Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye made history when the Houston Texans selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, making him the youngest player ever drafted at 19 years, 10 months. Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was the second-ever player drafted before 20, when the Buffalo Bills picked him 16th overall in 2018.
While the NBA, MLB, and NHL drafts have all at one point allowed for players to be drafted at age 17, the NFL draft stands out, requiring players to be at least three years out of high school, making most players at least 21 years old at the time of the draft.
10 Rising Stars: Dylan Sampson and Nic Scourton Among the Youngest Players in the 2025 NFL Draft
According to CBS Sports’ Mike Renner, ten young stars will be under 21 on draft day this year.
Youngest rookies (draft day age per @dpbrugler‘s beast)
Dylan Sampson 20.61
Nic Scourton 20.66
LeQuint Allen 20.72
Harold Fannin 20.76
Trevor Etienne 20.79
Azareye’h Thomas 20.80
Jordan Phillips 20.82
Mykel Williams 20.82
Shemar James 20.83
Mason Taylor 20.96— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) April 23, 2025
Williams is the highest ranking of the bunch, as the No. 3 overall EDGE rusher and No. 12 overall player, according to ESPN. The Georgia alum totaled 14 sacks in three years with the Bulldogs.
Taylor sits at the No. 41 overall ranked player by ESPN, No. 4 for his position after a 55-reception, 546-yard, and two-touchdown 2024 season. Fannin ranks No. 93 overall after leading the FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards per game (1,555) in 2024.
The trio of running backs, Sampson, Etienne, and Allen, ranks Nos. 80, 147, and 201 overall, respectively. Sampson ran for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns with the Volunteers last season.
KEEP READING: Tennessee 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where Every Volunteers Star Will Be Drafted
Scourton is the No. 64 overall ranked player by ESPN after a five-sack 2024 and a ten-sack 2023 with Purdue. Thomas ranks No. 67 overall after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl. James ranks No. 208 overall after a 64-tackle 2024. The 320-pound Phillips ranks No. 222 overall.
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