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Apr 23, 2025 - Sports

2025 NFL Draft guide for players with North Carolina ties

Ashley Mahoney

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Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) watches the Halo Board after the SEC championship football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns on December 7, 2024 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) — Jalon Walker after Georgia won the SEC championship. Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

One of North Carolina's most anticipated NFL Draft prospects is Jalon Walker. Some analysts have the linebacker going as high as No. 5 overall.

Why it matters: The NFL Draft can transform a player's life.

What to expect: The draft consists of seven rounds. The first round is Thursday and starts at 8pm. Rounds two and three start at 7pm Friday. Rounds four through seven begin at noon Saturday.

How to watch: ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network will broadcast the draft. You can also livestream it on their respective apps or on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and Sling TV.

What we're watching: The Carolina Panthers have the eighth overall pick in the first round.

Here's a look at prospects with North Carolina ties.

Editor's note: Players are listed alphabetically by last name. This list does not include every college football player.

Eugene Asante

Linebacker | Westfield High | Auburn

He previously played for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Auburn Tigers linebacker Eugene Asante (9) after an SEC game between the Auburn Tigers and Missouri Tigers on October 19, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) — Photo: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Anthony Belton

Tackle | Florida State U. School | NC State

Anthony Belton #74 of the NC State Wolfpack looks on prior to the Duke's Mayo Classic against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bank of America Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) — Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Zeek Biggers

Defensive lineman | West Rowan High | Georgia Tech

Biggers is from Salisbury.

Zeek Biggers #88 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks on during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on September 07, 2024 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) — Photo: Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

Jasheen Davis

Edge | Shiloh High | Wake Forest

Jasheen Davis #30 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons rushes against Jason Ivey #77 of the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the first half of their game at Truist Field on August 29, 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Power Echols

Linebacker | Julius L. Chambers High | North Carolina

Echols is from Charlotte.

Power Echols #23 of the North Carolina Tar Heels returns an interception for a touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Power Echols with a pick six. Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Omarion Hampton

Running back | Cleveland High |North Carolina

Hampton is from Clayton.

Omarion Hampton #28 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Alijah Huzzie

Cornerback | Heard County High | North Carolina

Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Jason Ivey

Offensive lineman | South Mecklenburg High | North Carolina A&T

Ivey is from Charlotte.

Kevin Pointer #91 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons loses his helmet as he rushes against Jason Ivey #77 of the North Carolina A&T Aggies during the first half of their game at Truist Field on August 29, 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Willie Lampkin

Offensive lineman | Lakeland High | North Carolina

Willie Lampkin #53 of the North Carolina Tar Heels lines up Charlotte 49ers during the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Riley Leonard

Quarterback | Fairhope High | Notre Dame

Leonard previously played at Duke.

Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up before the Shamrock Series against the Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium on November 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) — Photo: David Jensen/Getty Images

Timothy McKay

Tackle | Wakefield High | NC State

McKay is from Raleigh.

Timothy McKay (right) celebrates with Demarcus Jones II (left) after a touchdown. Photo: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Taylor Morin

Wide receiver | Westfield High | Wake Forest

Photo: David Jensen/Getty Images

Moose Muhammad III

Wide receiver | Myers Park | Texas A&M

Muhammad is from Charlotte.

Moose Muhammad III #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half of the TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) — Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

Bryson Nesbit

Tight end | South Mecklenburg | North Carolina

Nesbit is from Charlotte.

Bryson Nesbit #TE17 of North Carolina participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) — Photo: Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

RJ Oben

Defensive lineman | St. Peter's Prep | Notre Dame

Oben transferred from Duke.

R.J. Oben #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lines up against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 14, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) — Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Payton Page

Defensive lineman | Dudley High | Clemson

Page is from Greensboro.

Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Payton Page #55 and Sammy Brown #47 of the Clemson Tigerss during the third quarter in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) — Photo: Jack Gorman/Getty Images

James Pearce Jr.

Edge | Julius L. Chambers | Tennessee

Pearce is from Charlotte.

James Pearce Jr. #27 of the Tennessee Volunteers plays against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during their game at Neyland Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) — Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Shavon Revel Jr.

Cornerback | Reagan High | East Carolina

Revel is from Winston-Salem.

Shavon Revel Jr. #DB27 of East Carolina speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) — Photo: Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Jahvaree Ritzie

Defensive lineman | Glenn | North Carolina

Ritzie is from Kernersville.

Jahvaree Ritzie #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a sack against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Kaimon Rucker

Edge | Hart County High | North Carolina

Kaimon Rucker #DL63 of North Carolina speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) — Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Torricelli Simpkins III

Offensive lineman | Olympic | South Carolina

The Charlotte native transferred to South Carolina from North Carolina Central.

Photo: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Photo: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye

Running back | Willingboro High | Kentucky

Sumo-Karngbaye transferred from NC State.

: Brock Vandagriff #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats hands off to Demie Sumo-Karngbaye #0 in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) — Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images

Davin Vann

Defensive lineman | Cary High | NC State

Vann grew up in the Triangle.

Davin Vann #1 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Wolfpack won 35-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) — Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Carson Vinson

Offensive lineman | Panther Creek High | Alabama A&M

Vinson is from Morrisville.

Carson Vinson #OL45 of Alabama A&M participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) — Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Jalon Walker

Linebacker | Salisbury High | Georgia

Walker is from Salisbury.

Jalon Walker #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after breaking up a pass during the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 02, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) — Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Jared Wilson

Center | West Forsyth High |Georgia

Wilson is from Winston-Salem.

Jared Wilson #55 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) — Photo: Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

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