The 2025 college football regular season wrapped up this past Saturday, and with it came a flurry of coaching changes, the opening of the transfer portal floodgates, and a clearer picture of the 2026 NFL Draft landscape. While 82 teams still have postseason games on the docket-including those eyeing a College Football Playoff run-many players have already closed the book on their college careers. Whether due to their teams missing bowl eligibility or decisions to opt out of postseason play, some draft hopefuls have now finalized their on-field résumés.
With the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, and NFL Combine still ahead, Week 14 served as the last regular-season shot for players to make a statement-and several took full advantage. Others, unfortunately, saw their stock dip at the worst possible time. Let’s break down who helped themselves and who left scouts with more questions than answers.
Stock Up: Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
After a rocky junior campaign, Parker saved his best for last-and in a big way. The 6'3", 260-pound edge rusher had been quiet in the sack department for over two months, but that changed in Clemson’s 28-14 win over South Carolina. Parker exploded for three sacks, a fumble recovery, and eight quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
What stood out wasn’t just the production-it was how he got there. Parker used a full arsenal of pass-rush tools: bull rushes that drove tackles back into the pocket, refined hand usage to shed blocks, and impressive ankle flexion to bend the edge and close on LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina’s mobile, big-bodied quarterback.
If Parker declares, he’s likely hovering around the first-round bubble. But performances like this one are exactly what evaluators want to see from fringe Day 1 prospects-dominant, disruptive, and complete.
Stock Up: Allen (RB, Penn State)
In a game that looked more like a Big 12 shootout than a Big Ten slugfest, Allen was the steady hand that guided Penn State to a 40-36 win over Rutgers. The 5'11", 219-pound back carried the ball 22 times for 226 yards and a touchdown, including a 55-yard burst that marked his third straight game with a run of 40+ yards.
Allen closed the regular season on an absolute tear, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in each of the final three games. His game is built on a strong foundation-power, vision, and elite contact balance-and while he’ll enter the league with more mileage than some teams prefer, his résumé speaks for itself. He’s one of the most productive and reliable backs in this class and looks like a solid Day 2 pick.
Stock Up: Benson (WR, Oregon)
With Oregon’s receiver room thinned by injuries, Benson stepped up and delivered in a big way during the Ducks’ 26-14 win over Washington. The 6'1", 195-pound wideout hauled in five catches for 102 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown that sealed the game in the fourth quarter.
Benson’s journey-from Florida State to Alabama to Oregon-has been winding, but he’s found his stride as a deep threat who can change a game in a single play. He’s got the top-end speed to stretch defenses and the field vision to find daylight after the catch. In a year where injuries created opportunities, Benson made the most of his and boosted his draft stock heading into the pre-draft process.
Stock Up: Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
Jacas turned it on down the stretch, and scouts took notice. Over Illinois’ final four games, the 6'3", 270-pound pass rusher racked up eight tackles for loss and six-and-a-half sacks-including two games with multiple sacks.
After a steady start to the season, Jacas found another gear late and finished as the Big Ten’s sack leader with 11. He’s a flexible, athletic edge presence who can win with both power and speed, and he’s now posted back-to-back seasons with double-digit tackles for loss. That kind of production, combined with his physical tools, makes him a legitimate top-50 prospect and a potential early contributor at the next level.
Stock Up: Johnson (RB, Big Ten)
Johnson might not have been a household name this season, but he sure played like one. The 5'11", 200-pound back finished the regular season ranked third in the country in rushing yards with 1,451 and led the Big Ten in all-purpose yards with 1,821-over 350 more than the next closest player.
He closed the year with a 29-carry, 217-yard performance against Iowa, adding a touchdown to cap off a monster day. Johnson’s game is built on quick-twitch agility, burst through tight spaces, and the kind of balance that lets him break tackles and keep moving. He’s got Day 2 potential and fits right into a deep group of running backs who could make an early impact in the league.
Stock Down: Singleton (WR, Auburn)
Singleton’s transfer from Georgia Tech to Auburn came with high hopes, but the results didn’t follow. Known for his track speed and big-play ability, Singleton entered the season as a potential first-rounder. But despite setting a career high in catches (58), he posted a career-low 534 receiving yards and just three touchdowns.
In the Iron Bowl loss to Alabama, he managed just three catches for 26 yards-his fifth game this year with fewer than 30 receiving yards. At 5'10", 180 pounds, Singleton still has the tools to be an explosive weapon, but his inability to consistently produce in Auburn’s offense has clouded his draft outlook. Now he faces a tough decision: declare and hope the pre-draft process revives his stock, or return to school and try to recapture the form that once made him a top prospect.
Stock Down: Coleman (RB, Washington)
Coleman’s season ended on a frustrating note. After sustaining a knee injury in Week 11, the 5'9", 228-pound back missed just one game but never quite looked the same upon return.
In the regular-season finale against Oregon, he rushed nine times for just 22 yards and added a single nine-yard reception. The week before, he had only four carries for six yards and a short touchdown.
It’s a tough way to end what had been a stellar season-Coleman racked up over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 16 total touchdowns. Midway through the year, he looked like a solid second-round pick.
That projection may still hold, but the injury and his limited production late in the year leave some lingering questions. He didn’t get the closing statement he wanted, but his body of work remains impressive.
Final Thoughts
With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the draft picture is starting to come into focus. For players like Parker, Allen, and Jacas, Week 14 was a spotlight moment-and they delivered.
Others, like Singleton and Coleman, will have to rely on the pre-draft circuit to reshape the narrative. The next few months will be crucial, with all-star games, combine testing, and team interviews on deck.
But for now, the final chapter of the regular season has been written-and it’s already reshaping draft boards across the league.