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2025 NFL Draft has plenty of Arizona connections

(AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Story by Daniel Rios

In five weeks, the 2025 NFL draft kicks off. In these upcoming weeks, teams will finalize their draft boards with the help of the final stage of the draft process, Pro Day’s. 

Colleges host pro days, which are workouts letting NFL draft-eligible prospects participate in drills in front of NFL scouts and coaches. The drills are the same ones seen at the NFL combine, but it’s a more “controlled” environment for the players.  

It’s the last process of the draft cycle, which includes events like the combine, Senior Bowl, and East-West Shrine Bowl. It’s a lot for the average fan to keep up with, as there are many dates and events to track. 

Arizona has representation with players in the draft, whether it’s players who went to high school here or played college in the Valley. It’s hard to keep up with how players have done in this entire process, so we’ll go over how the players projected to go in the first three rounds and how they’ve done so far in this winding road the pre-draft process can be. 

Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona, 6-foot-4, 219 pounds 

McMillan played at Arizona for all three of his collegiate seasons. In those years, he caught 213 receptions for 3,423 yards (most in Arizona history) and 26 touchdowns. Those stats have equaled impressive accolades for the Hawaii product. He was named a consensus All-American, Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, AP First-Team All-American, and First-Team All-Big 12 in 2024. 

He was regarded as the No.1 receiver early in the draft process, but after Texas receiver Marcus Golden ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, conversations started about who would be the first receiver off the board. McMillan has a strong case with his frame and ability, as he had a 13.7 ADOT (average depth of target) and a 60 CTC% (Contested catch percentage) in 2024 with the Wildcats. 

McMillan didn’t participate in any drills at the combine but participated in a private workout where he ran a 40-yard dash. Reports came out of him running a 4.48 by Jordan Schultz, but others said scouts said he ran between a 4.55-4.57. Regardless, McMillan running a time in the mid-4.5s is a bright spot and solidifies him being drafted in the first round. It all just depends on where the big-bodied receiver is taken. 

Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame, 6 foot, 193 pounds (Attended Brophy High School)

Morrison was a four-star recruit out of Brophy in 2022 and was immediately introduced to the national stage. He made the 2022 Freshman All-American for ESPN, The Athletic, 247 Sports and Pro Football Focus with six interceptions. 

This past season was rough as he missed the final 10 games with a hip injury but put up 20 tackles and four pass breakups. Still, he was a 2024 team captain and made multiple preseason All-American teams. 

 

Morrison didn’t participate in the combine, nor will he be on Notre Dame’s Pro Day on Mar 27th. Instead, he’ll have his private workout for teams, which he announced at the combine, per Andrew Mentock. 

If he is healthy, he should be a day one or two pick, as he possesses excellent speed and is a natural ball hawk when playing corner. He had nine interceptions in only 31 games and understands route combinations at an elite level. 

Jonah Savaniaa, OT Arizona, 6-foot-4, 324 pounds 

Savaiinaea, like McMillan, spent all three collegiate seasons at Arizona. He started inside in 2022, primarily playing guard, then in his later years, he switched to the outside playing tackle. An unspoken rule for tackles in the NFL is needing 34-inch arms. Savaiinaea at the combine measured in at 33 ⅞ “arms; teams may give him opportunities at guard if drafted. 

Despite this, he only allowed 15 pressures in 2024. He was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024, All-Pac 12 honorable mention in 2023 and in 2022, was named a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America. 

 

He plans to participate in the Big 12 Pro Day this week, but he did work out at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He showcased his athleticism in his workout, posting a 4.95 40-yard dash (second fastest for tackles), 1.72 10-yard split (second highest for tackles) and 4.66 20-yard shuttle (third highest for tackles). 

Despite the size, he showed off his quickness and athleticism throughout the offensive line workout. All his movements were fluid throughout the drills, and he solidified what people thought of him. 

He’s currently projected to be drafted on day two. 

Cameron Skattebo, RB Arizona State, 5-foot-9, 219 pounds

Skattebo is the definition of an underdog. Zero-star recruit out of high school and started his collegiate career in FCS at Sacramento State; two years later, he joined ASU in coach Kenny Dillingham’s first year. 

