2025 NFL Draft center class may lack star power but offers plenty of depth
By John Blair
The 2025 NFL Draft center class probably won’t duplicate the 2024 group that saw two players drafted in the first two rounds of the draft. However, it does offer good depth as a total of 15 players make our preseason watch list.
One player to watch in each conference
ACC: Drew Kendall, Boston College: A player who comes from good bloodlines is Boston College’s Drew Kendall whose dad Pete played 12 years in the NFL. Drew is an athletic lineman who that would fit best in a zone-blocking scheme.
Big 10: Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State: A player who hopes a change of scenery will help him have a better season this year is Seth McLaughlin who is moving on from Alabama to Ohio State. His biggest challenge last season was consistently delivering the shotgun snap.
Big 12: Brandon Yates, West Virginia: One of the more versatile linemen in this group is West Virginia. Yates has played both tackle spots and is currently the starting center for the Mountaineers.
SEC: Parker Brailsford, Alabama: The man charged to replace Seth McLaughlin at Alabama is Washington transfer Parker Brailsford. Brailsford will likely be an upgrade over McLaughlin due to his strong run-blocking and consistent snapping.
Non-Power Four: Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan: A player to watch from the Group of Six is Jacob Gideon who was named first-team All-MAC last season.
2025 NFL Draft center watch list
Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Jake Slaughter, Florida
Logan Jones, Iowa
Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
Jake Renfro, Wisconsin
Andrew Meyer, UTEP
Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Jacob Bayer, Arkansas State
Drew Kendall, Boston College
Jared Wilson, Georgia
Jake Majors, Texas
Brandon Yates, West Virginia
Jacob Gardner, Colorado State
Eli Cox, Kentucky
Bryce Foster, Texas A&M no longer on the team
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