The Patriots should clear their schedules on Monday.
New England will be picking at No. 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while some truly disastrous scenarios could unfold because of that, they’re in a pretty decent spot to help add some talent to the roster. Ohio State and Notre Dame will provide one last opportunity to watch real college football in preparation for the marquee event, so it shouldn’t be wasted.
The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish have plenty of players who will be coveted over the next few months — shocking, we know. It’s actually so absurd that we had to omit a few names because if we’re being honest, nobody has time to talk about an entire secondary.
Seth McLaughlin and Josh Simmons (Ohio State), as well as Rylie Mills and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), will miss the game due to injury. Quinshon Judkins, J.T. Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, Lathan Ransom, Jordan Hancock and Davison Igbinosun are great, but we’ll leave them off the list because this game has so many other players worth talking about.
It’s almost time for the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, so here’s a refresher of some particular names that you should be watching:
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EDGE Jack Sawyer (#33), Ohio State
Sawyer has become something of a folk hero out in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes looked dead in the water after a fourth-consecutive loss to rival Michigan back on Nov. 30, but the man known as “Captain Jack” has them within one win from a national title after putting together unbelievable playoff performances against Tennessee, Oregon and Texas.
Sawyer is everything you’re looking for in an edge defender, as his versatility in scheme allows the team to play multiple fronts and unleash all the other talent around him. The Patriots need a player like that, and if they miss out on someone like Penn State’s Abdul Carter at No. 4, this is someone to target in the second round.
DT Tyleik Williams (#91), Ohio State
Williams might be the best draft-eligible player in this game, which says a lot about his talent The Buckeyes have essentially used him as a run-game disruptor, allowing him to account for more negative plays against the opposing offense than anyone else in the CFP. New England needs to upgrade its interior run defense and could do that by targeting this player somewhere in the back half of the second round, whether it gets there by trade up or trade down.
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S Xavier Watts (#0), Notre Dame
Watts was once a wide receiver, but the last several seasons saw him turn into one of college football’s more disruptive safeties. Notre Dame was rewarded for suggesting that position change, as he’s now a two-time All-American who essentially runs the entire defense.
The Patriots don’t need a safety all that much, but this dude is so good you almost need to watch him.
DT Howard Cross III (#56), Notre Dame
Cross has been thrust into an important role amid Mills’ absence and has performed admirably despite suffering an aggregation of the ankle injury that kept him out of three games to close the regular season. Tough, dependable and versatile. What more could you look for out of a depth player along the defensive line?
LB Jack Kiser (#24), Notre Dame
Kiser plays in between Cross and Watts, and while he might not be your prototypical off-ball linebacker, he’s extremely athletic and brings value on special teams. The Fighting Irish have been around since 1887, and no one has played more in that uniform than Kiser.
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More NFL Draft
WR Emeka Egbuka (#2), Ohio State
Ohio State had several seniors pass up legitimate draft interest during the last cycle, but perhaps none had more to lose than Egbuka.
The Buckeyes haven’t ever made him the feature receiver, but even despite that, he’s starred alongside the likes of Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith. Egbuka needs just three receptions to become the program’s all-time leading receiver and he should have no problem doing that on his way to becoming a future first-round pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs are probably going to draft him and turn him into an All-Pro because that’s what happens when you’re the best and great players slip to the back of the first round.
OL Donovan Jackson (#74), Ohio State
Jackson has improved his draft stock tremendously, but not necessarily for reasons you might think.
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Ohio State built quite the stable of offensive linemen entering this season but saw several go down to force a ton of shuffling late in the season. Jackson, who is a two-time all-conference selection at guard, is now the left tackle for a team favored to win the national title. It’s not like he’s just playing better — which he is. He’s doing it at the second-most valuable position in the sport.
RB TreVeyon Henderson (#32), Ohio State
Henderson and Judkins were a toss-up, but we’re rolling with the guy who likely will sit on the board a bit longer come April. Judkins has all the tools to be an every-down back and likely will be one of the first four drafted. Henderson, on the other hand, has experienced some trials and tribulations in his four seasons playing at The Shoe.
Henderson is still a tremendous player, though, and could be the best “ready-to-go” option available on Day 3. New England will be in the market for one of those.
ATH Sonny Styles (#6), Ohio State
Styles can play safety, linebacker or rush off the edge. Mike Vrabel flourished with linebackers who are similarly versatile during his days with the Tennessee Titans.
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The Patriots might not be in range to draft any of the guys above, but they sure as hell will be in striking position for Styles.
Who will you be keeping an eye on in the CFP National Championship Game? Let us know in the comments.
Featured image via Jerome Miron/Imagn Images