5 Ohio State players whose NFL draft stock could be impacted in the CFP title game

There is something to play for Ohio State Monday night football when they play Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Atlanta. After a whirlwind regular season full of ups and downs, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes advanced through the CFP and now find themselves as heavy favorites to take home the title.

of course winning a national championship is top of mind for Ohio State as he prepares for his final game. However, there may be more to the game for many beginners. Most of the key players for the Buckeyes will be headed to the NFL at the end of the season, and a big performance on the game’s biggest stage could lead to a rise in the draft for some of them.

Arguably the Buckeyes’ top two prospects in the draft, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, aren’t even eligible to enter the postseason. However, there are still a handful of players who will be looking for a spot in the pros in 2025. Here are five players who have a chance to make a lasting impression on scouts with a big game on Monday night.

VR Emeka Egbuka

Emeka Egbuka is in Jeremy Smith’s shadow at times this season, with fans and pundits mesmerized by the youngster’s incredible combination of size and athleticism. Egbuka doesn’t have the same physical attributes that make him jump off screens as Smith, but he still has a chance to be a first-round pick this spring.

Simply put, it’s easy to see how Egbuka will fit into an NFL offense. He is a great route runner with great hands and a great feel for the game. He excels in man coverage with his shade as a route runner and ability to get his hands on the catch even if he doesn’t get separation. He is also effective against zones with his great spatial awareness and ability to settle into soft spots in coverage. Egbuka should plug in immediately as a KB-friendly slot receiver in the pros.

Egbuka is projected as a late first-round pick or early second-rounder, but he has a chance to increase that stock in this one. Notre Dame will likely focus a lot of attention on Smith, leaving Egbuka with plenty of one-on-one situations against the Irish’s man-heavy scheme. That sounds like the perfect recipe for success for veterans around the world.

S. Lathan Ransom

Lathan Ransom is another key player on Ohio State’s defense who is somewhat overshadowed by his younger counterpart. Caleb Downs steals the headlines for the Buckeyes defense, but Ransom is one of the best players on the field every time you turn on the tape.

Ransom jumps off the screen every time you watch the Buckeyes because of his instinctive nature and physicality. He is a terrific run defender and allows Ohio State to play a lot of nickel and dime defenses without sacrificing box size or ability to defend the run. Ransom isn’t the fastest defensive back on the perimeter or in coverage, but he’s an excellent tackler who isn’t afraid to play blocks and ball carriers.

Ransom is currently projected as a mid-round pick due to his average athleticism for his position, but he makes up for it by being a very smart player who is always in the right spot and trusts his eyes to make a quick run downhill. If he can show that skill in this game, it’s easy to see why teams would fall in love with him on day two of the draft.

Ohio State’s defensive line with plenty to prove

It probably is the best position group for this Ohio State team is its defensive line. Defensive tackles Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimolo and defensive tackle Tylik Williams have been key pieces for Ohio State this season and have made it one of the toughest defenses to tackle in all of college football. On Monday night, all three will have a chance to make a lasting impression on scouts about why they should be the best.

Sawyer headlines as one of the team’s leaders and someone who stepped up his game significantly in the CFP. Through three playoff games, Sawyer has recorded 4.5 sacks and seven pass breakups. Made the playoffs in the semifinals against Texas in the Cotton Bowl, taking down Quinn Evers on the great fourth fall, grab it and taking it all the way back for a touchdown to send Ohio State to the title game.

Williams is an ultra-athletic defensive tackle who is a disruptor in the middle. He is a very talented but also inconsistent player who disappears for tackles or quarters at a time. However, when he is on, he is one of the most explosive, disruptive factors in the nation as an interior lineman. If he can emerge and make a huge impact throughout the title game, that could go a long way in the eyes of draft evaluators.

Tuimoloau is also an interesting player who has high upside as an impactful member of a defensive line rotation at the next level, but he can really light up his ceiling in the championship game. He’s a big, strong defensive player who excels as a pocket pusher and defensive back, but lacks the snap and burst to be a true pass rusher. However, Tuimoloau has many different things that can impact a game and he will have the chance to show that for this Ohio State football team on Monday night.