All Access Football Report: Week 18
Latest draft buzz from the College Football Playoff, NFL Power Rankings and a look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists.
Volume XXIV Edition LXXXXII || All Access Football Report: Week 18
Welcome to the January 1, 2025, New Year’s Day edition of the All Access Football Newsletter, Presented By Sports Management Worldwide Football Career Conference.
NFL POWER RANKINGS
A healthy Jalen Hurts could make the Eagles hard to beat. His health status headed into the playoffs will be worth monitoring in a highly competitive NFC. The final game of the NFL regular season is expected to be a thriller, as the Vikings will face the Lions in Detroit for supremacy and the rights to the number one seed. A quick adjustment of the rear view mirror reveals that the Rams may appear closer than they appear, as they have patched up the defense in recent weeks under coordinator Chris Shula.
The defending champion Chiefs have clinched the top seed, so they’ll have a built-in ‘bye’ this week, in addition to their first round playoff bye. Providing coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo two weeks to prepare is a huge edge. Kansas City was dealt their lone loss by the Bills earlier this year and the two are likely headed for a postseason collision course once again. A stout defense and strong ground game is a recipe for success in January, so the Ravens cannot be counted out.
RK | TEAM | RECORD
Buffalo Bills (13-3) — Everybody eats, the result is sweet.
Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) — The Kingdom still sits atop the mountain.
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) — The new ‘Broad Street Bullies’, starring the OL.
Detroit Lions (14-2) — A loss this week will create panic in the Pontiac.
Los Angeles Rams (10-6) — If the offense clicks again, watch out.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) — The duo of Lamar and Henry is T-N-T.
Minnesota Vikings (14-2) — No more doubting Darnold.
Green Bay Packers (11-5) — The pieces are all there.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) — As hot as anyone.
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) — A team no one wants to face.
HOF FINALIST RANKINGS
One of the most debated Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists will be Eli Manning of the New York Giants. Naysayers will point to the 178-178 career record as a starter and will be quick to point out that his stats pale in comparison to his big brother Peyton. On the contrary, winning the big one is what the game is all about and Eli did that as well as anyone, ever. During the Giants two Super Bowl runs, the team entered the playoffs as a wild card on both occasions.
During the games that mattered most, Eli went 8-0, threw for 2,073 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. On the biggest platform that is the Super Bowl, Eli out-dueled the GOAT, Tom Brady and took home MVP honors on two separate occasions. That my friends, is stuff legends are made out of.
The no-brainer of the bunch would appear to be Luke Kuechly, who compiled a dominant, albeit short, eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers. Remarkably, Kuechly registered 100-plus tackles and had at least one interception every season. He would finish with nearly 1,100 career tackles and 18 interceptions at the linebacker spot before concussions forced him to hang up the cleats at the age of 28 years old.
When you factor in longevity, production and comparison to predecessors inducted before him, it is a bit surprising that San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has failed to qualify. However, he did test positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2015 and served a four-game suspension, an offense that could be held against him.
RANK | NOMINEE | POSITION | YEARS PLAYED | TEAM/S
Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
BALDY BREAKDOWNS SCOUTING SEMINAR — 01.23.25
We are excited to welcome film room junkie and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger to All Access Football for new monthly scouting seminars. If you crave the X’s & O’s of the game, seek to enhance your scouting acumen, or want to understand how the evaluation process works, these workshops are designed for you!
Each month, Baldy will take you inside the film room and teach you how to identify the finer intricacies of the game and how it applies to scouting. These sessions will last approximately one hour and will include Q&A segments at the conclusion of each seminar, moderated by longtime draftnik Ric Serritella.
Join us, Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 9:00pm eastern time for our first Baldy’s Breakdowns Scouting Seminar, as we break down the top NFL Draft prospects from the College Football Playoff championship game. This online class will feature several prominent prospect breakdowns, as you learn how to evaluate like a pro.
