Who's the next Cam Skattebo? Five prospects who could raise NFL Draft stock in CFP, including Texas Tech 'Peanut Puncher'

Entering last season’s College Football Playoff, former Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo was generating little buzz. That changed after he erupted in the Peach Bowl against Texas. 

Arizona State lost 39–31 in double overtime in the CFP quarterfinal, but Skattebo still earned the game’s MVP after piling up 284 total yards — 143 rushing, 99 receiving and 42 passing — and three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing). 

Four months later, the New York Giants selected him with the No. 105 pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Like Skattebo, several prospects could use a memorable postseason performance to boost their draft stock. Here are five who may do just that during the CFP, which begins Friday.

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez

Rodriguez, the husband of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, won the 2025 Butkus Award as the best LB in college football. But Tankathon's updated mock draft has the New Orleans Saints selecting him with pick No. 129 in the fourth round. 

"Rodriguez [6-foot-1, 230 pounds] lacks the ideal height and appears to have shorter arms for an NFL linebacker," wrote Bleacher Report's Matt Holder in his scouting report. "[His combination] of arm length and below-average strength limits his extension and leads to him getting stuck on blocks from offensive linemen." 

Rodriguez's ability to force turnovers may mitigate concerns about his size. The LB uses the "Peanut Punch," a technique developed by Chicago Bears defensive back Charles "Peanut" Tillman. During the move, a defender punches the ball out of a player's hands instead of just tackling him. 

This season, Rodriguez has made excellent use of Tillman's signature move. The LB has forced an FBS-leading seven fumbles, recovering two. He could showcase it in the second round of the CFP, where No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) will host No. 5 Oregon (11-1) or No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

Texas Tech DL Lee Hunter

Hunter, nicknamed "The Fridge," is another key piece of Texas Tech's stacked defense, which ranks third in the FBS in points allowed (10.9 per game). The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder ranks fifth on the team in tackles for loss (8.5 in 13 games). 

Hunter lacks the pass-rushing ability teams covet. In four seasons with Central Florida and Texas Tech, he has 7.5 sacks. That's one reason NFL Mock Draft Database projects him as a fourth-round pick. 

Teams that want to bolster their D-line should still eye Hunter. On his updated big board, CBS Sports' Mike Renner ranks him No. 39 among 150 prospects. 

"No defensive tackle in the class has shown a more consistent ability to shed blocks than Hunter," wrote Renner. "While he gets himself in trouble getting playmaker happy at times, Hunter's disruption is worth it." 

Miami WR CJ Daniels

Daniels had one of the more impressive catches of the season in Week 1 against Notre Dame. Late in the second quarter of a 27-24 Miami win, the WR leaped and made a one-handed catch on a 20-yard TD pass from QB Carson Beck.