The weirdness of the new-look college football landscape has yet to really take effect, even as realignment continues unabated. Talent evaluation doesn't change, though.

When the college game is seen through the lens of what comes next for the top individual performers, matchups only matter based on potential ability to improve or deflate an NFL prospect's standing.

As an example, the tape of Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. playing well against his best competition of the season will be worn out by scouts. Conversely, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard continued to disappoint, even as the leader of what was a top-20 squad against a MAC opponent.

The Bleacher Report Scouting Department of Brandon Thorn, Cory Giddings, Dame Parson and Matt Holder pinpointed specific targets who deserve attention—positively or negatively—for their latest performances, including those already mentioned.

As this season takes shape, how prospects are viewed will change.

The 2025 draft class is particularly interesting based on how much uncertainty and different types of talents reside near the top. In this column's first mini-mock of the cycle, the projection—based on reverse order from B/R's current Power Rankings—is guaranteed to look different than how the class is generally viewed.

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1. WR Evan Stewart, Oregon

With Troy Franklin departing to the NFL, a void existed in the Oregon Ducks offense. Franklin caught 81 passes for 1,383 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to becoming a second-team All-American and fourth-round draft pick.

Evan Stewart transferred in from Texas A&M and looks like Oregon's new WR1.

"After a quiet Week 1, Stewart exploded onto the scene in a close game against Boise State," Parson said. "Stewart displayed strong route-running ability, short-area quickness and coverage recognition in his breakout performance. He caught five of his seven targets for 112 yards and a touchdown.

"The junior prospect won from multiple alignments and displayed an ability to defeat press alignment with his releases. The Oregon passing attack should continue to dial up Stewart's numbers because he's added a legitimate NFL-caliber playmaker to the Ducks offense."

2. TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

How a prospect performs against specific opponents is important. Every snap is scrutinized, but they mean so much more when playing against top competition.

Bowling Green faced a Top 10 team in the Penn State Nittany Lions, with multiple future pros playing for the Big Ten defense, and the MAC school's tight end was the best player on the field.

"Let's call Harold Fannin Jr. a sleeper that has risen to the occasion," Parson said. "He made plays in multiple ways, showcasing his versatility, and assisted with a good effort in the run game.

"At a listed 6'4" and 230 pounds, Fannin displayed his vertical/seam speed, strong hands and strength/physicality after the catch. He handled manufactured/quick-game touches and attacked every level of Penn State's defense.

"Fannin has the overall skill set to be a complete tight end at the next level and a mismatch in the passing game."

3. CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

The Texas Longhorns found themselves a defensive weapon in defensive back Jahdae Brown. During Texas' impressive win over the Michigan Wolverines, he moved all over the formation and provided quality reps.

"Barron is a versatile defensive back, who already showed limitless position flexibility," Giddings said. "He has the fluidity and coverage skills to play outside corner, combined with the physicality and short-area quickness to play over the slot. There are even times where Texas will align him in the box.

"On a talent-laden Top 10 team, it will be interesting to see if Barron can maintain his high level of play throughout the entirety of the season or fade slightly."

4. RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers

If not for Ashton Jeanty's ridiculous start to the season, Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai would garner far more attention. Both are future NFL running backs, with the 5'9", 209-pound Monangai showing how strong and tough of a runner he is despite a smaller frame.

"Monangai is college football's second-leading rusher," Parson said. "The junior prospect is handling a strong workload by averaging 23 carries per game heading to start the season. He is coming off a 208-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Akron Zips.

"During that last contest, Monangai ran with decisiveness, vision, patience, burst and power.

"With a full head of steam through the second level of the defense, he pinballs off contact and remains upright. He is one of the more pure runners in the 2025 NFL draft class."

5. OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

The 2025 offensive tackle class may be a little murkier than initially believe. LSU's Will Campbell has been considered OT1 from the start. Would he be better served as an interior blocker? Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. may stake his claim as the top offensive tackle prospect. Meanwhile, Minnesota's Aireontae Ersery should be in the first-round mix as well.

"Ersery opened the year with a good performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels, showing accurate, firm and sticky hands in pass protection to line up his target and end reps quickly with a strong anchor," Thorn said. "The 6'6", 300-pound blocker did lose two reps around the edge due to his outside hand getting swiped, but showed decent recovery ability on one to widen the rusher enough for it not to clean.

"In the run game he created several rush lanes due to quick processing skills when uncovered to locate targets with the same impressive grip strength to sustain blocks once latched.

"Weeks 4, 5 and 6 against Iowa, Michigan and USC will be when we really get to see him against quality competition. A string of good games should help bring added context to just how good of a prospect Ersery is."

