The 2024 MAC Championship Game between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami (OH) RedHawks is an intriguing matchup. Not only is a title at stake, but it also marks the final game for many senior players. With the NFL Draft approaching in April 2025, we’ll explore which of these players could be potential 2025 NFL Draft prospects.
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Ohio 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Coleman Owen, WR (UDFA)
- Bradley Weaver, EDGE (UDFA)
Coleman Owen’s NFL Draft Projection
Coleman Owen has made a seamless transition to the FBS level. The leading receiver for the Bobcats, he has registered 1,032 yards and seven touchdowns, making him the team’s primary receiving threat by a significant margin.
Owen has been the go-to playmaker for quarterback Parker Navarro — who is also an Arizona native — and his contributions have been crucial to Ohio’s contention in the MAC title game.
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A graduate student, Owen played for five seasons with the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in the Big Sky Conference, amassing 2,272 yards and 17 touchdowns during his time in Flagstaff. He is a humble player but possesses great nuance, physicality, and awareness on the field.
In addition to his receiving skills, Owen is capable of returning punts and has already returned one for a touchdown in 2024. This versatility could be a significant asset if he makes it onto an NFL team in some capacity. While it is unlikely the Bobcats’ wide receiver will be drafted, he could receive opportunities through free agency.
Bradley Weaver’s NFL Draft Projection
Bradley Weaver had his best statistical season at Ohio in 2024, returning to Athens after briefly considering the transfer portal. This season, the edge rusher recorded 36 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles. These numbers surpass his 2023 season, where he logged 34 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble.
At 6’4″ and 262 pounds, Weaver is a strong prospect, and his continued development makes a compelling case for advancing to the next level. However, if he declares for the draft in 2024, the Bobcats’ leading sack artist would likely go undrafted.
Therefore, it may be in the best interest of all parties for Weaver to either return to school for his final year of eligibility or consider the transfer portal once again.
Miami (OH) 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Ty Wise, LB (UDFA)
- Brian Ugwu, DL (UDFA)
- Reid Holskey, OT (UDFA)
- Matt Saopek, LB (UDFA)
- Kolby Borders, OL (UDFA)
- John Young, OL (UDFA)
- Brett Gabbert, QB (UDFA)
Ty Wise’s NFL Draft Projection
Ty Wise has played in every game for the RedHawks over the past two seasons, showcasing the skills that make him one of the top linebackers in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2023, the Miami (OH) standout recorded 122 tackles, eight sacks, nine TFLs, one interception, and five pass breakups. Although his statistics have dipped in 2024, his level of play remains strong.
This season, Wise has achieved 63 tackles, four sacks, nine TFLs, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass breakup.
With true sideline-to-sideline range and explosive movement, Wise has the potential to elevate his game to the next level. However, as it stands, a team looking to draft the RedHawks defender is likely to do so with a late-round pick.
He has demonstrated experience, intelligence, anticipation, leadership, and communication skills that could appeal to a coach. Nonetheless, it seems more probable that Wise will be signed as an undrafted free agent rather than being selected in the draft.
Brian Ugwu’s NFL Draft Projection
Brian Ugwu has been highly consistent on the Miami (OH) defensive line over the past three seasons. The redshirt senior transferred from Rutgers in 2022 and has played every game since joining the team at Yager Stadium.
In 2024, Ugwu recorded 50 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss (TFLs), two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups, following an impressive 2023 season where he achieved 62 tackles, eight sacks, 12 TFLs, and two forced fumbles.
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The key to Ugwu’s consistency as a defender has been his strength. Despite his relatively light frame of 6’3” and 256 pounds, he possesses a strong motor and impressive core strength, which allows him to shed blocks and effectively plug gaps in the run game. However, his athleticism level may not match previous draft selections.
Ugwu will likely be a free agent pickup in the NFL, where a team could develop him on their practice squad.
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