WEEK 6
On the Audio Version Today:
Rapid Fire Notes for NFL Week 5
>>>>>>>2025 WR Rankings<<<<<<<
Further Notes on CFB Games
Rankings Omissions:
Trevor Etienne, Georgia – Tier 2 RB
Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh – Tier 3 RB
Lev’eon Moss, Texas A&M – Honorable Mention RB
Tez Johnson, Oregon – Honorable Mention WR
Notes: Trevor Etienne is hopefully the biggest name I forgot to include in the 2025 Rankings. Etienne is a strong, bowling ball RB listed at 5’9”. Due in part to an off-season DUI, Etienne has not had a strong start to the season yet. In spite of this, I still have him in my Tier 2 of RBs and a candidate to be the RB5. Desmond Reid is a smaller RB who recently transferred up into the ACC, and so far has been excellent for Pitt. In his worst performance, Reid still managed to accumulate 50 Receiving Yards and 2 Receiving TDs. Reid has very poor size traits for the position that likely limit his upside to Day 3 (listed 5’ 8”, 175 lbs), but the dynamic start to his career is worth giving credit.
Times are in Eastern. Players without years are eligible for the NFL Draft. Years are when players are first eligible.
FRIDAY
Michigan State @ Oregon on FOX at 9:00 PM
Key Players: Jordan James, RB, Oregon ; Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon ; Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon ; Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State (2026)
At one point, Evan Stewart was considered maybe the WR1 of this class. However, the production simply hasn’t been there. There is a lot to like about Stewart, which is why he still needs to be watched constantly, but if he continues to fail to produce, he will continue to fall down rankings. Stewart has run 38 Routes in two separate games this year which produced 14 and 9 yards. This is a small sample, but Stewart had a combined 0.3 Yards / Route Run in these two games. Similarly, MSU QB Aidan Chiles was once seen as a possible 1st Round prospect for the 2026 class, but his play in 2024 has dropped him down rankings. Still, Chiles does flash at times, and simply needs to gain control of his turnover-worthy play in order to take a leap. Right now though, those turnovers are really, really bad. Tez Johnson and Jordan James are the more productive players, and are each having good seasons in their own right. Johnson is undersized and works best near the LOS, while James plays far above his size as a RB.
Syracuse @ UNLV on FS1 at 9:00 PM
Key Players: Ricky White, WR, UNLV ; Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
On the surface, this may seem an odd game to highlight, but I wanted to make sure to put some focus on Ricky White, who may be the best Receiver in the G5 conferences. While Syracuse is not a top-level team, playing ACC competition is generally seen as a step-up from the Mountain West, so this will be a spotlight game for Ricky White. Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II had an amazing true sophomore year in 2022, but since his injury in 2023 has failed to regain that form. A TE does not need to lead his team in receiving, but for a player who did so in 2022, Gadsden is now notably 3rd on the team in Receiving Yards.
SATURDAY
Missouri @ Texas A&M on ABC at NOON
Key Players: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri ; Lev’eon Moss, RB, Texas A&M
While these are two quality SEC programs, this is truly a spotlight game for Luther Burden III. So far in the season, Burden has been very efficient even if the surface numbers are a bit more lackluster. Burden has also made huge plays in key moments for Missouri. This is the first time though that they will be underdogs in the 2024 season, and College Station (Texas A&M) is not an easy place to play. Missouri will likely need to lean on Burden as well as fellow WR Theo Wease if they want to beat the Aggies. For A&M, RB Lev’eon Moss is a true junior with good production who is likely unheralded in part due to the depths of the 2025 RB Class.
Pittsburgh @ North Carolina on ESPN2 at NOON
Key Players: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina ; Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina ; Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh via Western Carolina ; Eli Holstein, QB, Pittsburgh via Alabama (2026)
This game features a pair of interesting RBs in UNC’s Omarion Hampton and Pitt’s Desmond Reid. While these RBs are both dynamic, they could not be more opposite. Hampton has excellent NFL size and a frame that should translate well to the next level. On the opposite end, Desmond Reid showcases dynamic ability including as a pass catcher, but is very small by NFL standards. At QB, I’m not sure yet how seriously to treat Eli Holstein on watchlists, but the former Alabama prospect has become at least a solid ACC starter in just his second year of College Football. While there are some flaws in his game, Holstein has done well to find a starting job that supports him so well and so quickly.
