Even before Texas and Oklahoma joined the party, the SEC had a reputation as being the most NFL-friendly conference in the nation. In 2024, 562 players from the SEC joined the pro ranks, which was the most of any conference, with the class headlined by the likes of Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Brian Thomas Junior, and many more. As we now turn our attention to the new season, the 2025 class looks likely to be just as impactful, with a very deep class across various position groups on both sides of the ball. Draft day will soon be upon us, so here are the top 30 2025 NFL Draft Prospects from the SEC.
1. Jalon Walker – EDGE, Georgia
This year’s top prospect from the SEC is edge defender Jalon Walker, who can thrive as both an on and off-ball defender. Walker is a very impressive athlete who can change direction at speed and is incredibly powerful. He knows how to make the most of his explosiveness. As a Georgia Bulldog in 2024, Walker collected 6.5 sacks, earning an 83.8 pass-rush grade from PFF. He could go anywhere inside the top 10 of the 2025 draft and offer an immediate threat coming off the edge.
2. Will Campbell – OT, LSU
Will Campbell is regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the 2025 draft class. He has earned this reputation from being a reliable starter throughout all three years of his tenure at LSU, having played in some pretty spectacular offenses. Campbell is a great athlete with a vice-like grip who knows how to finish his blocks. Unfortunately, the one knock on Campbell is that he is expected to measure around the 33-inch mark for arm length, below the threshold you want from an NFL tackle. This could make him vulnerable at times when in space, but his talent gives him a great chance to make up for his arm length, and if he struggles at tackle, he would be an elite guard. Campbell should hear his name called inside the top 10.
3. Luther Burden III – WR, Missouri
A slightly underwhelming 2024 season for Luther Burden reflects more on the Missouri offense than what this guy has to offer. He posted 1,212 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2023 before dipping to 676 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024, yet he still remains a clear first-round talent. He is a high-quality, all-round wide receiver who runs precise routes and is good at getting separation against man and zone defense. His best attribute is his run-after-the-catch ability, helped out by his 208-pound frame. Burden is a playmaker and will be a popular option in fantasy if he lands in a good offense.
4. Malaki Starks – S, Georgia
If your team needs secondary help, look no further than Malaki Starks. This all-around safety from Georgia is a dynamic playmaker whose football IQ helped him become one of the most effective defensive weapons in 2024. He is a true ball hawk, snagging 5 career interceptions and 17 pass breakups as a Bulldog, showcasing an uncanny ability to diagnose plays and snuff them out. Those around him credit him as a good leader, and he is happy to also stick his shoulder into a tackle. Starks should hear his name called in the first half of the first round.
5. Mykel Williams – EDGE, Georgia
Mykel Williams offers a physical profile that any defensive coordinator would be delighted to have. At 6’5”, 265 pounds, Williams boasts a prototypical edge rushing frame, but he has had more success in the run game. He earned an 82.9 run defense grade from PFF in 2024 and is violent in getting off blocks. That explosiveness will make him a very enticing option for any team looking to sure-up their d-line. His potential to develop into a game-changing pass rusher gives him an incredibly high ceiling.
6. Shemar Stewart – EDGE, Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart is another prospect offering up a very enticing physical package, weighing in at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, but displaying lethal explosiveness and surprisingly good athleticism for someone his size. Stewart can bully and overpower offensive linemen but lacks hand discipline and refinement of his pass-rushing moves, which explains his low sack total of 4.5 across three years as an Aggie. However, the physical tools are there; he must work with NFL coaches to help finish his rushes.
7. James Pearce Jr. – EDGE, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. weighs in a bit lighter than the two edge rushers on this list, and he knows how to use this to his advantage. His elite first step, explosiveness off the line, and quick hands make him arguably the best pure pass rusher in this class behind Abdul Carter. If your team needs some juice off the edge, Pearce is your man, as he looks set to be a menace for NFL offensive tackles for many years to come. Expect to hear his name floating around when we reach the middle of the first round.
8. Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT, Texas
Kelvin Banks Junior is our second offensive lineman to be featured, fresh off a fantastic 2024 season in Texas, where he recorded a PFF pass-blocking grade of 89, placing him fifth among all college tackles. Banks is densely built and makes the most of the power in his hips to repel oncoming rushers. He can get a bit frantic in the run game, but he is one of the best pass-protecting tackles in this class.
9. Nic Scourton – EDGE, Texas A&M
Nic Scourton entered the 2024 season as arguably the most exciting pass rusher in the college game; however, a slightly underwhelming season as an Aggie has knocked him down the rankings a bit. He is still a great athlete for a player of his size, with good physicality, but he seems to have lost a bit of the special agility that made him so effective at Purdue, where he had 10 sacks in 2023. His 5 sacks are still a good effort at Texas A&M in 2024, and his all-around skill set is still very desirable, meaning Scourton should expect to hear his name called at the end of round one or the beginning of round 2.
