With the pre-draft process well underway for the Jacksonville Jaguars, there will be a number of prospects to watch for in the College Football National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
The conclusion to the first 12 team College Football Playoff will be played on Monday evening in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Jaguars will enter this year’s draft holding the fifth overall selection in the first round and 10 picks in total–including three rounds where they have multiple selections.
After a four-win season, there’s work to be done when it comes to this Jaguars’ roster, but they’ll have the means to do so. In addition to having 10 draft picks, they also have a fair amount of cap space to navigate free agency as needed.
Some positions of need for the Jaguars this offseason include bolstering the secondary at both the cornerback and safety positions, along with adding to the offensive line and the interior defensive line.
In terms of depth, quarterback and tight end are two positions where numbers will be needed. Wide receiver could be added to that list as well if the Jaguars move on Christian Kirk and/or Josh Reynolds, two players Over the Cap listed as possible cut candidates.
Pro Football Focus has already put together an early big board of their top-250 prospects in this year’s draft. Here are several from this National Championship game for you to keep your eyes on as the game unfolds.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: Egbuka has 257 career targets over four seasons at Ohio State, including 81 this year. A primary slot receiver, he’s caught 74% of his targets this season at 12.4 yards per catch with nine touchdowns.
IDL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State: By PFF’s grading system, Williams has been one of the best run defenders in college football this season–an area where the Jaguars need depth.
S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame: Watts has played all over the defensive backfield for Notre Dame, with 226 snaps in the box, 127 from the slot, and 340 as the free safety. He’s recorded six pressures, made 52 of his 63 tackle attempts, and allowed a completion rate of 54% at 10.4 yards per catch with five interception and three interceptions.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State: Judkins has carried the ball 146 times this season, averaging 5.5 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. He’s also caught 15 passes for 109 yards and another score.
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame: As a blitzer, Kiser has logged 13 pressures and been an extremely reliable tackler, making 74 of his 77 attempts. Kiser is one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders this season. In coverage he has one pass breakup and allowed 10.1 yards per catch.
ED Jack Sawyer, Ohio State: Sawyer was a force as a pass rusher this season. His 60 quarterback pressures were tied for the seventh-most among his position group, and for what it’s worth, he also ranked seventh in PFF’s run defense grade as well.
S Lathan Ransom, Ohio State: An experienced player with almost 2,400 career snaps and he has played all over the defensive backfield and was particularly good against the run.
ED JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State: Tuimoloau finished the 2024 season with 48 pressures and a hefty 14 sacks, according to PFF’s metrics. He also received on the higher run defense grades among his position group and finished 33rd in tackles–out of all FBS edge rushers–in run game tackles.
QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame: After three years at Duke, this was Leonard’s first with Notre Dame. He completed a career-high 66% of his passes, throwing for 2,596 yards at 6.9 yards per attempt, with 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Jaguars tackle defensive back needs in seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft https://t.co/GJNOijgvFo pic.twitter.com/Exhjnz8qqh
— The Jaguars Wire (@TheJaguarsWire) January 19, 2025
