On Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Notre Dame Preventing Irish within the nationwide championship recreation on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Each groups function a number of gamers who will probably be chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay. With that in thoughts, listed below are 10 prospects who will play within the league in 2025:
1. Ohio State edge-rusher Jack Sawyer
Sawyer’s inventory ought to be skyrocketing amid a wonderful exhibiting within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Over his past three games, the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder has 4.5 sacks and 6 passes defended. In opposition to Texas within the semifinal, his 83-yard scoop-and-score late within the fourth quarter secured a 28-14 win for the Buckeyes.
In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Chicago Bears (5-12) take him with the forty first choose within the second spherical. Nevertheless, Sawyer might generate first-round buzz with one other spectacular efficiency within the nationwide title recreation.
“He was a superb participant who had Day 2 grades getting into this yr, however he is rapidly changing into a late first-round possibility as his pass-rush blossoms,” not too long ago wrote The thirty third Group’s Ian Valentino.
2. Notre Dame security Xavier Watts
Watts (6-foot, 203 kilos) has stepped up since star cornerback Benjamin Morrison suffered a season-ending hip damage in October. In 15 video games, the senior has six interceptions and a career-high eight passes defended.
“[Watts] has solely common measurement and velocity and wishes to wash up a few of his missed tackles,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler earlier than the CFP semifinal. “However together with his read-and-react consciousness and ball abilities, Watts constantly places himself ready to make performs — a ability that can translate to any degree of soccer.”
In a current three-round mock draft, Professional Soccer Focus’ Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick have the Indianapolis Colts (8-9) taking Watts with choose No. 45 within the second spherical.
3. Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
With the emergence of Buckeyes freshman WR Jeremiah Smith, it is easy to miss Egbuka (6-foot-1, 205 kilos). Nonetheless, he is one of the vital prolific wideouts at school historical past.
In 4 seasons with the Buckeyes, he has this system’s most receiving yards (2,804) and the second-most receptions (199) and is tied for the seventh-most touchdown catches (24).
In his newest mock draft, CBS Sports activities’ Josh Edwards has the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) taking Egbuka with choose No. 21.
4. Ohio State edge-rusher JT Tuimoloau
Via 15 video games, Tuimoloau (6-foot-5, 269 kilos) leads the Buckeyes in sacks (11.5). Regardless of questions on his athleticism, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder not too long ago gave him a second-round grade.
“JT Tuimoloau tasks properly as a conventional hand-in-the-ground defensive finish in even fronts,” wrote Holder. “He has nice measurement and generally is a good run defender together with his energy and physicality on the level of assault.”
Tankathon has the Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) taking Tuimoloau with choose No. 49 within the second spherical.
5. Notre Dame defensive sort out Howard Cross III
Cross (6-foot-1, 288 kilos) could be the prospect with probably the most to achieve within the nationwide championship. In a recent scouting report, Holder gave Cross a sixth- or seventh-round grade due to issues about his measurement and method.
Via 12 video games, Cross is tied for third on Notre Dame in tackles for loss (six). He might exploit the Buckeyes’ shaky O-line. PFF provides the unit a 61.2 pass-block grade, 103rd amongst 134 FBS groups.
6. Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
Notre Dame depends closely on sophomore working again Jeremiyah Love, which limits Evans’ effectiveness as a pass-catcher. In 15 video games, he has 39 receptions for 369 yards and three landing catches.
Evans, nevertheless, has prototypical measurement (6-foot-5, 260 kilos) for his place, so groups could also be prepared to take him as a mission TE.
“[Evans] tore his ACL on Halloween weekend in 2023, and it appeared he was knocking the rust off all through a lot of 2024,” wrote Brugler. “However he’s a good-sized athlete for a TE, and it will not be a shock if he’s enjoying within the NFL a decade from now.”
7. Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams
In a bit revealed Saturday, Fox Sports activities’ Rob Rang ranked Williams (6-foot-3, 327 kilos) the No. 3 prospect within the nationwide championship.
“I really like his passionate play and skill to reset the road of scrimmage and would fortunately draft him within the first spherical,” wrote Rang.
Williams may very well be a improbable run-stopper for the staff that takes him. Per PFF, he has posted an 88.6 run-defense grade in 12 video games, the eighth-best mark amongst FBS inside D-linemen.
8. Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins
Earlier than the beginning of the season, Judkins (6-foot, 219 kilos) indicated he transferred from Ole Miss to Ohio State to spice up his draft inventory. That has seemed like a wise transfer.
In 15 video games, Judkins has rushed for 960 yards and 12 TDs on 183 carries. The thirty third Group’s Kyle Crabbs not too long ago graded him as a late first- or early second-round choose.
“Judkins tasks an impression participant on the NFL degree,” wrote Crabbs. “Judkins boasts fast ft, a dense body, good processing velocity and sufficient open-field juice to create chunk runs as a major ball-carrier.”
9. Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson (5-foot-10, 208 kilos) has remained productive regardless of splitting time with Judkins. In 15 video games, he has 132 carries for 967 yards and 10 TDs.
Rang steered he would not be stunned if Henderson falls within the draft and is a hidden gem for the staff that takes him.
“If Henderson remains to be obtainable on Day 3, he might show the same steal to the Rams’ Kyren Williams — a fifth-round choose in 2022 — who, paradoxically, performed at Notre Dame,” wrote Rang.
10. Ohio State O-lineman Donovan Jackson
Jackson (6-foot-4, 320 kilos) moved from guard to left sort out after Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee damage in October. Regardless of that, he is solely allowed two sacks in 13 video games, via PFF.
“That type of adaptability is uncommon, even amongst top-tier prospects,” wrote The Draft Community’s Ryan Fowler in a current scouting report, “and it speaks volumes about Jackson’s preparation and elementary means as a soccer participant.”
Tankathon has the Bears taking Jackson with choose No. 39 within the second spherical (acquired from the Carolina Panthers), which may very well be a clever selection. Chicago allowed probably the most sacks (68) within the NFL this season.