Our monthly scouting seminars are a new feature included for subscribers who upgrade to premium. Try it out monthly for $25 (includes a copy of the 2025 NFL Draft Bible PDF), or save with the annual membership at $250 (includes a minimum of 12 scouting seminars). Join today and sharpen your evaluation skills, as we pass forward our knowledge accumulated from decades of scouting!
NFL DRAFT WATCH: CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL
Will the Cam Skattebo train be derailed by a Texas take down defense? No player has risen up draft boards over the past month more than the bruising Skattebo, who enters this contest with 2,074 all-scrimmage yards and 22 touchdowns. It’s one thing to know what’s coming, it’s another to actually stop it. With 1,000-yard receiver Jordyn Tyson out, the Longhorns will stack the box in an attempt to stonewall the run.
Meanwhile, Texas gunslinger Quinn Ewers balances his preparation for a national championship run and what his future may hold. The latest report is that Ewers has been tampered with via the transfer portal with an offer that includes a $6M NIL payout. We previously dissected possible options that have been rumored, such as a return to Ohio State, or a move to Oregon. All remain possible options, as does the draft. Returning to Texas next year with the presence of Arch Manning would not be.
One positive for Ewers will be the expected return of Isaiah Bond. One of the fastest players in college football, Bond can take the top off any defense when healthy.
PEACH BOWL QUOTABLES: WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“The reality is we've got a guy in the backfield who can do it all, and he's been productive and efficient. We try to manipulate every blade of grass with him, so it's a little hard to try to pinpoint where he's going to be. That's kind of by design hopefully.” — ASU OC Marcus Arroyo on Cam Skattebo
“Me, I look at it like, if people still think they can stop me, then they're disrespecting me, and I'm going to continue to think that way because that's what drives me as a player. It's nothing on them. It's just the way life is.” — ASU RB Cam Skattebo on his mentality
“He can change a lot in our game. He can catch a two-yard pass and turn it into a touchdown. I know every O-line man want a guy that catch a two-yard bubble and have a touchdown. He's that type of guy. He's got great speed and gives a great team speed, and he goes out there and puts his body on the line for a team. When he is healthy, he definitely our guy.” — Texas OT Kelvin Banks on Isaiah Bond
“He's a really good play action pass tight end where we can find voids for him, but he also has evolved his game now into a down-the-field threat and a guy who can make plays with the ball in his hands with yards after the catch.” — Texas HC Steve Sarkisian on Gunnar Helm
TEXAS LONGHORNS (12-2)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
OT Kelvin Banks Jr, Jr, 6036, 320, 5.21, Day 1
WR Isaiah Bond, Jr, 5106, 182, 4.30, Day 1
CB Jahdae Barron, Texas, rSr, 5110, 195, 4.50, Day 1
QB Quinn Ewers, rJr, 6020, 195, 4.80, Day 1
ER Barryn Sorrell, Sr, 6035, 260, 4.75, Day 2
OT Cameron Williams, Jr, 6051, 335, 5.20, Day 2
DT Alfred Collins, rSr, 6050, 313, 4.95, Day 2
OG Hayden Conner, Sr, 6057, 327, 5.35, Day 2
S Andrew Mukuba, Sr, 6011, 195, 4.55, Day 3
TE Gunnar Helm, Sr, 6051, 252, 4.75, Day 3
DT Vernon Broughton, Sr, 6050, 306, 4.95, Day 3
WR Matthew Golden, Jr, 5116, 195, 4.50, Day 3
RB Jaydon Blue, Jr, 5112, 200, 4.46, Day 3
WR Silas Bolden, Sr, 5080, 152, 4.40, Day 3
