There's just one game left in the college football season: the National Championship Game. Ohio State and Notre Dame are set to face off in a historic clash, while Penn State and Texas delivered two thrilling, closely contested matches. The recent wave of declarations for the 2025 NFL Draft seemed minor compared to the excitement of the College Football Playoff.

While this final game won’t drastically change anyone’s NFL prospects, it serves as the culmination of careers on the grandest stage in college football. As witnessed in both games, tension-filled moments revealed the best and worst in players. These performances will be significant when teams are making their choices in late April.

Let’s take a look at three stars whose 2025 NFL Draft stock rose, along with a few who experienced a decline.

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College Football Playoff Risers

Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Stats: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and recovery, 1 TD

Jack Sawyer was undeniably the most dominant and consistent player in the Cotton Bowl. An exceptional athlete and run defender, he has significantly enhanced his performance this season. Previously regarded as a solid player with Day 2 projections, he is now emerging as a potential late first-round pick as his pass-rushing skills continue to flourish.

With an impressive tally of 60 pressures and nine sacks this year, Sawyer has made key plays throughout the season. One of the standout moments was his remarkable strip-sack of Quinn Ewers, which he scooped up and returned for an 83-yard touchdown during a critical fourth down. He showcased exceptional speed and coordination, breezing past top-45 prospect Cameron Williams to make the play.

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Earlier this season, Sawyer also gave the Buckeyes a glimmer of hope against Michigan by intercepting a pass at the goal line, putting Ohio State in a position to potentially win the game against their rival. Although they didn't succeed at that moment, he ensured there would be no further disappointments for his hometown Buckeyes with his performance against Texas.

Against Texas, Sawyer recorded six pressures and a run stop, reinforcing his status as a legitimate Day 1 starter and a strong first-round draft candidate.

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Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL)

Stats: N/A

Carson Beck faced a tough choice about his future after enduring a challenging 2024 season. After suffering a blown elbow while trying to lead a struggling Georgia offense to the College Football Playoff, he had three options: begin his NFL career at a disadvantage, return to a Bulldogs team lacking top talent in 2025, or start anew elsewhere. 

Ultimately, he chose to join his girlfriend, Hanna Cavinder, in Miami, following in Cameron Ward's footsteps as a one-year transfer aiming to improve his draft stock.

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Beck’s decision proved to be wise. As a pocket passer with a solid but not exceptional arm, he had difficulty maintaining consistency after his standout 2023 season. His decision-making faltered, and his ability to handle pressure was even less reliable.

Considering his injury and the anticipated recovery timeline, he may find himself falling to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. While he will encounter hurdles as he works on his throwing and adapts to a new offensive system, the Hurricanes offered him a lucrative opportunity to recover in a pleasant climate and benefit from a more forgiving ACC schedule.

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TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Stats: 6 carries, 42 yards; 1 reception, 75 yards, TD

The Buckeyes faced a significant setback just before halftime despite a strong sense that they had been outplaying Texas. A series of penalties and careless mistakes allowed the Longhorns to equalize with under a minute left in the half. However, a well-timed and executed screen pass kept the Buckeyes from falling apart, a tendency they've shown in high-pressure playoff situations.

TreVeyon Henderson has emerged as a standout performer this season. Initially seen as the second-best running back on his own team, that perception has completely changed. Henderson has developed into a tougher and more reliable player, combining those qualities with explosive speed in open space.

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His impressive 75-yard touchdown reception showcased his agility, vision, and straight-line speed.

When Henderson is given room to maneuver, he poses a serious threat to defenses. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 210 pounds, he can leverage his strength effectively by lowering his shoulder. His quick acceleration allows him to generate significant yardage with ease.

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While he only had six carries, he demonstrated his potential with a 22-yard gain on a stretch play. It’s easy to picture Henderson excelling in the offenses of Dallas, Cincinnati, or Cleveland due to his skill set. He could potentially be the second-best running back in this draft class, especially given his exceptional abilities in pass protection.

College Football Playoff Fallers

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Stats: 12/23 passing, 135 yards, INT

Navigating the duality of Drew Allar's prospects is challenging. While it’s clear he’s not yet ready for the NFL—his passing isn’t aggressive, and he struggles with consistency and handling pressure—there are encouraging signs. 

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Standing at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he possesses a strong arm, has experience in a pro-style offense, and has shown the ability to perform despite a lack of talent at receiver. Plus, at just 20 years old, he has a bright future ahead.

However, his recent performance against Notre Dame didn't help his case. Although Allar has indicated he plans to return to Penn State for the 2025 season, he could easily find himself as QB3 in a draft class with six teams looking for a quarterback within the top seven picks. It’s a tough decision to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially with the Nittany Lions expected to lose their top two playmakers to the NFL.

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The Cleveland Browns, his hometown team, could be a potential landing spot, particularly with a quarterback-friendly coach like Kevin Stefanski. While he would need time to develop and refine his mechanics, returning to Penn State could lead to a decline in his draft stock, akin to what Carson Beck experienced if he doesn’t maintain interest after getting additional playing time.

If the struggles shown against Notre Dame are indicative of future challenges, Allar might want to consider transferring to a more favorable situation or making the jump to the NFL. His difficulties in addressing the aggressive and physical defense he faced could ultimately influence him to remain in college for another year.

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Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

Stats: 1 reception, 8 yards

The addition of Isaiah Bond was anticipated to provide Texas with a new version of Xavier Worthy—an electrifying speedster expected to post a 4.2 time. However, Bond has not made the impact that was hoped for. He ended the season with just 34 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns, and his last game is more memorable for a crucial third-down drop than for any positive contributions.

At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, the junior struggled down the stretch, managing only five receptions for 57 yards over his final five games. If he decides to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, it will be with the hope that his speed will make teams overlook his inconsistent production and lack of effort in run-blocking. 

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Once considered a potential first-round pick at the start of the year, Bond has become one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024-25 season.

Although the 2025 wide receiver class is quite weak, Bond could still be selected in the top 100, and his current momentum is lacking. Struggling to excel in a Steve Sarkisian offense won’t help his prospects moving forward.

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Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Stats: 23/39, 283 yards, 2 TDs, INT, 1 fumble lost

Quinn Ewers is anticipated to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, but his final performance did not meet expectations. While he possesses one of the most impressive natural throwing talents, many aspects of Ewers' game remain frustrating. 

He often fails to step into a significant portion of his throws, lacks pocket awareness, and struggles to navigate under pressure. Additionally, he has difficulty excelling in one of the most favorable schemes in football.

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Against Ohio State, Ewers did showcase some flashes of brilliance, including successfully identifying two running back wheel routes under pressure and executing several well-placed intermediate throws, although his receivers, Bond and Ryan Wingo, let him down on multiple occasions. Matthew Golden's early injury further complicated matters for the quarterback.

Determining Ewers' potential in the NFL is challenging as he may not have access to a top-tier scheme, a solid offensive line, or playmakers as he did at Texas. 

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There is a possibility that a more skilled coaching staff could help maximize his physical abilities and address his shortcomings, potentially placing him in a role similar to Geno Smith in a dynamic passing offense. However, this is a significant expectation and complicates assessing a quarterback requiring a structured environment.