After the first year of the expanded 12-team playoff, the national championship game is almost ready to kick off.
Notre Dame (14-1) will try to win its first national championship since 1988 when it plays Ohio State on Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Fighting Irish defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl to advance to the national championship.
Ohio State (13-2) is looking for its first championship since 2014. The Buckeyes defeated the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl to reach the title game.
Both Notre Dame and Ohio State have abundant talent on their roster, which should make for an exciting game. Each team also has several players fans will watch in the NFL next season.
Let’s take a look at six players to keep an eye on during Monday night’s contest.
EMEKA EGBUKA, WR, OHIO STATE
At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Egbuka is a smooth route runner who wins his one-on-one matchups with his footwork and ability to change directions after separating from coverage. His game is similar to that of Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, who also played at Ohio State. Both players use variations of routes to gain advantages in coverage, especially in the slot.
In 15 games, Egbuka caught 75 passes for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns. Egbuka will likely be a late first-round to an early second-round pick in April’s draft. There are questions on whether Egbuka can be used as an outside receiver at the next level, but he has shown he can be a consistent playmaker in the slot.
RILEY LEONARD, QB, NOTRE DAME
Leonard is one of the nation’s best dual threats at the quarterback position. He passed for 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games. He also rushed for 866 yards and 16 rushing TDs.
While Leonard has playmaking abilities, his decision-making has been questionable at times. He is a decent passer inside the pocket. However, when Leonard gets pressured, he tends to make ill-advised decisions and attempts to throw himself out of sacks. That’s why Leonard is likely a Day 3 pick.
Leonard will face an Ohio State defense that’s tops in the nation in yards allowed (251.1) and third in sacks (51). If the Fighting Irish are going to pull off the upset, Leonard will have to use his arm and legs to create plays against a stout Buckeyes defense.
TREVEYON HENDERSON, RB, OHIO STATE
If your team needs a running back, Henderson could be a great fit. He has good speed and, at 5-10, 212 pounds, is a stout ball carrier who can turn a five-yard run into a potential long touchdown.
Henderson has rushed for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He splits carries with Quinshon Judkins, who has rushed for 12 touchdowns. Henderson is likely a Day 2 pick in the draft.
Notre Dame’s defense allows 133 yards per game on the ground. If the Fighting Irish can contain Henderson and the Buckeyes’ ground attack, they could potentially get quarterback Will Howard and the Ohio State offense in favorable 3rd-and-long situations.
HOWARD CROSS III, DL, NOTRE DAME
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Cross is the son of former NFL tight end Howard Cross, who played 13 seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.
Unlike his dad, the younger Cross, who is 6-1, 288 pounds, plays on the defensive side of the ball. In 12 games, Cross has 27 tackles and four sacks for the Fighting Irish.
Cross is undersized compared to most defensive linemen, but he has good enough lateral movement to win one-on-one matchups and get pressure on quarterbacks. He projects to be a late-round draft pick.
XAVIER WATTS, SAFETY, NOTRE DAME
Watts will play his final collegiate game on Monday night. His outstanding collegiate resume includes being named to two All-American teams (2023-24) and capturing the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy given to the best defensive player in college football.
This season, Watts has registered 74 tackles and six interceptions. He is a safety with a high motor who can play both the run and the pass well.
Watts is also a physical safety who excels in zone schemes, which should salivate scouts and general managers. He could potentially be a candidate for the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
JEREMIAH SMITH, WR, OHIO STATE
I saved the best for last, although Smith won’t be eligible for the NFL Draft for another two years. But at just 19 years old, Smith is already the best wide receiver in the nation.
The 6-3, 215-pound star from Miami Gardens was the top recruit in the nation a year ago. Ohio State knew Smith could be special, but I’m not sure they expected him to be this good this fast.
Smith has registered 71 catches for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns in 15 games for the Buckeyes. He was a first-team All-American and was named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
Smith is coming off a quiet performance against Texas, finishing with one catch for three years. Longhorn defenders bracketed Smith the entire game to prevent big pass plays against them. A week earlier, in the victory against Oregon, Smith finished with seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns and was named Rose Bowl MVP.
Notre Dame is second in the nation in passing defense (165.3), but they have not played against a talented duo with the talent of Smith and Egbuka.