Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: Players to Watch in the National Championship

Good evening New York Giants fans!

The 2024-2025 college football season is coming to an end and there is only one game left to play. Tonight, seventh-ranked Notre Dame will face eighth-ranked Ohio State in the college football national championship game.

This game marks the culmination of the expanded College Football Playoff. This is the first year of the new 12-team format, and these two teams owe their presence in the game to the expanded format.

Previously, neither Notre Dame nor Ohio State would have made the College Football Playoff, as they were limited to the top four teams. Notre Dame and OSU rose to the challenge to get here, beating several Top 4 teams. Notre Dame had to face both Georgia and Penn State, while Ohio State faced Oregon and Texas in the last two rounds.

The fact that two teams that would not have made the playoffs in the previous format are facing off for the championship is proof positive that change is good.

Of course, this is also a great opportunity to scout for the 2025 NFL Draft. These are two talented teams and there will be plenty of prospects on the field. In a slight change to how we’ve done things this year, we will feature an offensive and defensive player for each team.

(7) Notre Dame

It’s no surprise that Notre Dame had the opportunity to compete in this game. Their status as an independent program has given them a pretty clear path to the College Football Playoff. However, they were bitten hard by the injury bug during the year, which even claimed their top prospect in CB Benjamin Morrison. So, keeping this in mind, it East it’s a little surprising that they beat (2) Georgia and (4) Penn State to get here.

Offensive player to watch

Mitchell Evans (TE)

The Giants probably don’t need to add a tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t or won’t be able to add a tight end if the value is right. This year’s draft class could be quite deep at tight end, and there are prospects to fit most roles and schemes in the NFL.

Evans is the next in a long line of Notre Dame tight ends who feature a prototypical build and well-rounded game. He has great size at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds and is a good tight end blocker – he was their blocker opposite Michael Mayer in 2022. Evans has also become a good receiving tight end in his own right since becoming the TE1 in 2023.

He makes great use of his size and is one of the best catchers in college football, and he’s also difficult for individual defenders to bring down.

NFL teams will want to do their due diligence on Evans after he tears his ACL and MCL in 2023. A good performance could make him a solid Day 2 prospect.

Defensive player to watch

Xavier Watts (S)

It’s a shame that cornerback Benjamin Morrison was lost this year to injury. But that makes Watts the best prospect on the field for Notre Dame and one of the best prospects in the game. Watts has good size for the position at 6-foot, 205 pounds, and can play deep as a free safety as well as near the line of scrimmage as a box safety.

He’s a smart, instinctive player who consistently takes smart angles on the ball and is a hawk. Watts possesses fantastic ball skills that, combined with his instinctive play, have resulted in 13 passes defensed and 13 interceptions (1 touchdown) over the last two years. The Giants just drafted Tyler Nubin in the second round and Dane Belton stepped up when he had the chance, but Watts’ ability to generate turnovers should put him in strong consideration for the Giants.

(8) Ohio State

If Notre Dame’s appearance in the national championship game is a surprise, Ohio State’s probably shouldn’t be. The Buckeyes’ season hasn’t been up to their usual standards and they certainly had to earn their way to the big game, but the Buckeyes also have one of the most complete teams in the country. There will be future NFL players at almost every position at Ohio State tonight.

As usual, my advice is to enjoy the game and take note of the players who stand out.

Offensive player to watch

Emeka Egbuka (WR)

Wide receiver may not be the most pressing need for the Giants, but Egbuka is an intriguing need. He could fill various holes for various teams, depending on the program and roster around him.

He has great run-after-catch ability and could be the primary receiver on a team that makes a point of integrating YAC into its passing game. On the other hand, he’s also a savvy route runner with reliable hands and solid size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), and could be a reliable possession receiver on the outside. He’s played alongside and behind some of the top receiving prospects to come out of college in recent years, and his ability to find a role opposite them is a testament to his ability.

The Giants need to continue to improve their offense, and a player like Egbuka could be a versatile piece as the Giants rework their offense around a changing quarterback situation.

Defensive player to watch

Jack Sawyer (edge)

Sawyer has been one of the best defenders in college football over the past two years, and he would be a welcome addition to almost any defense.

He has prototypical size for an edge defender at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, and should be able to play in a three- or four-man front at the NFL level – although he might fit better as a than traditional DE 4-3. He’s probably best described as a “solid, even spectacular” athlete, but he’s able to use his play strength, motor skills and dizzying football IQ to make up the difference. Sawyer understands how to rush with a plan, tackle blockers and never gives up on a play. He is also a reliable defender who never really needs to leave the field.

Where Sawyer is drafted will likely depend on his performance at the Scouting Combine. Good coaching would check a lot of boxes and make teams feel better about selecting him highly.

How to watch

TV: ESPN
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Advertisers: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit
Radio: ESPN Radio
SiriusXM: National Broadcast – 80, Notre Dame – 84, Ohio State – 81