Dane Brugler's NFL Draft watch: Ranking top 30 prospects in Oregon-Ohio State showdown

Ohio State and Oregon will be two of the most represented programs in the 2025 NFL Draft, making the collision of these programs Saturday a must-watch event for NFL teams.

The Buckeyes are in a position to match or break the record of 15 selections in a single draft, and the Ducks are expected to reach double digits.

There is a realistic scenario in which the total 2025 picks between these programs reaches 25 to 30 players.

Advertisement We still have more than six months until draft weekend, but with some input from NFL scouts this is how I would rank the top 30 prospects set to play in this game.

(An asterisk represents an underclassman with eligibility remaining.) GO DEEPER NFL Draft order 2025 projections: Pressing needs for teams stumbling toward top 5 picks 30.

Dillon Gabriel , QB, Oregon An undersized lefty, Gabriel is an up-tempo rhythm passer with a good feel for where to attack a defense.

But despite a high completion percentage (77.8 percent this season), his accuracy has been inconsistent hes thrown three interceptions in the red zone.

NFL scouts consider him a borderline draft pick.

29.

Jeffrey Bassa , LB, Oregon Bassa was an All-Pac 12 defender last season, but he has struggled on the 2024 tape, leaving too much production on the field.

However, he can flip the scouting narrative with a standout performance against Ohio States offense.

28.

Seth McLaughlin , C, Ohio State After an up-and-down 2023 season with Alabama , McLaughlin has played at a high level through five games with Ohio State.

But the Oregon defensive front will be (by far) the biggest test hes had in 2024 and will give NFL evaluators a better sense of how real his improvements are.

GO DEEPER Jeremiah Smith's rise started with a cut: Inside the making of a freshman phenom 27.

Jabbar Muhammad , CB, Oregon Playing a position where the measurables matter, Muhammad is undersized (5 feet 9, 180 pounds).

NFL scouts also have concerns about his speed, which is why most have him projected in the late rounds or undrafted.

But his instinctive ball skills could be his ticket to an NFL roster spot.

26.

Jamaree Caldwell , DT, Oregon A transfer from Houston, Caldwell isnt the most well-known player, but he was an important add this offseason for the Ducks defense.

With his disruptive hands and nose for the ball, he looked worthy of a draft pick on the Michigan State tape last week.

25.

Will Howard , QB, Ohio State Howard (6-4, 240) is a good-sized athlete with enough passing skills to warrant Day 3 draft consideration.

He needs to improve on anticipatory throws and when layering the football.

But with the NFL-level talent around him in Columbus, Howard doesnt need to be a superstar he just needs to distribute the rock and avoid turnovers.

14 yards to cap off a 14-play drive.

Will Howard to Emeka Egbuka gets @OhioStateFB on the board.

pic.twitter.com/JswkWeZ6RC CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 5, 2024 24.

Tegra Tshabola , RG, Ohio State* A former top recruit, Tshabola didnt see much of the field during his first two years in Columbus, and he was a question mark entering the season.

He won the starting right guard job, though, and has played well enough over his first few starts that scouts are excited to see more.

23.

Tez Johnson , WR, Oregon At only 5-10 and 164 pounds, Johnsons size will immediately disqualify him from several draft boards around the league.

But his 4.3 speed likely will get him drafted on Day 3.

Johnson leads Oregon in receiving (43 catches for 395 yards and five TDs) and the Big Ten in punt-return yardage (134 yards), including an 85-yard touchdown return.

PUNT RETURN TD FOR TEZ JOHNSON @oregonfootball takes the lead pic.twitter.com/gi0pjUwU8w FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 8, 2024 22.

Ty Hamilton , DT, Ohio State You dont hear Hamiltons name all that much when watching Ohio State games, but he is fine doing the dirty work in the middle of the muck.

With his physical hands, Hamilton creates push at the point of attack and makes it tough to run the football just ask Iowa.

Hamilton might continue to ascend the rankings.

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Ajani Cornelius , RT, Oregon After not allowing a sack all of last season, Cornelius gave up two in the 2024 opener versus Idaho and hasnt lived up to expectations.

The Harlem native and Rhode Island transfer has an NFL future, but how he performs in a big game like this might determine whether he is a mid- or late-rounder.

20.

Lathan Ransom , S, Ohio State Ransom would have been drafted last year if not for a season-ending injury that lured him back to Columbus for a fifth season.

His zone coverage is still a work in progress, but his read-react skills and closing burst when driving downhill against the run are outstanding.

19.

Jordan Hancock , CB, Ohio State The Buckeyes primary nickel defender, Hancock played just 17 snaps against Iowa as Ohio State loaded up the box and used more base personnel.

But slot corner will be a key role in this matchup versus Oregons offense.

Hancock is in the mid-round mix, but hes trying to convince scouts he is a Day 2 pick.

18.

Josh Conerly Jr.

, LT, Oregon* A consensus five-star recruit out of high school, Conerly has shown flashes of that talent, but consistency is still an issue for him in his third year with the program.

Although he struggled mightily in the opener versus Idaho , Conerly has stacked positive games against UCLA and Michigan State, so scouts are hopeful he is trending in the right direction.

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Ohio State plus five other bets 17.

Jordan James , RB, Oregon* A short and stout back, James became the Ducks lead ball carrier this season and is averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

He runs with outstanding contact balance to pinball off defenders and get more than what is blocked for him (20 of his 88 carries have gone for 10-plus yards).

