Both schools in tonight’s national championship college football game, Notre Dame and Ohio State, are major recruiters on both the local and national scenes.
So it makes sense that they both have multiple players who were once recognized in the USA Today High School Sports Awards program.
Here are three former HSSA honorees from each team who could make an impact on tonight’s contest.
Notre Dame
Drayk Bowen, LB, Andrean High, 2022 Indiana HSSA Mr. Football winner
Bowen has been one of the leaders on the Irish defense, starting at linebacker in every game. He’s third on the team with 70 tackles, had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. He’s also a huge part of the Irish run defense, and will be a key player in trying to slow down Buckeyes superstar running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
Jaden Greathouse, WR, Westlake High, 2022 Austin Area HSSA nominee
While Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard likes to spread the ball around, Greathouse is leading the Irish in receiving yards with 464. He’s tallied that on 36 catches, for a team-leading 12.9 yards per catch. He has two touchdowns, including a season-long 54 yarder in the national semfinal against Penn State. Greathouse’s importance might be compounded tonight if Notre Dame gets behind and is forced to pass early and often.
Steve Angeli, QB, Bergen Catholic, 2022 North Jersey HSSA offensive player of the year
This one is a little bit of a longshot because Angeli is Notre Dame’s backup quarterback. He played in seven games, mostly in mopup duty, but did see some real action in the Irish’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the national semifinal game when starter Riley Leonard was banged up. In that game, Angeli was 6-for-7 passing for 44 yards. On the year he is 24-for-35 for 268 yards. Notre Dame hopes he is not thrust into action tonight, but his performance against Penn State gives them some confidence that he can come through if called upon.
Ohio State
Jack Sawyer, DE, Pickerington North, 2020 Central Ohio HSSA nominee
Sawyer combines with J.T. Tuimoloau to provide the Buckeyes with one of the best pass rushes in the country. Sawyer has nine sacks this year, an interception,six pass deflections, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Combine that with Tuimoloau’s 11.5 sacks and offensive lines have trouble stopping the pair without help. The Irish will need to devote significant resources to blocking the two stars.
Sonny Styles, S, Pickerington Central, 2022 Central Ohio HSSA football nominee
A case can be made that Styles is Ohio State’s most valuable defensive player this year after recording 94 tackles from the safety position, with five sacks and a forced fumble. He’s aggressive against the run and could be big tonight in slowing down Notre Dame’s rushing quarterback Leonard. He’s also important in pass defense and has five pass deflections this season.
Lorenzo Styles, CB, Pickerington Central, 2021 Central Ohio HSSA football nominee
Sonny Styles’ older brother, Lorenzo transferred to Ohio State from – you guessed it – Notre Dame before the 2023 season. While he was a wide receiver with the Irish he has primarily played defensive back with the Buckeyes. He has seen action in 10 games, including in the national quarterfinal win over Tennessee and the national semifinal win over Texas. Against the Longhornds, he had a tackle. He should see action tonight in obvious passing situations where five or six defensive backs are needed.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: 3 former HSSA nominees to watch for Notre Dame and 3 for Ohio State
