As the college football season arrives, who are some of the best CUSA prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft? Heading into the year, here’s how the list looks for a conference led by a high-upside passer.
Top 2025 NFL Draft Prospects in the C-USA
Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
A former four-star recruit and Tennessee signee, Kaidon Salter has found his stride at Liberty. He’s coming off a season in which he passed for nearly 3,000 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while also adding 1,089 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
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Salter needs to keep improving his processing and precision, but he has assuredly draftable raw talent. He’s an electric athlete and playmaking threat with a loose, elastic arm, and the strength to drive the ball down the field.
T.J. Finley, QB, Western Kentucky
Now at his fourth school in five years, former LSU and Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley will be looking to end his career on a high note. He had his most productive season yet at Texas State in 2023, and at 6’7″, his ability to distribute from the pocket is notable.
Maurice Westmoreland, EDGE, UTEP
Maurice Westmoreland is safely the top EDGE prospect in the CUSA at this point. The 6’2″, 250-pound defender plays with a relentless motor in both phases. He attacks run blocks, and he can win with quick, brutal swim moves on passing downs before closing on the chase.
Upton Stout, DB, Western Kentucky
There’s a lot of value in having the combined versatility, physicality, and playmaking instincts to thrive in multiple spots, and that’s what Upton Stout brings to the table. Projecting best as a nickel DB at 5’9″, 182 pounds, he’s a fluid, fast-flowing cover man.
Quinton Cooley, RB, Liberty
Salter isn’t the only one to watch in Liberty’s backfield. There’s also running back Quinton Cooley — a 5’7″, 220-pound ball of rock who rumbled for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns on 220 carries in 2023. Physical, efficient, and well-leveraged, Cooley brings plenty to like.
Holden Willis, TE, Middle Tennessee State
A player who blends the line between wide receiver and tight end at 6’4″, 212 pounds, Holden Willis earned first-team honors at the latter position in 2023 after registering 46 catches for 697 yards and five scores. His size and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare.
Da’Marcus Crosby, CB, New Mexico State
Da’Marcus Crosby, who stands around 6’2″, 195 pounds, was a first-team All-CUSA player in 2023 after racking up four interceptions and three pass breakups with Sam Houston State. Now at New Mexico State, he’ll be able to carve out a place as CB1 once again.
Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State
That’s College Football Network’s 2023 Offensive Guard of the Year Clay Webb to you. Teams may prefer to experiment with the 6’3″, 290-pound Webb at center, but his domineering physicality and authority at the point translate anywhere on the interior.
Monte Watkins, RB, New Mexico State
Keep this big-play threat on your radar. Monte Watkins is a former track star and two-time Louisiana state champion in the 200m dash, and he was a four-star recruit who originally played at TCU. At NMSU in 2023, the 5’11”, 195-pound back averaged almost 10 yards per carry on 59 attempts.
Michael Benefield, RB, Kennesaw State
As Kennesaw State leaps to the FBS level, one returning player to watch is running back Michael Benefield. The 5’7″, 205-pound RB isn’t much of a receiving threat, but he was an efficient runner in 2023, averaging over six yards per carry as the lead back.
Other Top Prospects in the CUSA
- Dalvin Smith, WR, Western Kentucky
- Abdul Fatai-Ibrahim, WR, Louisiana Tech
- Gabriel Benyard, WR, Kennesaw State
- Elijah Canion, WR, Liberty
- Josiah Miamen, TE, Florida International
- Jordan White, OL, Liberty
- Jessie Evans, EDGE, Louisiana Tech
- DeArre McDonald, CB, Middle Tennessee State
- A.J. Odums, CB, UTEP
- Keonte Glinton, CB, New Mexico State
- Cedric Woods, CB, Louisiana Tech
- Jamal Potts, DB, Florida International
- Brian Blades II, DB, Florida International
- Josiah Allen, DB, UTEP
- Sidney Porter, S, Kennesaw State