Navy @ Air Force on CBS at NOON
non-NFL Key Players: Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
Armed Services games are institutions in College Football, and Blake Horvath, the Navy QB, gives us a unique opportunity to look into one of these games. Horvath is not an NFL prospect, but he is worth watching: Horvath has only 44 attempts on the season, though that is quite a lot for a Navy QB, and he has completed 68.2% of his passes for 637 Yards, 14.5 YPA, 7 TDs, and 1 INT. Horvath has also added 44 Carries, 470 Yards, and 8 Rushing TDs.
Iowa @ Ohio State on CBS at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa ; Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa ; TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State ; Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State ; Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State ; Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (2026) ; Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (2027)
While Ohio State has most of the talent, the biggest spotlight in this game has to be on Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson, who has 187, 173, and 206 yards the last 3 weeks. OSU’s competition has been lackluster, but the Buckeyes have allowed the leading running back of their opponents to a TOTAL of 98 yards over 4 games this season. Given the spread in this game, hopefully plan B for Iowa involves getting Kaleb Johnson involved as a pass catcher. For Ohio State, perhaps ultra-talented Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith will feel the need to attempt to one-up fellow class member Ryan Williams, as the 2027 top WRs have gotten off to a stunning start. More importantly for this cycle, Emeka Egbuka looks to continue his elite efficiency which he has had each year of his career aside from an injury plagued 2023, and the OSU RBs could be in a situation to finally get a quantity of reps against a high quality front.
Auburn @ Georgia on ABC at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia ; Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia via Florida ; Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia (2027) ; Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn (2027) ; Perry Thompson, WR, Auburn (2027) ; Malcolm Simmons, WR, Auburn (2027)
There is no guarantee that we will see a Carson Beck redemption tour, but if we do, it probably needs to start right away at home against Auburn. Another player who needs to get back on track is the RB, Trevor Etienne, who has been no better than fine against Kentucky and Alabama after missing the Clemson game due to suspension. For Auburn, unless Jarquez Hunter (RB) turns it around, we’re likely dealing with a team of distant futures, but those future WRs on Auburn are spectacular. Generally, but Coleman or Simmons has done this season would get more attention, but there is no way to get attention as a 2027 WR compared to Ryan Williams, Jeremiah Smith, and even players like Ryan Wingo.
Ole Miss @ South Carolina on ESPN at 3:30 PM
Key Players: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss ; Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss ; Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., WR, Ole Miss ; Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, RB, South Carolina via Arkansas ; LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (2026)
As they’re on at the same time, I have to ask, “Is this Dart’s redemption tour as well?” Jaxson Dart didn’t have the disaster half that Beck did to bury his team early in the game against Alabama, but Dart was not crisp against Kentucky, and Ole Miss lost to a far less excusable opponent. The player who doesn’t need redemption after last weekend is Tre Harris, who looks to continue on a dominant performance. For South Carolina, both Rocket Sanders and LaNorris Sellers were injured when we last saw them, so hopefully both will be ready to suit up and play this weekend.
Rutgers @ Nebraska on FS1 at 4:00 PM
Key Players: Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska (2027) ; Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
I’ve done this for two years now, and I can say pretty confidently and without checking that I’ve never included a Rutgers/Nebraska game on my list before, but Dylan Raiola in particular can have that effect. The potential 1.01 of the 2027 Class, Raiola looks to defend his home turf against a tough and undefeated Rutgers. The leader for the Rutgers offense is Kyle Monangai, a RB with excellent contact balance and skill at the RB position.
Clemson @ Florida State on ESPN at 7:00 PM
Key Players: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson ; Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson ; Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson ; Bryant Wesco, WR, Clemson (2027) ; T.J. Moore, WR, Clemson (2027)
This game should likely be omitted on behalf of Florida State, but Clemson and Miami (FL) are very tricky. I want to make sure that both Klubnik and Ward are on this list occasionally so long as they are being analyzed as potential 1st Round Picks, but Clemson and Miami do not play each other, they do not play Notre Dame, and typical powerhouses like Florida State and North Carolina as well as even teams like N.C. State are simply not good this year. If FSU has fight left in them, Klubnik will have to execute in a road environment. Luckily, he has one of the most talented groups of WRs in College Football with Antonio Williams surrounded by two talented freshmen in Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore.
