Top 3 Ohio State offensive players to watch out for in 2025 Cotton Bowl ft. Jeremiah Smith

A spot in the National Championship Game will be on the line for the Ohio State Buckeyes when they face the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10. After finishing the regular season with a dud in a 13-10 loss to Michigan, the Buckeyes have been on a tear in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State scored over 40 points in wins over Tennessee and Oregon.

Scoring on Texas looks like a tougher task on paper, as the Longhorns boast the No. 3 defensive unit in the country. It will be an interesting challenge for the red-hot Buckeyes.

Top 3 Ohio State offensive players in the Cotton Bowl

While the Buckeyes have been hard to stop in the postseason, there are still some questions regarding their offensive line. The unit stumbled against Michigan before regaining its composure. Texas’ defensive line is comparable to the Wolverines. Here are three players who could help avoid a similar fate against the Longhorns.

Will Howard is looking for his first win against Texas. - Source: Imagn

#3. TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back

Even though the Longhorns have a strong defense, they struggled to stop Cam Skattebo and the Arizona State running game, allowing 214 rushing yards. TreVeyon Henderson splits backfield carries with Quinshon Judkins, but Henderson has been on fire in the postseason.

The senior from Hopewell, Virginia is averaging 9.6 yards per carry in the postseason, with four touchdowns scored. Henderson is more of a home run threat, and if he finds an opening he could break the game open.

#2. Will Howard, Quarterback

In four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats, Will Howard could never beat Texas, losing all three times he played against the Longhorns. While his first two games were nothing to write home about, he passed for 327 yards and four touchdowns in their most recent meeting.

Now at Ohio State, Howard led the Big Ten with 32 passing touchdowns while throwing for 3,490 yards. The Downingtown, Pennsylvania native can also create plays with his legs.

He has passed for over 300 yards in both CFP games, with five touchdowns and one interception.

#1. Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver

Perhaps the most explosive player in the CFP, Jeremiah Smith has gotten 290 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his first two games. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver looked unstoppable against Tennessee and Oregon.

Smith will be facing off against Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron in what figures to be a tough matchup. Barron was this year's Jim Thorpe Award winner, which is given to the top defensive back in the country.

If the freshman pass-catcher can find the same kind of success against Barron as the previous two games, Ohio State should take control of the Cotton Bowl.