5 players to watch in the College Football Playoff Semifinals as your favorite NFL team gears up for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The College Football Playoff Semifinals are set. And as some of the best college football teams get ready to battle, they will feature some of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. So, who are the players you will need to keep an eye on as the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes battle to meet the winner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions matchup?
We’re looking at some honorable mentions and the 5 players you need to watch in the college football semifinals.
Honorable Mentions
- Benjamin Morrison | CB | Notre Dame (Out for season – Hip)
- Isaiah Bond | WR | Texas
- Cameron Williams | OT | Texas
- Nicholas Singleton | RB | Penn State
- Jahdae Barron | CB | Texas
5 Players To Watch In The College Football Playoff Semifinals
No. 5 | Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State
From the quiet streets of Steilacoom, Washington, to the roaring crowds of Columbus, Emeka Egbuka’s journey has been one of consistency, resilience, and brilliance. As Washington’s 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year, Egbuka dazzled with 83 catches, 1,607 yards, and 25 touchdowns in his senior season. At Ohio State, his star has only continued to rise.
This Will Howard-Emeka Egbuka connection was 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IBzAiUenJ1
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2025
In 2024, Egbuka’s senior campaign showcased his dependability: 47 receptions, 587 yards, and 8 touchdowns in just 11 games, propelling his career totals to 171 receptions, 2,444 yards, and 22 touchdowns. His 2022 season remains a masterpiece—74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns, including six games with over 100 yards.
Battling injuries in 2023, Egbuka returned stronger, leading Ohio State in touchdowns this season and earning Academic All-American honors. His accolades—Second-Team All-Big Ten, program records, and a legacy of excellence—cement his place as one of the Buckeyes’ finest.
No. 4 | Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State
In a season defined by excellence, Tyler Warren has risen to the forefront as one of college football’s premier offensive weapons. With 1,253 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage—plus a passing touchdown to his name—Warren has redefined versatility at the tight end position.
TYLER WARREN IS UNREAL 🤯
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) January 1, 2025
Crowned the Mackey Award winner, Warren’s blend of precision route-running, yards-after-catch prowess, and unrelenting physicality sets him apart. His dominance has positioned him as a likely first-round pick, with whispers of being the first tight end off the board.
For Warren, the 2024 season isn’t just a breakout—it’s a statement. The next step awaits, and the NFL is ready to embrace his undeniable talent.
No. 3 | Josh Simmons | OT | Ohio State
Josh Simmons has been on a journey of growth and dominance, a towering figure on the offensive line whose impact transcends programs. Born in San Diego, California, Simmons first showcased his potential at Helix High School, where his skill and drive earned him recognition as a four-star recruit.
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons should be a first-rounder. Tremendous athlete boosted by great power pic.twitter.com/UByRh8GjSs
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) December 27, 2024
Starting his collegiate career at San Diego State, Simmons proved his mettle early, starting all 13 games in 2022 and logging 799 snaps. But his story didn’t end there. Seeking greater challenges, Simmons transferred to Ohio State in 2023, where he seamlessly transitioned to the starting left tackle role, anchoring the Buckeyes’ offensive line in all 13 games.
With 26 consecutive starts across two schools, Simmons embodies durability and versatility. Whether at left or right tackle, his consistency has made him an indispensable force, a cornerstone wherever he plays.
No. 2 | Abdul Carter | Edge | Penn State
Each week, Abdul Carter’s rise becomes less of a story and more of a certainty. A projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter has transformed from a standout linebacker to a dominant pass rusher in just one season. He can be an absolute game-wrecker if he’s healthy and can go in the semifinal. He left the quarterfinals and was seen with an arm brace. If he is good to go, and if Notre Dame will try to use Riley Leonard’s legs to beat Penn State, they need to account for Carter in every snap.
When you get held (don't get the call) and STILL get the sack. Abdul Carter is unreal. pic.twitter.com/YqUOOBk0te
— T-FrankOn3 (@ThomasFrankCarr) December 21, 2024
Leading the Nittany Lions with 10 sacks and a Big Ten-best 20 tackles for loss, his numbers tell part of the story. The rest is written in his play—fluid, instinctive, and relentless. Carter’s natural power, combined with a rapidly developing pass-rush repertoire, has made offensive linemen look helpless against his versatility.
For a player stepping into this role for the first time, his ceiling feels boundless. The NFL isn’t just calling—it’s waiting.
No. 1 | Kelvin Banks | OT | Texas
Kelvin Banks Jr. has become the cornerstone of the Texas Longhorns’ offensive line, a force as steady as it is dominant. In just two seasons, the Humble, Texas native has earned All-America and All-Big 12 honors, starting all 27 games at left tackle—a foundation of strength and reliability for Texas’ high-powered offense.
#Texas Left Tackle Kelvin Banks Jr pic.twitter.com/yfOO3YBP1d
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) December 19, 2024
From his first snap, Banks delivered on the promise that made him a five-star recruit from Summer Creek High School, the top-ranked offensive tackle in Texas. Freshman All-American in 2022. All-America in 2023. He protected Quinn Ewers’ blindside, opened lanes for 1,000-yard rushers, and anchored a line that powered the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff.
The accolades tell the story: Joe Moore Award semifinalist, All-America honors, and first-team All-Big 12. Yet, it’s his impact—leading an offense that scored 30+ points in nine consecutive games—that cements his legacy in burnt orange.
