Most of the first-round picks in the NFL draft come from Power 5 colleges. Only one prospect was taken in the first round of the 2024 draft from a Non-Power 5 school. The Eagles selected cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick out of Toledo. This trend should continue as the new college transfer rules prevent players from having to sit out for a season when switching colleges. Standout players from smaller programs can now transfer to Power 5 schools without penalty in hopes of improving their draft stock.
The consensus draft big board only has one player from a Non-Power 5 school in the top 32. Boise St running back Ashton Jeanty is currently 19th, and you can read more about him
here. But there is another player from a Non-Power 5 school who has a solid chance to be selected in the 1st round of the 2025 draft, and that is East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Starting his career at Louisburg College, Revel transferred to ECU before the 2022 season. He mostly played special teams that year but became a starter in 2023. Revel would make the All-American Conference 2nd team and is off to an even better start to 2024. In three games he already has two interceptions including a pick-six against Appalachian St.
On that play, the Mountaineers tried a flea flicker. Revel was not fooled at all and kept his eyes on the QB. The Appalachian St wideout ran a deep crossing route on the play. The WR looked open at first glance. But Revel read the play perfectly and used his closing speed to jump in front of the WR for six points.
Revel not only has speed but he has something you can’t coach and that is size and length. He is listed as 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds. Revel uses those attributes to excel in press coverage and is a terrific tackler in the run game. As you see in this
pick-six, Revel has the instincts and closing speed to play zone coverage as well as man. He also has special team experience and blocked two kicks last season. That versatility could lead him become a first-round selection in the 2025 draft.
Revel is currently #44 on the consensus
draft big board, and this definitely surprised me. A lot of draft analysts likely haven’t watched him play yet because he doesn’t play for a big-time program. I expect him to gradually move up each week especially if he keeps intercepting passes. If he runs the forty at 4.4 or better at the combine, he could easily be drafted in the top 20. The last time ECU had a player go in the first round was RB Chris Johnson in 2008.
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