2025 NFL Draft: Ohio State, Georgia and other college football programs with the most NFL talent

In April, Michigan fell two players short of matching Georgia’s record (15) for the most NFL Draft picks. Although the record is not expected to be challenged this year, there are several programs that are rich with NFL talent. It is very early in the process so the work done by the Senior and Shrine Bowls were taken into consideration for overall depth of a roster’s talent and the players already considered potential Top-100 overall selections weighed for heavily in the decisions. 

Without further ado, the college football programs with the most 2025 NFL Draft talent:

1. Georgia

Georgia had the most representatives between the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists (24). They also have some of the top prospects at their respective positions. Carson Beck may be the draft’s top quarterback prospect. Mykel Williams may be the draft’s top edge rusher prospect. Malaki Starks may be the draft’s top safety prospect. A handful of young players could burst onto the scene as they embrace expanded roles: cornerback Daylen Everette, cornerback Julian Humphrey, tight end Oscar Delp, linebacker Jalon Walker and others. 

Here are the other Bulldogs who appeared on those Watch Lists:

• WR Dillon Bell
• DL Warren Brinson
• OL Dylan Fairchild
• OT Earnest Greene III
• S Dan Jackson
• WR Dominic Lovett
• LB Smael Mondon Jr.
• OL Tate Ratledge
• WR Arian Smith
• DL Nazir Stackhouse
• OT Xavier Truss
• WR Rara Thomas
• WR Michael Jackson III
• OL Jared Wilson
• DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• S David Daniel-Sisavanah
• WR Colbie Young
• TE Benjamin Yurosek

2. Ohio State

No program benefitted more from last year’s NFL Draft declarations than the Buckeyes. Several key figures on that defense returned for the 2024 season. Cornerback Denzel Burke, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, edge rusher Jack Sawyer, edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams were all potential Top-50 overall prospects in last year’s draft. 

• OT Josh Fryar
• Ty Hamilton
• CB Jordan Hancock
• RB TreVeyon Henderson
• QB Will Howard
• CB Davison Igbinosun
• OL Donovan Jackson
• RB Quinshon Judkins
• TE Will Kacmarek
• S Lathan Ransom
• TE Gee Scott Jr.
• OT Josh Simmons
• LB Sonny Styles
• CB Lorenzo Styles
• OL Seth McLaughlin
• LB Cody Simon

3. Michigan

Despite Jim Harbaugh and the majority of Michigan’s coaching staff moving on to the NFL, the Wolverines are flush with NFL talent. Defensive tackle Mason Graham could be the first interior defender off the board next spring. Cornerback Will Johnson Jr. is currently the No. 1 overall prospect on my board. Colston Loveland will be in the mix for the draft’s top tight end. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant ranks highly at his position as well. In total, there were 16 Wolverines scattered across the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists.

Here are those other players mentioned:

• LB Jaishawn Barham
• DL Rayshaun Benny
• RB Donovan Edwards
• OT Myles Hinton
• EDGE Derrick Moore
• S Rod Moore
• OL Josh Priebe
• OL Giovanni El-Hadi
• RB Kalel Mullings
• S Makari Paige
• EDGE Josaiah Stewart
• LS William Wagner

4. Texas

Steve Sarkisian has reinvigorated the Texas program and the talent level depicts its rise. Quarterback Quinn Ewers returns but now his top pass-catchers are wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden rather than AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy. Offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. may be one of the first linemen drafted and UTSA edge rusher transfer Trey Moore are a few of the Longhorns other highly regarded prospects. 

The rest of the list: 

• K Bert Auburn
• CB Jahdae Barron
• WR Silas Bolden
• DL Vernon Broughton
• DL Alfred Collins
• OL Hayden Conner
• LB David Gbenda
• TE Gunnar Helm
• DL Jermayne Lole
• OL Jake Majors
• S Andrew Mukuba
• EDGE Barryn Sorrell

5. LSU

LSU lost the No. 2 overall selection, quarterback Jayden Daniels, from last year’s team, but his replacement, Garrett Nussmeier, was promising in relief. Behind an offensive line that features multiple future draft picks, like offensive tackles Emery Jones Jr. and Will Campbell, Nussmeier should have time to deliver to wide receivers C.J. Daniels, Chris Hilton Jr. and Kyren Lacy. 

Linebacker Harold Perkins is expected to be one of the first to hear his name called at his respective position.

In total, there were 18 Tigers mentioned between the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists: 

• CB Zy Alexander
• CB Major Burns
• Garrett Dellinger
• OL Miles Frazier
• DL Jacobian Guillory
• EDGE Sai’vion Jones
• LB Greg Penn III
• LS Slade Roy
• RB John Emery
• EDGE Bradyn Swinson
• TE Mason Taylor
• RB Josh Williams

6. Oregon

Oregon has essentially imported its offense over the past two years. Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel replaces Bo Nix and Troy wide receiver transfer Tez Johnson, Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden, Texas A&M wide receiver transfer Evan Stewart and tight end Terrance Ferguson will be featured. Offensive linemen Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius are Top-100 capable players. 