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1. QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

The season couldn't have started much worse for Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. After being with Duke and piquing interest in scouts before suffering a high ankle sprain, Leonard was viewed as a quarterback prospect making some noise.

The transfer didn't play well in the season opener against the Texas A&M Aggies and performed even worse in Notre Dame's stunning loss to the Northern Illinois Huskies.

"Plenty of optimism followed Leonard entering this season," Parson said. "Through two weeks, Leonard has been less than impressive. His Week 1 performance against Texas A&M was gritty but not noteworthy from a draft perspective. In Week 2, Leonard completed 20 of his 33 pass attempts for 163 yards, zero passing touchdowns and two interceptions. His offense only scored on two of their drives.

"Leonard has lost his preseason luster while averaging 5.1 yards per attempt through two games. His current level of play is far from acceptable with the expectations leading into the season and playing for a prestigious program like Notre Dame."

2. Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. had developed into a preseason favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. After all, he plays a premium position, to go along with the fact he registered 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a true sophomore in the SEC.

Pearce hasn't created much of an impact so far this season. Maybe those early projections were a little too high.

"Pearce has plenty of potential," Holder said, "but he's getting a lot more love on other rankings than he is with B/R's. Pearce can win as a pass-rusher at the college level with his natural gifts. However, his technique needs work, and he hasn't shown much improvement in that department so far this season. Also, the 6'5", 243-pounder still looks thin and is light to be an every-down defender in the NFL despite the reported weight gain over the offseason."

3. RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II exploded onto the scene last season, leading the FBS with 1,732 rushing yards and winning the Doak Walker Award.

It came as bit of a surprise we he pseudo-disappeared for stretches Saturday against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

"So far this season, Gordon has been less than stellar," Parson said. "Through two games, he has carried the ball 44 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Gordon is averaging a pedestrian 3.9 yards per carry, including 2.9 against the Razorbacks. He is struggling to negotiate backfield penetration/pressure. He is not forcing missed tackles or generating big explosive runs this season. His longest run was for 12 yards, which is the opposite of last season, where his longest carry went for 71 yards.

"Gordon has gotten out of the starting blocks slower with more defensive attention on him and fewer open lanes to run through. Plenty of season remains for him to rebound and find his stride."

4. WR Tez Johnson, Oregon

Earlier, Evan Stewart earned praise for how he's quickly integrated into the Oregon Ducks offense. Conversely, teammate Tez Johnson probably isn't doing enough right now. Johnson has only 80 yards through two games while averaging 5.3 yards per reception.

"After losing star wideout Troy Franklin to the NFL, Johnson should have been placed in a position to ascend toward stardom," Parson said. "Well, it's not happened yet.

"Johnson was the focal point of the offensive passing attack against Idaho in Week 1. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel peppered him with targets. Week 2 was different. Johnson played 57 snaps yet saw only two targets for negative one yard for the entire game. Stewart became the beneficiary this past weekend.

"Johnson is a quick-twitch slot receiver with a small frame and limited catch radius. Finding a way to stand out in a talented receiver room will be paramount."

5. DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan

If a nose tackle is going to hold value, he either needs to be dominant at the point of attack or provide some kind of presence as a pass-rusher. Michigan's Kenneth Grant didn't do much of either in what turned out to be a big loss to Texas.

"While Grant didn't play poorly against Texas, he had a chance to stand out on a national stage against a top opponent and ended up blending in," Holder said. "Grant has only one tackle (assisted at that) through two weeks of play, which just isn't productive enough for a potential first-round pick. He needs to start flashing on film more often and making more plays."

10. Chicago Bears: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Safety isn't the first position that comes to mind based on how the Chicago Bears are currently constructed.

After all, Jaquan Brisker is one of the game's best young safeties, while veteran Kevin Byard is signed through the 2025 campaign. Two things must be taken into consideration, though.

First, Georgia's Malaki Starks is one of the class' best pure talents regardless of position. An acquisition on the fringe of the top 10 is good value since he presents outstanding ball skills and athleticism for a pure safety prospect. The Bears can lean heavily on big nickel looks with all three of those mentioned on the field at the same time.

Or, another option exists. The Bears aren't locked into Byard's second season. None of his '25 salary is guaranteed. Chicago could decide to release the aging defensive back after this season and save $7 million toward next year's salary cap.

Basically, the best-player-available option is not a bad way to operate, especially after the Bears invested so much on the offensive side of the ball during this past offseason. The defense could now use another top-flight talent.

9. Cleveland Browns: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

The Michigan defensive front dominated college football on the way to the Wolverines claiming their first national championship in 26 years. The group remains loaded with talent. Apparently, no one let Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. know.

