The College Football Playoffs were full of former Texas high school football players, not just because the Texas Longhorns were in the mix. Sure, Texas had the most former Lonestar State stars, but every team had multiple players from Texas, including six on the Ohio State University team.
On Monday, January 20th, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-21, to claim the first College Football Playoff Championship. To get to the title game, the Buckeyes had to defeat Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
Ohio State got off to a great start in the championship game, jumping out to a 31 to 7 lead midway through the third quarter. The game looked over. However, former Westlake WR Jaden Greathouse had a second half for the ages, with 6 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns to bring Notre Dame within 8 points. But, when Ohio State converted on 3rd and long on a deep pass to freshmen standout Jeremiah Smith, the Irish comeback was ended, and Ohio State kicked a field goal to put the game out of reach.
The Buckeyes had 6 players from Texas on their roster. Those players were:
- Morrow Evans – Long Snapper – Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas)
- Jayden Fielding – Kicker – IMG Academy (League City, Texas)
- Donovan Jackson – Offensive Lineman – Episcopal High School (Cypress, Texas)
- James Peoples – Running Back – Veterans Memorial High School (San Antonio, Texas)
- Payton Pierce – Linebacker – Lovejoy High School (Lucas, Texas)
- Calvin Simpson-Hunt – Cornerback – Waxahachie High School (Waxahachie, Texas)
The runner-up Notre Dame Fighting Irish also had 6 players from Texas. They were:
- Jaden Greathouse – Wide Receiver – Westlake High School (Austin, Texas)
- Leonard Moore – Cornerback – Round Rock High School (Round Rock, Texas)
- Jadarian Price – Running Back – Denison High School (Denison, Texas)
- KK Smith – Wide Receiver – Reedy High School (Frisco, Texas)
- Loghan Thomas – Defensive Lineman – Paetow High School (Katy, Texas)
- Kedren Young – Running Back – Lufkin High School (Lufkin, Texas)
With many of the top college football programs having good recruiting ties in Texas, and with the Texas Longhorns looking like they’ll be in the mix for years to come, the College Football Playoffs will likely continue to be full of Texas high school talent.
