2025 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the Fiesta Bowl: Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter Headline NFL-Bound Stars in Penn State vs. Boise State

    Penn State and Boise State clash for a place in the CFP semifinal, but there are also a ton of 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the Fiesta Bowl.

    The Penn State Nittany Lions and Boise State Broncos will clash in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl as they look to book a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

    Aside from what’s at stake in the game itself, Penn State vs. Boise State will provide a good look at some of the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects in what could be their final college football outing.

    CFN CFB Playoff Predictor
    College Football Network’s College Football Playoff Predictor is a tool that allows you to play out various weekly scenarios to see how the CFP picture changes with each scenario.

    Penn State 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

    Abdul Carter’s NFL Draft Projection

    With each passing week, Abdul Carter is increasingly looking like a guaranteed top 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, landing as the third overall selection in our latest 3-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft. As an elite athlete, he leads the Nittany Lions with 10 sacks and has an impressive 20 tackles for loss, the highest in the Big Ten.

    MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker

    This production level is even more remarkable, considering that this is Carter’s first year as a full-time pass rusher. The former linebacker showcases exceptional flexibility, a developing pass-rush strategy, and natural instincts that allow him to overpower offensive linemen, revealing significant potential for success in the NFL.

    Tyler Warren’s NFL Draft Projection

    Tyler Warren has emerged as one of the top offensive weapons in college football for the 2024 season, racking up 1,253 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage (plus a passing touchdown!). As the winner of the Mackey Award, he is in contention to be the first tight end drafted. His refined route execution, RAC ability, and physicality could see him selected in the teens of the draft.

    Nicholas Singleton’s NFL Draft Projection

    An all-around running back, Nicholas Singleton can do everything. With imposing toughness, charging acceleration, and receiving ability, the Penn State RB has the skill set to be a feature back in the NFL. Incorporating strong vision, elusiveness, and patience, NFL teams could start looking at Singleton from the third round.

    Kevin Winston Jr.’s NFL Draft Projection

    After suffering a season-ending injury, it wasn’t certain whether Kevin Winston Jr. would enter the annual selection event or return for another year with Penn State. Despite not playing against SMU, the safety still warrants discussion, having declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

    Winston has hawking ball skills and superb tracking ability. The Penn State defender has some of the strongest tackling ability in the class. Furthermore, he possesses one of the most refined instinctual, proactive skillsets.

    Dani Dennis-Sutton’s NFL Draft Projection

    With only four sacks in 2024, there is no doubt it has been a disappointing season for Dani Dennis-Sutton. The Penn State edge rusher hasn’t developed his pass rush as expected.

    However, at 6’5” and 272 pounds, the Nittany Lions’ defender has the size profile to intrigue NFL teams, while his run blocking, hand usage, and natural power could see him edge into the late Day 2 range.

    Boise State 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

    Ashton Jeanty’s NFL Draft Projection

    Jeanty has become one of the most talked-about prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft during this college football season — and for good reason. The Boise State running back is a contender for the Heisman Trophy and is having a historic season. He leads all of college football with 2,288 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, earning him a strong first-round grade.

    MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor

    With his elite vision, contact balance, and ability to evade tackles, Jeanty could be selected as high as the top 10 in April’s draft. The high praise he is receiving is well deserved.

    Ahmed Hassanein’s NFL Draft Projection

    Hassanein could be a player on which NFL teams take a chance with a late-round pick. Hailing from Cairo, Egypt, the Broncos’ edge rusher recorded 12.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2023. Hassanein then followed that performance up with 8.5 sacks and 13 TFLs in 2024.

    Standing at 6’3” and weighing 271 pounds, the former three-star recruit possesses solid size and impressive raw pass-rushing instincts, making him a worthwhile gamble for teams late on.

    College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.

    EA Sports College Football: Everything You Need For the Game’s Historic Return

    After a decade-long hiatus, EA Sports College Football has made its return to glory. The popular college football video game is here to stay, radically changing the video game landscape forever.

    Related Articles