14 2025 NFL Draft prospects to observe throughout Notre Dame-Ohio State

The inaugural 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff attracts to an in depth tonight, when Ohio State and Notre Dame meet to determine a nationwide champion.

However the NFL Draft is all the time looming.

Tonight a number of NFL Draft prospects will get an opportunity to not simply assist their crew win a title, but in addition to place one final argument in entrance of NFL scouts forward of draft season. For followers of NFL groups already waiting for April’s NFL Draft, listed here are some gamers to control tonight.

Notre Dame 2025 NFL Draft prospects to observe

Benjamin Morrison, CB

Maybe the highest prospect on Notre Dame’s roster — at present ranked at No. 22 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Large Board — Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison is a key participant each tonight, and in relation to the upcoming NFL Draft. His measurement, in addition to his means to play each alongside the boundary and within the slot, will make him a really intriguing possibility for NFL groups.

He’ll get an enormous check in Atlanta this night squaring off with Ohio State’s receiving corp, together with some NFL Draft prospects to observe in addition to gifted freshman Jeremiah Smith.

Xavier Watts, S

One other member of the Preventing Irish secondary that can be examined tonight is security Xavier Watts. Watts is a dynamic defender with the power to come back downhill in run assist, but in addition work in protection close to the road of scrimmage in addition to within the intermediate space of the sphere. His finest work could come within the field, however he has the potential to be a flexible security on the subsequent degree.

Howard Cross III, DL

Howard Cross III is one other member of Notre Dame’s protection with an opportunity to spice up his inventory tonight within the Nationwide Championship Recreation. Cross is a fast and athletic inside defender, and brings a strong arsenal of pass-rushing strikes to the desk. He’ll face some questions on his measurement when transitioning to the subsequent degree — Cross checks in at 6’1 and 288 kilos — however his athleticism and skill to get after the passer on the within can be intriguing for a lot of NFL groups.

Mitchell Evans, TE

Two tight ends from the Large Ten (Tyler Warren from Penn State and Colston Loveland out of Michigan) determine to be early choices on the place in April.

However Notre Dame tight finish Mitchell Evans has an opportunity to make some noise tonight. He caught 39 passes this season for 369 yards and three touchdowns, and is coming off a strong effort in opposition to Penn State, as he hauled in 5 passes for 58 yards in opposition to the Nittany Lions within the Orange Bowl. He has superb measurement (6’5 253 kilos) for the place, however would possibly face questions on his athleticism on the subsequent degree.

Riley Leonard, QB

If you’re studying this, you most likely know that the incoming quarterback class has extra questions than solutions. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders appear as locks to go inside the Prime 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft however after that, the questions start.

Riley Leonard is amongst a number of quarterbacks vying for consideration on this draft class. His draft inventory has lingered within the Day 3 vary all through the season, as tracked by NFL Mock Draft Database and his legs have been extra of an element within the Faculty Soccer Playoff than his arm. However a dream sport in opposition to Ohio State might completely shift the narrative.

Ohio State 2025 NFL Draft prospects to observe

Emeka Egubka, WR

Jeremiah Smith could draw the headlines, however groups hoping to draft an Ohio State vast receiver should wait till he’s eligible, or flip their consideration to Emeka Egubka. Ohio State’s different massive goal within the passing sport, Egubka led the Buckeyes with 75 receptions this season, gaining 947 yards and scoring ten touchdowns on these catches.

Egubka was utilized primarily out of the slot this season for Ohio State, however his route-running abilities and skill after the catch make him a first-round prospect.

Tyleik Williams, DL

Ohio State’s entrance seven provides them an enormous probability to win on Monday evening, and Tyleik Williams is an enormous a part of that group. Williams provides Ohio State an enormous presence on the inside, however he’s greater than only a massive physique on the within. His power on the level of assault makes him a drive in opposition to the run, but in addition provides him the power to maneuver the pocket and get after the QB within the passing sport.

Jack Sawyer, EDGE

Jack Sawyer’s dynamic play to seal the win over Texas could reside on in Ohio State lore, however it has additionally given his draft inventory a noticeable bump. Sawyer entered the Faculty Soccer Playoff as a mid-second spherical choose as mirrored by NFL Mock Draft Database, however has climbed nearer to the primary spherical over the previous few weeks:

One other massive sport might see his inventory rise even larger.

J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE

Throughout from Sawyer on the Ohio State defensive position is one other draft prospect in cross rusher J.T. Tuimoloau. He led the Buckeyes with 11.5 sacks this season, successful with power and a strong spin transfer as a counter.

NFL evaluators might need questions on athleticism which he can reply all through the draft course of, however the manufacturing speaks for itself.

Quinshon Judkins, RB

Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson give Ohio State an amazing one-two punch out of the backfield, and each gamers are draft prospects to observe tonight. Judkins runs with violence, as he confirmed early in opposition to Texas, a trait harking back to Isiah Pacheco. He additionally has sufficient pace to erase angles within the open area, and the footwork and imaginative and prescient to seek out creases when the blocking image is cloudy in entrance of him.

He would possibly face questions on dealing with cross safety on the subsequent degree, however is a strong prospect on the place.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB

TreVeyon Henderson is one other strong operating again possibility within the upcoming NFL Draft, and undoubtedly a participant to control within the Nationwide Championship Recreation. His lengthy landing earlier than halftime in opposition to Texas highlighted his lengthy pace and explosive play-making means. However he additionally options large imaginative and prescient and footwork as a ball-carrier.

Like many collegiate operating backs, his means in cross safety is a query, however he handles nearly each different facet of the place at a excessive degree.

Denzel Burke, CB

Denzel Burke is a well-rounded prospect at cornerback for the Buckeyes, who’s equally comfy coming downhill in run assist as he’s monitoring defenders downfield within the passing sport. He has the dimensions and size to be a person protection nook on the skin on the subsequent degree, in addition to the athleticism to match receivers in man protection. Pair that along with his willingness to play downhill in run assist, and you’ve got the makings of a starter on the subsequent degree.

Will Howard, QB

Much like the quarterback throughout the sphere within the Nationwide Championship Recreation, Will Howard has an opportunity to make some noise Monday evening, and place himself as a strong possibility within the draft outdoors the primary spherical. His expertise and arm expertise stand out in Ohio State’s passing sport, and he additionally has the athleticism to increase performs along with his legs.

Ohio State has not typically used him as a runner, however they’ve picked their spots with him, akin to a key fourth-down run in opposition to Texas late within the sport.

Donovan Jackson, IOL

Donovan Jackson is winding down his third yr as a starter for the Buckeyes at left guard, and is a strong prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft alongside the inside offensive line. He could be finest suited as a guard in a gap-heavy offensive scheme, along with his means to win blocking downhill and his expertise pulling in lure or hole ideas. His power and skill to anchor serve him properly in opposition to energy rushers in cross safety, however may benefit from bettering in opposition to counters and extra well-rounded cross rushers.

Josh Simmons, OT

Lastly, a fast phrase about offensive sort out Josh Simmons. Whereas Simmons is out tonight because of a season-ending knee damage he suffered in October, he initiatives as one of many prime offensive tackles within the 2025 NFL Draft.