The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2025 National Championship Game.
Emeka Egbuka, WR
Egbuka joined Ohio State in 2021 and played a little bit, even with a talented receiving room. He really broke out in 2022 with 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 2023 season had some injuries, and he returned for his senior season. This year, he has 75 catches for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Egbuka has solid size for the position. He has good route running ability, which helps him separate. Egbuka takes pride in blocking and knows how to get open against zone coverage. He may not have the athleticism to be a no. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he has the tools to be a pro for quite some time. Egbuka is projected to be picked early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Tyleik Williams, DL
Williams joined Ohio State in 2021 and started playing immediately, registering seven tackles for loss and five sacks as a freshman. He played a lot in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, helping to build his draft stock. Williams decided to return for his senior season instead of declining for the NFL Draft. He has seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this season.
At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Willims has great size for an NFL defensive tackle. He moves well for his size, displaying solid athleticism. His pad level can get too high and he can add more pass rush moves to be even more effective. Williams is projected to be a day-two pick.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
*Offensive tackle Josh Simmons is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
*IOL Seth McLaughlin is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected late-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau (2nd-3rd), EDGE Jack Sawyer (2nd-3rd), IOL Donovan Jackson (2nd-3rd), RB Quinshon Judkins (2nd-4th), CB Denzel Burke (3rd-5th), RB TreVeyon Henderson (3rd-5th), CB Davison Igbinosun (3rd-5th), S Lathan Ransom (4th-6th), DL Ty Hamilton (4th-6th), LB Sonny Styles (5th-7th), QB Will Howard (6th-UFA), IOL Carson Hinzman (6th-UFA), CB Jordan Hancock (6th-UFA), LB CJ Hicks (UFA), EDGE Kenyatta Jackson (UFA), OT Tegra Tshabola (UFA), TE Gee Scott (UFA), LB Cody Simon (UFA)
Xavier Watts, S
Watts joined Notre Dame in 2020 and has stuck with the program over the last several seasons. He jumped into the starting lineup at the end of the 2022 season, then was one of the best defensive backs in the country for 2023 and 2024. This season, Watts has registered 74 total tackles, nine passes defended and six interceptions.
At 6-foot and 203 pounds, Watts has solid size for an NFL safety. His instincts and ball skills help him make plays on the ball and stick out among other safeties. He is good in deep zone coverage, even without elite range. Watts has done enough to warrant consideration on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Howard Cross III, DL
Like Watts, Cross has been in the Notre Dame program for a long time. He joined the Fighting Irish in 2019, got his first start in 2021, then played a larger role over the last three seasons with the program. In 2024, Cross has 27 total tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Cross is an undersized NFL defensive lineman at 6-foot-1 and 288 pounds. He lacks strength, but has natural leverage to help him win. Cross also moves quickly for a defensive lineman. His size may limit his draft stock, but he still can be drafted in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
*CB Benjamin Morrison is a projected first-round pick, but will not play in this game due to an injury.
*DL Rylie Mills is out for this game with an injury. He is a projected mid-round pick.
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