2025 NFL Draft: College Football Recap, Week 2

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 07 Texas at Michigan
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Multiple transfers and a MAC star highlight player performances to know

It was a weekend of outcomes that far exceeded the hopes, which was led by a massive upset in addition to a series of closely contested games across the country on all levels. It was No. 5 Notre Dame going down in hideous fashion to Northern Illinois at home. The Irish were four-touchdown favorites against the MAC foe, but their offense couldn’t put a competent passing game together. All of this despite the Huskies not playing a perfect game themselves.

One game that was truly never close was No. 3 Texas going up to Ann Arbor, MI and tattooing No. 10 Michigan 31-12 in a game that was over at halftime. Similar to the Irish’s story, the Wolverines failed to field a worthy offense able to put up a fight against the Longhorns. It was too many explosive playmakers for the Michigan defense to deal with while the offense chugged to a halt.

Meanwhile, No. 14 Tennessee looked like a real contender in their whomping of No. 24 NC State — a 51-10 statement victory. The Wolfpack appear to have real offensive issues and the Vols took a decisive advantage.

With all of the action comes plenty of worthy performances by individual 2025 NFL Draft prospects coming off the weekend. There were three players who made their mark during Week 2 as they take steps towards an upward draft trajectory.

Texas S Andrew Mukuba making himself at home with new squad

One of the higher-profile transfers of the offseason was Clemson starting safety Andrew Mukuba darting to Texas via the transfer portal. He was constantly around the football, making impact plays for his defense. His play is one of the reasons the Longhorns were so dominant on Saturday. He did exactly what you’d want against an offense that was inferior all around.

He was impactful as a run defender and in coverage on Saturday — continuing on with quality play that he also displayed at Clemson. It’s not a great class of safeties this year. Mukuba ascending as a consistent playmaker in a national spotlight could be massive for his draft stock.

The senior safety finished with four tackles, an interception, and two passes defensed in the stat sheet. But his impact was felt all day as all he did was play winning football.

Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin, Jr. is a real-deal dude to know in the 2025 class

The MAC doesn’t often produce NFL caliber pass catchers. But, when they do, it’s painfully obvious of the talent that’s standing out on a play-to-play basis. Fannin, Jr. is a different caliber of athlete on a MAC team, and it’s very clear that he will be in the NFL whenever he decides he wants to be there. There’s so much to like about his receiving upside in the NFL. He put on some fantastic tape to store and go back to later when the draft process springs into focus with how he performed against Penn State this past weekend. Fannin was a main catalyst in a near upset of the Nittany Lions who came into the game known for their vaunted defense.

Fannin put up 11 receptions with 137 yards and a score. Most importantly, he looked like he belonged at that level and then some. We need to start considering him in the higher echelon of tight end prospects for 2025. You can see his versatility and athleticism on display in the clips below lining up all over the offense.

Syracuse QB Kyle McCord revitalized after criticized Ohio State stint

There was talk that McCord was pushed out of Ohio State after his 2023 season for the Buckeyes ended in disappointment. He turned the ball over a couple of times against Michigan which is, of course, the most important game outside of a national title game on Ohio State’s schedule. While the general statistics looked good last year, Buckeyes fans craved more and so McCord was criticized as. a scapegoat and seemingly forced to leave.

McCord resurfaced under new Syracuse head coach Fran Brown and offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon. The Orange are pass heavy and not afraid to air it out. Despite less individual talent at Syracuse, McCord is playing at a very high level early on into the season.

This past Saturday against Georgia Tech may have been his best collegiate performance to date with a final stat line that included him completing 32-of-46 passes for 381 yards and four scores. McCord dodged pressure and extra blitzers off the edge. He then made high-level throws from the pocket on a consistent basis. McCord was viewed as damaged goods and him landing at Syracuse wasn’t much of a surprise. But he has a real opportunity to elevate himself back on the map with continued high-level play.

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