Tennessee @ Arkansas on ABC at 7:30 PM
Key Players: Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (2026) ; Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee ; Ja’Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas via Utah
While Nico Iamaleava is undefeated, he has certainly not been flawless. While he is still a favorite pick for a top draft selection in 2026, Iamaleava does need to continue to progress and showcase the realization of his physical tools. For 2025, both of these teams have intriguing RBs. In particular, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson shows explosive ability and is getting a fairly large role at Tennessee despite their reputation.
Michigan @ Washington on NBC at 7:30 PM
Key Players: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan ; Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan ; Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan ; Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington via Arizona
Somewhat similar to the Iowa / Ohio State game, while Michigan may have more talent and a more intriguing top prospect, this game may be most intriguing to watch Jonah Coleman, the Washington RB. Coleman was excellent against Rutgers in a narrow defeat last week, and is a very well-built RB despite having a shorter stature. For Michigan, it is simply unlikely we see much from Colston Loveland. If Loveland has 3 catches for 35 yards, he will likely hit all the proportions I expect from top tier prospects, which says a lot about the Michigan passing offense. Since it won’t be Loveland getting the yards, it will have to be the RBs lead by former LB Kalel Mullings.
USC @ Minnesota on BTN at 7:30 PM
Key Players: Zachariah Branch, WR, USC (2026) ; Duce Robinson, WR, USC (2026) ; Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC (2026) ; Miller Moss, QB, USC ; Quentin Joyner, RB, USC (2026) ; Darius Taylor, RB, Minnesota (2026)
Every week, I like this USC WR room for 2026 just a little bit more. While Zachariah Branch gets all the buzz and for good reason, Duce Robinson has continued to impress me in limited reps, and Ja’Kobi Lane has excellent size as well and is leading the team in Receptions, Yards, and TDs. They are not realized top-end players yet, but these three ooze talent, and I personally believe they will have Miller Moss throwing them the ball the next two years. If Moss wants to be a part of the 2025 class though, he’ll need to start playing more consistently at the level he played against LSU. For Minnesota, Darius Taylor has struggled against top competition recently, though it was encouraging to see them start involving him in the passing game against Michigan.
DJ Lagway Watch: UCF @ Florida on SECN at 7:45 PM
Key Players: D.J. Lagway, QB, Florida (2027) ; Eugene Wilson III*, WR, Florida (2026) ; R.J. Harvey, RB, UCF
I haven’t really decided how to handle Lagway yet. This game is very much on the borderline. Wilson III had knee surgery this season, and I would consider him unlikely to be back so soon, but we do not get good injury reports, and he has returned to practice in some capacity. That means the main full-time player in this game is the 6th Year RB, R.J. Harvey. There are traits that can allow Harvey to translate to the next level, but it is always fair to be skeptical about RBs in College in 2024 who were first in College during the 2019 season with Virginia. All that said, D.J. Lagway likely has the highest upside of any QB in College Football, particularly for our game. It may take a while to realize it, but if Lagway begins to realize his full potential, he may have something to say about Raiola’s early candidacy for the 1.01.
Miami (FL) @ California on ESPN at 10:30 PM
Key Players: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) via Washington State ; Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL) via Oregon State ; Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL) ; Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL)
The write-up here could largely be the exact same one for the Clemson / FSU game, with the exception that this is more of a “If you happen to be awake.” I don’t even know if I’ll have the juice to make it through this one, but even though Cal fell to FSU in their last game, this is still a late-night road spot which could be tricky for the potential 2025 QB1.
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That’s all I have for this week. Might try to make it slightly lighter next week, though frankly I doubt it because the Risers post will discuss both Weeks 5 & 6 as we did not do Week 5 Risers alongside the Rankings.
Thanks,
C.J.
(#52) 2025 Rookie Rankings Part 2: WRs + CFB Weekly What to Watch?