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Road to the Draft: 5 college pro days to watch

With the 2025 NFL Draft less than a month away, colleges and universities across the country are hosting their annual pro days.

Several schools have already conducted their pro days, including Alabama, Miami, Arizona and the local UNLV Rebels, but many are still yet to be held.

Here's a look at five upcoming pro days with top prospects to keep an eye on.

Ohio State, March 26

A reported 17 players will partake in Ohio State's Pro Day this Wednesday.

It's no surprise the Buckeyes have an influx of talent entering into the 2025 NFL Draft after winning the national championship back in January. The Silver and Black may have some extra intel on these prospects as new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly spend last season with the Buckeyes.

He helped orchestrate one of the top offenses in the country that revolved around quarterback Will Howard, running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, receiver Emeka Egbuka and offensive linemen Donovan Jackson, Seth McLaughlin and Josh Simmons.

Ohio State won't be lacking talent to showcase on the defensive side either, with defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer in attendance. The duo combined for 21.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in 2022.

Boise State, March 26

An overwhelming amount of mock drafts predict the Raiders selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in April.

Jeanty did not participant in any drills at the NFL Combine, so his Pro Day showing could solidify his case to be the top running back drafted. However for many scouts and analysts, his Pro Day showing would only complement what they already believe he can become.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up rushed for 2,601 yards on 374 carries in 2024, leading the nation in both categories. It's also the second-most rushing yards in a single-season by any player in NCAA Division I history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.

"This top-flight running back is capable of becoming the face of an offense in a league where the pendulum might be swinging back to the running game," Lance Zierlein, NFL.com analyst, said. "Jeanty has future All-Pro talent."

LSU, March 26

Offensive tackle Will Campbell is another player the Silver and Black could be considering at No. 6.

The All-American tackle only allowed two sacks in his last two seasons at LSU and has already proven to be one of the more athletic offensive linemen in this class after his showing at the Combine. He was one of five offensive linemen to run a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, along with securing the second-highest broad jump (9-foot-5) of any offensive lineman at the event.

Alongside Campbell, LSU has two other promising offensive linemen to watch in tackle Emery Jones Jr. and guard Miles Frazier. And while the Raiders just selected All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in last year's draft, you can't ignore Mason Taylor – the All-SEC son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. The LSU tight end recorded 546 receiving yards on 55 catches and two touchdowns in 2024.

Penn State, March 28

The Nittany Lions will have some of the top defensive talent to watch at their Pro Day this Friday, starting with edge rusher Abdul Carter.

A small stress fracture found in Carter's foot at the Combine prevented him from partaking in any drills. However, he's planning on participating in his Pro Day after leading the nation in tackles for loss (24) last season.

"Carter has the urgency and athletic talent to bombard the stat sheet," Zierlein wrote. "He's always first out and first into contact after the snap but can dart into gaps or around blocks as a penetrator. ... Carter's explosiveness, hunger and body control should have him on track to become a highly productive 3-4 rush linebacker with Pro Bowl talent."

Safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed are also viable players to watch, boasting physical attributes that put them in the conversation of being two of the more aggressive, downhill safeties available. After securing five pass deflections and 34 solo tackles in 2023, Winston suffered a knee injury that limited him to three games in 2024. His hope is that he can run the 40-yard dash at Penn State's Pro Day. In Winston's absence, Reed stepped up and compiled three interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 51 solo tackles in 2024.

Colorado, April 4

Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders announced his team will be hosting their Pro Day on April 4, a few weeks following the Big 12 Pro Days held March 18-21.

The two main attractions of the day will be Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the reigning Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner. The quarterback/receiver duo were teammates for four seasons, dating back to the Jackson State Tigers before transferring to Colorado.

Hunter will be a must-watch for his ability to play receiver and cornerback at a high level. He led the team in receiving yards (1,152), receptions (92), receiving touchdowns (14), interceptions (four) and pass deflections (11). Statically, Sanders is the most accurate quarterback in this year's draft class as he led the nation in completion percentage (74) in 2024 and threw 64 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Buffaloes.

While many will be tuned in to see Sanders throw, they should pay attention to who will be catching his passes. Jimmy Horn Jr. led the Buffaloes in receiving touchdowns in 2023 (six) and averaged 23.1 yards per kick return at Colorado. What he lacks in size at 5-foot-9, he makes up for in athleticism, recording a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, and 10-foot-8 broad jump at the Scouting Combine. Will Sheppard is another top receiver to watch, as he led Vanderbilt in receiving yards and touchdowns for two seasons before becoming a graduate transfer to Colorado. He totaled 621 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2024.

As 2025 pro days take place, view photos of current Raiders participating in their college pro days.

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