Combine Sleepers: Which Under-the-Radar Prospects Boosted Their 2025 NFL Draft Stock?
The 2025 NFL Combine is in the books, and while the media spotlight often shines on the top-ranked prospects, it’s the “sleepers” who can truly shift the draft landscape. These are the players who entered the combine with less fanfare but left Indianapolis with significantly enhanced draft stock. This year’s combine was no exception, with several under-the-radar prospects making a name for themselves through impressive athletic testing and strong interviews. Did you know that Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College secured the top times in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle among all defensive ends? Let’s dive into which players capitalized on their combine opportunity and are now firmly on the radar of NFL teams.
Quarterbacks: Shough’s Stock on the Rise
The quarterback class of 2025 is considered relatively weak, making strong combine performances all the more impactful. Tyler Shough from Louisville emerged as a clear winner. While Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss also impressed, Shough’s athleticism and arm strength were on full display, potentially vaulting him up draft boards. According to Sports Illustrated, Shough was “slinging the ball around Lucas Oil Stadium while proving himself to be a plus athlete.”
Will Howard from Ohio State, however, didn’t fare as well. Despite a strong final college season, he failed to significantly improve his draft status. Doubts remain about whether his accuracy is consistent enough for the NFL, making his pre-draft process crucial.
Running Backs: Tuten Turns Heads
Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten was already on some analysts’ radar as a potential late-round pick, but his combine performance solidified his status as a legitimate NFL prospect. Tuten showcased impressive speed and agility, demonstrating his ability to be a versatile weapon out of the backfield.
Wide Receivers: Iowa State Duo Impresses
Iowa State might be the new “WRU” after Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both had stellar combine performances. Higgins, a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-4, ran a surprising 4.47 40-yard dash and posted a 39-inch vertical jump, showcasing impressive athleticism for his size. Noel, on the other hand, displayed exceptional quickness and agility in the agility drills.
Matthew Golden from Texas also impressed scouts with his performance. According to YouTube channel The Underdog Football Show, Golden had notable finishes in the combine.
Tight Ends: Fannin’s Versatility
Harold Fannin Jr. from Bowling Green already had a strong case as a sleeper, setting records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in 2024. His performance at the Senior Bowl further boosted his stock, and he needed a solid combine to maintain that momentum. While his lateral movement might be a concern, his speed and ability to stretch the field make him an intriguing prospect.
Offensive Line: Kendall and Trapilo Shine
Boston College offensive linemen Drew Kendall and Ozzy Trapilo both cracked the top-10 in the 3-cone drill. Kendall’s 7.56 seconds was fourth fastest by an offensive lineman, and Trapilo’s 7.71 was seventh. Kendall also posted top-five scores with a 4.51 shuttle and a 5.05 40-yard dash.
Jonah Savaiinaea from Arizona also likely improved his stock with a strong showing.
Defensive Line: Stewart and Burch Lead the Way
The edge defender class is considered one of the strongest in the 2025 draft, and several players used the combine to solidify their positions. Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M, despite average sack numbers, showcased elite athleticism, running a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at 267 pounds. Jordan Burch from Oregon also impressed, running a 4.68-second 40-yard dash.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins from Georgia was one of the most impressive defensive tackles at the combine, leading the position in the vertical (36″) and broad jump (10’4″), and tying for the second-best mark in the 40 (4.86 seconds).
Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College secured the top times in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle among all defensive ends.
Linebackers: Asante’s Long Road
Eugene Asante from Auburn, a former four-star recruit, used the combine to showcase his athleticism and potentially earn a late-round selection.
Kain Medrano from UCLA also likely improved his stock with a solid performance.
Cornerbacks: Porter’s Speed
Darien Porter from Iowa State was a standout performer at the cornerback position. Standing at 6-foot-3, Porter ran a blazing 4.3-second 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time among all participants. His jumping numbers were also impressive, further solidifying his status as a rising prospect.
Trey Amos from Ole Miss also alleviated concerns about his speed, running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.
Safeties: Bowman’s Ball-Hawking Skills
Billy Bowman Jr. from Oklahoma improved his draft stock with an impressive on-field performance at the combine. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, put up a 10’3″ broad jump and pumped out 17 reps at 225 pounds on the bench.
Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina is also considered a riser after the combine.
The NFL Combine is just one piece of the puzzle in the draft evaluation process. Pro days are coming up soon, where players will have another opportunity to showcase their skills. However, for these “sleeper” prospects, the combine provided a crucial platform to elevate their profiles and catch the attention of NFL scouts and coaches. The next few weeks will be critical as teams finalize their draft boards, and these combine risers have undoubtedly positioned themselves for a potential draft-day surprise.