Welcome back to another edition of Scouting the Nation, presented by Faceoff Sports Network. In this edition, we take a look at the best guard returning to college football, a potential breakout star from Ohio State, and an Iowa State defensive lineman. Be sure to get to know these top prospects as potential stars in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Tyler Booker (OG) Alabama
A former top recruit, Tyler Booker‘s size is phenomenal for an offensive guard. He is well-built, with a wide base, and very good arm length for the position. His grip strength is exceptional, and he stalls rushers at contact. It is rare to see the pop Booker has in his hands.
Furthermore, with the power Booker possesses, he can displace defenders at a high level and drive them out of the play. In pass protection, Booker plays with a lower pad level, consistently winning the leverage battle. Even with his size and overall power, Booker is an excellent athlete with loose and fluid hips. He climbs to the second level, is great on reach blocks, and is an effortless mover.
If Booker were draft-eligible in the 2024 NFL Draft, he’d be a first-round pick. His natural tools are elite, and his tape showed a player who could be a plug-and-play starter. Ultimately, Booker will compete to be the first offensive lineman selected if he declares for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Caden Curry (DE) Ohio State
Named Mr. Football at defensive line by the Indiana Football Coaches Association, Caden Curry is a younger prospect from Ohio State. However, he has the talent to be a breakout star this upcoming season. When on the field, Ohio State used Curry in a multitude of ways. He’d be used on stunts, where his speed and explosiveness were noticeable. Curry would gain a lot of ground, impacting the quarterback’s ability to get the ball off.
The Buckeyes also kicked Curry inside against Penn State, where he was incredibly difficult for guards to handle. Curry’s athleticism and first step allowed him to win quickly inside. As an outside rusher, Curry can convert speed to power, collapsing the pocket. His effort stood out, too, as he made several plays chasing down the quarterback as they tried to create outside of structure. In the past, we’ve seen Ohio State develops pass rushers, and as Curry gets more snaps, evaluators will be able to see the upside he possesses.
Tyler Onyedim (DL) Iowa State
Versatility is the first thing that stands out on Tyler Onyedim’s film. He can play as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, 4i, and rush from the inside as a 3-tech. Additionally, Onyedim is an effective rusher from both the outside and inside. His first step is excellent for his size. His knock-back power at the point of attack was impressive and caused a lot of offensive linemen to get off balance.
Furthermore, with long and heavy hands, Onyedim can set the edge as well as anyone in the country. He plays low for his size and can disengage from blockers to wrap up the ball carrier. Onyedim has a lot of agility and quickness for a bigger rusher, which makes him so unique. His profile is similar to projected first round pick Darius Robinson, but Onyedim is further along in his development compared to where Robinson was after his junior season.
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