ offense frequently stalls with him at the helm, and he hasn’t shown the ability to extend plays or anticipate opportunities for big plays while maneuvering in the pocket. Additionally, questions about his leadership may arise, as the team appeared to play with more energy and passion when Stockton took over. With his struggles under scrutiny, Beck’s future as a high draft pick seems increasingly uncertain.

Iowa running back declares for the NFL Draft: Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, ranked as the second-best back in the 2025 NFL Draft, announced last week that he will forgo his senior season and Iowa’s bowl game to turn pro. Johnson, who holds a late first-round grade on NFL Draft Notebook’s board, is projected as a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in their latest mock draft. At 225 pounds, Johnson is a physical runner with impressive quickness, making him a standout in this year’s draft class. Additionally, he has proven to be a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield, hauling in 88% of his targets this season.

Burden also declares for the NFL Draft: Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, another high-profile prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, has also declared for the draft. While his 2024 season didn’t match the production of his 2023 All-American campaign, Burden remains highly regarded, earning a first-round grade and ranking as the third-best wide receiver in the draft. Burden excels at gaining yards after the catch, finishing in the top five nationally in 2023 for yards after contact (711, third) and forced missed tackles (30, fourth) Alongside his dynamic playmaking, Burden is known for his ability to secure catches in traffic and boasts some of the best hands in this year’s receiver class.

Tre Stewart’s stellar season shines bright: Jackson State running back Tre Stewart quietly delivered a remarkable season, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top Group of Five running back. Despite carrying the ball just eight times in the first two games, Stewart exploded for 1,604 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns by season’s end. Stewart’s standout attribute is his quickness, evidenced by his 50 runs of 10 or more yards—ranking third nationally. He also averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and notched three games with over 200 rushing yards. His latest impressive performance came in the Conference USA Championship game, where he ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns against Western Kentucky.

Not improving:  Denzel Burke's college career started on a high note when he became the first Ohio State true freshman to start a season opener on defense since Andy Katzenmoyer in 1996. Burke started all 13 games that season, showcasing his potential as a key player in the Buckeye secondary. However, his development since that promising debut has been underwhelming. This season, Burke is allowing a career-high 84% of passes thrown his way to be completed—a troubling statistic for a cornerback at any level. His struggles were especially evident in the Buckeyes' marquee matchup against Oregon, where he gave up two touchdown passes and allowed every pass in his direction to be completed. NFL scouts have noted two major concerns: his lack of awareness in coverage and questionable ball skills. On the positive side, Burke has good size for the position and displays the physicality needed to press receivers effectively at the line of scrimmage. Despite his struggles, some teams may see potential and take a chance on him earlier than expected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Currently, he carries a fourth-round grade on NFL Draft Notebook’s draft board. 

Simmons out until training camp: Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons will be sidelined until training camp due to the knee injury he sustained on October 12, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. This setback means Simmons, ranked as the 19th best player in the 2025 NFL Draft by NFL Draft Notebook, will miss key pre-draft events, including his pro day, the NFL Combine, and team minicamps. Despite these challenges, Simmons remains a strong prospect, with many expecting him to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sleeper of the week: It's not often you hear of an Alabama player being labeled a "sleeper," but that’s exactly the case with cornerback Domani Jackson. After transferring from USC last offseason, Jackson has had the best season of his college career. He's allowed just 49% of the passes thrown his way to be completed and has given up only one touchdown all year. Adding to his impressive performance, Jackson has tallied seven pass breakups and two interceptions, proving himself a playmaker for the Crimson Tide. As an NFL prospect, Jackson stands out with his excellent physical tools. At 6-foot-1, he offers great length for a cornerback, and his elite speed is undeniable—he tied the California state record in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Mater Dei High School. NFL Draft Notebook currently grades him as a second-round talent, though some other analysts project him as a mid-Day 3 pick. Keep an eye on Jackson as a player whose stock could rise heading into draft season.