CFP Championship 2025: Predictions for NFL Draft Prospects in OSU vs. Notre Dame

It all comes down to this.

A college football campaign that kicked off in August reaches its (hopefully) epic conclusion Monday night when Ohio State and Notre Dame square off in the College Football Playoff championship.

These are two storied programs hoping to put the finishing touches on dominant seasons, but that's not the only reason folks will keep a close eye on this clash. There's also a wealth of NFL-caliber talent on both rosters, and evaluators and fans will both want to see how these players fare under college football's brightest lights.

We'll spotlight three of the top-ranked prospects on the BR NFL Scouting Department's Draft Big Board in this contest and predict what could be in their cards.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (#2) runs up field during the CFP Semifinal Cotton Bowl Classic football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns on January 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Across four seasons with the Buckeyes, Emeka Egbuka has snared 199 receptions for 2,804 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is two receptions away from tying the all-time high mark for Ohio State wide receivers. He is 94 yards shy of matching the career receiving yard record, too.

Those are staggering feats for a lot of reasons, including the fact he didn't get many opportunities as a freshman and dealt with ankle and knee injuries throughout his junior season. He has also always had stiff competition for targets, whether that was Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Marvin Harrison Jr. before or Jeremiah Smith now.

Egbuka always finds a way to make an impact, though. Touted by B/R's scouting team as the "best route-runner" in this draft class, he can consistently separate from defensive backs and then has the vision and burst needed to turn short-to-intermediate passes into big gains. And when targets aren't coming his way, he'll put his all into run-blocking.

He seems likelier to play a strong support role than a starring one Monday night—he's only posted triple-digit receiving yards once this season—but he'll make his presence felt both on the stat sheet and in more subtle ways. Five-plus receptions for 70-plus yards feels entirely doable.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 9: Xavier Watts #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after a third down stop against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

If stellar safety play happens to rank among your football favorites, then you're in luck, because Xavier Watts is one of the best in the business. The B/R scouting crew ranked him 22nd overall and second at his position, calling him the "best in zone coverage" among safeties in this draft class.

The 5'11", 199-pounder is a physical, high-motor thumper. He diagnoses running plays early, gets downhill in an instant and meets opposing ball-carriers with ferocity. And that same aggressiveness carries over to his pass coverage, as he can swallow up would-be passing chances around the line of scrimmage.

BR scout Cory Giddings sees "year-one starter" potential in Watts, labeling him "an ideal fit for teams looking for a physical safety who can play close to the line of scrimmage." Watts projects as a late first-round pick, but perhaps he seizes this moment in such dramatic fashion that he climbs up closer to its midsection.

Watts paced Notre Dame with six interceptions this season and ranked second on the team with 74 tackles. It feels a touch bold to predict he'll come down with a pick here, but if the Irish can force a mistake throw from quarterback Will Howard, Watts is the likeliest player to come down with it. He'll also flirt with double-digit tackles and probably gets his hands on a pass or two, even if he doesn't come down with any.

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to throw the ball during the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A transfer from Duke, Riley Leonard's first and only season at Notre Dame has been about as successful as anyone could've hoped.

Setting the Fighting Irish's team triumphs aside, the dual-threat quarterback has energized this offense with his arm and his legs. He didn't post jaw-dropping numbers as a passer, but teams will gladly take 2,606 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns from someone who also delivered 866 rushing yards and 16 scores on the ground.

The BR scouting crew slotted Leonard 66th overall and fifth among quarterbacks, which feels about right given his physical gifts but also the concerns with some of his mechanics and decision-making. As BR scout Dame Parson noted, "consistency will go a long way for Leonard's NFL future."

In an ideal world, Notre Dame would lean on its defense and running attack to control Monday's contest, but Ohio State is far from an ideal matchup. The Buckeyes are super stingy against the run, and they can overwhelm opponents with offense. Leonard might have to pass more than normal for his club to keep up, in other words. Something like 200ish passing yards with 50 or so rushing yards feels about right. He should tally at least a couple of touchdowns (perhaps one rushing and one passing), but he's also a candidate to throw an interception.