The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly upon us.
While there isn’t as much hype around the state as last year when UNC quarterback Drake Maye was a top-three pick, there’s still quite a few talented players with local connections
So who are the players from North Carolina who could be selected in the draft?
Potential First Rounders
Jalon Walker (Georgia, EDGE)
The Salisbury native is one of the top talents in this year’s draft, with multiple mocks painting him as a potential top-10 pick.
Walker, who had 6.5 sacks, 61 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss this season, won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, although he split time playing EDGE as well, showcasing his versatility.
Despite being on the smaller side (6-foot-1, 243 lbs), his athleticism and burst make him a danger anytime he’s on the field.
Omarion Hampton (UNC, RB)
Hampton could very well be the second best running back in the class behind Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, and that bodes well for his odds of going in the first round.
The UNC star capped off his three-year collegiate career with over 3,500 rushing yards (over 4,000 all-purpose yards) and 40 total touchdowns.
The Clayton-born back was also a two-time second-team All-American and finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation.
“I’m a three-down back and I can do everything,” Hampton said in his combine interview when asked about what sets him apart from the rest of the class. “I can pass block, I can catch out the backfield and I can make defenders miss in the third level.”
Shavon Revel Jr. (ECU, CB)
While an ACL injury robbed Revel of most of his 2024 season, he’s still regarded as one of the premier defensive back talents in the draft.
Hailing from Winston-Salem, Revel spent two years in JUCO playing for Louisburg College before transferring to ECU.
As a Pirate, Revel had 61 tackles, a sack, six passes defended and three interceptions.
He’s seen as one of the most athletic cornerbacks in the class and had the third highest combine score (84) due to his speed and vision.
James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee, EDGE)
Pearce was regarded by many as a potential number one overall pick heading into the 2024 season, but he’s since fallen into late first-round, early second-round territory.
The Charlotte native is a physical force, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 245-pounds, and he was still very productive this season for the Volunteers with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, good enough to be a first-team All-SEC selection.
The biggest flaw for Pearce seems to be questions about his maturity and work ethic that have started to creep up.
Second Day
Anthony Belton (NC State, OT)
Well-regarded for his size (6-foot-6, 336 lbs), Belton had a bit of an up-and-down season with NC State this year (the team allowed 28 sacks and 92 tackles for loss on the year), but has the raw potential to be an eventual starter in the NFL.
Belton started 32 games for NC State across four seasons and was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023.
Jared Wilson (Georgia, C)
The Winston-Salem native started 12 games for the Bulldogs this season and was also a second-team All-SEC selection.
Scouts have knocked him for his size (6-foot-3, 310 lbs) and power, but he had the highest athleticism score amongst all centers at the 2025 Combine.
Third Day
Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech, DT)
The former Duke starter and Raleigh native earned first-team All-ACC honors this season with the Hokies and was named an AP third-team All-American as well.
He had 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three passes broken up and three sacks on the year.
Willie Lampkin (UNC, C)
What Lampkin lacks in size (5-foot-10 and 270 pounds is well below average for an offensive lineman), he makes up for in football IQ and overall ability.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein regarded Lampkin as having the best tape of any prospect in the 2025 draft and praised his speed, technique and athleticism.
Payton Page (Clemson, DT)
The Greensboro native was a one-year starter for the Tigers, registering 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pick-six in 14 games.
He was also named a third-team All-ACC selection this year as well.
UNC’s Kaimon Rucker, Bryson Nesbit, Jahvaree Ritzie, Power Echols and Alijah Huzzie were also amongst other invitees to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and other names to keep note of for potential flyers include NC State’s Davin Vann, Aydan White and Zeke Correll; Duke’s Alex Howard, Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol and Elon’s Chandler Brayboy.
