TreVeyon Henderson scored a touchdown in Ohio State's Cotton Bowl victory and helps lead the Buckeyes into the big matchup against Notre Dame.

Ohio State completed an incredible run in the inaugural season of the 12-team College Football Playoff with wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame to

Ohio State held on to defeat Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Eric Edholm provides three takeaways from the game, with an eye on the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here are three reasons why Ohio State will be that team.

Ohio State’s run to its first national championship in a decade enabled the Buckeyes to dominate the Associated Press’ all-College Football Playoff team.

The Buckeyes ended their regular season with a loss to rival Michigan. Then they rebounded to play their best football.

None of the other teams in the expanded 12-team playoff average fewer plays than Ohio State's 61.8 per game that rank 120th out of 134 Division I teams. That includes 57 in each of its last two playoff games, wins over undefeated Big Ten champion Oregon in the Rose Bowl and SEC runner-up Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

The Fighting Irish are playing for their first national championship since 1988, while the Buckeyes last won it all in 2014.

The last time the Ohio State Buckeyes won the college football National Championship, they got an all-time rushing effort from running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott set championship game record with 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, who formed a top duo with TreVeyon Henderson during the Buckeyes' title season, will enter the NFL draft.

Six other Ohio State seniors have been stamped with draftable grades from NFL teams, according to sources: quarterback Will Howard, center Seth McLaughlin, linebacker Cody Simon, safety Lathan Ransom, and cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock.

When it comes to the Ohio State offense, much of the focus is on the passing game. QB Will Howard and wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka may get the spotlight, but the duo in the backfield of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins have been just as deadly.