Welcome to bowl season! The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner now that the Heisman Trophy has been awarded and the regular season has concluded. Playoff games will begin this coming weekend. Although there were only a few college football games played this weekend, the news and on-field results were still significant.

Some players received disappointing injury news or are facing decisions that might negatively impact their future. On the other hand, several players are gaining momentum after announcing their intentions for the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Let’s take a look at three stars who have increased their draft stock and those who have seen it decline.

CFB Week 16 Risers

This week only had a few games played, so we're highlighting three risers and fallers who weren't just on the field. 

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Blake Horvath, QB, Navy

The process for military servicemen to enter the NFL has become increasingly difficult in recent years, particularly since the Joe Biden Administration eliminated the waiver process that previously allowed academy graduates to defer their mandatory two years of service until after their playing careers. Despite this challenge, players like Roger Staubach, Alejandro Villanueva, Keenan Reynolds, and Joe Cardona have managed to secure spots on NFL rosters over the past few decades.

Blake Horvath will not graduate until 2025 and likely would not have been able to declare early even when the waiver process was still in place. Although he is not a prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, Horvath deserves recognition for his outstanding performance during the 2024 campaign. After completing his service in the Navy, he is expected to attract interest from NFL teams.

Horvath had a standout game against Army, achieving his second 200-yard performance of the season. Weighing 195 pounds, he had only 12 passing attempts and 37 carries in 2023, but his breakout season helped position Navy for a potential upset against Army. When the time comes, Horvath should receive training camp invitations to showcase his skills, as he has the athleticism and toughness to succeed as a tailback in the NFL.

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Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

It's no surprise that Nic Scourton remains high on draft boards and has declared for the 2025 draft class after just one season at Texas A&M. The NFL demands exceptional athleticism to excel, and Scourton certainly possesses those qualities. At 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 285 pounds, he is ideally suited to play any position in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes.

In 2023, Scourton had an impressive season at Purdue, recording 10 sacks. While he didn't replicate those numbers at Texas A&M, he also played 144 fewer snaps and focused more on run defense. With Scourton officially in the 2025 draft class, he is expected to rise in rankings.

Kyren Lacy, WR, LSU

Over the past week, I had the opportunity to evaluate several players and came away more impressed with Kyren Lacy than ever before. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 213 pounds, he possesses a strong physical presence that will help him compete effectively at the next level. In a 2025 class that lacks well-built options not overly reliant on speed, Lacy clearly stands out.

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One potential concern with receivers of his size is that Lacy isn't as fast or explosive as smaller players weighing around 170 pounds. However, his toughness and strength enable him to excel both on the inside and outside, allowing him to perform well on routes and make contested catches. He reminds me of Jarvis Landry in terms of playing style.

With a drop rate below 10% and a solid athletic profile, Lacy is likely to draw interest in the top 100 selections.

CFB Week 16 Fallers

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Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Public information about Carson Beck's elbow injury is limited, but the worst-case scenario for his UCL injury is that he may need Tommy John surgery, similar to what Brock Purdy experienced last offseason. Given how poorly Beck has performed with a weakened supporting cast at Georgia and now faces a lengthy recovery period, his draft stock has clearly declined. The earlier projections of him being a first-round pick now seem unrealistic.

Beck's increased turnover rate, coupled with a significant drop in yards per attempt, pressure-to-sack rate, and performance under pressure, are serious red flags. Few quarterbacks in the nation struggled more than Beck when facing pressure this season; however, he has shown to be strategic and effective when given a clean pocket. This contrasting performance is reminiscent of the challenges faced by teams that observed players like Mac Jones and Kenny Pickett struggle in the NFL.

Finding the right team will be crucial for Beck, as he is no longer eligible to play in college.

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Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State

After missing most of the 2024 season due to a partially torn ACL, Kevin Winston Jr. is entering the NFL draft. Although Winston was considered a top safety, right behind Malaki Starks, his absence allowed other players to rise in prominence. With concerns about his health and a lost year of film, Winston is expected to slide down draft boards.

The key question is how much trust evaluators will place in Winston's 2023 tape and whether they will overlook his injury. Historically, players in similar situations tend to suffer in the draft, despite being elite athletes not long ago. Safeties are generally not highly valued, and Winston's circumstances present a challenge.

When healthy, Winston is a well-rounded star. The term "versatility" is often overused to describe someone who performs adequately in various areas, but Winston truly excels in run defense, tackling, and coverage. Just five months ago, he was viewed as a first-round talent.

However, given the current situation, he may end up being a borderline top-100 pick, potentially deemed one of the premier value selections in the class.

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Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

I raised the question after a remarkable run by Texas that gave the program a chance to compete for a National Championship: Should Quinn Ewers jump to the NFL before he is ready, or should he transfer from the Longhorns while his stock is still high? I take no pleasure in Ewers facing a declare-or-transfer ultimatum after a season marred by injuries and inconsistency.

Despite significant interest reported in the transfer portal, Ewers is set to enter the NFL draft, even though his 2024 season was uneven and did not show the growth he needed. There were some positive moments, such as improvements in his throwing motion and better responses to pressure, but overall, one must question whether he profiles as a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. Furthermore, will he continue to improve after leaving Steve Sarkisian’s elite scheme and the support of Texas' offensive line?

Given Ewers' pocket-heavy playing style, he will require a strong supporting cast and a skilled offensive coach to maximize his potential. Once projected to go in the first round, it now seems unlikely that Ewers will be picked before several other prospects who had better seasons. He may end up as a third-round pick in 2025.