He accumulated 821 touches in his collegiate career for 5,772 scrimmage yards and 51 touchdowns. His 2024 season put him fifth in Heisman voting, and he was named an All-American by the Associated Press and ESPN. 

He forced 103 missed tackles in 2024, and 1,202 yards came after contact. He’s a true bowling ball on the field, but even with the great season, he’s still expected to be taken on day two. According to analysts, the running back class for this draft class is loaded, as 30 backs have a draftable grade. 

 

Skattebo was invited to the combine but didn’t opt to participate in all events. He did the vert and broad jump; he recorded a 39.5-inch vertical (third best for running backs) and a 10 ’03 “broad jump. Still, the most interesting thing scouts want to see from Skattebo is his top-end speed. 

He was initially scheduled to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl but didn’t attend. The workout scouts want to see is his 40-yard dash time. He didn’t do it at the combine and wasn’t listed to work out at the Big 12 Pro Day this week. ASU doesn’t plan to hold a Pro Day, so he’ll have to have a private workout for scouts if he wants to showcase his speed. 

Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State, 5-foot-11, 186 pounds (Attended Saguaro and Brophy High school) 

Burke was able to cap off his collegiate career at the top, winning a national championship with the Buckeyes just months ago. The former four-star recruit in 2021 spent all four seasons in Columbus but now turns his attention towards the draft. 

He was selected to the first-team all-Big Ten Conference team (coaches) in 2023, an honorable mention for the all-Big Ten team in 2022 and a Freshman All-American by ESPN, The Athletic and 247Sports. 

 

He participated at the combine but only in the 40-yard dash, running a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 1.50 10-yard split. Burke skipped out on the rest of the drills but is expected to participate at Ohio State’s Pro Day on Mar 26th. 

He has excellent coverage skills but not the most natural feel when it comes to man coverage; he is also a good run defender. He’s tracking to be around a day-three pick.

Ty Robinson, DL Nebraska, 6-foot-5, 288 pounds (attended Higley High School) 

Robinson was in college for six years and spent all six at Nebraska. He was a former four-star recruit out of Arizona in 2019, recording 134 tackles and 12 sacks (seven in 2024) in his collegiate career. 

He was named to Second-Team All-Big Ten in 2024 by the Associated Press, Third-Team All-Big Ten by Coaches and the Media, and an Honorable-Mention for All-Big Ten in 2023. His impressive 2024 season put him on the radar of scouts and front offices, as he had 19 run stops with a win percentage of 10.4 on pass rushes. He primarily lines up as a three-technique but did showcase the versatility to line up anywhere along the defensive line. 

Robinson was invited to the Senior Bowl and participated, showcasing his strong hands and explosiveness as a lineman. He turned heads at the event and strengthened his stock even more at the combine. He ran a 4.83 40-yard dash (first among defensive tackles), which is impressive for his size. 

 

The Arizona native can continue to turn heads at Nebraska’s Pro Day on Mar 25th. While it’s unknown if he’ll work out, his athleticism in the past couple of months has boosted his stock. He was initially considered a day three pick, but now he can be picked on day two. 

Tyler Shough, QB Louisville, 6-foot-5, 219 pounds (attended Hamilton High School) 

It’s been a journey for Shough, as he originally was a four-star recruit in the 2018 class (same as Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence). He’s battled injuries throughout his career, sustaining three consecutive years of them either sidelining or limiting his playing time. Naturally, with it, he’s become a journeyman in college, having stopped at Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville. 

He’s completed 599 passes for 7,820 yards for 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He’ll be 26 by the time the 2025 NFL season kicks off, but it doesn’t seem to matter, as he mentioned the age didn’t come up in any of his meetings at the combine. 

 

For good reason, as Shough went to the Senior Bowl and put on a show and then attended the combine, ran a 4.63 40-yard dash, and threw the ball well. He’s regarded as a true pocket passer-type quarterback, which is evident in his 2024 tape and size. The experience has led to him maybe being the most “NFL ready” quarterback in this class; he had an ADOT (average depth of target) of 9.7 and an NFL passer rating of 101.1 for 2024.

He can continue to rise boards when Louisville has its Pro Day on Mar 25th. Reportedly, Shough is being regarded as a second-round pick, but it will still be tough for him to be selected in the first round due to his age.

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