C Jake Majors, Sr, 6027, 305, 5.20, UDFA
DT Jermayne Lole, rSr, 6020, 307, 4.95, UDFA
LB David Gbenda, rSr, 5111, 235, 4.60
OG DJ Campbell, Jr, 6024, 345, 5.12, UDFA
ER Ethan Burke, Jr, 6055, 257, 4.70, UDFA
S Morice Blackwell, Sr, 6010, 219, 4.63, UDFA
DT Bill Norton, rSr, 6046, 315, 5.25, UDFA
CB Gavin Holmes, Sr, 5110, 170, 4.45, UDFA
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (11-2)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
RB Cameron Skattebo, Sr, 5100, 225, Day 2
CB Shamari Simmons, rSr, 5115, 183, 4.44, Day 3
OT Max Iheanachor, Sr, 6060, 320, 5.15, Day 3
LB Caleb McCullough, rSr, 6010, 225, 4.70, HPFA
WR Xavier Guillory, rSr, 6016, 200, 4.50, HPFA
OG Ben Coleman, rSr, 6040, 310, 5.35, HPFA
ER Prince Dorbah, rSr, 6022, 240, 4.75, PFA
ER Clayton Smith, rJr, 6036, 240, 4.68, PFA
TE Chamon Metayer, rJr, 6041, 255, 4.73, PFA
QB Jeff Sims, Sr, 6030, 218, 4.50, PFA
WR Jordyn Tyson, rSo, 6010, 195, 4.52 [INJ]
NFL DRAFT WATCH: ROSE BOWL
Two schools loaded with NFL Draft prospects will meet for the second time this season. The first contest resulted in 32-31 come from behind Oregon win, as the Ducks still remain the lone undefeated team in the nation.
Ohio State has plenty of weapons on offense at both running back and wideout but they will need another big game performance from quarterback Will Howard, in order to stave off the Buckeyes. This will be an opportunity for him to target Emeka Egbuka who is looking to solidify his status as a first round pick. On defense, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are expected to be relentless in pursuit on the edge, while Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton are very capable at clogging the middle.
Oregon signal-caller Dillon Gabriel is also expected to spray the ball around the field to an array of weapons, which features Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden and Terrance Ferguson. However, it’s the little engine that could, Jordan James, who poses as the ultimate x-factor. On defense, the duo of Jordan Burch and Derrick Harmon combine for 600 pounds of pure beef up front.
ROSE BOWL QUOTABLES: WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We know he's a smart player. He's been around football for a while. So we know he can take over a game if you let him. We have to be able to take away certain things from him and make sure we can dictate the game on defense. He's going to be a big threat for us. So we have a good game plan for him and do our job.” — Ohio State LB Cody Simon on Dillon Gabriel
“Well, Jordan James is one of a kind in terms of practice and being physical. He's not afraid to get physical or create contact, and I think it's different because in practice you think there is that sense of taking care of one another, and he does, but he's the type, he's just a player. When he gets on that field, he's going to be physical. He's going to create contact. That's just his style of play.” — Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel on Jordan James
“Just his size and athleticism. God doesn't make a lot of people that look like Jordan Burch. When people see him, they're surprised to hear he's really 300 pounds because he looks really good at his size, but he plays like a beast on the field, relentless effort, and the fact that we have great depth and several guys that can play edge positions for us, it allows us to make sure that when he's on the field he's fresh, and a fresh Jordan Burch is really dangerous.” — Oregon HC Dan Lanning on Jordan Burch