The biggest knock on Banks won't go away, because he's not built like a traditional left tackle. Texas lists its lineman at 6'4" and 320 pounds. Yet his length and movement skills belie what would usually be viewed as a guard build.

Banks more than held his own against the Wolverines during the Longhorns' decisive victory in the Big House.

The Cleveland Browns could very well be searching for a Deshaun Watson replacement. The organization has yet to cross that bridge, though. Until some type of movement occurs, if it does at all, left tackle is the biggest problem area on Cleveland's roster.

Jedrick Wills Jr. isn't under contract after this season. He's dealt with multiple injuries throughout his five-year career. Even when he's on the field, he's basically a replacement-level performer. The Browns whiffed on their 2020 first-round pick and require a new blindside protector.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

The Arizona Cardinals sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen twice in the season opener between the two teams. Neither of those sacks came from an edge-rusher. It's not surprising considering the Cardinals finished among the bottom three in the category last season.

General manager Monti Ossenfort re-signed Zaven Collins and drafted Darius Robinson in the first round, though the latter is dealing with a calf injury and becomes a better pass-rusher when working along the interior.

A pure edge-rusher capable of consistently winning matchups is necessary.

As noted earlier, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. presents significant upside and explosiveness but lacks the refinement and bulk to be more than a sub-package performer at the onset of his career.

Still, the Cardinals are searching for someone...anyone...who can make a difference along their defensive front. Neither J.J. Watt nor Chandler Jones is walking through the door.

Pearce has yet to register a sack through two games this season. However, Tennessee's defensive front is extremely deep with a regular rotation. Expect Pearce to start putting up numbers and potentially surpass last season's 10-sack effort.

If not, he may not be in the top 10 for long.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

The Las Vegas Raiders are in for a long season. A black cloud hangs over the entire organization because it doesn't have any semblance of a long-term answer at quarterback.

Gardner Minshew II isn't the answer. The same can be said of Aidan O'Connell.

Maybe one of them surprises. It won't matter, because neither presents enough upside to warrant another season as the starter behind center.

All the Raiders can do is hope one of the top quarterback prospects falls to them, or get aggressive to obtain one—which they failed to achieve this past cycle.

In this instance, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is there for the taking.

Sanders has the ability. It's evident. He has good natural arm talent and accuracy when working in rhythm. However, the rest of his evaluation will revolve around how the prospect plays when facing top competition. Sanders and the Buffaloes fell flat Saturday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The quarterback's ability to play the position is obvious. His maturity could be a deciding factor in where he lands based on how he's handled certain situations, specifically leaving the field early during Saturday's loss and then essentially throwing his offensive line under the bus as part of his postgame press availability.

6. Washington Commanders: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

The Washington Commanders fielded the league's worst pass defense during the 2023 season. They hired a defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn. The squad proceeded to allow four touchdown passes, a completion percentage of 80 and a 146.6 quarterback rating to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 1.

Everyone should expect Washington's defense to at least show some improvement as the group becomes more accustomed to the scheme. But it's clear the unit doesn't have all the pieces in place to drastically increase its level of play.

Besides, both Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis are scheduled to be free agents after this season.

Michigan's Will Johnson can provide a legitimate top cover corner that the Commanders previously hoped they had in Emmanuel Forbes. The 2023 first-round pick continues to be a disappointment, though.

Johnson has yet to be seriously tested this season. Instead, opponents have concentrated on attacking his bookend, sophomore Jyaire Hill, more often. The 6'2", 202-pound junior can still do a better job locking down receivers when quarterbacks do throw in his direction.

As of right now, nothing has been seen to not consider Johnson a top prospect, just as he entered the season.

5. Denver Broncos: DL Mason Graham, Michigan

After moving on from Russell Wilson and selecting Bo Nix in this year's first round, the Denver Broncos will have far more flexibility in the 2025 draft.

Typically, defensive tackles aren't considered top-five targets. Only one, Quinnen Williams, has achieved the feat during the previous 10 draft classes. Michigan's Mason Graham has a chance to be the next.

An argument can be made that Graham is the upcoming class' best player. We're not going that far (yet). But it's clear that Michigan's junior defender can be a game-wrecker.

For a interior defender to be this highly valued, he must be strong at the point of attack, explosive when getting up the field and capable of creating a serious pass rush. According to Pro Football Focus, Graham was one of two defensive tackles to finish last season with top-10 grades as both a run defender and pass-rusher. Texas' T'Vondre Sweat, who won the Outland Trophy, was the other.

Michigan disappointed against the Texas Longhorns, but Graham wasn't a reason for the disappointment.

