All eyes in the football world will be on Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday night as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell takes the podium to kick off the 2025 draft. In Mississippi, fans of the state’s various universities as well as professional franchises across the country will turn on their televisions in hopes of hearing some of their favorite players’ names called to compete at the next level.
Below is a list of players with ties to the Magnolia State who have a shot at being picked up by an NFL franchise on night one of the draft.
Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen
Walter Nolen has been an eye-popping NFL prospect since he jumped ship from Texas A&M to Ole Miss for his junior campaign. The interior defensive lineman was a force to be reckoned with all season and wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines, consistently drawing double teams. For that, Nolen is essentially a lock to hear his name called in the first round, according to most experts.
Nolen, ESPN’s No. 3-ranked defensive tackle in this year’s class, had 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections last season. The former No. 1 overall prospect out of high school rarely had an opponent lined up across from him that could match his physicality.
Per scouting reports, Nolen has a quick burst off the snap and bulldozes right into blockers with great force. He also has an uncommon ability to reach the backfield or track down a ball carrier despite facing two blockers at once.
.@OleMissFB DT Walter Nolen brings all the tools necessary to be an impact player on the D-Line 😤 @walternolen4
📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/7730uoX6i8
— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2025
One concern about Nolen is his motor. He is said to disengage from blocks too quickly at times, while having below-average extension and control at the point of attack.
Teams to look out for: Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart
With plenty of teams in need of a field general, Jaxson Dart’s name has generated a lot of buzz. The Ole Miss quarterback who shattered just about every record held by former Rebel greats like Eli Manning, Chad Kelly, Bo Wallace, and Matt Corral is looking to be Lane Kiffin’s inaugural quarterback selected in the first round as a head coach.
Dart, ESPN’s No. 3 quarterback on the board, will certainly be selected after Miami’s Cam Ward, but could be taken before Colorado and former Jackson State standout Shedeur Sanders. The Kaysville, Utah, native, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 223 pounds, models his game after Super Bowl-winning signal caller Jalen Hurts.
In his three years at Ole Miss, Dart racked up 10,214 yards and 68 touchdowns in the air along with 1,457 yards and 12 scores on the ground. He compiled a 28-10 overall record as the Rebels’ starter and led the program to its first 11-win season.
Dart, according to his scouting report, has displayed strong decision-making skills, especially on third down, and is accurate on the move. He is especially touted for his precision on back-shoulder fades along with his ability to recognize pressure early and effectively evade getting sacked.
Jaxson Dart has Legitimate NFL Traits
➖77.7% Adjusted Completion Percentage
➖7.1% Big Time Throw Percentage
➖11.9 Average Depth of Target
ALL of these Advanced Analytics were BETTER than Cam Wards..
➖Age: 21
➖Size: 6’2, 225 lbs
Future 1st Round Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/7RcgeOSLjl
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 16, 2025
On the downside, industry experts have expressed concerns with Dart’s struggles against deep zone coverage and his inability to adapt to it at times. Dart, being in Kiffin’s quarterback-friendly system, has also raised questions about his capability to avoid anticipatory throws at the wrong time. In essence, scouts want to be sure the signal caller can command a field presence without being catered to by his coaching staff.
Teams to look out for: New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams
Ole Miss defensive back Trey Amos
Trey Amos, an Alabama transfer who had an immediate impact on the field in Pete Golding’s defense, is slated to be a late first-round or early second-round pick. Regardless, NFL general managers and coaches know what they’re getting with him — a lockdown corner.
Ranked by ESPN as the No. 6 defensive back on the board, Amos made his presence known in Oxford on day one. The Louisiana native logged 39 solo tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions. Aside from the statbook, Amos met the eye test, given that the ball was rarely thrown in his direction.
Scouts have lauded Amos’s footwork and ability to jam wide receivers in press coverage. His agility, body control, and long arms have also made him one of the most coveted players at his position.
Trey Amos is a suffocating presence at CB.
Allowed a 54.5 passer rating in 2024, including a 10 PBUs and 3 picks. He DOMINATES in press-zone looks and is also shutdown in man.
Has developed into a top 50 pick at Ole Miss after one year at Bama and three years at UL-Lafayette. -… pic.twitter.com/6gxAupkqil
— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) March 23, 2025
Areas of improvement for Amos include not allowing too much separation with the receiver at times, working on eye-balance in off-man coverage, and speed when in a one-on-one battle.
Teams to look out for: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs
Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris
Another dark horse candidate with some first-round potential is Tre Harris. Though the Ole Miss wideout is not expected to hear his name called in the first round, it is not out of the realm of possibilities for an NFL franchise to gamble on him early. Harris is listed by ESPN as the No. 5 wide receiver on the board, though he is likely to be drafted in the second or third round.
In his two seasons with the Rebels, he compiled 114 receptions, 1,990 yards, 15 touchdowns, and an average reception rate of 17.7 yards, making him one of the top pass catchers in the country.
Harris is highly touted by industry experts for using his frame to beat smaller defensive backs in one-on-one coverage, recording large chunks of yardage after catch, and breaking tackles.
Tre Harris Ranked 1st in the NATION in Receiving Yards Per Game (128.8)..
Before his injury Vs. LSU he was Averaging:
➖10.4 Targets (6th in CFB)
➖8.4 Receptions (2nd in CFB)
➖1.0 Receiving TD’s (3rd in CFB)
Dudes 6’2, 205 lbs and was ALSO 1st in Yards Per Route Run.. (5.12) pic.twitter.com/JKbPbDI6wT
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 21, 2025
The star wideout began his college days at Louisiana Tech before heading north to Ole Miss. Though he is rife with positive attributes, some of his downsides include a lack of versatility in route running, dropping contested passes, and injuries. Harris was limited in both seasons with the Rebels due to knee and groin injuries.
Teams to look out for: Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders
No players from Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, or any other Mississippi college football program are expected to go in the early rounds of the draft.
How to watch the draft
Folks can tune in to the NFL Network, ESPN, and ESPN2 on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT for full coverage.
