With the Indianapolis Colts now out of playoff contention, let’s take a moment to turn our attention to the 2025 NFL draft with the second round of the College Football playoffs underway.
Playing in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day will be Notre Dame and Georgia. So, as the game unfolds, which prospects should you have your eyes on?
Trying to figure out at this stage of the game whether any of these players could become Colts is a nearly impossible task. But it does provide us with some names to monitor as the pre-draft process unfolds in the coming months.
Of note, the Colts will have seven draft picks–one in each round–and some positions of need include tight end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, safety, and running back.
With help from Pro Football Focus, who has already constructed a big board for the upcoming draft, here are the top prospects in Wednesday’s Notre Dame vs Georgia matchup:
S Malaki Starks, Georgia: A very good athlete who can wear a lot of hats on the back end of a defense. Starks has been a sound tackler in his career with good ball production, including 14 pass breakups and six interceptions in three seasons.
LB Jalon Walker, Georgia: Walker has been utilized as a blitzer, generating 28 pressures this year–the third-most among all linebackers in college football. Walker has also been a sound tackler, benefitting him in the run game and also helping to limit yards after the catch, as he is holding pass-catchers to just 8.9 yards per catch.
S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame: Watts has played all over the defensive backfield for Notre Dame, with 226 snaps in the box, 127 from the slot, and 340 as the free safety. He’s recorded six pressures, made 52 of his 63 tackle attempts, and allowed a completion rate of 54% at 10.4 yards per catch with five interception and three interceptions.
ED Mykel Williams, Georgia: Williams has forced 26 pressures this season, five of which have turned to sacks. He’s also been one of the best run defenders at the edge rusher position, according to PFF’s metrics.
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame: As a blitzer, Kiser has logged 13 pressures and been an extremely reliable tackler, making 74 of his 77 attempts. Kiser is one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders this season. In coverage he has one pass breakup and allowed 10.1 yards per catch.
Other prospects to watch:
G Tate Ratledge, Georgia
CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
TE Benjamin Yurosek, Georgia
RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
IDL Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
TE Michell Evans, Notre Dame
*CB Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame is expected to be a first round pick in the draft but will not be playing due to an early season injury.