Mel Kiper releases new Big Board Top 25 player rankings for 2025 NFL Draft ahead of National Championship Game

The 2024 college football season officially wraps up with Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Ohio State and Notre Dame.

But before that kicks off at 7:30 pm ET Monday on ESPN, the network’s NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. shook up his latest 2025 NFL Draft Big Board Top 25 player ranking, including plenty of movement outside the Top 10.

Check out the Mel Kiper Jr.’s updated 2025 NFL Draft Big Board Top 25 player ranking below:

1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The newest Heisman Trophy winner continues his reign atop Kiper’s Top 25 ranking, with many expecting Hunter to be a guaranteed Top 3 picks, depending on if quarterbacks go 1-2 overall. The Buffaloes two-way superstar is a unique talent that dominates on both sides of the ball. Hunter also won the Bednarik Award with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups, and the Biletnikoff Award after hauling in 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.

Kiper: “Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways. … Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts.”

2. Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter is a physical freak drawing budding comparisons to fellow former Penn State star Micah Parsons after finishing with 12 sacks, 61 pressures, a NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles in 2024, his third straight season with at least 60 tackles in Happy Valley.

Kiper: “Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience effectively operating as an off-ball linebacker. … Carter has the traits to wreak havoc there, getting pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush snaps. He is instinctive and fast flying to the football.”

3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The powerful 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham is considered a plug-and-play prospect after serving as was the heart of Michigan’s defense the past several seasons, including tallying 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2024, including two sacks in a September game vs. Minnesota.

Kiper: “I love Graham’s technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness. Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proved effective against the run and pass from inside.”

4. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, Shedeur has more than lived up to the hype in his second season in Boulder, leading the FBS-level with a 74.0 completion percentage this season, finishing 2024 just behind Ward in production with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns on the year.

Kiper: “I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense.”

5. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Ward and Sanders are considered the only guaranteed first-round quarterbacks in this draft class, though some NFL teams appear to favor Ward. The fourth-place Heisman finalist lead the entire FBS with 39 passing touchdowns and just seven interceptions while ranking second nationally with 4,313 passing yards spearheading the Hurricanes’ No. 1-ranked offense in 2024.

Kiper: “Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. … When things break down around him, Ward can extend plays with his legs, either throwing on the move or picking up first downs as a runner. I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.”

6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson has routinely been the No. 1 rated cornerback on Kiper’s board, even with his continued absence in 2024, where he missed six games this season with a turf toe injury. Still, the 6-foot-2 cornerback is a true defensive playmaker with nine career interceptions, including returning his two INTs this season for touchdowns prior to his injury.

Kiper: “Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball.”

7. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Heisman Trophy runner-up wasn’t able to eclipse Barry Sanders‘ NCAA single-season rushing mark (2,628 yards in 1988), but it wasn’t for lack of effort. Jeanty still dominated the competition in 2024, leading the nation with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns to go along with a NCAA-best 126 missed tackles this season.

Kiper: “Jeanty displays excellent contact balance and toughness, which help him skirt past the first line of defense and through traffic. … And don’t sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.”

8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound McMillan already has a sturdy NFL frame and proved himself on the field this season, ranking third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards on 84 receptions and eight touchdowns as a Biletnikoff finalist.

Kiper: “McMillan is a big-bodied receiver who can be a mismatch for smaller corners. And his great size, body control, concentration and hands help him consistently win in contested-catch situations. He can snatch the ball and make it look easy.”

9. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The Butkus Award winner has been a force amid the Georgia defense since his arrival in Athens. That includes capping his collegiate career with 62 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2024, as the 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker becomes the next in a long line of elite Georgia defenders turned first round picks.

Kiper: “Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He’s a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher.”

10. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Banks has locked down the left side of the Longhorns’ offensive line since landing in Austin as the No. 2 overall tackle in the 2022 class. Banks’ best attribute is his consistency, surrendering only three sacks over 42 career starts in his three seasons with Texas.

Kiper: “He has the mobility to quickly block off the edge and then the frame and strength to take care of power rushers. He just needs to become more consistent in the run game as a blocker.”

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board — Nos. 11-25:

11. Will Campbell, OT, LSU
12. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
13. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (+4)
14. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (-1)
15. Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia
16. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (+4)
17. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina (-1)
18. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (-4)
19. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (-1)
20. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (-1)
21. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
22. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
23. Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M (+3)
24. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee (-1)
25. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (-1)