“Our challenge to Will going into the last game was that he had to be the best leader on the field. I thought he was. I thought he played well, got into a rhythm early on. But I think for Will, understanding exactly how we're trying to attack defense is a critical part of being successful. And when the play caller and the quarterback are on the same page, like you said, the minute they hear the formation, they can finish it. That means he's got a great grasp of what we're trying to get done.” — Ohio State HC Ryan Day on Will Howard
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (11-2)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
WR Emeka Egbuka, Sr, 6006, 204, 4.50, Day 1
OT Josh Simmons, rJr, 6052, 310, 5.15, Day 1
OG Donovan Jackson, Sr, 6033, 318, 5.15, Day 1
DT Tyleik Williams, rJr, 6024, 325, 4.90, Day 2
ER JT Tuimoloau, Sr, 6041, 268, 4.80, Day 2
C Carson Hinzman, rSo, 6036, 300, 5.02, Day 2
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Sr, 5100, 214, 4.60, Day 2
RB Quinshon Judkins, Jr, 5112, 219, 4.50, Day 2
CB Davison Igbinosum, Jr, 6016, 190, 4.50, Day 2
CB Denzel Burke, Sr, 5112, 193, 4.50, Day 2
ER Jack Sawyer, Sr, 6042, 265, 4.90, Day 3
DT Ty Hamilton, rSr, 6024, 295, 5.15, Day 3
C Seth McLaughlin, Sr, 6035, 305, 5.35, Day 3
CB Jordan Hancock, Sr, 6000, 190, 4.50, Day 3
S Lathan Ransom, rSr, 6010, 205, 4.51, Day 3
S Sonny Styles, Jr, 6042, 239, 4.70, Day 3
QB Will Howard, rSr, 6040, 243, 4.80, Day 3
LB Cody Simon, rSr, 6020, 238, 4.52, UDFA
OG Josh Fryar, rSr, 6060, 315, 5.25, UDFA
CB Lorenzo Styles Jr., Sr, 6005, 195, 4.40, UDFA
OREGON DUCKS (13-0)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
QB Dillon Gabriel, rSr, 5110, 207, 4.70, Day 2
WR Tez Johnson, Sr, 5100, 160, 4.38e, Day 2
ER Jordan Burch, rSr, 6060, 280, 5.00, Day 2
DT Derrick Harmon, rJr, 6035, 310, 5.08, Day 2
WR Evan Stewart, Jr, 5112, 175, 4.35, Day 2
OT Josh Conerly Jr., Jr, 6040, 305, 5.00, Day 2
TE Terrance Ferguson, Sr, 6050, 255, 4.85, Day 2
OT Ajani Cornelius, Sr, 6042, 311, 5.15, Day 3
LB Jeffrey Bassa, Sr, 6013, 235, 4.60, Day 3
RB Jordan James, Jr, 5092, 205, 4.46, Day 3
CB Jabbar Muhammad, rSr, 5091, 181, 4.55, Day 3
DT Jamaree Caldwell, rSr, 6010, 325, 5.15, Day 3
WR Traeshon Holden, Sr, 6015, 211, 4.55, Day 3
RB Noah Whittington, rSr, 5080, 201, 4.47, HPFA
S Kobe Savage, rSr, 5100, 201, 4.60, HPFA
S Tysheem Johnson, Sr, 5094, 201, 4.60, HPFA
CB Brandon Johnson, Sr, 5091, 178, 4.45, PFA
LB Jestin Jacobs, rSr, 6035, 242, 4.78, PFA
CB Dontae Manning, Sr, 5105, 189, 4.50, PFA
NFL DRAFT WATCH: ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
There has been much skepticism about the Fighting Irish ability to win a big bowl game in the modern era. Surprisngly, Notre Dame last won the National Championship in 1988. Led by super senior quarterback Riley Leonard, this is their best shot since then. Leonard, who began his career at Duke, possesses an ideal frame for the next level. He can beat you with his arm, or his feet. This matchup can continue to propel his NFL Draft momentum.
For Georgia, it’s all about the defense. Just about every Bulldogs starter on that side of the ball will eventually be playing on Sunday. Lookout for bookends Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, both of whom own tremendous bend and athleticism on the edge. This contest will no doubt be won up front. Safety Malaki Starks will be holding down the backend of the defense and will be the best player on the field.
Whoever can control the trenches will become the victor and move on to face Penn State in the semifinals.
