It’s only February, but 2025 NFL mock draft season is in full swing and we at College Sports Network wanted to mix things up a bit. By now, you’ve probably seen plenty of 2025 NFL mock drafts. If you haven’t, here’s one from Cam Mellor on Tuesday.
In our first special mock draft of the year, we’re highlighting prospects outside of the Power Four. Specifically, every player in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft finished their college careers in the Group of Five, at FBS schools not belonging to the big four conferences. I tried to match players with teams they could realistically land with, even if many of these guys won’t go in the first round.
1) Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Tennessee Titans
I’m of the thought that the Tennessee Titans will bolster their defensive line, so here I’m giving them the best Group of Five defensive lineman in the draft. Mike Green is a guy I think has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the draft and he’s flying up boards after a downright dominant Senior Bowl.
The former Marshall Thundering Herd star’s mix of speed, power, and pass-rushing arsenal make him a guy with All-Pro potential as an edge rusher.
Full Mike Green scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
2) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Cleveland Browns
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty is special. Aside from putting up one of the best seasons ever for a college running back and finishing as the Heisman runner-up, Jeanty is compact and explosive. Saquon Barkley showed the impact a home run threat at running back can make and like Barkley, Jeanty led the country in 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70-yard runs.
Only three running backs since 2015 have forced more than 100 missed tackles in a college season. Cam Skattebo and Bijan Robinson forced 102 and 104, respectively. Jeanty forced 151 last season. He’s special.
Full Ashton Jeanty scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
3) Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
New York Giants
While the Giants likely go with a quarterback in the actual draft, there’s not a Group of Five signal-caller I’d like this high, even in this hypothetical Group of Five mock draft. Instead, the Giants land one of the best offensive weapons in the entire draft.
Bowling Green Falcons playmaker Harold Fannin Jr. is explosive with the ball in his hands, racking up more yards after catch last season than any college player over 200 pounds since Amari Cooper. Call him a tight end, call him a big slot, whatever, just get him the ball.
Full Harold Fannin Jr. scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
4) Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
New England Patriots
There’s a ton of Day 2 wide receiver talent in this draft and about half of it hails from the Mountain West. UNLV Rebels wideout Ricky White III is my favorite of the bunch because of his route-running ability and high floor.
His special teams prowess and ability to work over the middle would appeal to Mike Vrabel. He’d be a great target for Drake Maye both in the slot and on the outside. Look out for White to end up with the Patriots not only in this 2025 NFL mock draft, but in the actual draft as well.
Full Ricky White scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
5) Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars
Watch out for East Carolina Pirates corner Shavon Revel in this exact spot on draft day. He’s my top corner in the draft, as his physical talent is off-the-charts. A legitimate 6’3″, Revel is a smooth operator with elite ball skills. Some technical tweaks could take him to a Pro Bowl or two early in his career.
6) Darius Alexander, IDL, Toledo
Las Vegas Raiders
The Group of Five defensive line talent is excellent this draft and Toledo Rockets interior lineman Darius Alexander made moves on draft boards with a strong Senior Bowl. He has great size and quickness for the position, suggesting he’ll be an impact player on the interior at the next level.
7) Patrick Jenkins, IDL, Tulane
New York Jets
Never underestimate Jon Sumrall’s ability to coach. Jenkins got significant playing time at TCU, but joined the Tulane Green Wave anyway in 2022. With the Green Wave, he had 13 sacks in three seasons.
He’s a bit undersized for an interior defender, but he has the quickness to shoot gaps and disrupt in the running game.
MORE: Scouting the Top 100 Prospects
8) Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane
Carolina Panthers
Back-to-back Tulane players go in this mock as one of my favorite defensive backs in the draft lands with a team that needs help at both safety and corner. Normally, we separate safeties from cornerbacks in our 2025 NFL mock drafts and rankings, but here, I’m intentionally using a “DB” designation.
Ransaw can play all four secondary positions and he has a really high football I.Q. I think he’s a guy who will go earlier than expected in the draft.
Full Caleb Ransaw scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
9) Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ offensive line was atrocious last season. Yes, injuries played a part, but New Orleans has to address the position or no quarterback-coach combination will succeed.
The Group of Five ranks aren’t loaded at the tackle position (though there are several FCS and Division II-Division III options at the position) but UConn Huskies offensive lineman Chase Lundt is one of the best. With a massive frame, he’s a mauler in the run game.
