On3 wins the 2025 NFL Draft's first round

On3’s rankings are judged by the NFL Draft. The NFL Draft represents the best indication of a player’s ability coming out of college football. The vast majority of the best players in college football are early-round NFL Draft picks. Other than recruiting rankings, it’s the only other point in a player’s career where they are sorted by talent and ability in a quantitative form.

With that in mind, scoring the NFL Draft can provide a report card for how On3 and the rest of the recruiting industry stack up. Doing so allows us to learn from successes and mistakes in hopes of improving our rankings product in the future.

On the whole, the recruiting industry annually does a great job of projecting future success at the college level. Tabbing a 17-18 year-old as a future high draft pick relative to thousands of peers is much easier said than done.

The method: To keep this as simple as possible, we will assign a winner for each draft pick based on how close the numeric ranking is to their draft spot. If there is an equal distance between multiple rankings and the draft spot, all sites will get credit for a win, including if the highest ranking is an unranked four-star. No winner is awarded for players who were not ranked as a blue-chip prospect (4-star or 5-star) by any site.

The results:
1. On3 – closest ranking on 12 first-rounders
2. Rivals – closest ranking on 8 first-rounders
3. ESPN – closest ranking on 7 first-rounders
4. 247Sports – closest ranking on 3 first-rounders

On3’s rankings in this NFL Draft only include blue-chip prospects from the 2021 cycle (4-stars and 5-stars) and the 2022 cycle. Two of ESPN’s wins and one from both 247Sports and Rivals came before On3’s inception.

On3 and 247Sports had the most consistent rankings relative to draft spot, limiting bad misses. On3 led the way with the lowest average distance from high school ranking to the draft position, with 247Sports not far behind. The average distance from the draft spot for On3 and 247Sports was 2x closer than that of Rivals (3rd) and ESPN (4th).

Overall, it was a stellar showing by the recruiting industry as a remarkable 28/32 first-rounders were ranked as a five-star or a four-star by at least one outlet. Two of the four non-blue-chip players signed with an FCS program out of high school, making for a 93.3% hit rate on blue-chip first-rounders who signed at the FBS level.

Five-star prospects are meant to project as future first-round picks. Here is the tally of five-stars taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:

1. On3, 247Sports – 11 (tie)
2. Rivals – 9
3. ESPN – 6

The first-round selections of Jackson Dart and Donovan Jackson give the 2021 On300 ten five-stars who have been taken in the first round to this point. That total is the second-most first-round five-stars ever, after the 2020 Top247 (11).

1. QB Cam Ward, Miami (Tennessee Titans)

Winner: None
On3: Before inception
247Sports: Unranked (2020)
ESPN: Unranked (2020)
Rivals: Unranked (2020)

Cam Ward flew under the radar, receiving zero FBS offers before signing with Incarnate Word in the 11th hour of the 2020 recruiting cycle. Ward played in a Wing-T offense at West Columbia (Texas) Columbia and had limited passing attempts, not providing much opportunity to show colleges his passing skills. Ward’s career took off at Incarnate Word, leading to transfers to Washington State and Miami.

2. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Winner: ESPN
On3: 5-star, No. 8 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 1 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 2 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 1 overall (2022)

A Five-Star Plus+ prospect, Travis Hunter was a unique player who would’ve ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver or cornerback in the 2022 cycle. He was a dominant two-way player with 3,963 career receiving yards and 19 interceptions at Suwannee (Ga.) Collins Hill. Three years later, he remains a singular draft prospect. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is considered the top wide receiver and cornerback in the draft, just like in high school.

3. EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State (New York Giants)

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 129 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star
ESPN: 4-star
Rivals: 4-star, No. 232 overall (2022)

Abdul Carter showed an outstanding combination of size and speed as a linebacker prospect in the 2022 cycle. At 6-foot-3.5, 235 pounds with 4.5 speed, Carter showed sideline-to-sideline speed and eye-catching striking power. Carter worked as a linebacker during his first two years at Penn State, before moving to EDGE, where he was one of the more dominant players in college football.

4. OT Will Campbell, LSU (New England Patriots)

Winner: ESPN
On3: 4-star, No. 126 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 66 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 14 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star No. 54 overall (2022)

Will Campbell was a mauling offensive line prospect with a highly physical demeanor and strong film. He was viewed as a versatile prospect who could end up as a tackle or guard, long-term. Campbell’s skill set turned out to translate very well to the college level, with him playing at a high level at left tackle for the Tigers.

