If the adage about iron sharpening iron holds true, then the college football conference championship weekend was extremely valuable in forecasting how today's collegiate talents will perform in the NFL. 

The top teams in the nation faced off on Friday and Saturday, resulting in some of the most competitive games we've witnessed this season. It's safe to say that NFL scouts were closely monitoring every eligible player.

Whether it was the SEC clash between Texas and Georgia, the Mountain West rematch featuring Boise State and UNLV, or Marshall's victory over Louisiana-Lafayette, there was much to observe this week. 

We analyzed each match and highlighted the standout performances. This has led to a clear delineation between those whose stock has risen and those who have seen a decline leading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

Let's take a look at three players who boosted their 2025 NFL Draft stock, as well as those who experienced a drop.

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CFB Week 15 Risers for 2025 NFL Draft

Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Stats: 4 tackles, 1 sack

The nation's top pass-rusher further increased his sack count against ULL. Mike Green has been quickly emerging as a potential first-round pick in recent weeks, as scouts have taken notice of his impressive game and athletic ability. 

He appeared in last week's first-round mock draft, and shortly after, Dane Brugler included him in his first mock draft as well.

An explosive speed rusher with 17 sacks and 63 quarterback pressures to his name, the 6-foot-4, 248-pound player could very well be the first edge defender selected in the draft. 

While he may not have the 280-pound build that some prospects possess, Green excels in utilizing his physical attributes and has developed a remarkable skill set. It's no coincidence that he is so dominant.

By adding yet another sack to his total this past week, Green demonstrated his effectiveness even when the Ragin' Cajuns provided assistance against him throughout the game. While it might be a stretch to compare his potential to that of Khalil Mack, there are clear similarities when observing how Green overpowers and dominates opponents from lower-tier competition. 

This is exactly what scouts look for when assessing talent from non-Power 4 teams as they transition to the NFL.

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Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Stats: 11 receptions, 181 yards, 1 TD

Speed is always in vogue, and it’s time to reevaluate whether Isaiah Bond truly holds the title of the top vertical receiver in the 2025 class. While Bond managed only one catch for 22 yards against Georgia, bringing his season total to 532 yards, Tez Johnson delivered a standout performance against a strong Penn State defense. No other receiver outperformed Johnson this week, and he’s getting closer to some important milestones.

With 77 receptions for 866 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound slot receiver delivers impressive results despite his size. His explosive speed off the line keeps defenders guessing about his direction. Johnson has spent nearly 80 percent of his snaps in the slot, which might restrict his NFL prospects, but he also demonstrates a strong fit for a realistic role at that level.

Penn State struggled to keep up with Johnson’s agility and ability to create plays in the open field. He forced five missed tackles and helped convert six first downs, marking his best outing of the season. Although Johnson’s weight could make first-round selection a challenge, he is unlikely to remain on the board for long on Day 2.

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Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Stats: 1 tackle, 2 INTs, 1 pass breakup

Daylen Everette faced a tough challenge against Quinn Ewers and the strong receivers from Texas, allowing just three completions on nine targets for 47 yards and one penalty. In his most significant game of the season, he held his ground, forcing two interceptions and breaking up another pass. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior entered this week with only one interception, making this performance even more impressive.

As the second half of the season unfolded, Everette showcased noticeable growth and improvement. Although he started slowly in 2024, his effectiveness in coverage reflects the confidence he developed during 2023. His size, speed, and competitiveness at the catch point will undoubtedly catch the attention of NFL teams.

Since Week 8, Everette has allowed just one team to achieve an NFL passer rating above 94. With only three penalties called against him all season, there’s plenty of positive performance to build upon. If he can regain his tackling efficiency from 2023, or if his 21 percent missed tackle rate can be addressed, he could very well be a top-100 draft pick.

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CFB Week 15 Fallers for 2025 NFL Draft

Ricky White, WR, UNLV

Stats: 4 receptions, 21 yards

Ricky White, despite being among the players with the most targets this week, had one of the least effective performances on the field. While UNLV’s strategy focused on downfield routes—which are generally harder to complete—White, known for his quickness and route-running abilities, often found it difficult to gain separation against Boise State.

Throughout the season, White amassed 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns, showcasing his excellent body control, reliable hands, and overall speed. However, his performances against Houston, Kansas, and Boise State were underwhelming, resulting in just nine catches for a total of 36 yards. With a young quarterback leading the offense, White's struggles to make an impact in crucial games are disappointing.

Nonetheless, White still has the chance to be considered a top-100 prospect. The depth of this receiver class is lacking, and he is likely to perform well at an all-star game and the NFL Scouting Combine. Sadly, he didn’t conclude the season on the high note he was aiming for.

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Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson

Stats: 13 carries, 28 yards; 1 reception, 2 yards

Saturday's ACC Championship game marked Phil Mafah's third performance in four games where he was held to under 30 rushing yards. An injury sustained against Citadel limited him to just three carries, and Dabo Swinney mentioned that Mafah was dealing with discomfort heading into the SMU matchup. Playing in the NFL can be even more challenging when you're not at full strength.

Mafah has struggled with speed and decisiveness, and he hasn't shown the power typically expected from a player of his size at 230 pounds. He consistently runs too tall, and his lateral agility is lacking, making it hard for him to evade defenders. Mafah tends to be most effective when he has a clear path to run.

While there's still some value in that style of play at the NFL level, recent performances could leave Mafah at risk of going undrafted as a free agent following this past month’s difficulties.

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Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon

Stats: 2 tackles

Jordan Burch has been hindered by a knee injury over the past month, but after playing 57 snaps against Penn State, there were expectations that the 6-foot-6, 295-pound defensive lineman would make a noticeable impact at some point. Unfortunately, the game unfolded differently. Penn State effectively exploited Oregon's run defense, and Burch frequently found himself on the receiving end of their focused offensive strategy.

Burch's greatest strength lies in his combination of size and speed, which allows him to execute powerful moves and close in quickly on plays. However, when those techniques fail, he often relies solely on his athleticism, which proves insufficient against strong college football teams and even more so against NFL-caliber players.

Given that Burch was also ineffective against Michigan and missed the game against Ohio State, scouts are left questioning how many of his 8.5 sacks this season will translate to the professional level. Moving forward, Burch needs to elevate his performance significantly.