For the second consecutive season, the UNLV Rebels will face the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Championship Game, with a spot in the College Football Playoff at stake.
This matchup will showcase 2025 NFL Draft prospects ranked across various rounds, including a potential first-round running back and some possible late-round gems.
UNLV 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Ricky White III, Wide Receiver (Rounds 5-6)
- Jackson Woodard, Linebacker (Rounds 5-7)
- Tony Grimes, Defensive Back (Rounds 5-7)
- Jalen Catalon, Defensive Back (Rounds 6-7)
- Tiger Shanks, Offensive Line (UDFA)
- Cameron Oliver, Cornerback (UDFA)
Ricky White III’s NFL Draft Projection
White has been the Rebels’ go-to weapon. He has amassed 1,020 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, including four games with over 100 yards. This highlights his consistent success following a standout 2023 season in which he recorded 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns.
With speed to burn, it’s unsurprising that White has been so dominant and has intrigued NFL Draft scouts. The Go-Go offense, directed by Brennan Marion, has allowed White to showcase his vertical playmaking ability, space manipulation, and route-running skills. That athleticism and dominant speed rarely go unnoticed on Day 3.
Jackson Woodard’s NFL Draft Projection
Woodard has been a standout player in 2024, leading UNLV with 114 tackles. Additionally, he has recorded five interceptions, one touchdown, and 3.5 sacks. The Arkansas transfer has thrived at UNLV, establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the Group of Five.
Woodard excels at defending the run and making plays in the passing game. With traits typical of an NFL starting linebacker, expect Woodard to be a target on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, where he could be selected higher than anticipated due to the overall weakness of the LB class at the top.
Tony Grimes’ NFL Draft Projection
When healthy, Grimes had a redemption arc in his first year in Las Vegas. He entered college football as a highly touted five-star recruit for the North Carolina Tar Heels. After transferring to the Texas A&M Aggies for one season, he didn’t get the opportunity to play due to injury.
Grimes then moved to play under Barry Odom, but unfortunately, he has only participated in eight regular-season games because of ongoing injuries. Nevertheless, Grimes possesses the athletic traits that could make him a valuable NFL Draft pick.
With exceptional speed, the Rebels’ DB is expected to shine during athletic testing. He’s projected to run a sub-4.35 40-yard dash and demonstrate impressive change-of-direction skills and fluid hip mobility. Therefore, Grimes will likely attract attention during the pre-draft process and become a Day 3 selection.
Jalen Catalon’s NFL Draft Projection
Catalon has been on a challenging journey throughout his college career. Starting his career with the Arkansas Razorbacks, the DB was once considered an early-round selection when he would declare for the NFL Draft. However, following several season-ending injuries, he entered the transfer portal and spent one year in Austin with the Texas Longhorns.
After just one season in Burnt Orange, Catalon entered the portal for a second time and reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Odom, in Las Vegas. The veteran defensive back’s experience and physicality have shone again under the Rebels’ head coach, and his excellent zone coverage skills, quick trigger, and impressive motor skills have NFL scouts on notice.
However, due to several severe shoulder injuries, many teams may hesitate to take a chance on this intelligent DB, likely pushing Catalon down to the later rounds of the draft rather than as a high selection as once anticipated.
Boise State 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Ashton Jeanty, Running Back (Round 1)
- Ahmed Hassanein, Defensive Line (Round 7-UDFA)
- Chris Marshall, Wide Receiver (UDFA)
- Cameron Camper, Wide Receiver (UDFA)
- A’Marion McCoy, Cornerback (UDFA)
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.
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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.
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