Cam Ward’s declaration wasn’t anything new. A blip for NFL scouts, a sexy soundbite for everyone else.
Pass on me at your peril.
“You’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career,” Ward told the Associated Press last month. “And I’ll remember that.”
That sounds good, and creates buzz-worthy talking points. Until you realize the last quarterback to say that and actually back it up was Aaron Rodgers nearly two decades ago.
And he made his statement after the fact, after 23 teams passed on him in the NFL draft ― before the Green Bay Packers selected the future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
No one is confusing Ward with Rodgers, and there’s very little oxygen given to other position players who make similar statements and back it up.
USA TODAY Sports spoke with multiple NFL scouts about the upcoming draft, and got analysis of eight under the radar college football players with breakthrough potential. The scouts spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their draft preparation.
1. TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
NFL combine measurements: 6-feet-4, 230 pounds.
Fannin had 117 catches – yes, 117 – in 2024, and 161 catches and 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He’s not your typical tight end, and some in the NFL see him as a receiver.
NFL scout: “He reminds me of Evan Engram. Really athletic, long and has a large catch radius. He’s not going to line up and move a pile, but he’s going to catch just about everything thrown at him. Offense in this league is third and medium, and how you can convert (third downs). He can get open and go get it. That has real value.”
2. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
NFL combine measurements: 6-3, 218.
Showed range of throws and a better understanding of pass concepts in Year 2 as a starter, despite playing with a new team. The significant second-year jump in production (4,779 yards passing, 34 TDs) shows development and future potential.
NFL scout: “He’s a big guy, a tough guy, and he’s surprisingly athletic. He can stand in there and make every throw. He’s far from a finished product, and he’s not stepping on the field and playing right away. But I like how he challenges defenses, how he doesn’t get rattled. He forces some stuff, but that can be coached. The tools are there. I can absolutely see him starting in this league.”
3. RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
NFL combine measurements: 5-8, 200.
Rushed for 1,492 yards and 22 touchdowns in his only season as a starter. Injured in the College Football Playoff first-round game against Ohio State, and the Tennessee offense wasn’t the same. Had 35 career touchdowns on 422 carries, or an average of a touchdown every 12 carries.
NFL scout: “These one-shot players scare the hell out of me. There are two ways to look at it: you get your opportunity and make the most of it, or you’re in a money year with a chance to get to the NFL, and you crank it up. Then what happens once you arrive? He has some valuable skills, both in the run and pass games. He has the wiggle to make you miss, and surprising power in the isolation run game. He has really impressive inside vision, and a dangerous one cut. Plant the foot and accelerate. But does he have the size to take the pounding of a feature back?”
4. TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
NFL combine measurements: 6-5, 247
Had career highs in catches (43), yards (591) and average per catch (13.7) in 2024, and had 16 career touchdown catches. A former blue-chip recruit who was a critical factor in the Oregon pass game for much of the last three seasons.
NFL scout: “Crazy athleticism. He’s long and has those athletic advantages, but needs to work on separation. It’s hard getting open in this league. You’re not taking those long steps like he takes and gaining separation. He’s not a guy who can hold the point of attack against an edge rusher, so forget that. But there are a few pass-catching tight ends in our league who can’t do that, either. It’s hard to ignore his ball skills and body control.”
5. OT Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
NFL combine measurements: 6-8, 316.
All-ACC first team in 2024, and second team in 2023, and had 36 career starts. Played both left and right tackle.
NFL scout: “There are some who are turned off by the height because the taller you get at that position, the more you lack natural flexibility. My concern is the weight. He needs to fill out more, and be more of a factor in the run game. But the ceiling is attractive. He can play either (left or right) side., and knows how to use his length and hands.”
6. G Wyatt Milum,, West Virginia
NFL combine measurements: 6-6, 313.
All-Big 12 first team in 2024, and second team in 2023, and had 43 career starts at tackle.
NFL scout: “He’s not a tackle in this league. He’s just not long enough. But that doesn’t mean he can’t slide inside and use that toughness and ferocity. He’s a mauler, a big guy with some explosion in the run game. He can anchor. You’re not going to push him around or bull rush him. When I think about the interior in our league, he’s the type of guy you need. It takes a special kind of nasty to get in there and do that work.”
7. DT Darius Alexander, Toledo
NFL combine measurements: 6-4, 305.
Had 42 career starts, with nine career sacks and 12 pass breakups. Had 22 career tackles for loss.
NFL scout: “You watch the tape, and he’s capable of destruction. He’s a disrupter. But can he do it consistently? He has a strong lower body, and there were times when he was immovable in 1 or 3 technique. He’s a three (technique) in our league, but he’s also a three-down guy. Look at his length. He’s knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage because he understands timing in the pass rush. A lot of interior guys won’t embrace that. He had 12 career PBUs. Twelve. How often do you see that?”
8. OLB/Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
NFL combine measurements: 6-3, 259.
A three-year starter, he had 180 career tackles and six sacks.
NFL scout: “He got lost among (Laiatu) Latu and (Gabriel) Murphy in 2023. He moved outside on the edge last season, and there was dramatic change. He was just a guy in the middle the first two seasons, but he showed explosion last season, and the ability to use his hands to create separation. A completely different player. Has to get home with a greater frequency, but doesn’t lack the instincts to do so. It’s relative inexperience at the position, and the need for more reps. He has big upside.”
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.