Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! It’s a new season, but we’ve got the same valuable insight, so let’s get straight into Week 1.
The New England Patriots will kickstart what they hope to be a new era next weekend, but until then…
It’s college football season, baby!
I’ve enjoyed putting together this series for each of the last three seasons, and have included some pretty significant names that eventually found their way to One Patriot Place. Can we do it again? Yes, of course we can, and it starts with an incredible opening slate where you can get to know these players:
Francis Mauigoa (#61), OT, Miami
Week 1: vs. Notre Dame (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
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Will Campbell hasn’t played a snap, so we’ll give him an opportunity to prove his worth before declaring there remains a need along the offensive line — but there probably remains a need among the offensive line.
Campbell’s ideal position remains along the interior. Morgan Moses is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Vederian Lowe and Marcus Bryant are, well… Vederian Lowe and Marcus Bryant.
The Patriots could very well enter next offseason in need of the same thing they entered this offseason in need of — so why not aim for the very best?
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Francis Mauigoa is the top offensive tackle prospect in the country, showing significant development from his freshman campaign to his sophomore campaign — where he reduced his sacks allowed from five to just one while cutting his penalties nearly in half. Mauigoa already anchored the most explosive attack in the nation last season, helping his club lead the country in both points per game (43.9) and yards per game (537.2) in 2024.
Miami expects him to do the same following a switch at quarterback from Cam Ward to Carson Beck.
I’d be wholly unsurprised if we see the true junior take another major step forward, as his combination of size (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) and insane athleticism (reached 20 miles per hour during a play in 2024) makes him perhaps the most impressive prospect in the entire class.
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Drayk Bowen (#34), LB, Notre Dame
Week 1: @ Miami (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
The Patriots are quite alright at linebacker — finding some decent depth with Robert Spillane, Jack Gibbens and Christian Elliss.
Drayk Bowen is built from an insanely similar mold, though, and fits too much to be overlooked come draft season.
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Bowen was stuck behind Jack Kiser in 2024, but his innate ability to diagnose plays and take control of making defensive signals showed that he might just be a better overall player. Notre Dame’s defense could be better than their championship-appearing squad from last season if the veteran linebacker takes the step everyone expects.
I don’t blame you for scoffing at an off-ball linebacker in this spot, but don’t be surprised if he becomes a familiar name in the coming months.
Terrance Carter Jr. (#7), TE, Texas Tech
Week 1: vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
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Terrance Carter Jr. is one of many big-time transfers to make their way to Lubbock, Texas in 2025.
Texas Tech spent that oil money…
Carter dominated the Sun Belt during his final season at Louisiana — finishing with 48 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Texas Tech is hoping he can carry that momentum in a much more competitive conference.
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New England has been oddly cavalier regarding their situation at tight end, but you can’t trust two veterans to remain healthy and effective without finding some young depth to learn behind them — at least not much longer.
I’ll be talking about this particular position every single week, which is why I blew a selection on someone playing a fake school.
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Makhi Hughes (#20), RB, Oregon
Week 1: vs. Montana State (4 p.m. ET on BTN)
Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson is quite the trio, but running back is such a volatile position that you almost need to remain locked in on prospects every season.
Makhi Hughes is among my favorite in 2025.
Hughes is making the jump from Tulane to Oregon, where he’ll be a feature part of the offense behind first-year quarterback Dante Moore. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pushes for the rushing title, which might push him in a different stratosphere, but for now he remains one of the most undervalued prospects in the country.
KC Concepcion (#7), WR, Texas A&M
Week 1: vs. UTSA (7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
The Patriots won’t receive the benefit of the doubt until they stop whiffing on wide receivers…
Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker recently joined the club’s long list of awful wide receiver selections — which includes such dignitaries as N’Keal Harry, Chad Jackson, Tyquan Thornton and Taylor Price. Kyle Williams might break the mold, but until that becomes official, I’ll keep looking.
KC Concepcion is among the most prolific wideouts in the entire country, having made 124 catches for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns across two seasons at NC State. I don’t think he’ll have an issue bumping those numbers up playing at Texas A&M.
I’ll admit that undersized slot receivers have become something of a cliche, but if it ain’t broke…
Concepcion feels like the closest thing to a guarantee in this class, so keep your eye on the young man throughout the season.
Carnell Tate (#17), WR, Ohio State
Week 1: vs. Texas (12 p.m. ET on FOX)
Carnell Tate might not be the best wide receiver on his own team, but he’s still among the best in the country.
Tate has spent his entire career playing behind the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, but has been a significant piece in each of his first two seasons.
Ohio State is undergoing significant change — both on the roster and the coaching staff — so you’ll see just how much they value the third-year wide receiver in a huge matchup against Texas. I’d be willing to bet he finds himself in the first-round conversation in a few months.
Nyck Harbor (#8), WR, South Carolina
Week 1: vs. Virginia Tech (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Nyck Harbor might just be the fastest man on the planet who weighs more than 240 pounds — and that’s a fact.
South Carolina timed him at 10.1 in the 100 meter dash back in 2023…
Harbor isn’t the most technically savvy wideout in this class — which should be terrifying for folks reading this story — but he has all the tools to become one of the best on the planet.
Would you take the chance?
I wouldn’t, but man is he fun to watch!
Peter Woods (#11), IDL, Clemson
Week 1: vs. LSU (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Peter Woods is the best player in the country, in my humble estimation.
Woods is built in a similar mold of first-round studs Jalen Carter, Byron Murphy and Mason Graham — which is a pretty decent group to be connected to.
Clemson will essentially have him serve in the role that best fits their needs this season, which will in turn allow him to display some situational versatility that might just catapult him into the top few picks of the draft.
The Patriots have built decent depth along the defensive interior, but this is the kind of player middling teams see fall directly into their lap.
New England would only be so lucky…