With a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, who will step up in the first round of the College Football Playoff?
Whether it’s at the quarterback, receiver or defensive position, there are plenty of stars that will take part in the inaugural first round of the expanded 12-team playoff. But as the road to a national championship gets tougher against some of the best squads, those stars won’t be able to do all of it on their own. It’ll likely take an underrated player to become an unsung hero and be the catalyst in front of a home or hostile crowd.
The stakes have been raised, so here are one player from each team playing in the first round that could provide a big spark in taking care of business or pulling off the road upset:
Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana
One of the several former James Madison players that followed Curt Cignetti to Bloomington, Walker has helped form a solid linebacker duo alongside Aiden Fisher. Walker is second on the team in tackles (72), tackles for loss (9) and 8 pass break ups, but he’s been one of the key pieces that brings the energy and positive attitude to the defense. Cignetti said he’s a guy that he’ll really miss when the season is over.
Walker has been consistent this season, and he really turned it on in the final stretch of the season when he recorded a tackle for loss in the final three games − four of which came in the season finale against Purdue. Indiana is facing a Notre Dame team a strong rushing attack, and while the Hoosiers are among the best at stopping the run, Fisher will need Walker to help him out in preventing big plays and the scrambling ability of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard.
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Leonard and Jeremiyah Love do most of the damage running the ball for Notre Dame, but don’t forget about Price. The back adds power to the running game with a great eye for finding holes at the line of scrimmage and quickly making cuts to break free. He’s run for 651 yards this season − 54.3 per game − and 10 touchdowns.
Price is coming off a big game against Southern California where he had a career-high 111 rushing yards and showcased why the Irish have one of the best 1-2 punches in the country. As mentioned before, Indiana is great at stopping the run and will focus on stopping the stars in Leonard and Love. Price will have to make the most of his opportunities and could be the person to erupt for big plays.
Roderick Daniels Jr., WR, Southern Methodist
Whether its returning kicks, running or catching the ball, Daniels can do it all. The receiver has a punt return for a touchdown, three rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns this season, while leading the team in receiving yards at 599 this season.
Daniels was more of a receiver in the second half of the season as the running back room got healthy, and he had productive games with more than 50 receiving yards in four of the last six games, including 97 yards on eight catches in the ACC title game. When going against a stout defense like Penn State, Daniels has the ability to get the ball moving in any position he lines up in.
Harrison Wallace III, WR, Penn State
Tyler Warren does any and everything Penn State needs from him, but someone else will have to come up with big receiving plays. Enter Wallace. After dealing with injuries last season, Wallace has found himself a productive role in the offense and has 638 receiving yards along with four touchdown catches this season.
There haven’t been any big days for Wallace that make you do a double-take at the stat sheet, but Wallace is great at helping generate explosive plays for the Nittany Lions outside of Warren. He averages 16.4 yards per reception and can help Penn State get out of those offensive lulls that tend to happen in big games.
Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson
In a day where transfers make the big difference for national championship worthy teams, Wesco has had an immediate impact as a freshman for the Tigers. Whether it’s using his speed or maneuvering through defenders, Wesco finds open spaces and gets plenty of yards after the catch. His 678 receiving yards are second-most on the team even with only 38 catches.
Wesco is coming off a big game in the ACC championship game when he had eight catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and that effort is going to be needed against a Texas defense that is the best at stopping the past. Cade Klubnik is going to need help and Wesco is prime option to get big plays.
Andrew Mukuba, CB, Texas
Nothing like facing your old team in the College Football Playoff. Mukuba spent his first three seasons of his career at Clemson before transferring to Texas. Mukuba said he left the Tigers because he ‘wasn’t really getting better’ and he certainly helped the Longhorns become one of the best passing defenses in the country. His range allows him to patrol the field and evidenced by his four interceptions.
Texas will be tested by the passing ability of Cade Klubnik, and Mukuba will have to cover plenty of ground so the defense doesn’t give up big plays. Mukuba showed in the SEC championship game he can come up to the line of scrimmage and get tackles for loss. If he’s able to do that against Clemson, the Texas offense shouldn’t have to score too much to advance.
Joshua Josephs, DL, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. is the man that spearheads the Tennessee defensive, but offenses are in for a tough night if Josephs is also on his game. Coming off a down year in 2023, Josephs has rebounded with nine tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries with a team-high three forced fumbles.
Josephs has shown he can perform in the big games, notably when he pressured Jalen Milroe in a defeat of Alabama. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is coming off a rough game against Michigan. He could have another struggle if the Buckeye offensive line can’t hold up with Josephs causing problems.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
For all the playmakers Ohio State added the season, Judkins was supposed to be a difference-maker for the Buckeyes, but he’s been inconsistent throughout the season and he’ll have to prove himself on the biggest stage. It made sense his numbers would dip sharing a backfield with TreVeyon Henderson, but he’s coming off just 82 combined yards in two games against Indiana and Michigan. The Tennessee defense can stop the run as well as the Hoosiers and Wolverines. But this is the game Judkins came to Ohio State for. Now time to prove it was worth it.