SUGAR BOWL QUOTABLES: WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“If you're an offensive coordinator, this guy is a huge weapon because there's kids like him before that couldn't throw the ball. He can throw the ball. And when you can throw the ball and you're big and you're fast and you run, but you have experience – You can almost count on a quarterback to make a mistake in a game. And like he's going to make a mistake, it's going to be costly. Not when you have one with the experience he has.” — Georgia HC Kirby Smart on Riley Leonard
“He's the fastest guy on the field, and when he gets on the field, people know he's on the field. And sometimes, I know we want to catch every one of them, but sometimes when you put that pressure on the defense that, here's number 11 in the game and you're throwing that ball deep, it has an impact on them whether you're catching it or not.” — Georgia Coach Mike Bobo on Arian Smith
“Yeah, I think for number one, he's a captain. He's a captain. He's a leader. That's the one thing that hurts you. You can't replace a captain, and you can't replace his leadership. You have to try to replace the production with multiple different people, ways, schemes, schematic things. It's not going to be just one person that's going in there to replace Rylie Mills.” — Notre Dame HC Mike Freeman on Rylie Mills
“Yeah, that's my brother. We work together almost every day. We constantly chill at each other's house, playing the game, and just talking ball, and watching football. We watched the game last night. And yeah, it just goes to show we're close, and we work on things together.” — Georgia DL Mykel Williams on Jalon Walker
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (12-1)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
S Xavier Watts, rJr, 5116, 203, 4.55, Day 1
CB Benjamin Morrison, Jr, 6000, 186, 4.45, Day 2
QB Riley Leonard, Sr, 6035, 212, 4.52, Day 2
DT Howard Cross III, rSr, 6011, 255, 5.10, Day 2
DT Rylie Mills, Sr, 6054, 306, 5.15, Day 2
TE Mitchell Evans, Sr, 6054, 266, 4.80, Day 2
WR Beaux Collins, Sr, 6025, 210, 4.55, Day 3
C Pat Coogan, rJr, 6051, 309, 5.28, Day 3
LB Jack Kiser, rSr, 6011, 230, 4.60, Day 3
ER RJ Oben, rSr, 6031, 260, 4.78, Day 3
OG Rocco Spindler, rSr, 6045, 325, 5.05, UDFA
WR Kris Mitchell, rSr, 6010, 184, 4.50, UDFA
CB Jordan Clark, rSr, 5100, 185, 4.53, UDFA
WR Jayden Thomas, rJr, 6011, 220, 4.60, UDFA
ER Jordan Botelho, Sr, 6020, 245, 4.80, UDFA
K Mitch Jeter, rSr, 5095, 195, 4.83, UDFA
GEORGIA BULLDOGS (11-2)
POSITION | PLAYER | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
S Malaki Starks, Jr, 6010, 205, 4.48, Day 1
ER Mykel Williams, Jr, 6036, 265, 4.55, Day 1
ER Jalon Walker, Jr, 6022, 245, 4.56, Day 1
QB Carson Beck, rSr, 6042, 218, 4.80, Day 1
CB Daylen Everette, Jr, 6012, 190, 4.45, Day 2
OG Dylan Fairchild, rJr, 6044, 315, 5.15, Day 2
OT Earnest Greene III, rSo, 6036, 320, 5.26, Day 2
OT Xavier Truss, rSr, 6070, 320, 5.30, Day 2
OG Tate Ratledge, rSr, 6061, 315, 5.00, Day 2
C Jared Wilson, rJr, 6026, 310, 5.30, Day 2
WR Arian Smith, rSr, 5117, 185, 4.35, Day 2
DT Nazir Stackhouse, rSr, 6030, 325, 5.00, Day 3
LB Smael Mondon Jr., Sr, 6026, 225, 4.55, Day 3
RB Trevor Etienne, Jr, 5085, 205, 4.44, Day 3
TE Benjamin Yurosek, Sr, 6050, 235, 4.80, Day 3
TE Oscar Delp, Jr, 6045, 245, 4.56, Day 3
WR Dominic Lovett, Sr, 5100, 185, 4.50, HPFA
DT Warren Brinson, Sr, 6044, 310, 5.10, HPFA
2025 NFL DRAFT HEADQUARTERS
All Access Football keeps daily tabs on the latest underclassmen players to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, along with confirmed player invites for all the major all-star games, courtesy of the NFL Draft Bible scouting department: