Looking at the matchups for Big Ten teams across the country, there aren't any really high-profile games but there are plenty of player storylines and opportunities for draft prospects to elevate their NFL draft stock. In particular, there are quite a few running backs with great opportunities to make a claim to jump into the top-50 conversation as we move forward.
Check out the players I will be watching in the Big Ten conference to see if they have an opportunity to elevate their 2025 NFL Draft stock this weekend.
Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
vs. Illinois defense
What To Look For: Losing to Texas is one thing, but losing to the Washington Huskies by double digits is a whole other problem. The Wolverines currently sit just inside the AP Top 25, way off from where the national media and fans thought they would be at this point. This week they have a top-25 matchup against a nontraditional football powerhouse, Illinois. This is an absolute must-win for the Wolverines.
In must-wins, you have to go with your most sure players, and for the Wolverines, one of those players has been Kalel Mullings. I'm Looking for Mullings to have a dominant performance and make the most of the carries he receives. This game may very well result in Mullings having more than 200 total yards and being the sole reason for Michigan winning the game. Individually, this game can go a long way for his draft stock as it will elevate him into another tier of collegiate draft-eligible backs.
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
vs. Michigan defense
What To Look For: The Fighting Illini are in a ranked matchup with Michigan as the higher-ranked team—two things most football fans did not have on their cards for the 20204 season. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is playing effective and efficient football and is quietly starting to catch the eyes of the NFL.
In this matchup, I'm looking to see how well Altmyer plays against one of the best defenses in the country, loaded with names like Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, and Will Johnson. A signature win against a blue-blood program like Michigan will 100% get the NFL community talking about Altmyer as a draft prospect.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
vs. Michigan State defense
What To Look For: This week, Iowa is facing off against Michigan State, a game they should be able to win. Kaleb Johnson, like every week, should be an integral part of their offensive game plan and produce at a high level. But this week, I'm not only paying attention to his effectiveness but if he can elevate his name in the Heisman race. Johnson is second behind Ashton Jeanty for FBS rushing yards, and this year—more than others in recent memory—appears to be open for a running back to win the award. I'm looking for Johnson to not only have a good performance but for him to put up high-level numbers to try and catch Jeanty and place himself in the Heisman conversation after this week.
Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
vs. UCLA defense
What To Look For: Kyle Monangai is quietly one of the best RB prospects in this draft class. His combination of quickness, burst, and ability to break tackles makes him a difficult player to stop week in and out. Unfortunately, Rutgers is tucked in the northeastern part of the country and gets very little national coverage. That’s why Monangai is not a highly discussed name yet.
In this matchup against UCLA, with what would be assumed to be a different part of the country watching, I'm looking for Monangai to showcase his skill set to a new audience and begin to get his name buzzing in NFL draft communities. In this matchup against a struggling UCLA defense, Monangai has the opportunity to put on a great performance and put up one of the best yardage outputs of any running back this week.
Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
vs. Nebraska defense
What To Look For: In a quarterback class with many names that seem to cycle through being at the top of draft boards, it is easy to lose sight of and understand the depth of this quarterback class outside of the top names. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is a name that people need to start getting familiar with, as he has shown to be one of the better quarterbacks in the draft class.
Indiana is ranked No. 16 and has an opportunity to elevate itself with a win. Rourke is facing off against Nebraska, a program that looks like it’s headed in the right direction and has talented prospects throughout the defense, like CB Tommi Hill. I’m looking for Rourke to have yet another good overall performance and put his team close to the top 10.
