The Week 3 college football slate has come and gone, and with it, there’s a new batch of 2025 NFL Draft risers to review. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was the top player on the podium with his dominant showing against Wisconsin, but several safety prospects also stood out, along with a Big Ten RB.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Each week of the 2024 college football season thus far has had a notable QB riser. In Week 3, it was Alabama’s Jalen Milroe who stole the show with five total touchdowns in a statement win against Wisconsin.
Milroe hasn’t been forced to throw with heavy volume yet in 2024, but against the Badgers, he put together one of his best passing performances yet in his career. We already knew he was a weapon as a runner at 6’2″, 220 pounds, but tight-window throws are the hot topic.
Jalen Milroe ➡️ Ryan Williams = 6⃣🙌pic.twitter.com/Cblh9iSPUV
— College Football Network (@CFN365) September 14, 2024
Two of Milroe’s TDs through the air were awe-inspiring lasers to shrinking windows in the deep range. Milroe is one of the few QBs in the class who has the velocity to push the ball past tight coverage; now, he’s displaying the mechanical control to maximize that ability.
If Milroe can carry this passing proficiency through SEC play, he has a legitimate Round 1 upside. And of the QBs in the class, his character is perhaps the most likely to win over NFL teams.
Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Raheim Sanders’ 2023 season at Arkansas was marred by injuries. He transferred to South Carolina to get a fresh start while recovering. In Week 3, against a strong LSU Tigers defense, Sanders looked like himself again, after a long road back.
At 6’2″, 225 pounds, Sanders has always been an exciting runner with his long-striding range and downhill physicality. The biggest question surrounding him was whether or not he’d keep his explosiveness after injury. He looked as fast to the trigger as ever in Week 3.
Accruing 143 yards and two scores on 19 carries, Sanders worked upfield efficiently with his burst and vision and punished defenders hoping to obstruct second-level lanes. If he can stack these showings, he can re-enter the early-round conversation at RB.
Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin
While the Wisconsin Badgers lost handily against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 3, a bright spot for Luke Fickell’s squad was right tackle Riley Mahlman. The 6’8″, 308-pound Mahlman played extremely well in both phases and against a host of different opponents.
Despite his size, Mahlman acquires leverage very naturally with his flexibility, and his assignment-sound nature and quick vision on stunts also stood out. Combine that with his clean pass sets and precise hands, and he could eventually rise up the board.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The WR1 candidates for the 2025 NFL Draft class seem to be trading off each week. Tetairoa McMillan was the first to distinguish himself with his 300-yard, four-TD debut. Travis Hunter‘s natural ability has dazzled, but Week 3 was Luther Burden III‘s time to shine.
After two slow weeks to kick off the season, Burden racked up six catches for 117 yards and a score in a close win against Boston College. And in this game, Burden’s hyper-elite RAC ability, in particular, was what stood out.
At 5’11”, 208 pounds, with uncommon burst and short-area agility, Burden has a flawless RAC framework. He can offset defenders, gain ground upfield, and scrape through tackle attempts with his unyielding contact balance. He’s an exciting modern NFL fit.
Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Every year, there’s at least one breakout prospect in the WR group. This year, it appears as though Maryland’s Tai Felton is that player.
In Week 3, Felton became the first Maryland WR in school history to start the season with three straight 100-yard outings, racking up nine catches for 117 yards and a score against the Virginia Cavaliers. His production continues to pace the league, and his traits follow suit.
At 6’2″, 186 pounds, Felton has eye-catching vertical speed and fluidity as a mover, traits that lend well both in the RAC phase and down the field as a seam stretcher. His tools, combined with his statistical output, have him trending toward the early rounds.
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Kyle Kennard first made his way onto my radar in 2023 with Georgia Tech. He accumulated six sacks and 11 tackles for loss in a season that included a four-sack showing against Wake Forest. Now, with South Carolina, Kennard’s game is nearing completion.
Kennard has been one of the Gamecocks’ standouts since Week 1, and in Week 3, he shined against a stalwart LSU offensive tackle duo — in particular Will Campbell, who’s fielded first-round consideration early on.
South Carolina EDGE Kyle Kennard (#5) gave LSU OT Will Campbell (#66) some issues this week.
The former Georgia Tech transfer is pretty twitched up… listed at 6-5, and 254 pounds. pic.twitter.com/ImvSn7ioF9
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 18, 2024
Against LSU, Kennard earned 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFLs. With his long 6’5″, 254-pound frame, he was able to generate consistent power, but his best play came on a sack against Campbell: an inside-hand chop-rip combination, where he was able to bend along the arc.
South Carolina’s entire rush rotation is potent, but Kennard has been one of the best of the bunch, and he’s solidifying his 2025 NFL Draft stock.
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
In the preseason, Keon Sabb transferred from Michigan to Alabama, taking hold of the opportunity left by Caleb Downs’ departure. And through three weeks, he’s run away with the starting role. In Week 1, he had two interceptions. In Week 3, he had six tackles, a half-TFL, and two pass breakups.
At 6’1″, 206 pounds, Sabb’s physicality and linear explosiveness has always been compelling, but he’s channeling that physical profile with newfound instinct at Alabama. His route recognition from two-high is exceptional, and his proactivity at the catch point makes conversion difficult for WRs.
Bryce Anderson, S, Texas A&M
Bryce Anderson continues to impress at Texas A&M. In Week 1, he caught the eye of evaluators with his quickness and two-phase utility. And in Week 3, his impact in coverage took hold. He notched a pass breakup and had an opportunistic pick-six off a deflection.
At 6’2″, Anderson’s long-strider range is a definite plus, which was visible on his pick-six. He has dynamic ability as a potential turnover-generator, but his all-encompassing versatility on the back end also serves as a major functional boon for his defense.
Jalen Catalon, S, UNLV
Jalen Catalon was a standout at Arkansas early in his career. Injuries delayed his advance onto the NFL Draft stage and diluted an opportunity at Texas. But now at UNLV, he’s re-emerged with dramatic pace. In three weeks, he has three interceptions.
His interception in Week 3 came against 2025 NFL Draft QB prospect Jalon Daniels. It was a gift from Daniels, but Catalon used his range and quick reaction to make the play.
At 5’10”, 205 pounds, Catalon flies around in pursuit, but he also has the mental makeup to be a pest in zone coverage. If he can stay healthy, he can reclaim his spot on the draft board.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Kaleb Johnson was a freshman phenom at Iowa; in 2024, he’s on pace for his best season yet. He’s coming off an immaculate two-week stretch against Iowa State and Troy. In both, he eclipsed 170 yards on 25 carries, while nabbing two rushing scores.
At 6’0″, 225 pounds, Johnson is an incredibly smooth and natural ball carrier who can glide upfield with efficiency, and in space, his long, powerful strides take over. And in his limited sample size as a receiver, he flashes legitimate body control, coordination, and RAC.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebels’ defensive line terrorized Wake Forest’s blocking front in Week 3 — so much so that Wake Forest canceled their matchup with Ole Miss in 2025. Jared Ivey had two sacks, and Princely Umanmielen looked menacing with his first step — but Walter Nolen might be the biggest riser.
Nolen’s technique is still a bit raw, particularly on counters. But the 6’4″, 295-pound lineman’s pure disruptive footprint is unmatched with his elite explosion and power profile. On one tackle-for-loss, he blasted a guard five yards back with his initial force before wrapping up the running back himself.