Bowl season is in full swing, and the first round of the College Football Playoff brought plenty of exciting action. Although every game was a blowout, it was still an excellent opportunity to observe how the best competition in the nation affected player performances. Notably, even playmakers on losing teams stood out.

The way these games unfold can serve as a significant highlight at the end of a player's career. Some athletes are looking to make a strong impression on scouts, showing that their future in football will be even brighter at the next level. It all fits into a complex puzzle.

Let’s examine three players whose stock rose for the 2025 NFL Draft and those whose stock declined.

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CFB Bowl Games Stock Up Players

Honorable Mention

We had so many standout stars that we had to include an honorable mention list of risers.

• Xavier Watts, SAF, Notre Dame
• Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
• Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
• Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis

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Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas

Stats: 14 carries, 146 yards, 2 TDs; 2 receptions, 31 yards

Texas had little trouble handling Clemson in the trenches, and no one benefitted more than Jaydon Blue. The speedy, 200-pound running back delivered a season-best performance in what was the most crucial game of Texas' season so far. 

Despite initial expectations for Blue to blossom into a superstar, he had only three games where he rushed for more than 83 yards.

That seems to be changing now that Blue is healthy and no longer dealing with a quarterback who has been clearly hampered by injuries. 

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Blue's explosiveness was on full display against Clemson, highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown run and a 21-yard reception. He looked like a completely different player than the one who had been limited by an ankle injury and had previously lost four fumbles throughout the year.

With his impressive first step and acceleration, Blue is one of the most dangerous ball carriers eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. Although he is just a junior, Blue can make a strong case to become a top-100 pick despite past setbacks. 

His potential as a three-down back and his ability to fit into modern NFL offenses are unique attributes that help mitigate concerns about his size and lack of experience.

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Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Stats: 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Penn State dominated SMU from the start, using their superior athleticism to establish a lead and maintain control of the game. Abdul Carter's name is likely to become well-known in the coming years, as he is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, his teammate, Dani Dennis-Sutton, is working hard to secure a selection in the early part of Day 2.

The 6-foot-5, 272-pound junior entered the game with only four sacks but has consistently generated pressure. He embodies the characteristics of previous Penn State pass rushers who may not have accumulated a high sack total, despite possessing the physical attributes expected of dominant defensive players. 

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Although he may not yet reach the level of Carter or Micah Parsons, Dennis-Sutton’s performance provided some compelling insights into his potential.

With his NFL-ready size and power, Dennis-Sutton demonstrated improved awareness in situational play and better hand techniques during this game. He needs to maintain this upward trajectory in the playoffs, especially considering his relative invisibility in previous matchups against Ohio State and Oregon.

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TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Stats: 10 carries, 80 yards, 2 TDs; 4 receptions, 54 yards

One of the most intriguing developments during the 2024 season has been TreVeyon Henderson's rise above his teammate, Quinshon Judkins. While Judkins has performed adequately as a Buckeye, he has struggled to adapt to the team's beleaguered offensive line. 

His usual patience and agility have not been fully utilized due to a line that has been unable to create a consistent push.

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In contrast, Henderson has been effective by lowering his shoulders and powering through the chaos. He utilizes his speed as soon as a gap opens up. 

Although Judkins is likely to excel in the NFL given a better situation, Henderson has emerged as the more talented player overall. He is outstanding in pass protection and as a receiver, along with possessing the toughness and breakaway speed that make him a home-run threat.

As demonstrated in the game against Indiana, Henderson executed a long finishing run late in the match. If he had more open space to exploit, his 29-yard touchdown could have potentially been a 99-yarder. His explosiveness is evident, and it will undoubtedly translate to success at the next level.

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CFB Bowl Games Stock Down Players

Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Stats: 2 carries, 6 yards

Dylan Sampson’s hamstring injury early in the game forced him to miss most of Tennessee’s disappointing performance. Although Sampson worked hard to return to the field, doing sprints and warming up at halftime, he was limited after ESPN reported on his lower-body injury during the broadcast. 

Despite catching a short pass in the third quarter, Sampson, who is the Volunteers' best player, was largely ineffective. 

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It would be unfair to criticize Sampson for being injured, but this situation represents a missed opportunity. While Henderson capitalized on his chances, Sampson could have benefited from doing the same. 

The 2025 running back class is impressive, but Sampson’s underwhelming final performance raised questions about his standing. Instead of competing for the RB3 spot, he might fall to RB7 or RB8.

Sampson’s explosiveness and ability to find open space make him particularly appealing for spread offenses. However, we were hoping to see him demonstrate toughness, vision, and versatility on third downs, which would have added more value to his game. These aspects still have lingering questions.

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DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State

Season stats: 53.8% completion rate, 1,065 yards, 4 TDs, 6 INTs

DJ Uiagalelei's lone season at Florida State was far from amusing—unless you were a Gators fan. However, his announcement to enter the 2025 NFL Draft was somewhat laughable given his struggles. 

After a tremendously disappointing season characterized by poor decision-making, lack of accuracy, and feeling overwhelmed in a new environment, the notion that Uiagalelei should pursue an NFL career seemed implausible. It appeared more logical for him to transfer to a fourth school in as many years.

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Instead, the 6-foot-4, 252-pound player chose to take a chance on being drafted late or potentially becoming a camp arm fighting for a spot in the NFL. Despite a strong debut season in 2020 with Clemson, consistency has eluded Uiagalelei throughout his career. His passing mechanics, inherent lack of accuracy, and slow processing speed have shown little improvement.

His season at Oregon State turned out to be the most promising of his five-year journey. In hindsight, it would have been wise for him to capitalize on his role as a game manager.

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Nic Anderson, WR, LSU

2023 stats: 38 receptions, 798 yards, 10 TDs

There aren't many more talented vertical receiving threats in the nation than Nic Anderson. The former Oklahoma star transferred to LSU last week instead of opting for the NFL Draft, which is understandable considering he missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn quadriceps injury. 

Even if he had played, Oklahoma's quarterback situation was not ideal.

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Anderson's decision to join LSU could pay off significantly, as he will be teaming up with Garrett Nussmeier in a pass-heavy offense. However, there may have been better opportunities available. 

For instance, LSU's top receiver, Kyren Lacy, did not surpass 1,000 receiving yards during the regular season. Anderson is a higher-variance player than Lacy, and Nussmeier's deep ball is not a standout aspect of his game.