12 players for Patriots fans to watch in the first round of the College Football Playoff
Several prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft who play at positions of need for the Patriots are set to play this weekend.
Patriots fans could get a glimpse of their future this weekend.
The first edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff begins on Friday, with four first-round matchups taking place over the weekend. Several top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft are set to play over those four games, with many of them being at positions of need for the Patriots.
So, let’s take a look at 12 players Patriots fans should watch in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame (8 p.m., Friday)
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
Friday’s game doesn’t feature many, if any, high-end draft prospects. Indiana’s team is largely made up of redshirt seniors who don’t seem to have a high upside, while some of Notre Dame’s top players are underclassmen, have eligibility remaining, or are injured.
So, Watts is likely the top prospect eligible for the 2025 draft playing in Friday’s game. The senior safety has been one of the best at his position over the last couple of seasons, earning All-American honors each year. He also won the Nagurski Trophy last season, which is awarded to the best defensive player in the nation.
This season, Watts has 50 total tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions. One of those interceptions was an electric 100-yard pick-six in Notre Dame’s win over USC.
Safety isn’t at the top of the list of needs for the Patriots this offseason. But considering Jabrill Peppers’s legal situation and Kyle Dugger’s struggles, Watts could be a third-round option for them if they’re looking to add a free safety. Watts is ranked 60th on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
SMU vs. Penn State (noon ET, Friday)
Penn State DE Abdul Carter
Similar to the Indiana-Notre Dame game, many of the best players in the SMU-Penn State matchup still have eligibility remaining and could benefit from playing another year of college ball (Penn State quarterback Drew Allar already said he was returning for 2025).
But Penn State might have the best player in the college football playoff. Carter was a force against opposing offensive lines this past season, recording 60 total tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also had 51 pressures this season, per Pro Football Focus, helping him become a unanimous All-American and win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. That’s certainly the kind of player the Patriots could use to bolster their defense front as he’s ranked as the fourth-best prospect on NFL Mock Draft Database.
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Warren, meanwhile, was one of the best players in the nation this season. He had 88 receptions for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns. But he also had 191 rushing yards and four rushing scores, lining up as Penn State’s quarterback on a handful of plays when they were in the red zone. He was named a first-team All-American as a result of his strong 2024 season.
Tight end also isn’t a big need for the Patriots. But Warren’s versatility could make him an intriguing prospect as he’s ranked as the 18th-best prospect on NFL Mock Draft Database.
Clemson vs. Texas (4 p.m., Friday)
Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Texas has a few players that could help fill the Patriots’ top needs, but it isn’t quite sure if they’ll play on Saturday. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (No. 31 prospect on NFL Mock Draft Database) is unlikely to play due to a high-ankle sprain, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Banks is also dealing with an ankle injury, which caused him to miss the SEC Championship Game. But Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters Thursday that he’s been showing “great progress,” which could be a good sign for his chances of playing Saturday.
If Banks does play, he could show why he’s considered by some as the best offensive tackle in the 2025 draft. Banks, listed at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, allowed just one sack and six pressures at left tackle this season, per PFF. He was named first-team All-American and won a few awards (Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award, Jacobs Blocking Trophy) for his blocking prowess. He’s ranked as the ninth-best prospect on NFL Mock Draft Database.
Texas OT Cameron Williams
Banks isn’t the only high-end offensive tackle Texas has. Williams, a junior, gave them steady play at right tackle, allowing three sacks and 18 pressures this season, per PFF. He’s ranked 20th on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board
Texas CB Jahdae Barron.
Barron, a senior, won the Jim Thorpe Award this season, which is given to the top defensive back in the nation. He has 49 tackles, nine passes defended, and five interceptions so far this season as he’s yet to allow a touchdown reception in 53 targets, according to PFF. He’s ranked 38th on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
Tennessee vs. Ohio State (8 p.m., Saturday)
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson
Saturday’s Tennessee-Ohio State matchup might have the most future pros out of the four College Football Playoff games over the weekend. Sampson, a junior running back, has been the catalyst for Tennessee’s offense this season, rushing for 1,485 yards on 5.8 yards per carry and 22 touchdowns. His rushing total yards are the ninth-most in the nation while he’s tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns, leading the SEC in both categories. Ohio State’s defense might be his toughest task, though. The Buckeyes are seventh in the nation in rushing yards allowed and lead the nation in total yards against.
Sampson is ranked 123rd on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
Tennesse EDGE James Pearce Jr.
Pearce, who’s regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the nation, had another strong season for the Volunteers in 2024. He recorded 35 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble to go with 53 total pressures (per PFF) in the regular season. Much of his production has come in his last six games, recording 5.5 sacks over that stretch. He’s ranked 14th on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
The Buckeyes have playmakers all over their offense, but arguably their best offensive player is still a freshman (wide receiver Jeremiah Smith). Egbuka, though, has been a consistent force at receiver for Ohio State over the last few seasons. The senior has 60 receptions for 743 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He’s also shown out in big games over his Ohio State career, recording a touchdown reception in all seven games he’s played against top-five opponents.
Egbuka was actually viewed as potentially one of the top receivers in the 2024 draft before he made a surprise decision to remain in Columbus. He’s ranked 28th on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimolau, Ohio State EDGE Jak Sawyer
The senior trio of defensive linemen are a big reason for Ohio State’s success on the defensive side of the ball this season. Williams has 32 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season, being disruptive on the interior with 16 run stops in nine games, per PFF. He’s ranked 32nd on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
Tuimolau and Sawyer, meanwhile, have been productive along the edge for Ohio State over the last few seasons. Tuimolau has 38 total tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble, and 31 pressures this season, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for a third straight year. Sawyer recorded 46 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 44 pressures, helping him be named second-team All-Big Ten for a second straight year. Tuimolau and Sawyer are ranked 41st and 44th, respectfully, on NFL Mock Draft Database’s big board.
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