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4 Defensive NFL Draft Risers From Week 6

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Grant Potter | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 5:41 PM ET

There were many standout defensive performers in Week 6 of college football who became big NFL Draft risers. Here are four defensive NFL Draft risers who boosted their draft stock in Week 6.

Top NFL Draft Risers From Week 6

Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

David Bailey had an elite performance against Houston with two sacks, 11 pressures, and a forced fumble with a 92.7 overall defense grade, according to PFF. On top of a remarkable pass rushing performance Bailey was also strong against the run. Bailey currently ranks seventh in the country in total sacks with 5.5 sacks. He is an incredible athlete with an explosive first step and has been one of the most productive pass rushers in college football this season. With his strong performance in the first six weeks of the season, Bailey is emerging as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

For the second time this season Cashius Howell had three sacks in one game. In Week 2 against Utah State, Howell not only had a three-sack game, but he completely ended a drive himself with three sacks in a row on first, second and third down. While he didn’t get his three sacks three plays in a row in Week 6, he still had another dominant game, this time against a higher level of competition in Mississippi State. Howell is an explosive athlete with a great motor and high upside as a pass rusher. He currently has the second most sacks in college football, along with eight tackles for loss, and with the way he is playing looks like a potential first-round draft pick.

LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

Oct 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis (9) runs after fumble recovery against the Boston College Eagles during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Kyle Louis was a star performer in Pittsburgh’s shutdown defensive performance against Boston College where they held the Eagles to just seven points. Louis recorded five tackles, one pass deflection, and a forced fumble. He recorded a 91.3 overall defense grade, according to PFF, and earned PFF Defensive Team of the Week honors. While Louis is an undersized linebacker, he is also a good athlete, an incredibly smart and consistent linebacker, and is proving to be one of the best pass coverage linebacker prospects in the 2026 draft.

LB Red Murdock, Buffalo

Red Murdock has been one of the most productive defensive players in the country through the first six weeks of the season. He had maybe his most eye-popping stat line yet this season against Eastern Michigan with 17 total tackles and a forced fumble in Buffalo’s one-point overtime victory. Murdock entered the season as a small-school sleeper prospect who did not garner much draft attention, but it is hard to ignore his nation-leading 70 total tackles and four forced fumbles. Murdock is a player with a knack for making big plays, recording a nation-leading seven forced fumbles last season along with a pick-six in the Bahamas Bowl. He was also recently named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the college football player with the strongest leadership skills, academic success, and on-field performance.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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