Gridiron Giants: The Three Players Who Could Change Everything in 2025
The 2025 college football season is underway, and excitement is at its peak. After a historic 2024 that gave us breakout stars, jaw-dropping moments, and championship drama, three players stand above the rest as the ones to watch this fall. Ohio State once again headlines the conversation with two elite talents, while Texas boasts a defensive anchor who could sway the balance of the College Football Playoff. These aren’t just names on a roster; these are program-defining athletes who could dictate the course of the entire season.
Jeremiah Smith – WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith didn’t just live up to his hype; he shattered it. With 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, and 16 touchdowns as a freshman, Smith became a household name while breaking the Big 10 freshman receiving record during Ohio State’s National Championship run. His five playoff touchdowns cemented him as the ultimate big-game weapon, a wideout who thrives under pressure. Now with an offseason of experience and speed refinement, Smith has the chance to put together one of the best sophomore crusades in college football history. Nat’s Prediction: If Smith stays healthy, I expect him to become the clear Heisman front-runner and push Ohio State back into the national title picture.
Anthony Hill Jr. – LB, Texas
If there’s one name synonymous with defensive dominance in 2025, it’s Anthony Hill Jr. The six-foot-three, 238-pound junior was everywhere for Texas last season, racking up 113 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and four forced fumbles. His blend of speed, physicality, and instincts has made him one of the most feared linebackers in the nation. A first-team ESPN All-American in 2024, Hill is the engine behind the Longhorns’ defense and the kind of player who can swing an entire game with one play. Nat’s Prediction: Hill’s leadership and playmaking ability will determine if Texas can finally crack the playoff and make a run at its first national title since 2005.
Caleb Downs – S, Ohio State
While Smith is the Buckeyes’ offensive firepower, Caleb Downs is the defensive chess piece that makes the machine run. Downs posted 81 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass deflections while anchoring the best defense in the nation last year. His versatility as a shallow safety and ability to cover sideline-to-sideline made it nearly impossible for teams to find success over the middle. Add in his special teams spur, a 79-yard punt return touchdown against Indiana, and Downs enters the 2025 season as arguably the most complete defensive back in the country. Nat’s Prediction: If Downs keeps his momentum, Ohio State’s defense will once again be the nation’s standard and could carry them deep into the postseason.
