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Leading up to the first round of the College Football Playoff, here is an offensive and defensive player from each school that could greatly impact their team’s success this weekend. There are obviously many great players on both sides of the ball for every team, but these 16 athletes have been a massive part of their programs’ berths in the inaugural 12-team playoff.
*Games are ranked chronologically by kickoff time
Kurtis Rourke, QB — If the Hoosiers want to pull off this upset, Rourke will have to be on his A game. Curt Cignetti’s squad is walking into a hostile environment, facing the third-ranked passing defense in the country in yards per game allowed (157.9). Outside of Florida International, the only other passing defense Rourke has faced inside the top 50 is Ohio State, where he finished 8 for 18 for 68 yards. If the Hoosiers want to compete, Rourke must find a way to move the ball through the air.
Aiden Fisher, LB — Fisher leads the Hoosier’s top-ranked rush defense with 108 tackles. He was an integral part of stopping Michigan’s run-heavy offense, recording a season-high 14 tackles in the win. Indiana is allowing just 70.8 yards per game on the ground, but that number will be tested by the Irish’s rushing attack with RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and QB Riley Leonard.
Jeremiyah Love, RB — On the flip side, Love will need to penetrate the Hoosiers’ stout rushing defense. The 6-foot, 206-pound back is averaging 7.1 yards per rush this season, just barely behind Ashton Jeanty’s 7.3 mark. He has put together a great rushing season, and the Irish will rely on his efficiency again to put away Indiana.
Xavier Watts, Safety — The senior safety leads Notre Dame’s relentless secondary. The Irish are third in the country in takeaways per game (2.3), led by Watt’s five interceptions. But while Rourke may have struggled against Ohio State, he has diced up many secondaries this season, throwing for over 200 yards in all but three games. Watts will be key in limiting explosive plays through the air, leading a secondary that has surrendered just one passing touchdown of 20 or more yards this season.
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Kevin Jennings, QB — Jennings has powered the Mustangs’ top-10 scoring offense this season, and they will certainly need him again in Beaver Stadium. SMU is averaging 36.8 points per game this season, with Jennings averaging 254 passing yards per game as a starter. He is coming off a 304-yard, three-touchdown game against Clemson in the ACC championship, but Jennings is yet to face a defense like the Nittany Lions’. Penn State is allowing just 178.5 passing yards per game, and Jennings will likely need to eclipse this mark to hang in this matchup.
Kobe Wilson, LB — Wilson is the heart of the Mustang defense. His 110 tackles rank 21st in FBS and the most of any player in the College Football Playoff. SMU’s defense will have its hands full trying to stop Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton in the backfield and Tyler Warren in the passing game. He’s stepped up in big games all year long, recording double-digit tackles against Louisville, Pitt and Clemson. The Mustangs will certainly need him again to advance to the quarterfinals.
Tyler Warren, TE — The Mackey Award winner (best tight end) has delivered for the Nittany Lions all season. He has four games with 100-plus yards, and he ranks ninth in the nation in receptions (88). If Penn State quarterback Drew Allar can get him involved early, the Mustangs could be in trouble.
Abdul Carter, DE — Carter is the latest to join a long line of phenomenal Nittany Lion edge rushers. The projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft has 10 sacks and 60 tackles on the year. If he can wreak havoc in the backfield yet again, Jennings and the SMU offense could be in for a long day.
Bryant Wesco Jr., WR — Cade Klubnik and the Tiger offense have been rolling most of this season, averaging over 34 points per game, and the physical freshman is Clemson’s deep ball threat. The Longhorns have the nation’s top-ranked secondary, limiting explosive passing plays all season. But Wesco loves the 50/50 deep ball, boasting insane stat lines such as two receptions for 104 yards against Stanford and three receptions for 130 yards against Appalachian State. He is coming off an eight-catch, 143-yard performance in the ACC championship, and he will need to carry this momentum to Austin.
TJ Parker, DE — Similar to Penn State’s Carter, Parker has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Tigers’ defense. He has tallied 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is having a great season, but he has been susceptible to pressure, being sacked 11 total times in the Longhorns’ two losses. Parker will likely be matched up with Texas’ All-American tackle Kelvin Banks on the line, but Banks has been dealing with an ankle injury since the Texas A&M game. This will be an interesting matchup to watch as the game unfolds.
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Quinn Ewers, QB — If Ewers protects the football, the Longhorns should be able to win this game. The senior gunslinger has had a solid season, but turnovers have been a problem, especially in big games. Clemson’s defense ranks middle of the pack against the pass, but Dabo Swinney’s squad ranks 11th in the country in takeaways with 1.9 per game. The Tigers have 14 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries this season, and one or two more in this matchup could swing the game in favor of Clemson.
Andrew Mukuba, DB — Mukuba spent his first three seasons with Clemson before transferring to Texas last offseason, giving him a potential leg up on the Tigers’ offense. He has been a star in the Longhorns secondary, snagging four interceptions and forcing a fumble this season. He, alongside Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron, will be a pivotal part in limiting Klubnik’s explosive passing plays. If Texas can continue to limit big plays like its done all season, we should see the Longhorns in the quarterfinals.
Dylan Sampson, RB — Sampson is the soul of the Vols’ offense. His lowest rushing total this year is 77 yards, and that is only because he got 11 attempts in a blowout win against UTEP. He has rushed for 100 or more yards in 10 games this season, surpassing 130 six times. He will be facing a Buckeye defense allowing fewer than 100 yards per game on the ground. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle.
Jermod McCoy, DB — Someone will have to try and limit Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, and McCoy has been outstanding for the Vols this season in coverage. McCoy was a Thorpe Award semifinalist (top defensive back), recording four interceptions and seven passes defended this season. Ohio State has a lot of explosive wide receivers, but if McCoy and the rest of the secondary can keep the Buckeyes’ wideouts in check, the Vols could pull off the upset.
Jeremiah Smith, WR — The freshman phenom has lit up the stat sheet in his first season, tallying 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has a 50-plus yard catch in five games this season, averaging 16.4 yards per reception. He can flip the field in one play, using his 6-foot-3 frame to reel the ball in. If he can get loose in the Vols secondary, Tennessee may not be able to feed Sampson as much as they’d like in a shootout.
Caleb Downs, Safety — Downs is one of the best players in the country. The 2023 SEC freshman of the year with Alabama is a playmaker all over the field. He only has one interception and half a sack this season, but the Thorpe and Bednarik Award finalist can shut down a whole chunk of the field. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will certainly be on the lookout for No. 2 in the Buckeye secondary all night.
Jordan Howard is a graduate of the University of Georgia, working as a postgraduate intern for NCAA Digital. He is a Hearst-nominated journalist and his print work has appeared in The Marietta Daily Journal, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and UGA Rivals. Howard enjoys breaking down the latest trends and numbers, specializing in football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse.
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