New 2024 and 2025 NFL Draft prospects pop up weekly, while some fly under the radar. With the bowl season now here, our focus shifts to a mixture of 2024 prospects, transfer portal entrants, and 2025 emerging names.
In this edition of Scouting the Nation, we look at Michigan’s top weapon, a transfer portal tight end with tremendous upside, and another top-tier offensive lineman playing for the Arizona Wildcats.
Emerging 2024-25 NFL Draft Prospects Entering Bowl Season
Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Watching Michigan’s film over the years, Roman Wilson has always stood out, but he’s broken out in 2023. He has 11 touchdowns going into the playoffs and has been productive week in and week out.
Wilson’s calling card is speed, and there’s a good chance he’s the fastest player at the Combine this year.
Teams must worry about Wilson’s ability to take the top off the defense, which helps open things up for the Wolverines’ offense. He isn’t just a speed threat; Wilson does a great job of separating at the top of his route at the short and intermediate parts of the field. He’s explosive in and out of his breaks, creating consistent separation.
Wilson changes up his tempo to keep defenders guessing, too. His hands are excellent, and he didn’t have a drop on the tape I watched. Most players with elite speed are one-trick ponies. That isn’t the case with Wilson. He separates at all three levels of the field and catches everything thrown his way.
Wilson expects to continue his success throughout the pre-draft process and hear his name called in the second round.
Jack Velling, TE, Oregon State
After two productive years at Oregon State, Jack Velling entered the transfer portal. As a true freshman, Velling took advantage of Luke Musgrave being out and recorded 277 yards and three touchdowns. That kind of production is rare for a true freshman, and it was evident that Velling would be a threat for years to come.
He doubled that production this year, with 438 yards and eight touchdowns. As in his film, Velling always looked like a high-end athlete when watching Oregon State live. He’s explosive off the line, with a quick first step and awe-inspiring speed for a tight end.
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Velling is a loose athlete who makes sharp cuts and is a nightmare to cover man to man. He excels at working up the seam and is a big threat for the quarterback to throw to. He’s a hand catcher and is very good at creating yards after the catch.
He’s the complete package for a receiving TE, but Velling is also a willing blocker. His athleticism is on full display as a blocker, especially on the move. As he continues to get stronger and improve his technique, Velling will take the next step as a blocker.
He’s the best tight end in the transfer portal and has legitimate difference-making ability. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him drafted in a similar range to Musgrave — Velling is that good.
Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
The Wildcats have completely turned around their football program and have several draftable players. One is left tackle Jordan Morgan, who should be a first-round pick next April. But when watching his tape, it was hard not to notice right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea.
For being only a true sophomore this season, Savaiinaea displayed exceptional play strength on film. His grip strength was excellent, he generated a lot of power through his hips, and continually finished plays in the run game.
As a run blocker, Savaiinaea climbs to the second level with control and then uses that power to displace defenders and drive them out of the play.
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There were several wow plays on Savaiinaea’s film as a run blocker. In pass protection, Savaiinaea’s strong hands allow him to jolt and disrupt defenders at contact. When he got his hands on defenders, Savaiinaea won the rep. He’s also a knee bender with the foot quickness to mirror defenders.
Savaiinaea started as a guard as a true freshman and was named an All-American. To transition so easily to tackle shows the kind of talent Savaiinaea possesses. He has the upside to be a better prospect than Morgan and will be the best offensive lineman in the Big 12 next season.