10) Clay Webb, OG, Jacksonville State
Chicago Bears
The Bears have to get better up front and former five-star interior lineman Clay Webb is a guy who could do it. Webb is proof that situation is everything. He struggled to see the field at Georgia before transferring to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and dominating everyone he faced.
An excellent pass-blocker, Webb allowed just 13 pressures in three seasons as a starter. He has legitimate NFL talent.
11) Addison West, OG, Western Michigan
San Francisco 49ers
You’re going to hear a lot of names from non-Power Four schools in the 2025 NFL Draft and the Western Michigan Broncos will contribute multiple players to that total.
Always strong in pass protection, Addison West improved as a run-blocker in 2024, pushing him up draft boards and into the top 11 of our Group of Five mock draft.
12) Mario Anderson, RB, Memphis
Dallas Cowboys
Ashton Jeanty has been one of the most popular players mocked to the Dallas Cowboys, but since he went second in this 2025 NFL mock draft, the Cowboys take a different Group of Five RB.
Mario Anderson had a weird journey to Memphis, from D-II Newberry College to the SEC starter at South Carolina to a final year in the Group of Five. Anderson is a powerful runner who keeps his legs churning and fights for extra yardage.
13) Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State
Miami Dolphins
Maybe we should change the “Group of Five” moniker to Group of Six, because the Oregon State Beavers definitely count. They’ll also put a few guys in the actual draft next season.
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan is a behemoth of an offensive lineman, a legitimate 6’8″, 330-pounder. His ability to stay balanced with his length and reach make him a strong developmental tackle prospect.
14) John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
Indianapolis Colts
Fannin has been a popular pick here, and I agree, as I think the Colts finally address their tight end problem early in the draft. But here, Fannin is long gone, leaving Wyoming Cowboys’ John Michael Gyllenborg as the top Group of Five tight end.
He’s not much of a run-blocker, but he has the size and speed to threaten vertically, making him a prototypical modern tight end.
15) Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
Atlanta Falcons
Rayuan Lane is such a fun player to watch. The Navy Midshipmen safety has excellent ball skills and a knack for causing havoc. He forced nine fumbles and intercepted seven passes in his career, returning two for long touchdowns.
His ball production is excellent, with 17 pass deflections. Expect him to go early on Day 3 of the actual draft. The Falcons need help in the secondary, maybe Lane is their guy.
MORE: Top 300 Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
16) Reggie Grimes, EDGE, Memphis
Arizona Cardinals
The depth at the edge position among Group of Five teams is just okay this season, and while there’s legitimate value elsewhere, I have the Cardinals addressing a huge need.
Grimes is a huge, powerful edge rusher, but the four-year Oklahoma player never had great production at the college level, even when he moved to Memphis for his senior year. Still, the tools are there.
17) Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV
Cincinnati Bengals
I wanted to give the Bengals one of several available offensive weapons here, but thought the fan base might riot if I didn’t address the defense. UNLV’s Jackson Woodard nearly gave up football a few years ago, but thought better of it and became one of the best off-ball linebackers in the country.
Woodard might not test as well as other guys, but his production is hard to ignore and I’m going to have him way higher on my Big Board than some analysts.
18) Joshua Gray, OG, Oregon State
Seattle Seahawks
Oregon State lacked high-level talent at most positions, but the offensive line was not one of them. The Beavers have multiple draftable linemen an Gray could come off the board as early as Day 2.
The Seahawks need more offensive line help and Gray is powerful run-blocker who could help Seattle improve in the trenches.
19) Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’ve waited long enough. Open the receiver floodgates. Colorado State Rams wideout Tory Horton should probably be getting more hype as a Day 2 prospect than he currently is. He’s tall, long, and has great ball skills.
While he’s probably not a future alpha, No. 1 receiver, he’s a guy who can be a complement in the vein of Chris Godwin for a long time.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft WR Rankings
20) Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Denver Broncos
Let’s get Bo Nix a playmaker. While I see Utah State Aggies wideout Jalen Royals thriving within the Shanahan tree, the Broncos aren’t a bad landing spot either. The similarities between Royals and 49ers star wideout Deebo Samuel are scary as the measurables are nearly identical and Royals has the same yards after catch ability.
