The Week 5 schedule in the Big 12 features an outstanding noon matchup on Saturday between No. 20 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Kansas State. Elsewhere, Colorado faces UCF and Utah battles Arizona in the late-night contest.
Big 12 talents around the nation will use these opportunities to increase their pre-draft stock. The road to the 2025 NFL Draft is a weekly journey that is crucial to the resume-building process. We've identified five talents in particular worth analyzing in Week 5.
Kobe Hudson, WR, UCF
vs. Colorado defense
What To Look For: The most exciting player-on-player matchup on this weekend's slate has to be UCF wide receiver Kobe Hudson versus Colorado's two-way superstar Travis Hunter. Hudson has been effective this season, ranking eighth in the conference in receiving yards with 310. He's a big play waiting to happen. His explosive yards per catch average of 23.8 leads the entire conference among players with 10 receptions (he has 13 so far).
Hudson is extremely quick and savvy. His alignment versatility means he’s capable of lining up at all three receiver positions. Hunter may be tasked with shadowing UCF's biggest offensive threat.
Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
vs. Oklahoma State offense
What To Look For: Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish is among the best tacklers at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft class. That skill will be tested against Oklahoma State this weekend. Parrish will be tasked with coming downhill on occasion to meet Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II.
When in traditional boundary positions, Parrish should cover Cowboys wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who's already recorded 20 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns this year. With four interceptions and 13 pass breakups throughout 2023, Parrish has some of the best ball skills in the country.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
vs. Utah defense
What To Look For: Arguably the top-ranked receiver in this upcoming draft class, Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan has been feast or famine this season. He began the new campaign in historic fashion, recording 304 yards and four touchdowns in his debut versus New Mexico. He somehow followed that up with 11 yards against Northern Arizona before torching Kansas State for 11 receptions and 138 yards.
The Utes are a difficult matchup for McMillan this weekend. Kyle Whittingham's program is currently allowing a stingy 167 passing yards per game. They'll no doubt be shifting coverage in McMillan's direction.
DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
vs. Oklahoma State defense
What To Look For: Kansas State will attempt to establish the run against Oklahoma State in the only ranked matchup of the weekend. Wildcats running back DJ Giddens ranks fifth in the entire conference in ground yards with 417. Giddens is averaging an effective 6.1 yards per attempt.
Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin will attempt to meet Giddens in the hole. The No. 55-ranked prospect in our latest Draft Network Top 100 rankings, Martin will be eager to test his abilities against one of the NFL-caliber backs in the conference.
Jereme Robinson, EDGE, Kansas
vs. TCU offense
What To Look For: Kansas EDGE Jereme Robinson appears on this year's Senior Bowl watchlist. The Montgomery, Alabama native has taken a massive step forward this season. Robinson is currently tied for fourth in the conference with 3.5 sacks through four contests, one quarterback takedown away from last season's previous career-high mark of 4.5.
The Jayhawks are considered slight favorites over TCU. Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover currently leads the Big 12 in passing yards with 1,418. Robinson will attempt to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