5. DL Mason Graham, Michigan (Cleveland Browns)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 3-star (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 209 overall (2022)
ESPN: 3-star (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 162 overall (2022)

Mason Graham was a senior riser in the 2022 cycle. Originally a Boise State commit, Graham had a strong senior season at Anaheim (Calif.) Servite, tallying 21 tackles for loss and 14 sacks and earned several Power 4 offers as a result. That attention turned out to be more than merited. A wrestling champion, Graham’s natural athleticism and understanding of leverage made him a tough player to block at the high school and college levels.

6. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (Las Vegas Raiders)

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 296 (2022)
247Sports: 4-star
ESPN: 3-star
Rivals: 2-star

On3 was the first outlet to tab Ashton Jeanty as a four-star, moving him into the On300 in the fall of his senior year. Jeanty was a late riser, playing just one year as a full-time running back in high school. Jeanty had a huge senior season at Frisco (Texas) Lone Star, erupting for 2,645 yards from scrimmage and 41 touchdowns. It was apparent early on in his senior year that Jeanty was underrecruited. On3 and 247Sports were higher on the future Heisman finalist than the college staffs, and it wasn’t nearly high enough.

7. OT Armand Membou, Missouri

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 297 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star (2022)
ESPN: 3-star (2022)
Rivals: 3-star (2022)

Armand Membou moved into the On300 late in the 2022 cycle. We liked the film and the functional movement skills. There was an improvement from his junior to senior film. At the time, we viewed Membou as a versatile offensive lineman who could end up at tackle or guard at the next level. He also appeared to be growing into his body. We saw his athleticism take off once he got in Missouri’s strength program. By the time the NFL Combine rolled around, Membou was testing as one of the more athletic offensive linemen in recent years.

8. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (Carolina Panthers)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 4-star, No. 68 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 37 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 144 overall
Rivals: 5-star, No. 12 overall

Tetairoa McMillan touted the best ball skills among the 2022 wide receiver group and ended up being the highest drafted pass-catcher from that cycle, to this point. The California Gatorade Player of the Year, he hauled in 88 catches for 1,302 yards and 17 touchdowns and picked off eight passes as a senior. Questions about his long speed did not affect his draft status. McMillan and Mason Graham are the rare pair of high school teammates to be picked in the first-round, let alone the top ten.

9. OT Kelvin Banks, Texas (New Orleans Saints)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 6 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 30 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 33 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 65 overall (2022)

On3 tabbed Kelvin Banks as a top ten prospect and the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the 2022 cycle. Banks was a big, smooth athlete who made steady progress throughout his high school career. He wasted little time making an impact at the college level, starting at left tackle for Texas as a true freshman.

10. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan (Chicago Bears)

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 247 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star (2022)
ESPN: 3-star (2022)
Rivals: 4-star (2022)

Despite playing in a remote area of Idaho, Colston Loveland had a bunch of the positive indicators we look for in blue-chip tight end prospects. Loveland was a dominant player on Friday nights, accounting for over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns on offense in addition to playing defensive end and linebacker. He was an all-state basketball player and also participated in track and field. Loveland was also younger for the cycle.

11. EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia (San Francisco 49ers)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 5-star, No. 2 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 7 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 24 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 8 overall (2022)

Mykel Williams had an argument as the most skilled pass rusher in the 2022 cycle. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds with 34.5-inch arms, Williams paired traits with production, averaging 1.3 sacks per game throughout his high school career. He also had a dominant performance at the All-American Bowl after his senior season. One of the youngest players in the draft, Williams’ best football looks to be ahead of him.

12. IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama (Dallas Cowboys)

Winner: ESPN
On3: 5-star, No. 14 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 60 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 11 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 111 overall (2022)

Tyler Booker was thought to have one of the highest floors among 2022 prospects. At 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, Booker was very physically developed with outstanding length and play strength. We viewed him as a near-sure-fire early-round draft pick with the chance to be a top 20 selection. Booker made good on that ranking after a strong career at Alabama, attracting teams with his physicality and leadership.

13. DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan (Miami Dolphins)

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 102 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star (2022)
ESPN: 3-star (2022)
Rivals: 3-star (2022)

Kenneth Grant vaulted into the On300 during his senior season. At around 6-foot-3, 340 pounds, we saw rare twitch on Grant’s film that is not typical of heavier defensive linemen. Grant had some ‘wow’ plays on his film and remarkably blocked eight kicks as a senior. He also boasted a 57-3 foot shot put throw.

14. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (Indianapolis Colts)

Winner: ESPN
On3: Before inception
247Sports: 3-star (2020)
ESPN: 4-star (2020)
Rivals: 3-star (2020)

Tyler Warren initially committed to Virginia Tech as a quarterback. A gifted jumbo athlete who excelled in the combine setting, he eventually signed with Penn State and changed positions – a move that did wonders for his long-term potential. Warren was a three-sport athlete in basketball and baseball and averaged 20 points per game on the hardwood as a senior.

15. EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia (Atlanta Falcons)

Winner: 247Sports
On3: 4-star, No. 75 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 26 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 39 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 94 overall (2022)

Jalon Walker was viewed as a versatile linebacker prospect in high school. He was a disruptive defender and showed the ability to get after the quarterback, tallying 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a senior en route to being named North Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year. We were uncertain where Walker would project long-term, with his play style being that of a pass rusher, but his size being more akin to a linebacker. That turned out not to matter, as he was a versatile pice for Kirby Smart’s defense and ended up as a top 15 pick.

16. DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (Arizona Cardinals)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 5 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 2 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 1 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 2 overall (2022)

Walter Nolen was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect and finished as the No. 1 overall in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking. He had a dominant senior season with 31 tackles for loss and 14 sacks and had a strong showing at the Under Armour All-America Game. Nolen was the headliner of Texas A&M’s No. 1 2022 signing class and transferred to Ole Miss for his final season in college. While interior defensive linemen are rarely picked in the top three, Nolen proved to be more than worth of his Five-Star Plus+ billing.

17. EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (Cincinnati Bengals)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 13 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 9 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 7 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 30 overall (2022)

Shemar Stewart is another former Five-Star Plus+ who signed with Texas A&M in 2022 to end up in the first round. He was considered one of the cycle’s top prospects dating all the way back to his freshman season in high school. Unlike many who are on the radar that early, Stewart continued to be a true top prospect. At the time, we viewed him as an immense physical talent, who was still figuring things out from a technical standpoint. That remains the case as Stewart enters the NFL as one of the draft’s biggest freaks, but least productive players at the college level.

18. IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Winner: None
On3: Before inception
247Sports: Unranked (2020)
ESPN: Unranked (2020)
Rivals: Unranked (2020)

The second of two former FCS signees taken in the first round, Grey Zabel fits the profile that we typically see from future high draft picks out of the Dakotas. Zabel was a two-way player in high school along the offensive and defensive lines and a three-sport standout, also playing basketball and baseball.

19. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 4-star, No. 42 overall (2021)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 9 overall (2021)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 30 overall (2021)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 11 overall (2021)

Emeka Egbuka had a case as the most productive wide receiver in the 2021 cycle. He had a huge junior season, catching 83 passes for 1,607 yards and 25 touchdowns, and also played defensive back, picking off several passes. Egbuka’s senior season was cancelled due to COVID-19. We had some questions about his top-end speed at the time, as he ran in the 4.7 range. Egbuka could’ve entered the draft as a junior, but improved his stock by coming back to school, working his way into the first round after a record-setting career in Columbus.

20. CB Jahdae Barron, Texas (Denver Broncos)

Winner: 247Sports
On3: Before inception
247Sports: 4-star, No. 128 overall (2020)
ESPN: 3-star (Unranked)
Rivals: 3-star (Unranked)

Jahdae Barron had several positive indicators for a blue-chip corner prospect. He two-way player with real production as a receiver and cornerback and boasted sub 11.0-second speed in the 100 meters. College coaching staffs in the Lone Star State highly thought of Barron. He had fans in recruiting media also, as we tabbed him as a four-star prospect while working at 247Sports, before On3’s launch.

21. DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Winner: None
On3: Unranked (only blue-chips in 2021)
247Sports: 3-star
ESPN: 3-star
Rivals: 3-star

Derrick Harmon flew under the radar a bit, as one of two FBS signees in this first round was not rated as a blue-chip prospect. He posted below-average athleticism at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds for a future top draft pick on the camp circuit. Harmon was a two-way player, lining up on both lines of scrimmage for his high school. He saw improvement in his game at the college level, particularly after he got in top shape following his transfer from Michigan State to Oregon.

22. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (Los Angeles Chargers)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 4-star, No. 172 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 153 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 181 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 108 overall (2022)

Omarion Hampton was one of the more productive running backs in the 2022 cycle and a consensus blue-chip prospect. Hampton rushed for 5,369 yards and 88 touchdowns in his high school career, while averaging 10.4 yards per carry. He looked to have a college-ready build at the Under Armour All-America Game. A physical, productive runner, Hampton posted a 10.93-second time in the 100 meters as a senior, after all rankings were released. Had that time been on the books earlier, he certainly would’ve been ranked even higher.

23. WR Matthew Golden, Texas (Green Bay Packers)

Winner: On3
On3: 4-star, No. 125 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 150 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star No. 259 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star (2022)

A physical, athletic ball-winner, Matthew Golden was one of the highest-rated prospects to sign with Houston in the internet recruiting era. He was a productive, gritty receiver, accounting for 1,416 yards and 12 touchdowns on 74 catches as a senior. Golden also posted good speed on the track with a 10.93-second time in the 100 meters. After two years at Houston, Golden transferred to Texas, where he emerged as the Longhorns’ top wide receiver down the stretch of the 2024 season.

