Surprise Winners
1. CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
2. WR Matthew Golden, Texas
3. RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
4. RB R.J. Harvey, UCF
5. QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
6. S Kevin Winston, Penn State
7. T Charles Grant, William & Mary
Hairston was viewed as a solid sleeper who might creep into the 2nd round definitely top of the 3rd due to his coverage skills, but after running the top time at 4.28 and a solid Senior Bowl, he may go late 1st round definitely 2nd round. All the Texas players boasted that they would run the top time, but it turned out to be Golden who came in 2nd at 4.29 that made the impression, moving him from a high 2nd round pick to possibly mid-1st round. Tuten impressed all scouts showing up at 5’9 200lbs running a 4.32 posting all good measurements, to match his resume as a productive dual threat RB in college, he’s viewed as a solid sleeper now. Similar with Harvey, an athletic productive dual threat RB in college who was a high school QB at 5’8, he showed up at 205lbs running a 4.40 viewed as a ready 3rd down/spell back after impressing at the Senior Bowl also.
Shough is a seven-year college player so he comes with injury concerns and will be a 26yr old rookie, but as mentioned with the top 2 QB’s deciding not to throw, he was able to impress at 6’5 219 with a good arm; he is now viewed as a mid-round pick. Winston missed most of the 2024 season with a partially torn ACL in week 2, but he was already viewed as a solid hitter, measuring at 6’4 215 with long arms; he will move up in a weak Safety class (possibly 3rd round). Grant impressed at the Senior Bowl, but teams were unsure of his exact measurements. He showed up at almost 6’5 311lbs with a long wingspan and long arms, making him a developmental LT which always brings value so he should be another mid-round pick.
