NFL Draft Rumor Mill

All Access Football reports on the latest buzz with the NFL Draft just 101 days away.

Volume XXIV Edition XC || NFL Draft Rumor Mill

Welcome to the January 13, 2025 edition of All Access Football Newsletter, Presented by Sports Management World Wide Senior Bowl Meet & Greet at Veet’s.

NFL DRAFT RUMOR MILL

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our Caribe Royale Hula Bowl coverage. We will be back in Florida this weekend for the Trillion Tropical Bowl, so check back for our exclusive reports. Also, be sure to bookmark our Underclassmen Tracker, as we expect a late flurry of announcements with the deadline this week. In the meantime, we have compiled the latest NFL Draft headlines for you to digest. Just a reminder, follow us on ‘X’ for additional updates on EVERYTHING football.

UNDERCLASSMEN SET TO INVADE MOBILE

The 76th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl is shaping up to be the most talented one of all-time. Executive director Jim Nagy took full advantage of the new NFL rule that now allows underclassmen to participate in the major college all-star games. While the rule was implemented shortly before the event last year, we have seen an influx of underclassmen this year, which is symbolic of the ever-evolving landscape. Overall, about two dozen prominent underclassmen have been added to the roster, many of whom project as top 100 selections such as Harold Fannin (pictured). You will find them all at our Senior Bowl Roster Tracker.

TOP PICK JOINS SHRINE BOWL FRAY

The 100th Annual East-West Shrine Bowl has also assembled the most stacked roster that we can recall in our two-plus decades of covering the NFL Draft. Add mammoth Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (pictured) to the list. Grant joins Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, wideouts Tre Harris of Ole Miss and KeAndre Lambert-Smith of Auburn, along with LSU pass-rusher Bradyn Swinson and East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. as potential first round picks who have committed to the game. Last year, the highest drafted player from the event was Edgerrin Cooper (Packers), who was selected 45th overall. You will find all confirmed invites at our East-West Shrine Bowl Roster Tracker.

PRIME: ‘TWO TEAMS SHEDEUR WON’T PLAY FOR”

Let the drama begin. It was no secret that Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was bound to get involved in Shedeur Sander’s (pictured) NFL recruitment. Similar to another football royalty father, there’s a list of teams his son will refuse to play for, according to ‘Coach Prime’. This could throw an interesting monkey wrench atop the NFL Draft. While Sanders refused to specify which teams, one must wonder if the Tennessee Titans, selecting first overall, or the Cleveland Browns who are choosing second, are on the list. This is one story sure to gain traction as we get closer to destination Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft. There is speculation that Coach Prime has interest in the Las Vegas Raiders head coach opening, which is being overseen by Tom Brady. Could a power play be in store out in the desert? Stay tuned.

BROWNS IN PLAY FOR QB AFTER WATSON INJURY

With the news that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (pictured) had to undergo a second surgery on his re-injured Achillies, the organization is almost certain to select a signal-caller with the number two overall selection. By doing so, it would mark the fifth time since 2007 that the Browns have chosen a quarterback in round one. As for Watson, it would appear to be the end of the road for him in Ohio and possibly, for his career entirely. It’s safe to say that the trade made by Cleveland with the Houston Texans for Watson will go down as the worst in NFL history. Yes, even more lopsided than the Herschel Walker deal that sent him from the Dallas Cowboys to Minnesota Vikings in 1989. Now that is saying something!

CARSON BECK-ONS THE CALL AT THE U

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (pictured) has pulled a reverse. Just weeks after announcing that he intends to declare for the upcoming draft, he has instead opted to return back to college after being wooed by NIL dollars. With Miami set to lose Cam Ward to the NFL, the Hurricanes stepped up and swayed Beck to enter the transfer portal with a reported $4M deal (Ward earned $1.6M this past season). Of course, Beck will be sidelined in the short term due to his UCL injury on his throwing arm, which will prevent him from participating in spring ball. He brings a 24-3 record as a starter to Miami, as he now becomes a contender to be QB1 for the 2026 NFL Draft.

LONGHORNS MAKE DASH FOR THE DRAFT

It is widely expected that Quinn Ewers will be the next big-name quarterback to declare for the NFL Draft. The Texas Longhorns will be in re-load mode, as they’ll be losing quite a few players this year, including offensive tackle Kelvin Banks and running back Jaydon Blue (pictured). Both players announced their intent to enter the draft, while Ewers has yet to make his announcement official. Ranked as the top offensive tackle prospect by NFL Draft Bible, Banks is a technician who brings mega pedigree. As for Blue who stepped up down the stretch for Texas, he is viewed more as a mid-to-late round prospect.

LSU PLAYER INVOLVED IN HOMICIDE

LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy is wanted for negligent homicide, hit-and-run in connection to a deadly crash that occurred on December 17th. The horrifying image above is the result of an accident caused by Lacy, who then fled the scene without rendering aid or calling authorities, killing a 78-year old man and leaving two others injured. This is a devastating blow to Lacy, who finished with 58 catches, for 866 yards and nine touchdowns this past season for the Tigers. He was considered to be a Day 2 level prospect prior to the incident but his career now remains in jeopardy. Remarkably, Lacy announced his intent to declare for the draft just two days later.

VRABEL EFFECT ON PATS FRONT OFFICE

The New England Patriots made it official with the announcement of Mike Vrabel as their 16th head coach. While the move comes as no surprise, one interesting development to keep an eye on is how much influence Vrabel will have on the front office and player decision-making. Part of the deal included him bringing compadre Ryan Cowden on board to serve in some capacity. Cowden, who spent the past two seasons serving as an executive advisor to New York Giants GM Joe Schoen, will work under Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. The duo of Vrabel and Cowden spent seven seasons together in Tennessee.

*Programming Alert: Catch AAF founder Ric Serritella on Sports Rage this Tuesday night with Gabriel Morency, airing at 10pm ET on Sports Grid TV and SIRIUSXM 159.