10. Walter Nolen – DT, Ole Miss
Walter Nolen wraps up the top 10, providing immense upside from the interior of the defensive line. He is excellent at penetrating the line of scrimmage and using his thick frame to bullrush opponents, resulting in a career-high 6.5 sacks at Ole Miss in 2024. He can sometimes struggle to get off blocks or use his eyes to find the ball, so there are still plenty of improvements in his game if a defensive coordinator can work their magic. Potential can be scary for general managers worried about picking a bust, but if Nolen can reach it, the upside here is incredibly high.
11. Tate Ratledge – OL, Georgia
Tate Ratledge projects himself as a good right guard in the NFL, but his lack of experience elsewhere limits his versatility. Nevertheless, he is a stout pass blocker who plays with a low pad level, and his power makes him a fun player to watch when mauling in the run game. He can sometimes overcommit a bit, compromising his balance, but he projects to be a solid option on the interior of the o-line.
12. Deone Walker – DT, Kentucky
If you want size at the heart of your defensive line, look no further than Deone Walker, the behemoth, 6-foot-6, 248-pound defensive tackle from Kentucky. Don’t let his size trick you, though; Walker’s superpower is his rapid first step and closing ability, helping him rack up 9 sacks over his last two seasons in college. He is the kind of figure that a quarterback will be wary of all game long, and his size helps him clog up multiple running lanes at a time. Beast is the word you’re looking for. Question marks surrounding his conditioning and effort level will likely cause him to fall into the second round, but the upside is there.
13. Mason Taylor – TE, LSU
Mason Taylor projects to be a solid tight end at the pro level, with a very enticing all-around skill set. He has good hands, has enough speed to threaten up the seam, and can hold his own in the run game, which should be enough to earn him a solid career in the NFL. As a surprise early declare, there is still room for growth with Taylor, and if he can improve his strength and YAC ability, he could emerge as a top-end tight end a couple of years from now.
14. Tyler Booker – IOL, Alabama
When looking for first-round draft prospects, you want them to be as low risk as possible. Tyler Booker ticks that box. He is technically sound and has the physicality and toughness to bully his opponents at scrimmage. He has a few weaknesses and many positives, which is exactly what you want from someone who will fill one of your five o-line spots.
15. Jihaad Campbell – LB, Alabama
Jihaad Campbell is an exciting linebacker prospect who has yet to put his best film on tape. He joined Alabama as an edge rusher but quickly moved to linebacker, utilizing his fantastic speed and agility to operate sideline to sideline. He has flashed good things coming off the edge and has good instincts for where the quarterback wants to go with the ball when in coverage. He could do with getting a bit stronger and improving the run game, but there is so much here to work with, suggesting a bright future ahead. Campbell will likely go early in the second round.
16. Tre Harris – WR, Ole Miss
Unfortunately, Tre Harris’ season was derailed slightly by injury, but that didn’t stop him from racking up over 1,000 yards in just 8 games. The Ole Miss Rebels wideout made a name for himself by coming down with some outrageous catches in 2024, displaying excellent hands and fantastic body control. He won’t be scared off by contact and is your ideal big-bodied receiver in contested catch situations, but he does leave a bit to be desired regarding his route-running and release package against press coverage.
17. Jalen Milroe – QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe entered 2024 as potentially one of the most exciting dual-threat quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL class, and while his 2024 season didn’t quite live up to expectations, he still has a skill set that will be very appealing to many NFL teams. Milroe has a strong arm and is incredibly dangerous as a rusher, but his footwork and accuracy can be erratic at times, and he needs to improve his anticipatory passing.
18. Isaiah Bond – WR, Texas
Isaiah Bond is our third highest-ranked wide receiver from the SEC, displaying incredible speed and athleticism. The Longhorn wideout moves effortlessly, not losing speed in his breaks, and is a big play threat waiting to happen. Bond can potentially be a real menace for NFL cornerbacks, but he needs to refine his craft and add some nuance to his game. At college, he could win through his athleticism alone,
19. Nick Emmanwori – S, South Carolina
Standing at 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Nick Emmanwori is a physically imposing safety with rare size and speed. He thrives as a hard-hitting defender who can handle bulkier tight ends and running backs. He is the complete package, with impressive instincts and ball-hawking skills, sending his ceiling sky high. Emmanwori projects to be a second-rounder, but his rare all-round package could push him into the first.
20. Jaxson Dart – QB, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart is the trendy quarterback riser in the 2025 class, with impressive arm talent allowing him to manipulate his motion to make certain throws. He is fantastic at intermediate pass attempts and poses a considerable threat with his legs, having rushed for under 500 yards in 2024. His stat line of 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions tells the story of a very productive passer, but it is worth noting that the Ole Miss system is very different from what Dart will see in the pro game. He has only taken 30 snaps under center, so it will be important that he sits for a year before getting on the field.
21. Jahdae Barron – CB, Texas
Jahdae Barron is a classic, do-it-all cornerback, boasting good coverage skills and impressive toughness in the run game. This guy is actively hunting contact and is an elite tackler, making him a desirable prospect for any defensive coordinator. Long speed could be an area of weakness for Barron, but ultimately, he has the kind of talent you want to bet on. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has this guy inside the top 10 of his big board, so he certainly has some fans out there. Expect to see him go in the first round.
22. Matthew Golden – WR, Texas
After a very good junior season at Texas, in which he reeled in 58 receptions for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns, Matthew Golden is well set up for a long career in the pros. He understands what it takes to win as a wide receiver and does the finer details very well. He is a very well-rounded prospect who offers explosiveness and big play ability. The only thing stopping him from being a lock for the first round is his 5-foot-11 frame, but don’t be surprised if a team snags him towards the end of day one.
23. Landon Jackson – EDGE, Arkansas
Landon Jackson will be a very exciting option for NFL teams, and he will likely go in the second round because of his impressive power profile. Jackson is the ideal size for a defensive end, and he makes the most of this by being as aggressive as possible, sniffing out run plays, and overpowering tackles on passing downs. He posted 6.5 sacks and at least 10 tackles for loss in his last two seasons at Arkansas, wrapping up a tidy career that suggests he should be able to make an impact at the pro level.
24. Dylan Sampson – RB, Tennessee
Speed is the name of the game for Dylan Sampson, who combines this superpower with excellent patience and vision, meaning he is a big play waiting to happen. Sampson scorched his way to 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024, with 920 of these yards coming after contact, which tells you all you need to know about how good his balance is despite his slightly smaller 200-pound frame. That smaller frame does limit Sampson a bit in pass protection, and he also struggled with fumbles in 2024, but he will enter the NFL as a very dangerous threat out of the backfield on day one. He should hear his name called on day two of the draft.
25. Emery Jones Jr. – OT, LSU
Emery Jones enjoyed three seasons as a starter at LSU, showcasing great strength and an ability to move defenders with his long arms. Throughout this run, his sacks conceded declined from 5 in 2022 to 2 in 2023 and just 1 in 2024. He was a reliable and sturdy option at right tackle, but he showed some weaknesses that must be ironed out in the NFL. He can sometimes play too upright and lose his balance, which can make him vulnerable, but he will certainly work as a developmental tackle with a bit of upside, most likely going in round three.
26. Maxwell Hairston – CB, Kentucky
Maxwell Hairston rose to prominence as a sophomore in 2023, snagging five interceptions and returning three for touchdowns. Unfortunately, an injury limited his game-time in 2024, contributing to just 1 interception and 4 pass breakups. However, another factor in this was that teams generally were targeting less. He is of good size and long arms, and he isn’t afraid of jamming at the line of scrimmage, but he lacks the high-end speed to push him into the first round.
27. Princely Umanmielen – EDGE, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen will be one of the more interesting names to watch during the draft process. His 11 sacks ranked top 10 in the nation, and his 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade was tied for second best. He is a very talented player when it comes to getting to the quarterback, and his production is made more impressive by the fact that he was getting the job done against good competition in the SEC. He isn’t higher on this list because he lacks some physicality at the point of attack and can struggle to get off blocks in the run game. Nevertheless, when you can rush the passer like him, you know somebody will want to take a shot on the upside, which means he should be in with a shot of going in the second round.
28. Alfred Collins – DT, Texas
Alfred Collins is exactly what you want at the heart of the defensive line. At 6’5”, 320 pounds, he is very imposing, making his presence felt in the run game. He is surprisingly explosive for his size and has a relentless work ethic, helping him rank third in tackles amongst interior d-linemen in the SEC in 2024, with 30. Just one sack shows room for improvement as a pass rusher, but his size and strength in the run game should bring him into the equation in round two.
29. Quinn Ewers – QB, Texas
A disappointing 2024 season for Quinn Ewers has relegated him from consensus first-round quarterback to more of a mid-round pick heading into the 2025 draft. According to PFF, inconsistencies were the biggest problem for Ewers in his final year of college, registering more turnover-worthy plays (17) than big-time throws (14). He needs to improve his pocket presence but has at least shown glimpses of getting creative and making big plays on the move. 2,963 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions certainly isn’t a bad effort in the SEC, but Ewers should now be viewed as more of a high-end backup option rather than a potential franchise future.
30. Cameron Williams – OT, Texas
Our last player is Cameron Williams, a big, physical, 335-pound offensive tackle with immense upside but also a lot of risk, having started just 13 games at the college level. In his one season as a starter for Texas, Williams gave up 5 sacks and a concerning 16 penalties, but he also displayed impressive power and a vice-like grip to keep his opponent close. Williams will need some time to adjust, but his potential to develop into a high-end tackle is certainly there.
