2025 NFL Draft summer scouting: Elite talents Will Johnson, Travis Hunter pace CB class (2024)

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The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up as a defense-heavy class, and cornerback might be its strongest position. More cornerbacks were drafted this past April than any other position, a trend that might continue next April.

(Note: Asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player with a “v” representing verified measurements and “e” for estimated measurements.)

1. Will Johnson, Michigan (6-2e, 200e)*

What he does best: Balanced transitions

For a tall, long corner, Johnson has outstanding short-area agility and body control, which allow him to redirect and mirror routes quickly. Whether he is jamming from press or playing off coverage, he stays loose through his hips, making it easier for him to sink and transition. Johnson is also above average in his technique and the way he processes route combinations.

Must improve: Biting on route fakes

Johnson doesn’t have any glaring holes in his game, but there were a few times on tape when he bit on route fakes and was late to recover (see Rome Odunze’s double move in the national title game). I think part of it is Johnson getting bored and wanting to make plays when the quarterback finally throws his direction — he saw just 9.6 percent of Michigan’s targets last season.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

The top-ranked high school recruit in Michigan in 2022, Johnson turned out to be the only in-state commit for the Wolverines that year, but he has been a home run for the program. After a breakout freshman season, the Detroit native had an All-America sophom*ore year and was named defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship victory over Washington. Despite not being 100 percent last season due to a knee injury, Johnson established himself as one of the best players in the country.

You never call a prospect “can’t miss,” especially at a volatile position like cornerback. But Johnson feels like a very high-floor, high-ceiling player because of his size, athleticism and fundamental understanding of coverage. There have been multiple cornerbacks drafted top five the last few seasons (Devon Witherspoon, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner), and Johnson has the talent and skill to join them.

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado (6-0 1/8v, 181v)

What he does best: Athletic instincts

Playing cornerback is more about reacting than thinking, and Hunter has the quick-twitch athleticism and instincts that help him create plays. He doesn’t hesitate when he plays, which can lead to false steps at times, but Hunter has the high-level athleticism to get away with it. Add in ball skills and competitive energy, and he has the critical tools to be a big-time cornerback.

On this play from the Arizona tape, Hunter’s athletic instincts are on full display. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (my No. 1 receiver prospect for 2025) gets him to jump the goal-line slant before breaking back outside on the pivot route. Hunter quickly regains his balance to stay in position, but he also doesn’t panic and keeps his eyes glued on the quarterback. He transitions again, comes off his man and drives on the throw to prevent the touchdown.

Not many corners have the reaction instincts to make this play.

Must improve: Early contact with receivers

Hunter is outstanding in contested situations, but he is guilty of grabbing as he tries to post up with size at receiver. He drew flags when covering McMillan and Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor, a pair of big, physical pass catchers. A two-way player, Hunter’s high snap count — and the resulting fatigue — also might play into the early contact.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

The consensus No. 1 high school recruit in the 2022 class, Hunter has lived up to that billing between his freshman season at Jackson State and sophom*ore season at Colorado. A true two-way star, he played 1,074 snaps last season: 593 on defense, 452 on offense and 29 on special teams.

Hunter is undoubtedly one of the best talents in the 2025 NFL Draft. The main question: Will he be drafted for offense or defense? With the money top-flight wide receivers are commanding, it won’t be surprising if he leans toward offense. In terms of impact potential, though, I think he projects best on defense, where he has the tools to become a top-10 NFL cornerback.

3. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame (6-0e, 186e)*

What he does best: Disciplined athleticism

Morrison’s combination of balanced athleticism and a technically sound approach makes him sticky in coverage. He plays on the balls of his feet with a patient process, which eliminates panic when he reads and reacts to routes. Morrison stays controlled with his footwork and puts himself in position to defend.

He is one of the few college corners who had successful reps last season against Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.

Must improve: Play strength

A lean-framed athlete, Morrison isn’t afraid to mix things up, but the results are often uneven when he tries to jam or knock receivers off their paths. The good news is that Morrison is wired the right way with how he approaches each rep — he just needs to continue developing functional strength.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

When he signed with Notre Dame (over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oregon and others), Morrison became the fifth child in his family to compete at the college level. His father, Darryl, was a defensive back at Arizona and played four seasons in the NFL as a 1993 sixth-round pick by Washington.

The youngest Morrison is now entering his third year as a starter for the Irish. He was a Freshman All-American in 2022 with six interceptions and led Notre Dame in passes defended (13) last season. He might not be elite by NFL standards when it comes to speed and size, but he is an athletic technician with a developed feel for route concepts and how to defend passing windows. Morrison’s next-level projection is easy: He is a future NFL starter on the outside.

4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina (6-3e, 200e)

What he does best: Size/speed athletic freak

One of the most physically impressive athletes I’ve watched all summer, Revel was a revelation on tape. He has outstanding size, length and physique with big-time speed and easy change of direction to stay attached to receivers. Revel earned his spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, and his talent translates well to the field.

Working primarily on the boundary, Revel does a great job using the sideline, pinning receivers against the white and effortlessly turning to find the football (see the first clip below against SMU). The second play comes against Michigan, and in it, Revel shows off his length and athletic movements to knock away a would-be touchdown.