South Carolina edge rush transfer Jordan Burch, Houston defensive tackle transfer Jamaree Caldwell, Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, Iowa linebacker transfer Jestin Jacobs and Washington cornerback transfer Jabbar Muhammad are names to know on defense. 

The Ducks had 17 players on the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists: 

• CB Kam Alexander
• LB Jeffrey Bassa
• RB Jordan James
• S Tysheem Johnson
• RB Noah Whittington

7. Alabama 

The Crimson Tide are loaded once again. There were a total of 21 players on the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists. Quarterback Jalen Milroe will be ushering in a new offense in the wake of Nick Saban’s departure. Without a clear cut No. 1-caliber prospect at the position, Milroe could capitalize. 

Alabama has a quality offensive line with Tyler Booker and incoming Washington center transfer Parker Brailsford. Talent litters all levels of the defense with linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson, defensive back Malachi Moore and others. 

Here are the other players who appeared on those lists: 

• P James Burnip
• TE CJ Dippre
• CB Domani Jackson
• DT Tim Keenan III
• RB Jamarion Miller
• K Graham Nicholson
• DL Jehiem Oatis
• TE Robbie Ouzts
• DL Damon Payne Jr.
• OL Jaeden Roberts
• LB Que Robinson
• S Keon Sabb
• DL Tim Smith
• EDGE Quandarrius Robinson
• LB Keanu Koht

8. Miami

The Hurricanes were very active in the transfer portal and the fruits of their labor were a lengthy list of NFL hopefuls. Miami had 16 players appear on the Senior and Shrine Bowl Watch Lists. Quarterback Cam Ward, wide receiver Samuel Brown and running back Damien Martinez were all added this offseason and could hear their names called in the Top-100 picks. Jacolby George was one of the most dynamic prospects in the nation last year, averaging 9.3 yards after the catch per reception, according to TruMedia. 

Here is the rest of the list:

• EDGE Tyler Baron
• DL Simeon Barrow Jr.
• K Andres Borregales
• LB Jaylin Alderman
• DT CJ Clark
• OT Zion Nelson
• OT Francisco Mauigoa
• DL Akheem Mesidor
• CB Daryl Porter Jr.
• S Mishael Powell
• WR Xavier Restrepo
• OT Jalen Rivers

9. Florida State

Florida State has done well identifying transfers and bringing them into the program; edge rushers Jared Verse and Jermaine Johnson are the perfect examples. Despite a setback in the opener against Georgia Tech, the Seminoles are loaded with talent again. There were 22 players in Tallahassee who appeared either on the Senior or Shrine Bowl Watch Lists. 

Edge rusher Patrick Payton is regarded as Florida State’s top prospect by most outlets but defensive tackles Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson Jr., edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. and cornerbacks Fentrell Cypress II, Azareye’h Thomas give them talent at all three levels. 

Here are the other prospects: 

• WR Malik Benson
• OT Jeremiah Byers
• K Ryan Fitzgerald
• LB DJ Lundy
• P Alex Mastromanno
• LB Cam Riley
• RB Lawrance Toafili
• QB DJ Uiagalelei
• OT Darius Washington
• RB Roydell Williams
• CB Shyheim Brown
• OL Keiondre Jones
• EDGE Sione Lolohea
• OL Jacob Rizy
• OT Robert Scott
• S Omarion Cooper

10. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Although quarterback Jaxson Dart will be tasked with distributing the ball in Lane Kiffin’s spread out offense, the team’s highest-ranked players may be defensive tackle Walter Nolen and pass rusher Princely Umanmielen; both of whom transferred in from SEC programs this offseason. Incoming Alabama cornerback transfer Trey Amos has a chance to take a big leap with more playing time this season. 

The Rebels had 21 total players on either the Senior or Shrine Bowl Watch Lists:

• S Yam Banks
• RB Ulysses Bentley IV
• LB Khari Coleman
• RB Logan Diggs
• CB Isaiah Hamilton
• WR Tre Harris
• DL Jared Ivey
• OL Jaremy James
• S Key Lawrence
• LB Chris Paul Jr.
• DL J.J. Pegues
• OT Micah Pettus
• TE Caden Prieskorn
• OL Gerquan Scott
• S Trey Washington
• WR Jordan Watkins
• WR Antwane Wells Jr.

11. Penn State

Edge rusher Abdul Carter and safety Kevin Winston Jr. are likely the highest-rated Nittany Lions right now, but quarterback Drew Allar is one to watch. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton replaces Adisa Isaac whereas Ohio State wide receiver transfer Julian Fleming replaces Keandre Smith-Lambert, who transferred to Auburn. The ceiling is high in Happy Valley but it requires more projection than other teams ranked above them. 

• RB Kaytron Allen
• LB Kobe King
• OL JB Nelson
• CB Jaylen Reed
• RB Nicholas Singleton
• TE Tyler Warren
• OL Sal Wormley
• OT Nolan Rucci

Honorable mention, in no particular order: Wisconsin, Kentucky, Louisville, USC, Utah, UCF, South Carolina, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Penn State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Missouri, Notre Dame