After a long wait, the NFL drought has finally ended, and the new NFL season has finally started. For months teams have been rebuilding themselves, gathering scouting reports, making new signings, and drafting their teams to prepare for the new season.
With the start of a new season, we will also see a wave of new rookie talent. Rookies are one of the most exciting things to look forward to in a new season. They’re not just new faces; they are what could be the next big thing, the future of the sport, and maybe some of them could redefine the landscape of the NFL.
What Makes a Rookie Debut Special?
So what’s so special about rookie debuts that makes everyone so excited? It’s like watching a child take their first steps or opening up a storybook for the first time; you don’t know what will come, and it’s exactly that, the thrill of the unknown, that’s so captivating.
The rookie you’re looking at could go on to be the greatest player ever or a disappointment; who knows? If they do turn out to be great, you’ll have a chance to say, “I’ve been there since day one.”
Rookies aren’t just playing for stats; they’re playing for validation and to announce themselves. They’re the very few selected from a large pool of college players, and they have the need to prove themselves and legitimize their position in the league. The pressure of playing on national TV in front of millions of fans, where every move is monitored and every mistake can go viral. All this is what makes it so gripping.
Top Quarterback Rookies to Watch in 2025
- Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans): Cam Ward is a 23-year-old quarterback who just signed for the Tennessee Titans. He played for Washington State, Miami, and Incarnate Word in his college career. He stands at 6’2 and weighs around 219 lbs. His playstyle is mainly defined by his elite arm strength and precise downfield throws.
He won the Jerry Rice award in his freshman season at Incarnate Word and then went on to set Miami single‑season records: ~4,313 passing yards and 39 TD passes in his senior year. He also won several awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award (top QB), the Manning Award, and the ACC Player of the Year. - Jaxson Dart (New York Giants): Jaxson Dart is 22 years old, standing at 6’2” ft and weighing around 215 lbs. He started his college career at the University of Southern California and later transferred to the University of Mississippi. His college football stats look like this: 11,970 passing yards, 81 passing TDs, and 27 interceptions. His trademark is his short- and intermediate-range throws.
- Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints): Tyler Shough is relatively older than the other two quarterback rookies we discussed. He’s 25 years old, 6’5” tall, and weighs around 225 lbs.
He played college football at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. His college football numbers are pretty impressive: Over 42 games: 599 completions out of 951 attempts (~63.0% completion rate), ~7,820 passing yards, 59 TDs, and 23 interceptions.
He’s known for his smart decision-making; however, he may not start immediately for the Saints, but with Derek Carr’s retirement, he could be competing for a place in the starting line-up pretty soon.
Skill‑Position Standouts (WRs, RBs, TEs)
- Ashton Jeanty (RB, Las Vegas Raiders): Ashton Jeanty is relatively younger than the quarterback rookies we discussed. He’s 21 years old, 5’8” tall, and weighs around 211 lbs. He played college football at Boise State. His college football numbers are extremely impressive: 750 rushing attempts, he racked up 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards per carry.
He also contributed as a receiver with 80 receptions for 862 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. There’s a lot of hype around Jeanty, as he was drafted in the first round and is among the projected rookie leaders. - Omarion Hampton (RB, Los Angeles Chargers): He is 22 years old, 5’11” tall, weighs about 220‑221 lbs, and played college football at North Carolina. He was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Chargers, whom he signed a 4-year, $17.7 million contract with.
He has a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a strong 38-inch vertical, and a balanced, patient play style. Expert analysts say he could be a strong contender for offensive rookie of the year.
Defensive Difference‑Makers
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Dallas Cowboys): Donovan Ezeiruaku is a 21-year-old defensive player and stands at 6’2” with a body weight of 248 lbs, which comes really handy in tackling situations. He played at Boston College throughout his college career from 2021 to 2024.
His college career consisted of 43 games where he completed 196 total tackles, 40.5-180 TFL-YDS, and 28-144 SACK-YDS. He was picked in round 2 of the NFL drafts and won the Ted Hendricks Award in college. - Benjamin Morrison (CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Morrison is 6’0” tall and weighs 190-193 lbs, which is relatively low compared to the other players in this list. He played for Notre Dame his entire college career, where he managed 93 tackles, 9 interceptions, 18 pass breakups, and 1 touchdown.
A notable achievement of his is that he was named Freshman All‑American in 2022 by multiple outlets: On3.com, College Football News, Pro Football Focus, ESPN, The Athletic, 247Sports, and FWAA.
Conclusion
- Rookie debuts are one of the most exciting things that happen at the start of the NFL season.
- Fans look forward to seeing new faces and new talent on display.
- The rookie you’re watching could turn out to be a great player and transform the game, or a total flop. Who knows? It’s this thrill of the unknown that keeps spectators on their seats.
- Like every season, there are many promising rookies making their debuts on the biggest football stage.
Read More
- NFL Players Who Overcame Career-Threatening Injuries To Make A Comeback
- How Jackie Robinson Changed American Sports Forever
- Greatest Super Bowl Moments That Shaped Football History
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
