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    2025 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the Rose Bowl: Derrick Harmon, Emeka Egbuka Lead NFL-Caliber Talent in Ohio State vs. Oregon

    Ohio State and Oregon are two teams bursting with 2025 NFL Draft prospects, and they'll go head-to-head in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

    The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks played out the game of the year during the Big Ten regular season. Now they’re back at it in the College Football Playoff in the Rose Bowl. While there is a semifinal spot up for grabs, there are also a ton of 2025 NFL Draft prospects looking to establish their stock.

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    Ohio State 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

    Emeka Egbuka’s NFL Draft Projection

    Emeka Egbuka is one of the most clear-cut evaluations for the 2025 NFL Draft, making him likely to be selected in the first two rounds. In our latest 3-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, he was the 33rd overall selection.

    The Ohio State wide receiver has built an impressive resume highlighting his elite route-running skills, outstanding athleticism, and excellent field awareness.

    With 2,681 career receiving yards, he ranks fifth in Ohio State’s all-time history and needs just 66 more yards to surpass Michael Jenkins at the top of the prestigious list.

    Josh Simmons’ NFL Draft Projection

    Josh Simmons was on track to be the top offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, a season-ending knee injury in October that required surgery has cast a shadow over those expectations.

    The Ohio State offensive tackle has officially declared for the draft, and if his medical evaluations come back clear, he could still be a contender for the first round. At 6’5” and 310 pounds, the Buckeye demonstrates remarkable strength and fluid movement, showcasing his dominance when he is healthy.

    Tyleik Williams’ NFL Draft Projection

    A versatile defensive lineman, Tyleik Williams has the potential to be drafted on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He has masses of potential, showcasing excellent mobility and strength profiles. However, inconsistency has plagued his 2024 season and should, therefore, limit his draft stock ascending to the first round.

    That being said, Williams has a fantastic physical profile. A powerful mover and dangerous aggressor, the Buckeyes’ DT has flashed pocket penetration, pass rush moves, and the ability to shed blocks. We just haven’t seen enough of it.

    Donovan Jackson’s NFL Draft Projection

    Donovan Jackson should be one of the top interior offensive linemen taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, having put together a comprehensive resume in Columbus.

    At 6’4” and 320 pounds, he plays with outstanding intelligence, explosive mobility, and violent strength. The Buckeyes’ interior protector is an adequate athlete, has punchy hands, and should be a stalwart on an NFL offensive line for years.

    Quinshon Judkins’ NFL Draft Projection

    Quinshon Judkins has been one of the top running backs in college football since becoming a starter three seasons ago. While he isn’t the same electric play threat as during his breakout freshman season for the Ole Miss Rebels, the Buckeyes back can still cause significant damage out of the backfield.

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    The former Rebel has an explosive first step and is a patient rusher. Judkins has a thunderous running style that forces missed tackles, and while his vision is adequate, it doesn’t challenge the top of the class. The Ohio State rusher plays more powerfully, using his dense frame to gather yards after contact.

    Oregon 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

    Derrick Harmon’s NFL Draft Projection

    Derrick Harmon’s draft stock has surged throughout the season, making him a prominent figure in 2025 NFL Mock Drafts. The Oregon defensive tackle possesses an explosive first step and a well-rounded set of pass-rushing skills from the interior.

    A transfer from the Michigan State Spartans, Harmon has recorded 42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles while playing for the Ducks in 2024. With his impressive abilities, he is a strong candidate to be selected in the first round of the draft in April.

    Josh Conerly Jr.’s NFL Draft Projection

    At 6’4″ and 315 pounds, Josh Conerly Jr. has the ideal build for the NFL. His explosive athleticism and solid base give him natural leverage as a pass blocker.

    Conerly possesses significant potential as an NFL tackle. However, his performance could be more consistent, and he needs to develop his footwork and functional strength further to succeed at the next level.

    Evan Stewart’s NFL Draft Projection

    Evan Stewart has continued to excel in 2024, becoming a key asset for the Ducks during their unbeaten regular season. His draft range is somewhere on Day 2, as the Texas A&M Aggies transfer has showcased his impressive athleticism and ability to create vertical separation.

    However, standing at just 6’0” and weighing 175 pounds, Stewart has a wiry frame, which means he lacks the playing strength needed in contested catch situations and often struggles as an outside blocker.

    Tez Johnson’s NFL Draft Projection

    Tez Johnson is a twitchy receiver with crafty route running, skillful separation creation, and elusive mobility. However, at 5’10” and 160 pounds, the leading Ducks receiver is wafer thin and has notable size limitations. His light frame causes Johnson to have situational drops and limits his range on the outside.

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    Ultimately, the Oregon pass catcher projects as a slot receiver who can be schemed into space and make things happen.

    Jordan Burch’s NFL Draft Projection

    Jordan Burch is a versatile defensive lineman who constantly threatens the opponent’s backfield. He employs a refined pass-rush technique that features a persuasive swim move, leading to an impressive 8.5 sacks and 11 TFLs in 2024.

    The Ducks’ defensive lineman showcases explosive initial movements and effectively converts speed into power. However, his limited arm length can be a disadvantage in run defense, where his ability to generate power in his lower body also hinders his overall effectiveness.

    Despite these limitations, Burch is expected to be selected in the middle rounds of the draft due to his overall productivity and skill set.

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

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