4 2025 NFL Draft matchups to watch in Week 3 of College Football

It's a pretty bare bones slate, but there are some matchups to keep a close eye on

Apr 13, 2024; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) shown during the G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The college football season now enters Week 3 as 2025 NFL Draft prospects like Georgia offensive guard Tate Ratledge and Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker look to continue to construct their NFL resumes.

So as we enter Week 3 of the 2024 college football season, who are some of the bigger draft-eligible prospects set to take the field? What are some of the best matchups between draft-eligible players to keep an eye on as you pig out on college football this weekend?

The Daft on Draft podcast has you covered with the best content to consume. You can listen to the full episode of the podcast on all of Apple, Spotify, or watch it on YouTube.

4 episodes per week!? Hell yes.

Today, Dalton and Cory sift through the Week 3 schedule of college football for high-stakes 2025 NFL Draft implications around the nation:

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Here are some of the biggest matchups discussed on the Daft on Draft Podcast:

Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker (0) reacts after making a tackle against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images / Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Kentucky DT Deone Walker vs. Georgia OG Tate Ratledge

The Bulldogs have three interior offensive linemen worth watching against standout Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker, but chief among them is Tate Ratledge. After a stellar performance against a tough Clemson defensive interior, Ratledge is on his way to establishing himself as the best guard in the nation.

Walker, a mocked first round pick right now, has a resume game right here. Coming off of a season with eight sacks, Walker has yet to pick up his first one in 2024. Can he get it against the likes of Ratledge, Dylan Fairchild, and Jared Wilson along the stout Georgia interior offensive line?

Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman Marcus Mbow (63) runs a drill during football practice, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Purdue OT Marcus Mbow vs. Notre Dame DL

In his first game back from a broken leg a year ago, Purdue right tackle Marcus Mbow stonewalked the Indiana State Sycamores. Perhaps a good ease-in game, he now has a much stiffer test against the stout Notre Dame defensive front. The likes of Rylie Mills, Howard Cross III, RJ Oben, and more will be no slouch for the 2025 NFL Draft hopeful.

Mbow, who I project more inside as a guard, has Day 2 potential. He has excellent foot speed, some of the best hands of any offensive lineman in the country, and is a well-disciplined player. In his first real test since breaking his leg in Week 6 a year ago, how will the Purdue standout handle a tough matchup against the Fighting Irish?

Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers offensive linemen Emery Jones Jr. (50) lines up prior to the snap during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

LSU OTs vs. South Carolina freshman phenom

LSU boasts two potential first round offensive tackles in Emery Jones Jr. and Will Campbell. And while their matchup is not against a 2025 NFL Draft-eligible player, it is against someone who is making waves across the college football landscape.

Pass rusher Dylan Stewart is all of the rage right now as he has been terrorizing opposing teams, including the Kentucky offensive line a week ago. After three sacks in his first ever collegiate game against Old Dominion, Stewart followed it up with three pressures, two hurries, and a quarterback hit against the Wildcats.

Jones and Campbell will have their hands full, and this is absolutely a resume matchup even if Stewart isn't draft eligible until the 2026 NFL Draft.

Oct 21, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) rushes the passer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Missouri OT Armand Membou vs. BC EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

Coming off of a dominant showing against Florida State, Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku has the attention of 2025 NFL Draft pundits. He racked up four pressures, one sack, and three quarterback hits in their upset win. This week, he has an explosive and fleet-footed matchup in Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou.

While Membou projects as a guard in the NFL given his lack of length to hang at tackle at the NFL level, his tools are off the charts. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, Membou has given up just one pressure all season. He has, however, only played Murray State and Buffalo to this point. Taking on a top-25 opponent, and a pass rusher gathering NFL Draft steam, Membou has his first real test of the 2024 season in Ezeiruaku.

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