NFL area scouts will be submitting their final in-season reports over the next few weeks, so this is the time for prospects to make a closing argument for those write-ups.

Numerous 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls stood out over the weekend. Here are seven in particular who helped themselves:

One of the greatest players in school history, Neal gave Jayhawks fans another unforgettable performance Saturday in a win over Colorado. The Lawrence native finished the game with 207 yards rushing, 80 yards receiving and four total touchdowns, as Kansas never trailed.

What stands out most about Neal is how skilled he is in setting up missed tackles. He probably won’t be one of the top testers during the pre-draft process, but his ability to read pursuit angles, make a cut and leave defenders off balance is what makes him productive.

There are likely to be double-digit running backs drafted in the second- to fourth-round range in April, and Neal figures to be part of that logjam. His receiving skills, along with his makeup (his coaches rave about him as a person and player), could help separate him in the spring — even if his 40-yard dash is average.

In most situations, this is a high-percentage play for the offense …

The play-action sail concept spreads out the coverage and gives the quarterback options as he reads high to low. With the safety dropping with the vertical route, Kansas QB Jalon Daniels makes the correct read on the deep crosser. Hunter, though, is just better on the play.

As the receiver flattens the crossing route, most cornerbacks would give up a pocket of space that’d be tough to make up. But using his reaction quickness and fluidity, Hunter stays within arm’s length at the break and closes in a flash to make a play on the football. His athletic instincts and movement traits make this look easy.

No. 38 on my updated top-50 board, Hairston has been flying under the radar due to a shoulder injury that has sidelined him most of the season. He made his return Saturday against Texas and, despite some obvious rust, reminded everyone why he’s an intriguing prospect.

Alone on an island against Isaiah Bond and his track speed here, Hairston doesn’t look like an inferior athlete. Watch his pedal, turn and transition to stick with Bond on the deep post, followed by a fantastic finish as he tracks and swats away the ball. Quinn Ewers’ throw is late with way too much loft, but Hairston likely makes a play even if the pass is perfect.

In last year’s draft class, Andru Phillips was one of “my guys” — and Hairston falls into that category this year. He’s currently my CB4 in the class.

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Last week, I gushed about Longhorns defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who has secured his spot as a top-100 pick in this draft. This week, Sorrell deserves praise for the way he has boosted his stock.

He had a sack and several pressures against Kentucky, but it was his effectiveness in defending the run that stood out on tape.

Sorrell’s go-to is his snatch move. You can tell how much he works at it because it’s all over his tape and has become second nature for him. In the clip above, watch how quickly he engages off the snap to attack the breastplate, grab a fistful of cloth and pull the blocker’s weight forward, slinging himself into the backfield. This stop at the 1-yard line led to a third-down sack and, subsequently, a missed field goal.

Sorrell doesn’t have the type of edge speed to easily capture the corner, but he is crafty and coachable with the football character that will be welcome as part of an NFL defensive line rotation. His draft arrow is pointing up.

I’m going to continue beating the Higgins drum until the Iowa State prospect gets more love. With his 155-yard performance Saturday against Utah, the South Miami native went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season. He is one of just a dozen FBS players to reach that mark so far in 2024 (only Tetairoa McMillan and Hunter have more receiving yards in the Big 12).

At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Higgins quickly enters his routes and gets on top of coverage with sub-4.5 speed. On this route below, he does a great job of attacking the defender’s leverage before seamlessly stemming back outside, leaving cornerback prospect Zemaiah Vaughn off balance and late to recover.

A better throw and this would be six points. But Higgins still tracks the underthrown ball and finishes through contact.

Higgins has a strong case to be one of the first senior wide receivers drafted, somewhere on Day Two.

Ohio State had some defensive standouts in its win over Indiana — Cody Simon was dynamic, especially as a blitzer; Jack Sawyer led the team in pressures. But Hamilton continues to be the most underrated prospect in the Buckeyes’ defensive front.

Hamilton (6-2 1/2, 300) doesn’t have the desired size for a one-technique tackle, but he holds his ground versus double teams and shows improved stack-and-shed efficiency against single blocks. On this rep above, he does a great job with his hands to establish leverage, track the football and cross the blocker to shut down the B-gap.

Considered a borderline draft pick by NFL scouts over the summer, Hamilton not only has proven himself to be draftable, he has made a strong case for climbing into the top 125. He is following a similar path as his older brother, DaVon, who developed late and became a third-round pick for the Jaguars in 2020 (and signed an extension last year).

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Ersery is a prospect for whom I had high expectations coming into the year, but he has been up and down as a senior. He’s held on to a spot in my top 50 but hasn’t cemented him as a first-round lock. However, he played arguably his best game of the year Saturday against Penn State.

Facing off against Abdul Carter, one of the freakiest athletes in college football, Ersery held his own and allowed only one pressure (and zero sacks) all game. He gave up some ground when he was late to counter a few inside moves, but he consistently got the job done in pass protection and as a run blocker.

Despite some sloppy inconsistencies, Ersery (6-6, 337) has the movement skills that NFL teams covet. And his performance against Penn State shows the glass-half-full perspective for his projection.

(Photo of Devin Neal: Scott Winters / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)