The Broncos will be looking to replace free-agent DT D.J. Jones next offseason while possibly terminating John Franklin-Myers' contract since they can save $7 million with his release.

4. New England Patriots: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

The New England Patriots' attempt at restoring their offense began this offseason. The product is far from being finalized.

It's been five years since Tom Brady left the Patriots organization. While New England needs even more time to finally get the offense back on track, this isn't an Oasis-level situation where we'll still be discussing whether the group can get its stuff together decades after the fact.

Drake Maye's selection with this year's third overall pick was an excellent starting point. New England's front office also began seriously investing in the other skill positions. They're still not quite there, which is exactly why an attempt to draft a true WR1 is necessary.

Missouri's Luther Burden III hasn't lit the world on fire to start the 2024 campaign, because he hasn't needed to do so.

The first-team All-SEC performer (in a conference that also featured Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Legette and Jermaine Burton last season) has caught seven passes for 64 yards through the two first weeks of play. However, the Tigers won those games by a combined score of 89-0.

Burden can join Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker to form a longtime receiving trio for Maye and be free to work from the slot.

3. Tennessee Titans: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

While the Tennessee Titans may consider a quarterback if they're picking this high in the process next April, Will Levis deserves more time before deciding on a specific direction.

Instead, the Titans can continue to build around their young starter, with a prospect that may come as a surprise.

During the preseason buildup, Missouri's Luther Burden III was often viewed as the class' WR1. Burden has competition, with Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan showing the type of potential to claim the spot.

McMillan blew the doors off the season's opening weekend when he caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four scores. To be fair, the wide receiver followed up that sensational effort with a two-catch performance against Northern Arizona.

However, his current standing isn't about one eye-popping performance. McMillan is a 6'5" target with strong hands, as well the ability to body defenders, make dynamic catches and create after the catch.

"Anytime it's a 50-50 ball, I don't think I've seen one he didn't get," assistant coach Bobby Wade, a former NFL wide receiver, told The Athletic's Brian Hamilton.

The Titans will reach a point next offseason where DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd are free agents. They'll need another top target to join Calvin Ridley. McMillan would give head coach/offensive play-caller Brian Callahan a version of Tee Higgins in Tennessee.

2. New York Giants: QB Carson Beck, Georgia

The New York Giants stand on the edge, looking down and wondering if quarterback Daniel Jones can do anything for the organization not to take the plunge.

To understand just how bad it's gotten, New York's Week 1 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, admitted that it started to "feel bad" for the quarterback. Jones completed 52 percent of his passes, with a pair of interceptions, while being sacked five times.

Financially, New York can get of Jones' deal after this season. The team can release him and save $19.4 million, according to Over The Cap. The number increases to $30.5 million if Jones is designated as a June 1 release.

Meanwhile, Georgia's Carson Beck screams future Giants quarterback.

Beck is in the Eli Manning mold of a cool, calm and collected signal-caller. The 21-year-old prospect knows where to go with the ball. He gets it out quickly and accurately. In two contests, Beck has completed 70.7 percent of his passes with a 7-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

"Carson Beck is a remarkable player," Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said before this weekend's meeting with Georgia. "Just hitting on all cylinders right now. Just a very good, tough player. He throws it in rhythm, he's precise, and he's awfully tough as well. He'll pull it down and scramble. He'll buy time and run with his feet. He'll lower the shoulder. You name it, he does it. He's a clear leader on a veteran team."

1. Carolina Panthers: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Colorado's Travis Hunter is the best pure talent among the 2025 draft class.

It doesn't matter if a cornerback has never been drafted No. 1 overall. It doesn't matter if a wide receiver hasn't heard his name called with the first pick since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996. Hunter is the top talent.

His standing is also helped by the fact no clear-cut option exists for this slot at quarterback or even pass-rusher. Also, the Carolina Panthers are once again on the clock, with hopes that Bryce Young will eventually show why they chose him at the start of the '23 draft.

Still, Hunter is different.

Obviously, his performance in Colorado's loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers wasn't quite as spectacular as it was during the Buffaloes' Week 1 trouncing of the FCS-level North Dakota State Bison. Even so, Hunter still caught 10 passes for 110 yards.

Furthermore, he's played 96.3 percent of the team's total snaps through two weeks, per Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness. So far, he has more defensive stops than receptions allowed.

Hunter's primary position at the next level will eventually be determined by the NFL organization that selects this rare talent. The chance to concentrate on one spot will be beneficial to his development.

In Carolina, the recent first-round selection of Xavier Legette, with the potential of a long-term investment in Diontae Johnson, likely pushes Hunter to the defensive side of the ball, where he can still contribute in specific offensive sub-packages.