NFL Draft Notebook: Rocco Becht leads Iowa State to Big 12 title and more

In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we dive into predictions for the Big 12 season. We foresee Iowa State emerging as a major surprise, with quarterback Rocco Becht, a standout prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, steering them to a Big 12 championship. We’ll also preview key tight ends to watch this season and cover much more

Four Big 12 predictions

1. Iowa State will win the Big 12

My surprise team of the year is the Iowa State Cyclones, who will win the Big 12 this season. The Cyclones are led by one of the most underrated quarterbacks in college football, Rocco Becht. If Becht decides to enter the draft, he could go as high as day two of the 2025 NFL Draft. He has plenty of targets on offense, including two prospects who could hear their names called next April in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. On defense, the Cyclones return several key members, including defensive end Joey Petersen and cornerback Myles Purchase. Not to mention, they have one of the best coaches in college football, Matt Campbell, who does a great job of getting the most out of his players.

2. Travis Hunter will be the first player drafted from the Big 12

Expect the first player drafted from this conference to be the incredibly versatile Travis Hunter. Last year, Hunter played an astounding 115 snaps per game, excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback. As a pro prospect, I favor him more as a cornerback because of his impressive length, quickness, and exceptional ball skills. I can easily see him being a top-five pick.

3. Shedeur Sanders will be the first quarterback off the board

While his teammate Travis Hunter is expected to be the first player from the Big 12 conference selected, Shedeur Sanders is likely to be the first overall quarterback picked. Sanders' high draft stock is largely due to his impressive accuracy; he completed 69% of his passes last year. Additionally, he rarely throws interceptions, with only three against 27 touchdowns. A team like the Dallas Cowboys might consider taking him in the middle of the first round.

4. Scouts will look at Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita the same way they did Russell Wilson

A player expected to draw many comparisons to Russell Wilson this year is Noah Fifita from Arizona. Like Wilson, Fifita is a smaller quarterback with a sharp football IQ and impressive accuracy, having completed an NCAA-leading 72.4% of his passes last year. Additionally, Fifita, much like Wilson, is primarily a pocket passer but can make plays with his legs when forced out of the pocket. It's also possible that Fifita could be drafted in a similar range to where the Seahawks selected Russell Wilson with the 75th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Previewing the 2025 NFL Draft tight end class

Top Player: Colston Loveland, Michigan

Michigan’s Colston Loveland is the standout tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft, drawing comparisons to All-Pro Travis Kelce from former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and current Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore. Loveland's impressive receiving skills set him apart, showcasing exceptional agility for his 6-5, 245-pound frame and some of the best hands in the class. His speed is a significant asset, reflected in his 88.7% open-target rate according to Pro Football Focus and leading the Wolverines in yards after the catch last season. While he could benefit from improved strength in blocking, he already displays solid footwork and determination. Expect Loveland to be a first-round pick, potentially going as high as Brock Bowers did this year at 13th overall selection to the Raiders.

Guy I Would Stand on the Table for: Luke Lachey, Iowa

For the second year in a row, I'm naming Iowa tight end Luke Lachey as the tight end I would stand on the table for. Last season was cut short by an ankle injury, but if he stays healthy, he has all the traits to join the ranks of great Iowa tight ends which includes Dallas Clark, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Sam LaPorta. Lachey is a well-rounded pro prospect with powerful run blocking and consistent hands, having only dropped two passes during his time with the Hawkeyes. I've got a second-round grade on him, but he could go late in the first if he stays healthy.

Overrated: Jake Briningstool, Clemson

One tight end I'm much lower on than others is Clemson’s Jake Briningstool. While experts like Dane Brugler of The Athletic rank him as the second-best tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft, I have a late Day three grade on him. My biggest concern is his one-dimensionality and limited contribution as a blocker. He lacks pop and blocks with a high pad level. Although he's a better receiver, he doesn't pose a significant match-up problem due to his lack of blazing speed. Overall, he reminds me of Jace Amaro, who was drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft but only lasted three years in the NFL with just one season of more than three receptions.

Sleeper: CJ Dippre, Alabama

It's understandable why Alabama tight end CJ Dippre might be flying under the radar, primarily due to his limited production. Last season, he caught just 11 passes for 187 yards and didn't score a touchdown. However, despite these modest stats, Dippre has the potential to be a late day two or early day three pick. One key attribute is his impressive strength, making him a threat for yards after the catch even without elite speed. Additionally, his size—standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 257 pounds—makes him an appealing target in the passing game and a capable in-line tight end with blocking potential. Another positive for Dippre is the likelihood of increased production this season under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, whose offense at Washington saw the tight end catch 46 passes despite featuring three wide receivers who were drafted in 2024.

Biggest Risk: Brant Kuithe, Utah

Brant Kuithe doesn't carry a draftable grade on my board due to significant red flags. His lengthy injury history includes missing ten games in 2022 and all of last season with a torn ACL and meniscus. This has made him an older prospect as a seventh-year senior. Additionally, he struggles as a blocker due to a lack of bulk, making him prone to being overpowered. To get drafted, he needs a big season similar to 2021 when he recorded 50 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns.

Breakout Player: Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Gavin Bartholomew has the skillset of a day-two pick but has lacked production, catching only 18 passes last year. However, with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell promising to involve him more in the passing game and line him up in various positions to create mismatches, expect a change this season. If Bell and the Pittsburgh quarterback can get him the ball, Bartholomew has the speed, agility, and concentration to catch in traffic to become one of the most productive tight ends in the ACC.

NFL Draft News and Notes

Impressing already: The reports out of Columbus, Ohio have been positive on new quarterback Will Howard who joined the team after starting his career at Kansas State. Head coach Ryan Day noted that the ball was coming out of his hand with better accuracy and velocity. Day also noted that Howard looks in much shape after changing his workout routine and diet this summer. Going into the season I have a sixth-round grade on the Buckeye quarterback.

No longer a Bulldog: Wide receiver Rara Thomas has been kicked off the Georgia football team after being arrested on charges of cruelty to children and battery. This needed decision will hurt the Bulldogs' passing game, as Thomas would have been a leading receiver this year after having 23 receptions for 383 yards in 2023. His NFL future is now in doubt unless found not guilty, and he can rebound at a new school likely in 2025.

Texas A&M turnaround: Texas A&M has been one of the most disappointing teams in college football over the past couple of seasons. A significant factor contributing to this has been a lack of leadership and discipline. To address this, the Aggies hired new head coach Mike Elko. On the field, the team also brought in former Purdue defensive end Nic Scourton, who has already stepped into a leadership role, impressing coaches and teammates with his work ethic. Besides his strong character, Scourton is one of the top defensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6'4", 285-pound defensive end led the Big Ten in sacks last year and shows surprising agility for a defender his size. His best fit in the NFL might be as a 3-technique defensive tackle, thanks to his impressive strength and ability to consistently penetrate the backfield.

Small school spotlight: Keep an eye on Montana OLB Riley Wilson in the FCS this season. Recently named to the Buck Buchanan Award watchlist, Wilson had a breakout year in 2023 after transferring from Hawaii. He recorded 53 tackles, led the Big Sky in solo tackles for loss with 13, and ranked fifth in the conference with 8.5 sacks. Wilson also earned impressive grades from PFF, including an 87 pass-rushing grade and an 81 overall grade. If he has another strong season and performs well in the predraft process, Wilson could be a day-three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.