Must improve: Grabby tendencies

Revel is not shy using his hands to get physical and make receivers uncomfortable. But it also makes him a target for officials when he initiates contact at the top of routes or tries to regain position. Revel’s bully mentality is absolutely a strength, but finding more of a disciplined balance can help take him to the next level.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

Growing up in the Winston-Salem area, Revel was a standout football and track athlete. He wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, however, and signed with Louisburg College, a small, private, two-year school in rural North Carolina. He transferred to East Carolina in 2022 and had his breakout season last year (team-high 12 passes defended and a pair of blocked kicks). Several ACC and SEC programs offered him big money to transfer this offseason, but Revel turned them down.

East Carolina has never produced a top-20 draft pick, but Revel has a chance to change that. He has the size, speed and athletic traits teams covet, along with the physical mentality and budding awareness that suggest he is getting better and better. Unfortunately, East Carolina doesn’t have a Power 4 opponent on its 2024 schedule, but Revel should crush the pre-draft process.

5. Mansoor Delane, Virginia Tech (6-1e, 190e)

What he does best: Length, speed and competitive skills

Whether lined up in man or zone, Delane matches up well with his long-limbed frame, speed to close and willingness to get physical. In press coverage, he can reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage while opening to stay on top of routes. When working back downhill, Delane arrives quickly and with a purpose.

Must improve: Plays on the football

Delane plays with a level of eagerness, but he needs to show a little more trust in his anticipation. He registered only two passes defended (on 43 targets) last season, and NFL scouts hope to see improved ball skills.

2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook

There were several deserving cornerbacks for this fifth spot — Ohio State’s Denzel Burke is experienced and hungry; Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston is athletic and confident. But I gave the edge to Delane, because of his competitive traits and potential. A former three-star recruit, he became the Hokies’ starter over the second half of his true freshman season and showed intriguing promise last season as a sophom*ore.

Virginia Tech has had three losing seasons in the last four years, but this is a program on the rise. I was impressed with the level of draftable talent on the current roster, including one of the best cornerback duos in college football: Delane and Dorian Strong.

Preseason top 40 senior cornerbacks

(Note: Heights and weights for senior prospects listed below are NFL verified.)

1. Revel
2. Denzel Burke, Ohio State (5-11 3/8, 187)
3. Jahdae Barron, Texas (5-11 1/4, 194)
4. Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech (6-0 1/2, 183)
5. Quincy Riley, Louisville (5-10 1/2, 196)
6. Tommi Hill, Nebraska (6-0 1/4, 204)
7. Keionte Scott, Auburn (5-10 3/8, 186)
8. Caleb Ransaw, Tulane (5-10 7/8, 194)
9. Cobee Bryant, Kansas (6-0 1/4, 170)
10. Jordan Hanco*ck, Ohio State (6-0, 190)
11. Jason Marshall, Florida (6-0 3/8, 204)
12. Brandon Adams, UCF (6-1 7/8, 186)
13. Zemaiah Vaughn, Utah (6-2 1/4, 182)
14. Justin Walley, Minnesota (5-10, 190)
15. Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon (5-9 1/8, 181)
16. Trey Amos, Ole Miss (6-0 5/8, 188)
17. Kam Alexander, Oregon (5-10 1/4, 175)
18. Melvin Smith Jr., Southern Arkansas (5-10 1/2, 189)
19. Treydan Stukes, Arizona (6-0 5/8, 194)
20. Mark Davis Jr., Vanderbilt (6-0 3/8, 194)
21. Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers (5-11, 175)
22. Zy Alexander, LSU (6-0 7/8, 190)
23. Mello Dotson, Kansas (6-0 7/8, 189)
24. Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M (5-10 1/8, 180)
25. O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina (6-1, 181)
26. Tahveon Nicholson, Louisville (5-9 1/4, 183)
27. Isas Waxter, Villanova (6-1 1/4, 204)
28. Marcus Harris, California (5-10 3/4, 191)
29. Jaydon Hill, Texas A&M (5-11 5/8, 196)
30. Bralyn Lux, Texas Tech (5-9 5/8, 179)
31. Cam Lockridge, Fresno State (5-11 1/8, 185)
32. Doneiko Slaughter, Arkansas (5-11 1/4, 193)
33. Fentrell Cypress II, Florida State (5-11 7/8, 186)
34. Aydan White, NC State (5-11 1/2, 180)
35. Brandon Johnson, Oregon (5-9 1/8, 178)
36. Cameron Oliver, UNLV (5-11 1/2, 180)
37. Daryl Porter Jr., Miami (Fla.) (5-10 1/8, 191)
38. LaMareon James, TCU (5-10, 190)
39. Devin Kirkwood, UCLA (6-3 1/2, 203)
40. DeCarlos Nicholson, USC (6-3, 192)

Preseason top 15 draft-eligible underclassmen

(Note: All measurements for underclassman prospects listed below are estimates.)

1. Johnson
2. Hunter
3. Morrison
4. Delane
5. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (6-1, 180)
6. Tacario Davis, Arizona (6-3, 200)
7. Domani Jackson, Alabama (6-0, 195)
8. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (6-2, 190)
9. Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri (5-11, 190)
10. Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin (5-10, 185)
11. Amari Jackson, Boston College (5-10, 190)
12. Daylen Everette, Georgia (6-1, 190)
13. Jacob Parrish, Kansas State (5-10, 185)
14. Ephesians Prysock, Washington (6-3, 195)
15. Cam Miller, Penn State (6-0, 180)

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb /The Athletic; top photo of Will Johnson: David Berding / Getty Images)