Mock Draft Monday 11/24 '25
Carol of the Bells
Carol of the Bells
- NFL Draft Board ‘26
- College Hoops
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Carol of the Bells.
The original composer of this song was Mykola Leontovych, who wrote it not as a Christmas song but as a Ukrainian New Year’s song in 1914.
The English lyrics to the song were included by Peter Wilhousky in 1936.
The song made a bit of a Christmas comeback when it was featured heavily in the original Home Alone in 1990.
Week to Week Notes’ 🎄 Power Rankings
4. Step Into Christmas by Elton John
3. Someday At Christmas by Stevie Wonder
2. Linus & Lucy by Charlie Brown Peanuts
1. Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovych
On to the ballplayers…
Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
Desmond Reid is from Miami Gardens, Florida. He played high school football at Miramar HS, where he rushed for 1,536 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. A bit undersized at 5’8” and 175 lbs., Reid was lightly recruited, ending up at Western Carolina. In two seasons playing at the FCS level, Reid rushed for 1,723 yards and 17 TDs, while chipping in with another 42 catches for 495 receiving yards. Pittsburgh liked what they saw and added him in ‘24 once he hit the transfer portal. As a junior in ‘24, Desmond Reid was named 1st Team All-ACC as an all-purpose and return specialist. Reid returned 13 punts for 159 yards and one score. He rushed for 966 yards on 184 carries, caught 52 passes for 579 yards, and scored a total of 9 offensive TDs. Now a senior, Desmond Reid has been plagued by a few injuries that have held him out of a handful of games. Despite playing hurt, Reid has remained productive as a playmaker. On special teams, the senior RB has returned 5 punts for 105 yards and a score. On offense, Reid has rushed for 278 yards and produced 317 receiving yards. Quick and shifty with plenty of pass-catching skills, Desmond Reid would be an excellent 3rd Down RB type in the NFL. That said, he’s not your typical scatback, as he’ll run angry and hard. Desmond Reid would be a perfect Day 3 pick to complement a team that already has a big workhorse RB.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Brandon Cisse is from Sumter, South Carolina. At Lakewood High School, Cisse played both sides of the ball as a defensive back and wide receiver. As a freshman at NC State, Cisse served as a reserve CB who earned playing time in the Wolfpack’s dime package. He picked off his first career interception to seal a win over Miami. As a sophomore in ‘24, Cisse took over a starting role and made a name for himself as a hard hitter. In 9 starts with the Wolfpack, he made 28 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and broke up five passes. This past spring, Brandon Cisse transferred to South Carolina and was immediately named the team’s Newcomer of the Spring on defense. With the Gamecocks this season, Cisse has made 22 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, forced a fumble, broken up four passes, and come down with an interception. He’s been targeted 31 times this season, allowing just 14 receptions and one score. NFL teams looking for an aggressive run defender at CB will have interest in Brandon Cisse’s game.
Ian Strong, WR, Rutgers
Ian Strong is from Out East on Long Island in Coram, New York. He played high school football at St. Anthony’s, leading the Friars to a state championship his senior season. A 3-star recruit, Strong decided to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. As a freshman in ‘23, Strong played snaps in every game and earned himself two starts. He produced 16 catches for 230 yards and 2 TDs. As a sophomore in ‘24, Strong took over as a starting wideout and was named Rutgers Athletics Sophomore of the Year. His production jumped to 43 catches for 676 yards and 5 TDs. Now a junior, Strong is setting new career-highs with 49 catches for 725 yards and five scores. At 6’3” with strong hands, Strong has the potential to play out wide in the NFL. While he’s got good speed, his best trait is the ability to catch contested passes, and he makes for a good Red Zone threat on Sundays.
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
AJ Haulcy is from Houston, Texas. He played for Fort Bend Marshall High School, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Give Me That” thanks to his 12 interceptions and 3 pick-6s as a senior. His first stop in college was at New Mexico, where as a freshman, he took over a starting role at safety and picked two passes with 3 pass breakups. With the Aggies, he also made 87 tackles, 3 TFLs, and forced two fumbles, while earning PFF True Freshman All-American honors. Haulcy transferred to Houston in ‘23. During his sophomore season with the Cougars, Haulcy was named a Big 12 Honorable Mention for Defensive Newcomer of the Year, as he had 98 tackles, 1 TFL, and 4 pass deflections. He backed that up with a junior season that earned him 1st Team All-Big 12 Conference honors. Haulcy finished ‘24 with a conference-high 5 interceptions while contributing with 8 pass deflections and 74 tackles as well. This past spring, AJ Haulcy transferred to LSU. While he hasn’t come down with as many interceptions, Haulcy has picked off two passes and broken up another 4 while playing as an elite centerfield safety in the SEC. In a rough season for LSU, AJ Haulcy has been one of the bright spots for the Tigers. Elite in coverage, Haulcy is a ballhawk and a heavy hitter with plenty of NFL potential.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Zion Young is from Atlanta, Georgia. A 3-star recruit from Westlake High School, Young chose to play for Michigan State as his first college stop. In two seasons with the Spartans, Young had 47 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks, but his underlying stats showed he was a productive pass rusher with 15 QB Hurries and 8 QB Hits in ‘23. Zion Young transferred to Missouri in ‘24. He finished his junior year with 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Now a senior with the Tigers, Young is having his best season yet with career-highs of 15 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. At 6’5” and 270 lbs., Young has the right makeup to go with speed off the edge for the NFL.
