Top 3 defensive players to watch out for in 2025 Orange Bowl showdown ft. Xavier Watts

The 2025 Orange Bowl will be played between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game will double up as a semi-final for the College Football Playoff, with the winners facing the Cotton Bowl champions in the national championship game.

There are many stars on defense in this game who will be hoping to stop the strong offenses of the Nittany Lions and the Fighting Irish. Here is a look at three defensive players to watch out for in the 2025 Orange Bowl.

Top three defensive players to look out for during the 2025 Orange Bowl

#1 Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) runs the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) attempts a tackle during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl - Source: Imagn

If there is one player who can help the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to victory it is Xavier Watts. The Penn State offense is strong, but its pass game does have a few weaknesses. These can be exploited by Watts who has recorded 13 interceptions in the last two seasons.

The safety has recorded 67 tackles this season and is a threat to the Nittany Lions' pass game and run game. He could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Fighting Irish.

#2 Jaylen Reed (Penn State)

Boise State Broncos receiver Prince Strachan (17) tries to break away from Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup - Source: Imagn

If the Fighting Irish have Xavier Watts, the Nittany Lions have Jaylen Reed as their main hope on the defensive side of the ball. Like Watts, he plays in the safety position and has been a key player for Penn State this season.

However, Reed was never meant to be the main player in this position. Many expected Kevin Winston Jr. to helm the position. But when Winston Jr. went down with an injury in week two of the season, Reed was able to step up and fill the gap.

Reed has recorded an impressive 92 tackles this season, alongside three interceptions and one forced fumble. Against a Riley Leonard-led offense that can be wobbly, especially in the pass game, a few good plays from Reed may be enough to give the Nittany Lions the win.

#3 Jack Kiser (Notre Dame)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl - Source: Imagn

Jack Kiser is (at least statistically) the strongest part of the Fighting Irish defense, and gives Notre Dame the best chance of stopping the Penn State run game. The linebacker has recorded 75 tackles and two sacks this season.

He will be in the right position to limit the movement of Kaytron Allen and Nicolas Singleton. Working alongside Xavier Watts, the duo have the ability to shut Penn State down which would hand the Fighting Irish a spot in the national championship game.