Ohio State Football: NFL Hopefuls with the Most to Prove in Fiesta Bowl

There will be so much NFL-caliber talent on the field when No. 7 Ohio State and No. 8 Notre Dame meet in the Fiesta Bowl that they should move the game to a Sunday. 

The Buckeyes (11-1) are absolutely loaded with next-level prospects, highlighted by standouts such as defensive end Joey Bosa, running back Ezekiel Elliott and (consensus first-team All-American) left tackle Taylor Decker.

That trio headlines an absurd bevy of Buckeye talent who will likely be suiting up in an NFL stadium near you next year, pending the crucial decisions from a handful of underclassmen. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller is predicting an incredible 10 Ohio State players to be selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft next May.

Players such as Bosa and Elliott have solidified their elite status throughout their careers, so a statement game against Notre Dame isn't crucial for their draft stock. These three players, however, could use a big outing against the Fighting Irish to help their case.

Braxton Miller, Wide Receiver

Braxton Miller's transition from quarterback to wide receiver got off to a fast and impressive start in Ohio State's season-opening clash against Virginia Tech, when he showcased his versatility in a 140-yard, two-touchdown performance.

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

But since that breakout game, Miller hasn't eclipsed 90 total yards in a single game as he finished the season with just 24 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt senior is one of the most electric playmakers in college football, but he struggled with consistency operating on the perimeter of Urban Meyer's offense. 

That playmaking ability will ensure his inclusion in this year's draft, but he could do himself a huge favor by taking a major leap during the bowl practices and showing out against Notre Dame.

Eli Apple, Cornerback

The Buckeyes needed Eli Apple to step into the lead cornerback role with the departure of Doran Grant a season ago, and he responded with a fantastic redshirt sophomore campaign. Apple routinely locked down opposing offenses' top wideouts, and he paced the nation's 12th-best pass defense with seven pass breakups.

Apple has certainly displayed the skill set to succeed at the next level, and Matt Miller pegged him as a first-round selection if he were to make the early exit from Ohio State. But the Fiesta Bowl matchup against Notre Dame provides Apple a huge stage to line up against one of the country's best wide receivers in Will Fuller.

Fuller has been the best pass-catcher for the Irish by a wide margin this season, leading the team and ranking 15th nationally with 1,145 receiving yards. If Apple can lock him down, he could solidify first-round status.

Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver

Michael Thomas is another underclassman who has drawn a first-round grade from Matt Miller, but he could reaffirm his standing as one of the country's top receiver prospects with a solid game against Notre Dame.

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Thomas hasn't registered eye-popping numbers this season, hauling in 49 passes for 709 yards and eight touchdowns as Ohio State's quarterbacks battled through uneven play. And while questions about his lack of speed have risen over the season, he could quiet that noise a little by showing out against Notre Dame.

The Irish have surrendered some big games to opposing receivers, most notably against Virginia's Canaan Severin (153 receiving yards), USC's JuJu Smith-Schuster (139) and Stanford's Devon Cajuste (125).

Ohio State's passing attack will need to make a big leap, but Thomas can prove his worth on New Year's Day with a big performance.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.