Here are some key 2025 NFL Draft takeaways from Week 12 of the college football season.
- Oh, so that’s “Good Carson Beck?” On Saturday, Georgia had a do or die showdown with Tennessee and the Bulldogs needed Carson Beck to shake whatever turnover bug had been ailing him for the last month. He did, in a big way. Beck went 25/40 for 347 yards and two scores. He looked sharp, poised, and made some killer throws all game against a tough defense. Beck looked like the player who, at the beginning of the year, many thought could contend for a first round draft selection. I’m still not sold one way or the other, but Tennessee is the game tape you throw on for Beck if you want to see what he does at his best.
- I’m just going to enjoy Travis Hunter. I have indulged in the debates about Travis Hunter’s NFL potential quite a bit and god knows they’re happening every day. That being said, I am just going to enjoy these last few weeks we get to watch Hunter. He is a marvel given how he is making plays on both sides of the ball. I have no idea how he is able to do it. Give that man the damn Heisman.
- Hello Elijah Badger. The Florida Gators had some of the most wretched vibes in college football for the first few weeks of the season and have battled back to being a scrappy and fun football team. The upset of LSU last weekend took some heroics from their freshman quarterback, but it also took an impressive effort from senior receiver Elijah Badger. The former ASU Sun Devil caught six passes for over 120 yards and a score. He is a big bodied, athletic receiver with really impressive ball skills. The Florida offense hasn’t been the best place for NFL talent to showcase itself this season, but Badger really stood out.
Players of the Week
Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State: I am sure this readership is as Pro-Tyler Warren as any group of people but holy hell this guy is good. If catching eight passes for 127 yards and a score wasn’t impressive enough for a tight end, Warren also ran in a 48 yard touchdown on a direct snap. He is a do-it-all tight end with 67 catches on the year and nine total touchdowns between receiving and rushing. He’ll probably finish the year with over 1,000 yards receiving, which is absurd for a college tight end. He is a first round pick.
Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish dominated Virginia on Saturday, with the defense really making it hard for the Cavs to do anything. Xavier Watts was flying around the secondary as per usual, coming up with a pick and generally shutting down the deep parts of the field. Watts has been one of the most prolific ballhawks in college football since last year, picking off 11 passes since the beginning of the 2023 season. His game against Virginia was a great showcase of everything he brings to the table.