Full Jalen Royals scouting report including strengths, areas to improve, floor, and ceiling
21) Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Pittsburgh Steelers
CSN’s Wide Receiver of the Year, Nick Nash is just learning the intricacies of the receiver position, something that should excite potential suitors and scary potential opponents. He has the length, athleticism and jump ball ability to play in the NFL for a long time, even if current projections have him sliding into Day 3.
22) Jacob Gideon, OC, Western Michigan
Los Angeles Chargers
Hey, another Western Michigan offensive lineman. Incredibly, Jacob Gideon might have higher upside than even West and he’s a guy rocketing up the boards of some analysts. A four-year starter, Gideon started the last three at center.
With almost 2,300 snaps at center, he’s the most experienced snapper in a thin draft class. That makes him valuable. Don’t be surprised if he’s gone by the end of Day 2.
23) Jordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
Green Bay Packers
We at CSN are higher on Jordan Oladokun than most other places and I’m higher on him than even our CSN consensus rankings. I just think there’s a lot of untapped potential for a guy who was excellent in coverage in college. I have no idea what direction the Packers will go, but corner could be a position of need.
24) Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
Minnesota Vikings
Most of the Vikings’ secondary will be gone by April. So, let’s address one of the glaring holes. UTSA Roadrunners corner Zah Frazier is long and physical and opposing quarterbacks had a 36.9 passer rating when targeting him last season. The ball production speaks for itself: Six picks to one touchdown allowed. That’ll play in the NFL.
25) Adin Huntington, DT, Tulane
Houston Texans
Tulane puts yet another guy in this Group of Five mock draft. Adin Huntington is the lesser-known of Tulane’s defensive prospects, but he’s talented.
A high-upside pass-rusher, Huntington registered 79 pressures for the UL Monroe Warhawks and Green Wave. He’s versatile enough to slide out to edge or take on guards, despite not being the tallest prospect.
MORE: Take the College Football Network Mock Draft Simulator for a spin!
26) Jerjuan Newton, WR, Toledo
Los Angeles Rams
I think the Rams will have to draft someone to replace Cooper Kupp after announcing their intentions to trade the veteran. Jerjuan Newton is an intriguing option.
Despite having multiple opportunities to leave, Newton spent six years at Toledo, leaving with 206 receptions, 2,927 yards, and 32 touchdowns. He has kick return experience as well, which bodes well for his chances of making — and staying on — a roster.
27) Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Baltimore Ravens
Shaun Dolac was a star for the Buffalo Bulls. After transferring last winter, he returned after spring ball to lead the Bulls with 168 tackles, six sacks, and five picks.
If this were 2005 instead of 2025, he’d go in the first two rounds. Still, there’s a spot for him in the NFL and he’s likely going to outplay his draft position.
28) Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
Detroit Lions
Ahmed Hassanein is the classic production-over-traits edge rusher. He totaled 22 sacks in his last two years with the Boise State Broncos, flashing in the run game as well. His dominance wasn’t limited to Group of Five competition as he lived in the backfield against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.
29) Roc Taylor, WR, Memphis
Washington Commanders
Roc Taylor isn’t going to wow after the catch, but he’s a big-bodied receiver whose elite ball skills mean he’s always open. What a perfect fit with Jayden Daniels, who is completely unafraid of tight-window throws.
I’m very interested to see how Taylor runs, but his size and hands should make him a valuable target.
30) Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
Buffalo Bills
Maxen Hook is another example of Jason Candle’s ability to recruit and develop players in a transfer portal era. A two-star recruit, Hook was a star in five years at Toledo, with over 350 career tackles and seven interceptions.
He’s a guy I really like and someone I think will continue to rocket up draft boards (pun intended) as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
31) Jason Henderson, LB, Old Dominion
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles love to snatch good football players and that’s an apt description of Jason Henderson. Though I don’t think he should be credited with quite as many tackles as are listed in his stat book, the Old Dominion Monarchs star was all over the place.
An injury-riddled 2024 campaign didn’t help his chances at breaking the all-time tackles record — or his draft stock — but he should be healthy enough to go through the pre-draft process. Don’t forget about him.
32) Holden Willis, TE, Middle Tennessee State
Kansas City Chiefs
I would not be surprised if Travis Kelce announced his retirement or that he’s playing just one more season after the Super Bowl. So, the Chiefs are candidates to take a tight end high in the draft.
While Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders TE Holden Willis is a developmental prospect, he’s a great receiver who moves well — he’s going to outrun several receivers — and can catch. That combination seems to work for a coach like Andy Reid.
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