Here’s a quick bit about five College Basketball players this season…
PJ Haggerty, PG, Kansas State
PJ Haggerty is from Crosby, Texas. During his senior year of high school, he led Crosby HS to its first state championship appearance in 43 years and was named the Guy V. Lewis Award winner as the best basketball player in the Houston area. A 4-star recruit, Haggerty’s first college stop was at TCU. He didn’t play much as a true freshman, earned redshirt eligibility, and transferred to Tulsa in ‘23. In his lone season with the Golden Hurricane, Haggerty won the Kyle Macy National Freshman of the Year award, averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He then transferred to Memphis to play for Penny Hardaway. With the Tigers last season, Haggerty won the AAC Player of the Year and was a consensus 2nd Team All-American. He averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while leading Memphis to the NCAA Tournament. Last spring, the 6’3” point guard entered the NBA Draft and participated in the combine before withdrawing to go back to school, but this time with Kansas State. Now a redshirt junior with the Wildcats, PJ Haggerty leads the nation in scoring at 28 points per game. While the season is still young, Haggerty is also averaging a career-high 6.3 assists per game. He can score in a multitude of ways, but what makes his production sustainable is his ability to get to the free-throw line consistently.
Brett Decker Jr., SG, Liberty
Brett Decker Jr. is from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. At Central Hardin High School, Decker Jr. was a 3-star recruit who averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists his senior season while drilling 45% of his 3-pointers. As a freshman at Liberty last season, Decker Jr. played in 27 games off the bench and provided some sharpshooting by hitting on 44% of 3s while averaging 4.3 points per game. Now a sophomore, Brett Decker Jr. has taken a big step forward as a starter. Liberty is off to a 4-0 start, with the shooting guard averaging 20 points per game. He’s hit on 20 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc thus far, which is the best 3-point shooting percentage in the nation (62.5%). With the ability and confidence to pull up from anywhere, Brett Decker Jr. is one of the best shooters in College Basketball.
Duke Brennan, PF, Villanova
Duke Brennan is from Chandler, Arizona. He comes from a big-time football family. His father, Bill Brennan, played TE at Cal State Fullerton in the ‘80s. His grandfather, Bill Brennan Sr., played football at Santa Clara. His cousin, Brent Brennan, played football at UCLA and is now the HC at Arizona, and his second cousin, Colt Brennan, was an all-time great College QB at Hawaii. Duke Brennan attended Hillcrest Prep High School, where he played basketball, football, and volleyball. Brennan’s first stop in college was at Arizona State, where he played in 36 games for the Sun Devils off the bench. He transferred to Grand Canyon University in ‘23 and became a starter. In his two seasons at GCU, Brennan averaged 8.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 62% from the floor. Brennan was named 2nd Team All-WAC and WAC All-Defensive Team last season with the Antelopes. This spring, Duke Brennan hit the transfer portal again and landed at Villanova. In his first five starts at ‘Nova, Brennan is averaging 10.2 points and 14.4 rebounds per game. The 6’10” power forward from a football family currently leads the nation in rebounding.
Tyler Cochran, SF, URI
Tyler Cochran is from Boilingbrook, Illinois. He missed a chunk of his senior season at Bolingbrook High School, but still averaged 14 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Cochran’s first college stop was at Northern Illinois. During his two seasons with the Huskies, Cochran averaged 8.3 points and 5 rebounds per game before missing time midway through his sophomore season. He then transferred to Ball State during the spring of ‘22, where he led the MAC with 2 steals per game while adding 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds. Cochran transferred to Toledo in ‘22, where he received a medical exemption after injuring his toe nine games into his season. He returned to Toledo in ‘23 and was named 2nd Team All-MAC along with MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year with 1.9 steals, 6.4 rebounds, and 15.6 points per game. Tyler Cochran transferred to Minnesota last season but never suited up for the Gophers because he needed foot surgery. Now at Rhode Island in his 7th collegiate season, Cochran is averaging 15.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.4 steals (best in NCAA) in his first 5 games with the Rams. A tough wing defender and skilled scorer, Cochran had led URI to a 4-1 start to their season.
Najai Hines, C, Seton Hall