24. OT Donovan Jackson, Ohio State (Minnesota Vikings)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 14 overall (2021)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 7 overall (2021)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 70 overall (2021)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 13 overall (2021)

Donovan Jackson was an athletic, versatile offensive lineman with plus length and strong multi-sport markers in track and field. We saw his versatility show up throughout his career at Ohio State, excelling after being thrust into a role at left tackle after an injury to fellow first-rounder Josh Simmons.

25. QB Jackson Dart, Ole Miss (New York Giants)

Winner: ESPN
On3: 5-star, No. 6 overall (2021)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 108 overall (2021)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 19 overall (2021)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 107 overall (2021)

Of all quarterbacks in this draft, Jackson Dart had the profile most indicative of a future first-rounder as a high school prospect. A late-riser, Dart had a monster senior season after transferring to Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon, passing for 4,691 yards and 67 touchdowns and rushing for 1,195 yards and 12 more scores. The Gatorade National Player of the Year, Dart signed with USC and transferred to Ole Miss after the Trojans’ coaching change.

26. EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee (Atlanta Falcons)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 11 overall (2022)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 173 overall (2022)
ESPN: 3-star (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 160 overall (2022)

James Pearce was a rapid riser in the 2022 On300. He had a huge senior season that saw him rack up 28.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, proving to be disruptive in every game we watched. Pearce finished as a five-star outlier for On3 and is believed to be the largest five-star outlier taken in the first round, along with Peter Skoronski (Northwestern/2023 draft).

27. S Malaki Starks, Georgia (Baltimore Ravens)

Winner: On3
On3: 5-star, No. 21 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 4 overall (2022)
ESPN: 5-star, No. 12 overall (2022)
Rivals: 4-star, No. 62 overall (2022)

Malaki Starks was an extremely well-rounded prospect who had a ton of positive indicators for a safety prospect. He was a dangerous run threat as an option quarterback and also showed range while playing safety. Starks was a gifted athlete in track and field (10.55 100m) and also played basketball.

28. DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State (Detroit Lions)

Winner: 247Sports
On3: 4-star, No. 173 overall (2021)
247Sports: 4-star, No. 124 overall (2021)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 193 overall (2021)
Rivals: 4-star (2021)

One of the more surprising picks in the first round, Tyleik Williams was a consensus four-star prospect as a recruit. Williams was disruptive and productive in his junior season, tallying 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. His senior season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

29. OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon (Washington Commanders)

Winner: ESPN, Rivals
On3: 4-star, No. 147 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 8 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 31 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 31 overall (2022)

Josh Conlery Jr. was a physically gifted offensive tackle prospect with projectable length and feet. Conerly posted strong film and showed his movement skills on the basketball court. We thought he had some ups and downs in pass protection at the All-American Bowl. Conerly’s upside ultimately won out as he showed steady improvement over his career in Eugene, en route to becoming a first-rounder.

30. CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (Buffalo Bills)

Winner: None
On3: Unranked (only blue-chips in 2021)
247Sports: 3-star (2021)
ESPN: 3-star (2021)
Rivals: 3-star (2021)

Maxwell Hairston is one of two Michigan natives (Derrick Harmon) who flew under the radar before becoming a first-rounder. Hairston played on a talented West Bloomfield (Mich.) team and had three interceptions as a senior. He greatly improved his speed at the college level, going from an 11.75-second 100-meter time to running a 4.28 at the NFL Combine.

31. LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (Philadelphia Eagles)

Winner: Rivals
On3: 5-star, No. 3 overall (2022)
247Sports: 5-star, No. 16 overall (2022)
ESPN: 4-star, No. 41 overall (2022)
Rivals: 5-star, No. 29 overall (2022)

Jihaad Campbell was viewed as a physically gifted linebacker who could possibly grow into a pass rusher at the next level. Campbell was a two-way player for much of his high school career before transferring to IMG Academy, where he teamed with future Alabama teammate and fellow first-rounder Tyler Booker.

32. OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State (Kansas City Chiefs)

Winner: ESPN/Rivals
On3: Before inception
247Sports: 3-star (2020)
ESPN: 4-star (2020)
Rivals: 4-star (2020)

Josh Simmons was an athletic offensive tackle prospect in the 2020 cycle. He was tabbed as a consensus four-star early on, but signed with San Diego State with the intent of playing defensive line, adding some unknown to his evaluation. Simmons eventually settled in at offensive tackle, which was obviously his best position. He transferred to Ohio State and played at a very high level before sustaining a season-ending injury.