NFL scouts expect James to declare early.

16.

Bryce Boettcher , LB, Oregon Boettcher has been a pleasant surprise this fall, and his ascension has turned him into one of the Ducks invaluable players.

A Gold Glove-winning center fielder for the Ducks baseball team, Boettcher was drafted this summer by the Houston Astros but he also has a future in football if he wants it.

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Terrance Ferguson , TE, Oregon This years tight-end class has many prospects fighting for a spot in the top 100, Ferguson included.

A good-sized athlete (6-5, 250), he is something of a one-speed guy but catches the ball well and is a tough, physical blocker, especially in space.

Sheesh! Terrance Ferguson brought out the wheels and just keeps going @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/DSCeiTSD9D FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024 14.

Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State* The undisciplined parts of his game will drive you nuts, but Igbinosun has the athletic tools and physical play personality that frustrate receivers.

The Ole Miss transfer can put his name into the top-100 conversation with a strong showing the rest of the season.

13.

Evan Stewart , WR, Oregon* Stewart is the prospect I struggled with most on this list.

His flashes of talent are tantalizing (which is why he sneaked onto my preseason top-50 board), but the production needs to catch up with his potential.

In five games this season, he is averaging 3.2 catches for 36.4 yards and has scored just twice.

12.

Sonny Styles , LB, Ohio State* An ascending talent, Styles was a raw player entering this season, and hes still raw in several areas.

But he is a terrific athlete at his size (6-4 1/4, 239) who has shown improved recognition and run fits on his 2024 tape.

Styles in coverage against Ferguson or James will be key matchups in this contest.

11.

Donovan Jackson , LG, Ohio State A former five-star recruit, Jackson is an explosive big man with a keen understanding of how to play the position.

Though you dont need to squint to see the talent, Jackson still needs to be more consistent in gaining the upper hand and winning individual battles on a snap-to-snap basis.

GO DEEPER College football Week 7 odds, picks ATS: Ohio State-Oregon, Texas-Oklahome and more 10.

Jordan Burch , Edge, Oregon Weighing in at 292 pounds for scouts, Burch is a put-together athlete who moves like a smaller lineman.

Although he lacks deception in his pass rush, he attacks with power and has strength in his hands to put blockers in reverse.

Burch has the useful traits to be a Day 2 pick.

9.

Denzel Burke , CB, Ohio State He doesnt have elite size or speed, but Burke is an alert, pesky cover man with two interceptions already this season.

Though the Arizona native has given up 10 catches so far, he has kept everything underneath and has yet to allow a reception of more than 20 yards.

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TreVeyon Henderson , RB, Ohio State Although his vision and tempo between the tackles can run hot and cold at times, Henderson is an elusive runner due to his wiggle and ability to hit the turbo boosters when presented with a lane.

He also has stepped up in pass protection and is dependable as a pass catcher.

Guys this fast aren't supposed to be this powerful TreVeyon Henderson extends No.

3 @OhioStateFB 's lead.

#B1GFootball on @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/s5IsCwPNND Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 21, 2024 7.

Quinshon Judkins , RB, Ohio State* Coming over from the SEC, Judkins has lived up to the hype, averaging 7.8 yards per carry this season.

He is quick to read the blocking geometry at the line of scrimmage and shows athleticism and balance to pick through traffic.

NFL scouts still want to see more from him as a blocker and pass catcher.

6.

Emeka Egbuka , WR, Ohio State As a blocker and receiver, Egbuka is the straw that stirs the Buckeyes offense.

His veteran presence shows in his routes and at the catch point, and he already has more receiving touchdowns this season (five) than in 10 games last year (four).

5.

Derrick Harmon , DT, Oregon* The highest-ranked Ducks prospect on the list, Harmon has 25 pressures in 2024, which not only leads Oregon but also tops all FBS interior defensive linemen.

The Michigan State transfer has disruptive quickness and is a tough guy to keep blocked.

He could be a surprise first-rounder.

4.

Jack Sawyer , Edge, Ohio State He probably doesnt have NFL star potential, but Sawyer is an easy prospect to like because of his high floor.

A team captain, he rushes with physical hands to create movement and never quits before the whistle.

Sawyer is playing his best football in 2024 and leads the Buckeyes in pressures (18).

GO DEEPER How Ohio State's offense passed a true test: Iowa film review 3.

JT Tuimoloau , Edge, Ohio State Tuimoloau hasnt been dominant against average competition this season, but he frequently gets the Bosa treatment with constant double-teams and is still leading the team in tackles for loss (4.0) and sacks (3.0).

He often plays his best on the biggest stages.

Well see if that happens Saturday.

2.

Josh Simmons , LT, Ohio State* One of the biggest risers this season, Simmons has been playing at a high level (zero penalties, zero sacks allowed).

Give me nimble blockers with smooth body control and finishing skills that description sums up Simmons.

The Oregon defensive line will be his toughest challenge yet.

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Tyleik Williams , DT, Ohio State Williams looked like the best draft-eligible prospect for the Buckeyes over the summer, and Im not ready to abandon that yet.

He missed two games due to injury but returned against Iowa last weekend and looked outstanding, especially defending the run.

(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic ; photo of Emeka Egbuka : Adam Ruff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

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