Top 11 Players to Watch in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game: Jeremiah Smith, Riley Leonard, Caleb Downs, and more

January 16, 2025

Jackson lists the top 11 players to watch in Monday's 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Ohio State vs. Notre Dame key players and matchups.

The 2024-25 college football season has been electric, and the campaign will wrap up on Monday with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Ohio State has been dominant for most of the College Football Playoff, while Notre Dame has come up with clutch plays to reach the biggest stage in the sport.

The Buckeyes are healthy favorites to defeat the Irish, but if this college football season taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected. Hopefully, this one will be an all-time classic.

Ahead of the "Natty," let's highlight 11 players who will decide which program earns another national title. Read the player analysis and keys to the game below!

Jeremiah Smith, WR - Ohio State

True freshman Jeremiah Smith is arguably the best player in the country, and the 19-year-old went nuclear in Ohio State's first two College Football Playoff games.

Smith put up 103 yards and two scores against Tennessee before a 187-yard day against Oregon that included another two touchdowns. He was limited to just one reception for three yards against Texas, so expect Notre Dame to grind the tape to try to replicate Texas' success on that front.

Jeremiah Smith said ✌️

The @OhioStateFB star opened the scoring in the Rose Bowl with this 45 yard touchdown 💥#B1GFootball x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/3nFrn3KzKt

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 2, 2025

2024 Season Stats: 71 receptions, 1,227 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns

Riley Leonard, QB - Notre Dame

Riley Leonard is not going to amaze you with a rocket arm or monster passing numbers, but the Duke transfer is a weapon as a runner and is a load to take down.

The 6-foot-4 senior has made clutch plays when it mattered most this postseason, and he'll need to be on his A-game against a fierce Buckeyes defense. The Irish need a heroic performance from their team leader to take home the hardware on Monday night.

2024 Season Stats: 2,605 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 866 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns

Caleb Downs, S - Ohio State

Alabama transfer Caleb Downs has provided the Ohio State defense with an enforcer in the secondary. Downs would arguably be the top safety prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft if he was eligible, but he's only a true sophomore.

The Georgia native came up big on a shoestring tackle to potentially save a touchdown against Texas, and he also logged a tackle for loss on 2nd-and-goal that ultimately led to a strip sack of Quinn Ewers. If a big play is on the table, Downs will usually make it.

2024 Season Stats: 76 tackles (43 solo), six pass deflections, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions

TreVeyon Henderson, RB - Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson had a modest regular-season campaign based on his standards, but it's worth noting he's been sharing the backfield with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins.

However, Henderson has saved his best work for the postseason. He ripped off a 29-yard touchdown run against Tennessee, a 66-yard touchdown run against Oregon, and a 75-yard receiving touchdown against Texas. He's explosive, strong, and has the will to stay up. If he has another big outing, Ohio State's chances to win improve dramatically.

Treveyon Henderson 75 yard Touchdown on a Screen Pass. This might be the most Green Grass I have ever seen on a screen 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jpdg8iuvbV

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 11, 2025

2024 Season Stats: 967 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 284 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown

Jeremiyah Love, RB - Notre Dame

Unfortunately, Jeremiyah Love suffered a knee injury in the win over Indiana in Round 1 of the CFP. While his injury has limited his production over the last two games, he found a way to be a significant factor in the Orange Bowl win over Penn State.

Love ran through five defenders to score a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. His ailment might stop him from ripping off another 98-yard touchdown as he did against the Hoosiers, but his physical style and athleticism keep him in the Notre Dame game plan.

This view of Jeremiyah Love's touchdown 😳 pic.twitter.com/oSdhKereqU

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2025

2024 Season Stats: 1,122 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 26 receptions, 232 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns

Will Howard, QB - Ohio State

Will Howard has attempted nearly 1,200 passes in his college career from his freshman season at Kansas State to now. Needless to say, he has plenty of experience and should not panic when the moments get big on Monday.

However, Notre Dame will do anything possible to replicate what Texas and Michigan did to slow him down. When his wideouts are wide open, he's perfectly capable of making big throws. But it remains to be seen if he can make tight-window throws when it matters most. We shall see.

2024 Season Stats: 3,779 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns

Charles Jagusah, OT - Notre Dame

Why did an offensive lineman make this list? Because he's a major key in how this contest will go. Charles Jagusah was slated to start at left tackle for the Irish this year, but a torn pectoral muscle early in training camp was considered season-ending.

He made it back to the active roster ahead of the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, and he's now expected to make his first start of the season after freshman tackle Anthonie Knapp suffered a knee injury against Penn State.

Jagusah will have his hands full against Buckeyes edge-rushers Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau.

Emeka Egbuka, WR - Ohio State

With Jeremiah Smith being double- or triple-covered against Texas, freshman wideout Carnell Tate stepped up and caught seven passes for 87 yards. However, potential first-round NFL Draft pick Emeka Egbuka will need to bring his A-game against the Irish if Smith is once again taken out of the game.

Egbuka notched his second season with double-digit touchdowns this year, and his NFL Draft stock could ascend or take a hit depending on his performance against the high-end Irish secondary.

2024 Season Stats: 75 receptions, 947 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns

J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge - Ohio State

To say J.T. Tuimoloau has been a problem for opposing offenses during the CFP might be the understatement of the year. The senior has racked up 18 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections in his last three games.

We just talked about how offensive tackle Charles Jagusah is making his first start of the season and is tasked with protecting Riley Leonard's blindside. For most of the night, he'll be matched up with Tuimoloau. This is one of the top battles to watch.

J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer in College Football Playoffs:

- 21 tackles
- 12 tackles for loss
- 10 sacks
- 8 pass deflections
- 2 forced fumbles
- 1 fumble recovery
- 1 touchdown

This duo is putting on a legendary run of performances. pic.twitter.com/aPkJSGzxLC

— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) January 11, 2025

2024 Season Stats: 56 tackles (30 solo), 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass deflections

Quinshon Judkins, RB - Ohio State

After two consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to begin his career at Ole Miss, Judkins decided to hop in the transfer portal and share the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson at Ohio State.

He has roughly 100 fewer carries this year than in his two seasons at Ole Miss, but he has provided a physical style that matches Henderson's explosive skill set perfectly. Judkins has attitude and plays with 100% effort, and look for the Buckeyes to turn to him in the red zone and near the goal line.

2024 Season Stats: 960 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions, 140 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown

Xavier Watts, S - Notre Dame

We talked about how Ohio State's Caleb Downs is one of the best safeties in the nation, but Notre Dame's Xavier Watts was also a first-team All-American safety. Two of the nation's finest defensive backs are featured in this contest, and Watts needs to do what he's done over the last two seasons to give the Irish a spark.

Watts had 13 interceptions over the last two seasons to go along with two forced fumbles. With Notre Dame being a significant underdog, there's no better time for Watts to generate a game-swinging turnover.

ANOTHER PICK SIX FOR THE IRISH! pic.twitter.com/841t8Aj1I6

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 1, 2024

2024 Season Stats: 75 tackles (47 solo), eight pass deflections, six interceptions, one forced fumble, one defensive touchdown

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