Top 25 Senior Bowl prospects entering Week 9 of the college football season

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter has updated his ranking of the top 25 prospects for the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl as we hit Week 9 of the season. Reuter updates his rankings after every two weeks of play.

Reuter made a change to the top of the list, making Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson the No. 1 senior bowl prospect. The analyst’s list features a big-name newcomer in Pitt Panthers QB Kenny Pickett. Pickett currently has the fourth-best odds in Vegas to win the Heisman Trophy.

The 2022 NFL Draft is set for April 28-30. The Senior Bowl will be on Feb. 5.

Top 25 Senior Bowl prospects after Week 8

*indicates newcomer

25) Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State*

Chad Reuter’s first of three newcomers to the list is Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson. Hutchinson is a consistent contributor for the Cyclones but he went off versus the No. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys. He had 12 receptions for 125 yards and two scores – a career-high.

“He caught quick passes to move the chains, adjusted to a late throw on a speed out, and won on deeper routes by shaking his defender at the line of scrimmage (drawing flags on the defense in three separate plays) … his toughness, versatility, quickness and strong hands will be a big reason Iowa State stays in the Big 12 Conference championship hunt,” Reuter said.

24) Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama –4

23) Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State –

22) Demarvion Overshown, LB, Texas -1

21) Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama -3

20) Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati*

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder, like Kenny Pickett, just can’t be ignored any longer. Ridder has the Bearcats rolling at 7-0 and No. 2 in the nation. With a 63.6% completion rating, the senior passed for 1,620 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games.

Chad Reuter is still cautiously optimistic about Ridder as an NFL prospect but he needs a strong Senior Bowl performance.

“Ridder has shown command in a clean pocket, throwing darts and lofting deep balls in the middle of the field,” Reuter said. “He’s also made defenses pay with his long strides on scrambles against man coverage and on called runs. However, Ridder’s lack of accuracy on passes to the sidelines and when throwing off-platform are concerns.”

19) Haskell Garrett, DT, Ohio State -3

18) Jamaree Salyer, OL, Georgia +1

17) Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State -3

16) Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah -4

15) Zion Johnson, G, Boston College -4

14) Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State -4

13) Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota +2

12) Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington -5

11) Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa +2

10) Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State -1

9) Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn -1

8) Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky -3

7) Kingsley Enagbare, Edge, South Carolina +10

6) Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh*

Pittsburgh Panther Kenny Pickett is making a name for himself nationally with his leadership of a 6-1 squad. He’s passed for 2,236 yards, 23 touchdowns and just one interception. There’s no doubt a lot of eyes will be on him at the Senior Bowl ahead of the draft.

“Tenaciousness, as well as his pocket poise and ability to move within the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield, has earned him comparisons to Kirk Cousins,” Reuters wrote. “If Pickett plays well through Pitt’s chase for the ACC championship and excels in the pre-draft process, he’ll rightfully earn a place in the top 15 selections, where several teams might be looking for a new signal-caller.”

5) Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia +1

4) Adam Anderson, Edge, Georgia –

3) Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State –

2) Malik Willis, QB, Liberty -1

1) Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan +1

More seniors to watch

Reuter bumped three players out of the top 25 from two weeks ago to make room for the newcomers:

• Calvin Austin III (Memphis)
• Josh Paschal (Kentucky)
• Kennedy Brooks (Oklahoma)