The inaugural 12-team School Soccer Playoff attracts to a detailed tonight, when Ohio State and Notre Dame meet to resolve 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 additionally to place one final argument in entrance of NFL scouts forward of draft season. For followers of NFL groups already looking forward to April’s NFL Draft, listed here are some gamers to keep watch over tonight.
Notre Dame 2025 NFL Draft prospects to observe
Benjamin Morrison, CB
Maybe the highest prospect on Notre Dame’s roster — presently ranked at No. 22 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Massive Board — Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison is a key participant each tonight, and in relation to the upcoming NFL Draft. His dimension, in addition to his means to play each alongside the boundary and within the slot, will make him a really intriguing choice 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 proficient freshman Jeremiah Smith.
Xavier Watts, S
One other member of the Preventing Irish secondary that might be examined tonight is security Xavier Watts. Watts is a dynamic defender with the power to return downhill in run help, but additionally work in protection close to the road of scrimmage in addition to within the intermediate space of the sphere. His greatest work might come within the field, however he has the potential to be a flexible security on the subsequent stage.
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 Sport. Cross is a fast and athletic inside defender, and brings a stable arsenal of pass-rushing strikes to the desk. He’ll face some questions on his dimension when transitioning to the subsequent stage — Cross checks in at 6’1 and 288 kilos — however his athleticism and skill to get after the passer on the within might be intriguing for a lot of NFL groups.
Mitchell Evans, TE
Two tight ends from the Massive 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 stable 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 perfect dimension (6’5 253 kilos) for the place, however would possibly face questions on his athleticism on the subsequent stage.
Riley Leonard, QB
In case you are studying this, you in all probability know that the incoming quarterback class has extra questions than solutions. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders appear as locks to go inside the High 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 School Soccer Playoff than his arm. However a dream recreation in opposition to Ohio State might completely shift the narrative.
Ohio State 2025 NFL Draft prospects to observe
Emeka Egubka, WR
Jeremiah Smith might draw the headlines, however groups hoping to draft an Ohio State huge receiver should wait till he’s eligible, or flip their consideration to Emeka Egubka. Ohio State’s different large goal within the passing recreation, 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 expertise and skill after the catch make him a first-round prospect.
Tyleik Williams, DL
Ohio State’s entrance seven offers them an enormous probability to win on Monday night time, and Tyleik Williams is an enormous a part of that group. Williams offers Ohio State a large presence on the inside, however he’s greater than only a large physique on the within. His power on the level of assault makes him a pressure in opposition to the run, but additionally offers him the power to maneuver the pocket and get after the QB within the passing recreation.
Jack Sawyer, EDGE
Jack Sawyer’s dynamic play to seal the win over Texas might stay on in Ohio State lore, however it has additionally given his draft inventory a noticeable bump. Sawyer entered the School 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:
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One other large recreation might see his inventory rise even greater.
J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE
Throughout from Sawyer on the Ohio State defensive position is one other draft prospect in go rusher J.T. Tuimoloau. He led the Buckeyes with 11.5 sacks this season, profitable with power and a stable 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 paying homage to Isiah Pacheco. He additionally has sufficient velocity to erase angles within the open discipline, and the footwork and imaginative and prescient to search out creases when the blocking image is cloudy in entrance of him.
He would possibly face questions on dealing with go safety on the subsequent stage, however is a stable prospect on the place.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB
TreVeyon Henderson is one other stable working again choice within the upcoming NFL Draft, and undoubtedly a participant to keep watch over within the Nationwide Championship Sport. His lengthy landing earlier than halftime in opposition to Texas highlighted his lengthy velocity and explosive play-making means. However he additionally options great imaginative and prescient and footwork as a ball-carrier.
Like many collegiate working backs, his means in go safety is a query, however he handles virtually each different side of the place at a excessive stage.
Denzel Burke, CB
Denzel Burke is a well-rounded prospect at cornerback for the Buckeyes, who’s equally snug coming downhill in run help as he’s monitoring defenders downfield within the passing recreation. He has the dimensions and size to be a person protection nook on the skin on the subsequent stage, in addition to the athleticism to match receivers in man protection. Pair that together with his willingness to play downhill in run help, and you’ve got the makings of a starter on the subsequent stage.
Will Howard, QB
Much like the quarterback throughout the sphere within the Nationwide Championship Sport, Will Howard has an opportunity to make some noise Monday night time, and place himself as a stable choice within the draft exterior the primary spherical. His expertise and arm expertise stand out in Ohio State’s passing recreation, and he additionally has the athleticism to increase performs together with his legs.
Ohio State has not usually used him as a runner, however they’ve picked their spots with him, resembling a key fourth-down run in opposition to Texas late within the recreation.
Donovan Jackson, IOL
Donovan Jackson is winding down his third 12 months as a starter for the Buckeyes at left guard, and is a stable prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft alongside the inside offensive line. He is perhaps greatest suited as a guard in a gap-heavy offensive scheme, together with his means to win blocking downhill and his expertise pulling in entice or hole ideas. His power and skill to anchor serve him properly in opposition to energy rushers in go safety, however may gain advantage from enhancing in opposition to counters and extra well-rounded go rushers.
Josh Simmons, OT
Lastly, a fast phrase about offensive sort out Josh Simmons. Whereas Simmons is out tonight attributable to a season-ending knee damage he suffered in October, he tasks as one of many high offensive tackles within the 2025 NFL Draft.
