Mock Draft Monday 12/15 '25
Just Like Christmas
Just Like Christmas
- NFL Draft Board ‘26
- College Hoops
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Low’s Just Like Christmas. It was released on Low’s 1999 Christmas album, but I hadn’t heard the song until a handful of Christmases ago, so it still sounds new.
On Low’s Website, they state the lyrics are a “True story from our spring ‘99 tour in Europe. We tried this song many different ways and stumbled on the solution while just messing around on the Optigan keyboard. One of the most atypical songs we’ve ever done, but it is also one of our favorites. Our two-year-old nephew can’t get enough of it.”
The lyrics are pretty straightforward, but I swear it’s got some kind of new nostalgic sound. Plus, it’s catchy if you’re looking for a new holiday song.
Last year, I had this in the 20s, but I’m moving it up into the teens with about 10 more songs to go…
On to the ball…
Stephen Daley, EDGE, Indiana
Stephen Daley is from Winchester, Virginia. He attended John Handley High School, where he was his section’s Defensive Player of the Year in football and a member of the basketball team that reached the state finals. His collegiate career began at Kent State. As a freshman at Kent State in ‘22, Daley saw minimal action, recording 4 tackles, 1 TFL, and a sack. He became a starter his sophomore season, increasing his production to 48 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, an interception, and another sack. During his junior year at Kent State in ‘24, Daley became more of a menace in the backfield, finishing with 51 tackles, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. He caught the eye of Indiana, who recruited him from the transfer portal this past spring. With the Hoosiers this year, Stephen Daley had his best season yet, leading the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss with 19. His senior season also included 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 38 tackles, earning him an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team. Stephen Daley had one of his best games of the season in the Big Ten Championship, as he finished with a sack, QB Hit, and 4 QB Hurries. Unfortunately, the senior edge rusher sustained a season-ending injury and won’t be able to participate in the College Football Playoffs. That said, he has plenty of great tape this season as a vital piece to one of the best defenses in the nation. While his pass-rushing ability may not generate double-digit sacks in the NFL, Daley has been considered one of the best run-defending edge rushers in the sport, and if he can recover from his injury, he will be a steal in the NFL Draft.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Lawrence North High School, where he finished his football career with 132 receptions for 2,856 yards and 22 TDs. A four-star prospect, he chose to play for his home state of Indiana. As a freshman in ‘22, Cooper Jr. served primarily as a kick returner on special teams and depth in their WR room. During his sophomore season in ‘23, he saw his first snaps at wideout, catching 18 passes for 267 yards and 2 TDs in limited playing time. When Curt Cignetti joined the program in ‘24, Omar Cooper Jr. had to again battle for WR snaps, but he was able to flash during his opportunity. With only 28 catches in his junior season, Cooper Jr. produced 594 receiving yards and 7 TDs, as he had the most yards per catch in the Big Ten. This season, Cooper Jr. has had his best year yet as a starter. The senior WR has caught 58 passes for 804 yards and 11 scores. His clutch game-winning catch at Penn State this season was the best catch of the year. The ‘25 2nd Team All-Big Ten member has lined up primarily in the slot, but at 6’ tall, he can also play out wide. While he may not fill the role as a WR1 in the NFL, Omar Cooper Jr. has plenty of big-play ability, and his Hoosier teammates speak very highly of his leadership.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Emmanuel Pregnon is from Denver, Colorado. He attended Jefferson HS, where he played on both sides of the line, recording 16 pancake blocks and 51 tackles as a senior. Pregnon’s first college stop was at Wyoming. After sitting out the COVID year and redshirting in ‘21, Pregnon made his debut at RG on the gridiron in ‘22. In 11 starts with the Cowboys, Pregnon earned Freshman All-American recognition, allowing just two sacks while grading out above-average as a run and pass blocker. Pregnon transferred to USC in ‘23, where he flipped to the starting LG role. In his two seasons with the Trojans, the 6’5” & 315 lbs. guard didn’t allow a single sack as he was named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in ‘24. This year, Emmanuel Pregnon is playing at Oregon, and he continues to be a premier pass blocker by not allowing a single sack yet again. Pregnon graded out as one of the top run blockers in the nation while earning 1st Team All-Big Ten honors. With four years of excellent starting experience, Emmanuel Pregnon will likely be at least a Night 2 Draft pick.
Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Jalon Kilgore is from Eatonton, Georgia. He graduated from Putnam County, playing both sides of the ball at WR and safety. As a true freshman with the Gamecocks in ‘23, Jalon Kilgore was immediately entered into the starting lineup at strong safety. Kilgore lined up in the box and deep in centerfield the majority of the time. He was named a 1st Team Freshman All-American after finishing with 76 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and 6 pass deflections. As a sophomore in ‘24, Kilgore transitioned into more of a slot corner role, as he finished with an SEC-high 5 interceptions along with 3 TFLs and 48 tackles. He earned 2nd Team All-SEC recognition. This past season with the Gamecocks, Jalon Kilgore continued to play a mix of slot corner and in-the-box safety. Kilgore was again awarded 2nd Team All-SEC as he finished with 54 tackles, 2 INTs, and 10 pass deflections. A versatile defender, the 3-year SEC starter has elected to enter the NFL Draft after his junior season.
Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Skyler Bell is from the Bronx, New York. He attended Taft High School, where he totaled 700 receiving yards and 8 TDs as a sophomore and junior (his senior year was canceled due to COVID). A 3-star recruit, Bell’s first collegiate experience was at Wisconsin. After redshirting in ‘21, Bell played two seasons with the Badgers. He compiled 68 catches for 740 yards and 6 TDs. He transferred to UConn in ‘24. As a junior with the Huskies, Bell caught 49 passes for 856 yards and 5 TDs. This past season at UConn was Skyler Bell’s best season yet. The 6-foot senior caught 101 passes for 1,278 receiving yards and 13 TDs. An impressive 837 yards came after his catches, the most in the nation. The 2nd Team All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Finalist will be in attendance at the Senior Bowl. Skyler Bell is a tough-nosed WR with good route-running ability and great hands. With a good offseason of training, Bell has a shot at becoming a Night 2 pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Here’s a quick bit about five College Basketball players this season…
Honor Huff, SG, West Virginia
Honor Huff is from Brooklyn, New York, but he played his high school hoops at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. There, he averaged 22 points per game his senior season. Huff’s first stop in college was at VMI, where, as a true freshman in 2021, he averaged 10 points per game. After his lone season as a Keydet, Huff had to sit out a year in the transfer portal before joining Chattanooga in ‘23. In his two seasons at Chattanooga, Huff averaged 16.2 points while hitting on 40% from beyond the arc. During last year’s NIT Tournament, Huff led Chattanooga to the NIT Title, scoring 15.8 points per game. Now with West Virginia, Honor Huff continues to be a lethal scorer in the Big 12. The senior guard is averaging a career-high 17.8 points per game while hitting 4.1 3-pointers per game. This past week, Huff has scored 24 points in 3-straight games. While the Mountaineers would lose in OT to Ohio State on Saturday, Honor Huff led all scoring and made quite a few impressive clutch shots down the stretch. West Virginia is off to an 8-4 start to their season with Honor Huff as one of the most electric shooters in the nation.
Nolan Minessale, PG, St. Thomas-Minnesota
Nolan Minessale is from Brookfield, Wisconsin. He attended Marquette University High School, where he was named the Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year twice. Minessale led his high school to its first state championship this century, averaging 22.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and a block per game. As a true freshman at St. Thomas-Minnesota, Minessale made all 34 starts for the Tommies. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. St. Thomas finished their season 24-10, just missing out on a trip to the NCAA Tournament with a loss in The Summit League Conference Championship. Now a sophomore, Nolan Minessale has elevated his game to another level. The 6’5” guard is averaging 22 points, 4.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. He’s doing all of this scoring while hitting under 30% from beyond the arc. Minessale has scored 20 or more points in 11 of 13 games this season, leading the Tommites to a 9-4 record as they hope to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Chandler Cuthrell, SF, Elon
Chandler Cuthrell is from Baltimore, Maryland. He attended high school at Baltimore City College, where he averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game as an upperclassman. His first stop at the collegiate level was at Odessa College. During his two seasons of JUCO, Cuthrell averaged only 5.3 points per game, but he caught the attention of UTSA. During his lone season with the Roadrunners, Cuthrell averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds off the bench. Last year, the small forward transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne, where he saw increased playing time, averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Now with Elon University, Cuthrell is in the midst of a breakout campaign. Out of nowhere, the graduate student is averaging 22.7 points per game as one of the top scorers in the nation. Chandler Cuthrell has a solid 3-point shot but does his best work attacking the rim, averaging 9.2 free-throw attempts per game. The former JUCO forward has scored 20 or more points in 9 of 10 games this season, becoming one of College Hoops most under the radar stories of the early season.
Frank Mitchell, PF, St. Bonaventure
Frank Mitchell is from Toronto, Canada. He played high school hoops and hockey at Oakville Prep. At 18, he focused solely on basketball while attending Humber College in Toronto in 2021. While averaging 14.5 points and 18 rebounds per game, Mitchell was awarded OCAA Rookie of the Year. He was required to sit out a year under NCAA transfer rules in 2022 after transferring to Canisius. During his lone season in the MAAC, Mitchell averaged 12.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while shooting 56% from the floor. Last year, the 6’8” power forward played for Minnesota. With the Gophers, his playing time shrank as he made just 9 starts, averaging 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Now at St. Bonaventure, Frank Mitchell is back to being a force in the paint. With his new school, Mitchell is averaging 16.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He is a menace on the offensive glass, averaging an absurd 5.4 offensive rebounds per game. St. Bonaventure is off to a 10-2 start this season in large part due to Frank Mitchell’s play.
Matt Van Komen, C, Marshall
