After months and months of scouting work over the summer, it is always fun in September to see which prospects are playing better (or worse) than expected — or, in some cases, which prospects have emerged to put themselves into draftable territory.

Despite a limited sample size, these five draft-eligible prospects have been pleasant surprises in 2025 and have helped their NFL Draft outlooks.

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Week 3 game: at Northwestern, noon ET

There’s no way around it — Moore struggled mightily at UCLA in 2023. But he was a true freshman with inconsistent help around him. He transferred to Oregon last season, sat behind Dillon Gabriel and received a graduate-level course in how to play quarterback.

With Gabriel now in the NFL, Moore has taken over as the Ducks’ starter and is fulfilling the promise expected of a five-star recruit.

Moore has a smooth stroke as a passer and puts the ball where his receivers can make plays. He is very comfortable using subtle movements to change platforms and throw javelin shots down the field. Through two games, Moore is completing 77.3 percent of his passes for 479 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The asterisk? Oregon’s competition — Montana State (FCS program) and Oklahoma State (probably one of the worst teams in a major conference). But Moore still deserves credit for playing at a high level, especially since he had so many question marks surrounding him coming into the season.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is easy to say we should have seen this coming — having Will Stein as an offensive coordinator is a built-in boost — but Moore played so poorly with the Bruins that it was fair to take a wait-and-see approach. The Oregon-Penn State showdown in a few weeks will be a must-see event for NFL evaluators.

Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Week 3 game: vs Northwestern St., 3:30 p.m. ET

Golday had a draftable grade heading into the season, so it’s not like he came out of nowhere. But his quick start has been a welcome surprise for evaluators.

When you understand his journey, though, that jump should come as less of a shock.

Having grown up in a basketball family, Golday was a tall, lanky 190-pounder out of high school and started out at Central Arkansas, where he played defensive end. He jumped into the portal after the 2023 season and landed at Cincinnati, which moved him to an off-ball linebacker spot. Golday played well last season as he battled through injuries, but — with a full season under his belt at linebacker — he is seeing things much better in 2025.

Now a verified 6 feet 4 and 237 pounds, Golday is playing with noticeable confidence, which is allowing him to show off the unique range and athleticism that landed him on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.”

NFL teams are always looking for players with that combination of size and speed who can operate in space.

Joshua Josephs, edge, Tennessee

Week 3 game: vs. Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET

Pass rushers are always highly coveted by the league, and Josephs has shown he can consistently affect backfield action. Through two games, he leads the Volunteers in sacks (two) and pressures (seven).

At 6-3, 237, Josephs doesn’t have an ideal frame for edge work at the next level, but he is long-levered (34 3/4-inch arms) with burst out of his stance and violence in his hands to blow through blockers. His aggressive play style also allows him to make plays versus the run.

With his disproportionate length, athletic twitch and physicality, Josephs might be this draft’s version of Donovan Ezeiruaku, a top-50 draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in April. With Georgia visiting Knoxville this Saturday, Josephs has a chance to impress NFL scouts against a top opponent.

Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

Week 3 game: vs. Samford, noon ET

Robertson has taken an interesting journey of his own to this point. A former baseball-focused athlete, he started out playing QB for Mike Leach at Mississippi State before transferring to Baylor, where he emerged as the starter last season. He has been far from perfect through two games but has taken a positive step from last season.

Robertson (6-3, 218) is a good-sized athlete who can really spin the football. Decision-making, pocket presence and touch are all areas that he needs to continue to improve, but his tools are worth developing. And scouts call him the “leader of the team” who rallies the troops and elevates the offensive talent when it matters. The touchdown below versus SMU tied the game with 35 seconds left in regulation and sent it overtime.

Robertson surpassed 400 yards passing in each of his first two games and has been responsible for 36 plays of 10-plus yards, best in the FBS. Viewed as a late-round prospect by NFL teams over the summer, he is forcing scouts to keep an open mind with his evaluation.

Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma

Week 3 game: at Temple, noon ET

If you are unfamiliar with Kanak, it is perfectly understandable. He lost his starting linebacker job in 2024 and was viewed as a special teams-only prospect who might be worth an eventual NFL camp invite. However, Kanak made the transition to tight end during spring practices, and the senior has been a bright spot for the Sooners.

Though slightly undersized, Kanak (6-2, 236) has big-time speed for a player of that build. In high school, he posted a blazing 10.54-second time in the 100 meters and finished as runner-up at the 2021 Kansas state championships. Kanak also looks comfortable doing the dirty work as a lead blocker in the run game and has shown natural ball skills reeling in fastballs from QB John Mateer.

Kanak sits second on the Sooners in receiving yards (156) and third in both targets (12) and receptions (10), having established himself as one of Mateer’s go-to weapons. His emergence not only has elevated Oklahoma’s offense, but also might turn him into a draftable NFL prospect.

(Top photo of Dante Moore: Ali Gradischer / Getty Images)