Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, and Penn State all have their sights set on the national championship game, but first they have to make it through the semifinals before they can reach their ultimate goal. That, of course, will be easier said than done. There is a lot of NFL talent who will be in these next two games of the College Football Playoffs, and every one of them will be doing their best to stand out knowing NFL eyes will be on them.

Some of those NFL eyes will be from the Dallas Cowboys organization. Barring a trade, the Cowboys currently hold the 12th overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft. There are several players who will be suiting up in the CFP semifinals they could target with that selection and even more who they’ll be keeping their eye on in the following rounds. Today we are going to share a few of those top prospects to keep a close watchful eye on.

Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Penn State

Notre Dame’s best offensive prospect – QB Riley Leonard

If the Cowboys are looking for a QB to groom behind Dak Prescott, they could be keeping an eye on Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard. At 6’3″, 225-pounds, he has the prototypical size of a QB1 and the physical talent to develop into a future starter at the next level. Despite him being an explosive athlete, there are still questions about whether or not he can make all of the NFL throws. Because of that, he’s probably a mid-round prospect.

Runner-up: TE Mitchell Evans

Notre Dame’s best defensive prospect – S Xavier Watts

Both Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker could potentially be salary-cap casualties, making Xavier Watts a safety prospect to keep an eye on for the Cowboys. He’s ranked as a Top 5 prospect at his position this year. He has only average size (6’0″, 203) and speed by NFL standards, but his read-react awareness and ball skills always seems to have a him in position to make plays. He should hear his name called at some point in the Top 50.

Runner-up: LB Jack Kiser

Penn State’s best offensive prospect – TE Tyler Warren

With Jake Ferguson coming off a down season and entering the final year of his rookie contract, and with Luke Schoonmaker’s injury history always a concern, Tyler Warren could be someone to keep an eye on the Cowboys in the CFP semifinals. He’s the top-ranked TE in the 2025 draft class and at 6’6″, 261-pounds he’s a fluid athlete for his size who is exceptional at the catch point. He’s projected to be a mid to late first-round pick.

Runner-up: RB Nicholas Singleton

Penn State’s best defensive prospect – EDGE Abdul Carter

Abdul Carter is the top-ranked EDGE player in the 2025 draft class and is expected to be a potential Top 5 selection in April. After making the move from linebacker to defensive end the 6’3″, 252-pound pass rusher almost immediately became a nightmare for opposing tackles. He’s shown vast improvements since making the positions switch, and if he still on the board for the Cowboys, it would give them another pass rusher similar to Micah Parsons.

Runner-up: S Kevin Winston Jr.

Cotton Bowl: Texas vs. Ohio State

Photo by Caten Hyde/The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images

Texas’ best offensive prospect – OL Kelvin Banks Jr.

Kelvin Banks Jr. is one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2025 draft class. He is expected to be a Top 10 selection, but could potentially still be on the board for the Cowboys in the first-round. Opinions are split if his best position at the next level is at guard or tackle, but at 6’4″, 320-pounds that position flex could be invaluable for Dallas’ OL rebuild. He would give them multiple options how to deploy their best five starters.

Runner-up: WR Isaiah Bond

Texas’ best defensive prospect – DT Alfred Collins

It’s no secret the Cowboys need to upgrade the interior of their defensive line and Alfred Collins could be someone who catches their attention. At 6’5″, 319-pounds he has an impressive 84 3/4″ wingspan and 34 3/4″ arm length. He’s a load to handle at the point of attack and has surprising agility for a player his size. He is expected to be a Top 50 selection and would be a plug-and-play starter if drafted by the Cowboys.

Runner-up: CB Jahdae Barron

Ohio State’s best offensive prospect – WR Emeka Egbuka

If the Cowboys are looking for a QB friendly wide receiver who can also help take the pressure off of CeeDee Lamb, Emeka Egbuka is someone they could target early in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is expected to be a mid to late first-round selection and would immediately upgrade the WR position behind No. 88 in Dallas. He’s at his best working the short to intermediate areas of the field, but can challenge defenses deep as well.

Runner-up: RB TreVeyon Henderson

Ohio State’s best defensive prospect – DT Tyelik Williams

Tyelik Williams was one of the best run defenders in the nation in 2024 and that just happens to be one of the Cowboys problem areas defensively over the past few years. At 6’3″, 327-pounds, Williams is considered to be a Top 5 defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 draft class and is projected to be a mid to late first-round selection. His gap integrity, shed ability, and play recognition to sniff out plays would immediately upgrade Dallas’ DL.

Runner-up: EDGE JT Tuimoloau