The stage is set. It didn’t look early on like we’d make it. It didn’t look like we’d be able to finish a season plagued by COVID-19, but here we are at the College Football National Championship! On January 11th, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a battle of the undefeateds. Both sides feature multiple players who could hear their names called in April at the NFL Draft, and here they are. The prospects from the National Championship that you should keep an eye out for.
Alabama
Devonta Smith WR
Devonta Smith has far and away been the best wide receiver in college football this season, as well as the best player. The 2020 Heisman winner, Devonta Smith has been on a tear this season. In the Crimson Tide’s semi-final game against Notre Dame, Smith torched the Fighting Irish’s defense for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Look for Smith to leave the college game with another memorable performance.
Jaylen Waddle WR
It is not yet confirmed that Jaylen Waddle will play in the upcoming National Championship, but reports of him participating in practice are promising. Waddle is coming off of what was thought to be a season-ending ankle injury, and if he returns could be a big addition to the Alabama offense. A potential first-round pick, Waddle possesses game-breaking speed that can help Alabama win their first National Championship since 2017.
Mac Jones QB
Mac Jones has been one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football this season. A Heisman finalist, Jones has lit the college world on fire with his accurate play. He had a great game against Notre Dame, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 297 yards while boasting an 83% completion percentage. Mac Jones could possibly play himself into first-round consideration with a strong National Championship performance.
Najee Harris RB
Najee Harris has looked like the best back on football over the past year. An athletic freak for his large size, Harris looks to be the next great Alabama running back. He torched the Notre Dame defense for 125 yards on only 15 carries in the Rose Bowl. Harris will have to do a better job against a defense that held fellow top running back Travis Etienne to only 32 yards on the ground.
Alabama’s Offensive Line
Pretty much just watch all of Alabama’s line during this matchup, as almost all five of their current lineman could potentially be NFL players. For this upcoming draft, keep an eye on. The left tackle Alex Leatherwood and guard Deonte Brown. Leatherwood is a highly-touted prospect with great size and experience. Brown is a great mauler, and one of the nastiest interior linemen you will see. Alabama will have to figure out a way to replace top center Landon Dickerson, who suffered a season-ending injury.
Christian Barmore DL
Barmore has been one of the fastest rising players in recent weeks, and it's due to his stellar play down the home stretch of the season. Since week six, Barmore has accumulated five sacks and five tackles for loss. He looked impressive against Notre Dame and will be a great battle against Ohio State’s phenomenal offensive line.
Dylan Moses LB
Dylan Moses has struggled a bit this year, but I believe he’s shown over the back half of the year why he can be a special player. After coming off a torn ACL before last season, Moses struggled a tad bit early on, but he has flashes of his old self. Moses will need to have a big game against a great Buckeyes offense in order to help both himself and his team.
The Cornerbacks
This is the key matchup that could determine the winner of this game. Patrick Surtain is one of, if not the best, corners in the country. He should be someone that goes rather early in the NFL draft. His partner Josh Jobe is not a slouch at all either. The two of them against Ohio State’s great wide receiver duo of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson might determine who wins this game.
Ohio State
Justin Fields QB
After the quarterback’s phenomenal game against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, all eyes are on Justin Fields for the National Championship. They should’ve been anyway, as Fields is a phenomenal quarterback and prospect for the next level. If Ohio State wishes to complete the upset again over Ohio State, Fields has to once again take control and lead his men. If he does, expect a lot of talk about Fields for this upcoming draft.
Chris Olave WR
Chris Olave was one of the most underrated receivers entering this season, and with a strong performance against Clemson in which he had 132 yards and two touchdowns, the Olave stock is at an all-time high. One of the best route runners and overall receivers in college football, and in this draft class, it will certainly be an exciting matchup for Olave with top corner Patrick Surtain opposite to him.
Trey Sermon RB
Almost out of nowhere, Trey Sermon has become one of the most dominant running backs in college. He had 331 yards and two touchdowns in the Big 10 Championship game against Northwestern, and had another great performance in the Sugar Bowl with 193 yards and a touchdown. He’s been nearly impossible to tackle, and has shown a good vision. Can he have another great performance against a tough Bama team?
Jeremy Ruckert TE
Don’t forget about the tight end, especially not after his two-touchdown performance against Clemson. With talents such as Olave and Wilson, it’s easy to forget about Ruckert. Ruckert is a solid athlete and has some really good hands. If there's a surprise breakout player in a close National Championship, don’t be surprised if a guy like Ruckert steps up.
Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers
Davis and Myers are two of the best interior linemen in the nation, and should not have to wait until day 3 to hear their names called at the draft. Both have been instrumental in the recent success of Trey Sermon, creating great running lanes for their back. For all fans of good O-Line play, this game will have a ton of it on both sides.
Haskell Garrett DT
Garrett is currently questionable to play for the Buckeyes, and that would be a considerable blow to the team. While not necessarily one to show up on the stat sheet, Garrett flashes when watching games. You will constantly find Garrett disrupting plays in the backfield.
Pete Werner LB
Pete Werner has been Ohio State’s best defensive player as of late, with his versatility being the glue of the Buckeyes’ defense. Werner is a physical linebacker that is a big hitter, but he’s more than just an old school thumper. He has serious versatility, and the ability to drop back in coverage against tight ends. After a nice game against Clemson, Werner can raise his stock even more with a big National Championship.
Baron Browning LB
Browning is a linebacker with a ton of potential. He has great size and athleticism. He rushes the passer well, using explosive athleticism. He’s still putting his whole game together, but a good National Championship, alongside a great combine, could see Browning rise up draft boards.
Shaun Wade DB
It has not been the best year for Shaun Wade. The redshirt junior has struggled with his transition to the outside this season. This past game was especially rough, with Clemson picking on him multiple times throughout the game. Going up against possibly the two best wide receivers in college football, this would be the best time to have a bounceback game. In order for Ohio State to win, Shaun Wade has to return to his old form.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen