Five Ohio State players the 49ers should be watching very closely during Buckeyes' National Championship Game vs. Notre Dame
Every team in the NFL will have close eyes on Monday's National Championship Game between Notre Dame and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are particularly blessed with a host of prospects set to be taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, many of whom are likely to be of interest to the San Francisco 49ers. With Notre […]
Every team in the NFL will have close eyes on Monday's National Championship Game between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are particularly blessed with a host of prospects set to be taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, many of whom are likely to be of interest to the San Francisco 49ers.
With Notre Dame's star corner Benjamin Morrison out for the season, we've decided to focus solely on Ohio State players whom the 49ers should be watching very closely.
Having selected a receiver in the first round last season, we've removed Emeka Egbuka from the conversation, while left tackle Josh Simmons is also obviously not included after he suffered a season-ending injury in the regular-season game with Oregon.
To give you an idea of when these five prospects may expect to be taken in the draft, we've also included the draft ranges for them based on A to Z Sports' mock draft database.
Here are the five Buckeye players the 49ers should be watching especially closely.
Denzel Burke, CB
Draft range: Early – 39, Median – 64, Late – 95
The 49ers have two excellent long-term options at cornerback with Deommodore Lenoir signed to an extension during the 2024 season and last year's second-round pick Renardo Green enjoying a fine rookie season.
But, with the likelihood Charvarius Ward will depart in free agency, the 49ers may well be on the hunt for a new corner to fortify their starting trio in nickel packages.
Burke could fit the bill, as a corner who has received praise for his coverage versatility and play in run support, the latter a prerequisite for any player hoping to make an impact at corner for the Niners.
Though he has two interceptions this season, Burke's on-ball production has largely been lacking in his final year with the Buckeyes. However, with a strong performance on the biggest stage in college, he could put himself in an excellent position to be an early-round pick, and perhaps tempt the 49ers to spend another high selection on a corner.
Tyleik Williams, DT
Draft range: Early – 24, Median – 44, Late – 67
A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts said of Williams: "There may not be a better run defender in the 2025 NFL Draft class on the defensive line.
Williams' pass-rush upside is questionable at best, but that sentence from Roberts alone should be enough to get the 49ers' attention after a dismal season defending the run from San Francisco.
The 325-pounder would fill a big void in the middle of the defense for the Niners, who are likely to be more intrigued if he can impact both aspects of the game in the title matchup.
Jack Sawyer, EDGE
Draft ranges: Early – 43, Median – 69, Late – 101
The hero of the Buckeyes' Cotton Bowl win over Texas with his strip sack of Quinn Ewers and fumble return for a touchdown, Sawyer has already proven he can shine on the big stage.
As an extremely strong bull rusher who displays impressive discipline in run defense, Sawyer ticks a lot of boxes for the 49ers. There are doubts over his pass-rushing arsenal and his agility, but Sawyer's production an ability to impact the game speaks for itself.
With nine sacks, nine tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, an interception, three forced fumbles and two returned for touchdowns, Sawyer has been a splash play machine this season. He is a high floor prospect who could get on the field early at the next level, and that could be exactly what a Niners team lacking edge depth requires at the position.
J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE
Draft ranges: Early – 45, Median – 73, Late – 106
The book on Tuimoloau is very similar to the one on Sawyer. He is a power rusher who defends the run well but lacks a consistent pass rush plan and the agility to be a consistent threat to win around the edge.
But the production has been even more impressive, with Tuimoloau racking up 11.5 sacks and a phenomenal 20 tackles for loss in his final season.
Whether Tuimoloau can be a three-down starter at the next level is debatable and, having never previously recorded more than five sacks, there may be some who aren't totally convinced by a huge breakout year.
But there's evidence that he could be a valuable part of a defensive line rotation for the 49ers, who will have more temptation to add him to the mix if he delivers against the Irish.
Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Draft ranges: Early – 43, Median – 70, Late – 102
The 49ers hit a home run in the 2024 draft by taking an offensive lineman with experience at both tackle and guard in the third round in Dominick Puni.
Puni has solidified himself as the starting right guard for the long term after an outstanding rookie season.
With starting left guard Aaron Banks bound for free agency this offseason, the 49ers could turn to the draft and take another player in Jackson with guard-tackle flexibility to fill that hole.
Jackson did not give up a single sack and surrendered only four pressures in his five games at left guard this season before shifting to left tackle following the season-ending injury to Simmons. He has given up two sacks and 14 total pressures since.
As such, it is obvious he is better suited to the interior in the pros, but doubts over his athleticism limit his upside. The question for the 49ers will surround whether he has enough to excel in a run scheme built on a foundation of zone runs but with a large amount of gap scheme rushes mixed in.
Expectations are already rising for 49ers’ first-round pick Ricky Pearsall after promising end to his rollercoaster rookie season
He could be primed for a breakout.
