The Week 0 college football slate was a truncated one, and still, this batch of CFB action left us with several 2025 NFL Draft risers to discuss. RJ Maryland and Jamal Haynes are the big winners with their offensive performances, but there’s even more to unpack beyond.
Week 0 CFB and 2025 NFL Draft Risers: RJ Maryland, Jamal Haynes Headline List
RJ Maryland, TE, SMU
The highlight performance of the Week 0 slate was that of SMU tight end RJ Maryland, who went off for 162 yards and a touchdown on eight catches against Nevada.
Speed and explosiveness have always been strengths for the 6’4″, 233-pound weapon. But in Week 0, he weaponized that raw talent with greater spatial awareness and more confidence than we’ve seen in years past. And his tracking ability downfield remains sure.
Entering the season, Maryland carried a mid-to-late Day 3 grade on my board, but if he continues to distinguish himself as a dynamic move TE — through improved nuance — he could rise into the early Day 3 range or even threaten for Top 100 capital.
Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech
Jamal Haynes was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2023, and he kicked off the 2024 campaign on a high note, inserting his name into an incredibly deep 2025 NFL Draft running back class. He nabbed 75 yards and two scores on 11 carries and caught two passes for 16 yards.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
At around 5’9″, 190 pounds, Haynes certainly fits a specific mold of RB, but he fits it very well. His open-field burst stands out, and in particular, he was able to create space at the first and second levels with his sharp cutting flexibility and lively short-area twitch.
Ashton Grable, OL, Florida A&M
Florida A&M secured a season-opening win against Norfolk State in Week 0, and Ashton Grable impressed playing at his new spot: right guard. Grable always projected better on the interior, and seeing the 6’4″, 315-pound blocker work inside was enlightening.
Grable has the same linear explosiveness as his brother Tylan Grable, who was drafted in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft. While the younger Grable needs to improve his balance and control, he’s relentless in the run game, and he levied a stellar snatch-and-trap early on.
Maurice Smith, C, Florida State
While the end result of the game wasn’t what Florida State had intended, there were a few select standout performances that served as silver linings. One such performance was that of redshirt senior center Maurice Smith, who distinguished himself in both phases.
While Smith’s high-cut build at 6’3″, 298 pounds got in the way at times, he was urgent climbing to the second level and carrying out his assignments; and in pass protection, he picked up stunts with ease. In a weak center class, he could be a sleeper to watch.
Weston Franklin, C, Georgia Tech
Continuing with the theme of sleepers in the 2025 NFL Draft center class, Georgia Tech’s Weston Franklin is another player who proved his mettle against a strong Florida State line. In the ACC opener, Franklin started his 26th straight game and flourished in doing so.
Despite being 6’4″ and 310 pounds, Franklin is compact and acquires leverage easily as a result. His quickness off the line and assignment-sound nature allowed him to deal with threats like Joshua Farmer, and when given the chance to climb, he played to the whistle.
Marcus Wehr, G, Montana State
Marcus Wehr is on the radar as a small-school prospect, and his opening performance against New Mexico only strengthened his footprint. The 6’2″, 295-pound blocker was a mauling presence in the run game with impressive torque exertion for his size.
Just as impressive as his physicality and compact power, however, was Wehr’s range and attentiveness in pass protection. He picked up looping rushers and executed sliding protection looks, all while keeping his base strong and maintaining leverage.
Luke Wysong, WR, New Mexico
A highly-touted return specialist with a punt return TD on his record, Luke Wysong showed off his chops as a big-play threat at receiver for New Mexico in Week 0. The 5’10”, 184-pound pass-catcher hauled in six receptions for 95 yards, and his first catch was the best.
Wysong beat press with a crisp split release, then made an exceptional tracking adjustment at full speed in the deep third, using his acceleration to stack and make his first grab of the day. He also showcased his ability to bend around defenders and make crucial catches in traffic.
Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State
Though he’s not a sleeper to take up residence in the early or middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, Tommy Mellott notched a nice victory against an FBS school in Week 0, with an efficient line of 21-for-32 for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
At 6’0″, 205 pounds, Mellott’s arm is likely just average at best, but his mobility and toughness stand out as prevailing strengths, and he also has the resolve and composure to command an offense. He could be an intriguing PFA candidate down the line.
2025 NFL Draft Names To Watch: DJ Uiagalelei Needs a Bounceback
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State
A big arm only does so much when a quarterback can’t use it effectively to threaten defenses over the intermediate and deep ranges. That’s the quandary with DJ Uiagalelei at the moment. His accuracy is still a major concern at all levels, and it’s a limiting flaw.
It’s still early in the season, so Uiagalelei should get a chance to redeem himself down the line. But debilitating inaccuracy was the biggest concern with him entering the year, and it remains the largest roadblock toward securing early-round capital in an open 2025 NFL Draft QB class.
Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
Patrick Payton was incredibly productive in 2023, securing seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 10 pass deflections. The main question was: Did he feast off the combined presence of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, or was he himself disruptive enough to invite optimism?
Early on, the answer might be the former.
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
The team site asserted that Payton eclipsed 250 pounds this offseason — but he still greatly lacks in play strength, and he’s not nearly powerful enough to win off raw tools alone. His athleticism is still jaw-dropping, but he needs more to be the central force.
Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, Florida State
It’s only Week 0, but Payton didn’t take charge as Florida State’s next premier defender like many thought he would. If there’s a name to keep tabs on in the Seminoles’ EDGE rotation, it might be Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr.
Jones wasn’t very productive in Week 0, either, but there were inspiring flashes from Jones, particularly in the pass-rushing phase. The 6’5″, 255-pound EDGE holds up well at contact, and in the second half, he executed a well-timed spin move that earned a pressure.
