With the Indianapolis Colts now out of playoff contention, let’s take a moment to turn our attention to the 2025 NFL draft with the second round of the College Football playoffs underway.
Playing in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day will be Texas and Arizona State. So, as the game unfolds, which prospects should you have your eyes on?
Trying to figure out at this stage of the game whether any of these players could become Colts is a nearly impossible task. But it does provide us with some names to monitor as the pre-draft process unfolds in the coming months.
Of note, the Colts will have seven draft picks–one in each round–and some positions of need include tight end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, safety, and running back.
With help from Pro Football Focus, who has already constructed a big board for the upcoming draft, here are the top prospects in Wednesday’s Texas vs. Arizona State game.
OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas: Banks has played over 2,600 career snaps, almost all of which have come at left tackle. This season, he has surrendered just one sack and eight pressures in 450 pass-blocking snaps.
CB Jahdae Barron, Texas: A boundary cornerback with some slot experience, Barron allowed a completion rate of just 54% this season at 7.9 yards per catch with five interceptions and eight pass breakups.
RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State: Skattebo averaged 5.9 yards per rush this season, scoring 19 touchdowns, and was also a big factor in the passing game, with 37 receptions at a hefty 13.7 yards per catch and three more scores.
TE Gunnar Helm, Texas: A very reliable target, Helm has caught 49-of-59 passes at 12.5 yards per catch with five scores. For what it’s worth, he hasn’t graded out all that well as a run-blocker in his career, per PFF.
IDL Alfred Collins, Texas: Collins has graded out as one of the the best run defenders in college football this season by PFF’s metrics. While mostly lining up in the middle, he has shown the ability to play some defensive end as well.
Other prospects to watch:
OT Cameron Williams, Texas
WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
S Andrew Mukuba, Texas
S Micahel Taaffe, Texas
C Jake Majors, Texas
LB David Gbenda, Texas