The field for the 2025 NFR is unofficially set in the team roping following the conclusion of the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, San Bernardino’s Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo and the Cowboy Capital Of The World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville Sept. 28.
On the head side, things were solidified after Round 2 in Sioux Falls with Luke Brown nabbing his spot inside the Thomas & Mack after winning Round 1. Jake Smith also made it official thanks to splitting second in Round 1 and qualifying for the Semifinals, followed by the Finals. Not in Sioux Falls was Kolton Schmidt who was solid at the regular season rodeos to clinch his first NFR trip since 2020.
The heeling race, however, was nothing short of a nail biter. As of Sept. 28, the last three spots inside the Top 15 were up for grab with five bubble boys ready to battle: Nicky Northcott, Kaden Profili, Jonathan Torres, Wyatt Cox and Douglas Rich. Rich was clutch all week in Sioux Falls, but their qualification in the Semifinals had nearly sealed the deal with him being guaranteed $4,000. But even then, if the $4,000 was all he pocketed and three of the four other bubble heelers capitalized big, it would have been tight. Rich closed the deal with an $8,000 check in the four-man round in Sioux Falls.
The rest of the heeling bubble boys were in San Bernardino with Northcott in Stephenville. A no time in Stephenville ultimately pushed Northcott to No. 16 as of Sept. 29. For Cox to jump inside the Top 15, he essentially needed to win first or second in San Bernardino with no more than one other bubble heeler, excluding Rich who was already in, capitalizing. A no time in San Bernardino left Cox roughly $4,751 behind No. 15 and No. 17. Profili and Torres did what needed to be done: play defense and stay alive. Profili won $2,884 a man in San Bernardino to solidify his position in the Top 15, and Torres pocketed $1,573 a man to also lock himself in.
Headers qualified for the 2025 NFR
**Earnings are unofficial until the PRCA audit is performed. **
| 1 | Kaleb Driggers | $198,497.52 |
| 2 | Tanner Tomlinson | $183,807.31 |
| 3 | Derrick Begay | $166,201.59 |
| 4 | Clint Summers | $161,241.21 |
| 5 | Dustin Egusquiza | $160,703.39 |
| 6 | Clay Smith | $158,489.89 |
| 7 | Andrew Ward | $149,054.75 |
| 8 | Tyler Wade | $143,366.47 |
| 9 | Cyle Denison | $142,002.97 |
| 10 | Dawson Graham | $131,934.51 |
| 11 | Jake Smith | $125,537.53 |
| 12 | Riley Minor | $125,025.27 |
| 13 | Luke Brown | $123,302.72 |
| 14 | Kolton Schmidt | $119,944.30 |
| 15 | Lightning Aguilera | $116,864.30 |
Heelers qualified for the 2025 NFR
**Earnings are unofficial until the PRCA audit is performed. **
| 1 | Junior Nogueira | $198,497.52 |
| 2 | Colter Todd | $163,849.59 |
| 3 | Jade Corkill | $161,566.43 |
| 4 | Levi Lord | $158,322.08 |
| 5 | Travis Graves | $149,918.88 |
| 6 | Coleby Payne | $149,293.46 |
| 7 | Jake Long | $147,308.20 |
| 8 | Wesley Thorp | $143,366.47 |
| 9 | Lane Mitchell | $143,032.49 |
| 10 | Dillon Graham | $131,934.53 |
| 11 | Brady Minor | $125,025.29 |
| 12 | Trey Yates | $123,302.71 |
| 13 | Douglas Rich | $114,787.52 |
| 14 | Kaden Profili | $113,550.15 |
| 15 | Jonathan Torres | $111,680.00 |
