Week 1 of the 2024 college football campaign met expectations. Thrilling performances and nail-biting finishes were littered throughout an exciting slate of contests. Various 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls are already using the new season to improve their pre-draft profile.
We've identified five talents that raised their draft stock.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar flashed development in Saturday's 34-12 victory over West Virginia. Allar was efficient for a new-look Nittany Lions offense, completing 11-of-17 passing attempts for 216 yards and three touchdowns. The dual-threat QB added 44 rushing yards to his offensive totals.
Allar entered the season as our QB8 per the Draft Network 100 prospect rankings. Allar looked great under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. He's already climbing the pre-draft quarterback rankings.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty shattered the program's single-game rushing record by running for 267 yards and six touchdowns in a big-time 56-45 win over Georgia Southern. Jeanty scored the Broncos' first six touchdowns of the game, including scampers of 77 and 75 yards.
Jeanty deserves more consideration for RB1, even in a loaded class. To date, that preseason conversation mostly featured Ollie Gordon II, Quinshon Judkins, and Omarion Hampton. Jeanty is elevating himself into that mix.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward ultimately returned to college football despite initially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, presumably because his pre-draft stock wasn’t where he wanted it to be. Ward ended up entering the portal and transferring to Miami, his third program after previously playing at Incarnate Word and Washington State. In Saturday's dominant 41-17 blowout victory over their rival Florida Gators, he proved he can be a real wild card in the first-round QB discussion.
Ward completed 26-of-35 attempts for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He added 33 rushing yards via three scrambles to his offensive output. Ward is capable of proving that he can hang with the big-named quarterback prospects all season long.
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke enters the season attempting to make it two outstanding years in a row. Recurring injuries derailed his 2022 campaign, but the versatile cover-man returned to form in 2023, totaling nine pass breakups. A similar showing this season will confirm the scouting report.
Burke was outstanding in the Buckeyes' blowout 52-6 win over Akron. The versatile cover-man recorded his first interception of the new season by stealing the ball away from the Zips receiver. Burke has future first-round potential.
Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Ward’s go-to target in Saturday’s win over Florida was wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. Ward targeted him early and often. Restrepo gave the Gators cornerbacks fits all afternoon long by recording seven receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown.
Restrepo barely cracked our initial Draft Network 100 rankings, clocking in at 99th overall as our 16th-ranked wideout. Restrepo displayed big-play ability by averaging 16 yards per catch, and his touchdown was a 24-yard pass from Ward. The Coconut Creek native is a sudden receiver with advanced route-running ability and secure hands.
