Dylan Sampson doesn't make Mel Kiper's list of top 10 running backs for 2025 NFL Draft
Dylan Sampson isn’t one of the top-ten running backs on Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2025 NFL Draft Board. The longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst updated his list of top prospects position-by-position this week, but Tennessee’s star running back didn’t make the cut.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty was ranked No. 1, ahead of Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech), Jordan James (Oregon), Nicholas Singleton (Penn State) and RJ Harvey (UFC).
In the 33-14 win over Mississippi State Saturday night, Samspon became the 20th Tennessee running back to go over 1,000 yards in a season. He has 1,129 yards on 201 carries through nine games, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt and 125.4 yards per game. He also now holds the Tennessee single-season rushing touchdown record, sitting on 20 with three games left in the regular season.
Dylan Sampson on pace for 1,504 yards, 27 touchdowns this season
Sampson for his career has 2,130 yards on 365 carries and has scored 34 total touchdowns. He has one year of eligibility remaining next season.
He has ran for 100 or more yards in eight of nine games this season and last week had career highs with 149 yards on 30 carries. He has scored at least one rushing touchdown all nine games this season and has multiple rushing touchdowns in seven of nine games.
Kiper has Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce at No. 14 overall on his 2025 NFL Draft big board. Pearce is ranked No. 3 among outside linebackers, behind Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Georgia’s Mykel Williams.
Kiper’s No. 1 overall player is Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, who came in ahead of No. 2 Will Johnson, the Michigan corner, and Abdul Carter. Mykel Williams was ranked No. 4 and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham was ranked No. 5.
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Others ranked ahead of Pearce were Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Texas A&M defensive end Nic Scourton, Georgia safety Malaki Starks, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Pearce in nine games this season has 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 27 total tackles. During a breakout sophomore season in 2023 he finished with 10.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 28 tackles.
“Tennessee spent the early part of the season rolling its opponents,” Kiper wrote, “limiting Pearce to 56 snaps over the team’s first three games. But Pearce — who is coming off a 10-sack season in 2023 — has seen plenty of action of late. I see a lot of speed off the edge, and he does a nice job mixing up his pass-rush moves to keep offensive tackles on their heels.
“Pearce could still add weight to his frame. But even at 243 pounds, he shows the ability to win with power. And when asked to help in run defense, he has the quickness to make plays in lateral pursuit.”
