SEC 2025 NFL Draft Prospects- SEC. (3-Pack)

The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of SEC players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

WR Kyren Lacy, LSU

• 6-foot-2 210 lbs
• 2024 stats: 41 receptions 618 yards 6 touchdowns (8-games)

What to like about Kyren Lacy

Kyren Lacy is a physical receiver who uses his superior footwork and hands to be able to get clean releases off the line. He has a habit of beating press coverage well, leaving a viable pitch and catch window for his quarterback. Between Louisiana-Lafayette and LSU, Lacy has run the full route tree and has been productive lining up wide or in the slot. After making the catch, Lacy becomes a running back and is capable of picking up large chunks of yards with his vision and physical demeanor. In the red zone he has proven to be a weapon and does an efficient job of finding the football and using his body to shield the defenders. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Lacy has not shown much consistency from week to week. Some of the inconsistencies could be because he played behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. 

Lacy has decent straight line speed but not the kind that will put pressure on the back end in the pros. He performs better against man to man coverage than he does against zone coverages and struggles to find the soft spots in zones and overruns his open windows. He lacks the technique to be effective at run blocking. 

Draft Projection

Fourth-round pick

TE Gunnar Helm, Texas

• 6-foot-5 231 lbs
• 2024 stats: 31 receptions 419 yards 2 touchdowns (8-games)

What to like about Gunnar Helm

Gunnar Helm is a versatile tight end who can line up all over the offensive sets, including the backfield. He has very reliable hands and does a solid job of catching passes away from his body. Helm has an athletic frame and height (6'5") to be able to post up on short passes and has a broad catch radius to help out his quarterbacks. Coaches love players who work hard and watch endless film, and by all accounts this is who Gunnar Helm is. He has leadership qualities, and will be a player who makes his presence felt. Helm has extraordinary body control for a big man and can make plays on bad throws.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Helm does not look comfortable blocking and needs to work on his technique in hitting a defender and controlling them after contact. He is not going to beat opponent's with his speed and although his route running is adequate, he lacks the separation ability to beat a defender cleanly. His lack of production coming into his senior season will be looked at, and could affect his draft stock when matched up against other top prospects.

Draft Projection

Fourth-round pick

LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

• 6-foot-3 230 lbs
• 2024 stats: 66 tackles 2.5 sacks  1 interception (8-games)

What to like about Jihaad Campbell

Jihaad Campbell is a reliable tackler with the range to make plays from sideline-to-sideline. His tackling ability allows Alabama to move him all around the defense and line him up as an inside or outside linebacker, and he can also line up as an edge rusher on certain downs. 

The 6-foot-3 linebacker has a strong football IQ, and has the kind of instincts needed to make plays in the backfield. Campbell has been a presence as a special team's player at Alabama, and this will only add to his draft resume when a drafting team is comparing prospects.

Reason for concern

Campbell plays better in the open field and struggles with shedding blocks against larger offensive lineman. He needs to improve his hand placement when he is matched up one-on-one. When chasing the ball carrier he takes some elongated routes to the football and loses his angle in pursuit. He needs to add strength to his upper body and some teams may consider him a "tweener" based on his build. Draft Nation believes he will have more success as a "Mike" type linebacker.

Draft Projection

Third-round pick