Spring Football 2025: Ten Players Ready for the Big Sophomore Leap

Demond Williams Jr., Washington

One of my favorite things about college football is seeing fresh players rise into the spotlight, and have their respective "breakout" moments. Whether it's the former blue-chip, high-profile prospect or the lightly recruited underdog who finally gets a chance, these types of stories add to the unpredictable nature of college football. That's why my annual, "Ten Players Ready for the Big Sophomore Leap" article is one of my favorites every year. I mean, what better way to pass the time as we inch towards the fall, than wild speculation? This will now be my seventh (!) straight year making this list and every year I add to my many hits and frankly many misses. In that spirit, it's time to unveil my 2025 list, with 10 players ready for their breakthroughs in their sophomore seasons. 

(* Note - list includes redshirt freshman, true sophomores, and redshirt sophomores)

1. K.J. Bolden, S, Georgia

(2024 Stats: 59 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 interception)

NBA Mock Draft 2025: Edition 1 (Lottery Edition)

Cooper Flagg, Duke

 1. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Mere months removed from one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks have a chance to replace Luka Doncic with a transcendent young star in Cooper Flagg. Conspiracy theories aside, pairing Flagg with a healthy Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving immediately makes the Mavericks a real threat coming out of the West. With Flagg's two-way ability and versatility, he should be able to fit perfectly into this current roster, an ideal landing spot for his future.

2. San Antonio Spurs

V.J. Edgecombe, G/F, Baylor

The Spurs have their choice of the best of the rest with Cooper Flagg set to go No. 1 overall. Conventional wisdom would say they choose one of the Rutgers prospects here, either Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey, but they already have an established backcourt with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. Instead, they take a swing on wing V.J. Edgecombe, an elite athlete with potential to mold into an ideal "three-an-D" player in the pros.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

NFL Mock Draft 2026: Edition 1 (Way-Too-Early Edition)

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

1. Cleveland Browns

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

You always see quarterbacks mocked No. 1 overall in these way-too-early mock drafts, but I'm calling it now - Caleb Downs will be the best available defender next spring. Now, that's not too bold of a take considering what Downs has done over the course of two seasons with a pair of high-profile programs in Alabama and Ohio State, but this fall feels like the year Downs becomes a true household name. He's the type of do-it-all defender who can line up anywhere and make an impact, and he'll be difficult to pass up on at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft.

2. New York Giants

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The Giants hope they found their new franchise signal-caller in Jaxson Dart, but now it's about surrounding him with the right talent. They have talent on the perimeter, but the O-Line remains a perennial need for the organization. As inconsistent as Kadyn Proctor has been at times, he still projects as the top tackle available next spring.

3. New Orleans Saints

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU