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 a 2024 Senior Bowl wide receiver, the best running back in the draft, and a first-round cornerback for 2025.
Emerging 2024-25 NFL Draft Prospects Entering Bowl Season
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
A highly productive wideout, whoever drafts Ricky Pearsall will get a steal on Day 2.
Pearsall is an incredibly precise route runner, allowing him to create consistent separation. He’s the best route runner I have evaluated in this class, and that aspect of his game will get him onto the field as a rookie.
Pearsall’s footwork at the line of scrimmage was fantastic, and he has an extensive release package. He’s twitchy at the top of his stem. That, combined with his explosiveness, made it difficult for cornerbacks to stick with him throughout his routes. He’s a hands catcher and does not drop passes often.
Pearsall’s athleticism makes it easy for him to redirect his body to make difficult catches — he tracks the ball well downfield.
Teams will also be enticed by Pearsall’s inside/outside versatility. He can play both at the next level and have success.
Even the little things, such as blocking, Pearsall excels at. His route running, hands, and athleticism will make him an early contributor and a long-term starter.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Jonathon Brooks, my top running back in the draft, wins with impressive vision and agility. His patience stood out on film, and he does a really good job of finding holes to run through.
Brooks’ explosiveness allows him to break off big runs, and his size makes him difficult to bring down. He’s reliable as a pass catcher, displaying good hands and the ability to run routes. His blocking and pass-catching will make him a three-down back at the next level.
MORE: Top Running Backs in the 2024 NFL Draft
He was not only the best running back in college football but also getting better each week in his first year as a starter. Taking over for Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, Brooks looked like he was well on his way to being a top-40 selection before his season-ending knee injury.
With how players have returned from ACL injuries, Brooks should be a bell-cow back by Year 2 and should still be a Day 2 selection. He very well could develop into one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
As a freshman, it was evident that Benjamin Morrison was the real deal. He had six interceptions and was unbelievable down the stretch. His interception total was down this season, but that’s because teams tried to avoid him.
Morrison is excellent in press-man coverage playing as the boundary cornerback for Notre Dame. His route recognition, instincts, and body control are off the charts. He was always in the wideout’s hip pocket and rarely gave up any separation.
The playmaking corner did a great job of using the sideline to his advantage, and Morrison has the ball-tracking ability to make a play on the football downfield. There was zero strain on vertical routes, and Morrison possesses the physicality to contest receivers at the catch point. His reaction time is so quick, and his football IQ was also phenomenal.
Morrison gave Marvin Harrison Jr. his toughest test in college this past season and won that matchup. When it was best on best, Morrison stepped up to the challenge. He’s a safe first-round prospect with the ceiling to be a perennial Pro Bowler.
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