Which players will have the biggest impact in the College Football Playoff? Narrowing down four teams of starters and key contributors to just 25 players is an almost impossible task, but we're taking it on to get you ready for Georgia vs. Ohio State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN) and Michigan vs. TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN).
These are the players who will most help decide the outcome of the semifinal games. These rankings are not based on NFL draft stock or pro projections but rather which players will have the biggest impact in their New Year's Eve matchups.
Will the top standouts from the vaunted Ohio State passing game find a way against the elite playmakers on Georgia's defense? Can TCU get it done versus a stout Michigan team? Let's take a closer look at who will help answer those questions, ranking the top 25 players across all four rosters.
1. Max Duggan, QB, TCU
Duggan was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2022 for a reason. His dual-threat ability and deep-ball prowess make him more important to TCU's offense than any other player is to their team in the College Football Playoff. Duggan's 30 passing touchdowns to just four interceptions and Total QBR of 80.2 highlight his productive and turnover-free style of play. Add in over 400 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, and you have most of TCU's offense bottled up in one player.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 6-7
2. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Carter, who missed time with knee/ankle injuries this year, has been unstoppable since returning to the lineup against Florida at the end of October. And while he has just three sacks on the season, Carter's impact as a penetrator and as someone multiple offensive linemen must account for will dictate the Buckeyes' offensive game plan. For Ohio State to pull off an upset win, Carter must be neutralized.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Top-10 pick
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison has been the best receiver in the nation -- and in a year in which he was supposed to be the Robin to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Batman. But injury hit JSN, and Harrison emerged as the go-to threat for the Ohio State passing game. He has 72 catches for over 1,100 yards and 16.1 yards per catch, and his 12 TD catches and 55 first downs both ranked in the top five in the FBS. Shutting down Harrison is the first order of business for Georgia.
NFL draft eligible: 2024
4. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
That brings us to the player tasked with shutting down Harrison. Ringo is a massive cornerback at 6-foot-2. He also has legitimate 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed, which helped him to two interceptions and nine pass breakups this season. He's one of only a few cornerbacks in the nation with the physical traits to match up step-for-step with Harrison. Ringo's impact in this game can't be understated. If he's able to limit Harrison in man coverage, the Georgia safeties will be free to roam. That's paramount to a Georgia victory.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Round 1
5. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
McCarthy plays a conservative brand of football, with 20 touchdown passes to just three interceptions. But he'll need to put points on the board against an explosive TCU offense. McCarthy is more distributor than playmaker, and he'll need to open up his game in the playoffs. Can TCU move him off his spot and make him create on the move? McCarthy, a sophomore, didn't start in last year's College Football Playoff and has just one 300-yard game on his résumé. And he's under more pressure than any other quarterback in the final four.
NFL draft eligible: 2024
6. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
A Heisman finalist in each of the past two seasons, Stroud is an accurate thrower to every level of the field and an expert at setting up his receivers for yards-after-catch plays. He has thrown 37 touchdowns to just six interceptions for a QBR of 87.7, good for third-best in college football. Stroud has an amazing cast of supporting talent, allowing him to manage the game to a degree, but the Georgia defense is loaded and will be his biggest test of the season.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Top-10 pick
7. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The model of the new-age tight end, Bowers is 6-4 and 230 pounds, and he moves like a running back in the open field. He has been Georgia's most vital offensive player this season, compiling nine total touchdowns and over 800 yards from scrimmage in a scheme that spreads the ball around plenty. Bowers will be the focal point for the Ohio State defense from the first snap.
NFL draft eligible: 2024
8. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Johnson switched from right guard to his natural left tackle position for the 2022 season and allowed just one sack. The 6-6, 310-pound junior is an elite mover with fantastic agility in space and great balance in his pass sets. Johnson is the prototypical left tackle, but he hasn't been tested with this level of pass rush yet this season.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Top-15 pick
9. Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
A 1,300-yard rusher in 2022, Miller put together a 17-touchdown season in his first year as a starter while looking like a future NFL impact back. Miller is a power runner with runaway speed. That's something Michigan has seen plenty of this season, but Miller's ability to control the ball and dictate tempo is special. If TCU pulls off an upset, it'll be because Miller broke out.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 2-3
10. Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Bennett might not be a premier draft prospect at quarterback, but he gets the job done at a high level and wins games. In the past two seasons, Georgia has lost one game with Bennett starting while adding a national title to his résumé. He's back for more as a better all-around passer coming off a four-touchdown, 274-yard game against LSU. His 86.3 Total QBR is sixth in the nation, and his 68.1% completion percentage is 15th.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 6-7
11. DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
The 6-foot, 180-pound senior had just one interception in 2022, but opposing offenses stayed far away from his side of the field. Turner's matchup against TCU will likely be with star wide receiver Quentin Johnston, a 6-3 vertical threat that few defenses stopped in 2022. Turner broke up nine passes this season and kept opponents to a 37.5% completion percentage when targeting him.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 2-3
12. Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
The heart and soul of the Ohio State defense is right in the middle at linebacker. Eichenberg is a heat-seeking missile from his spot at mike linebacker. He tallied 72 solo tackles this year -- tied for third-best in the nation -- while adding 2.5 sacks and an interception. Stopping the Georgia run game will fall largely on No. 35 in the middle of the defense.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 4-5
13. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Jones stepped in as a redshirt sophomore asked to man the left side in the Georgia offense and immediately had success. The 6-4, 310-pounder didn't allow a sack in 2022 while also being one of the best run-blockers in the nation.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Round 1
14. Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
When star running back Blake Corum went down to injury, Edwards stepped in and starred as the featured back. Edwards put together 216 yards against Ohio State and then followed that up with 185 against Purdue in the Big Ten title game. He's poised for a monster game against a TCU defense that allowed 205 yards rushing in the Big 12 title game against Kansas State.
NFL draft eligible: 2024
15. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
It's impossible to miss the 5-9 Hodges-Tomlinson on the TCU defense. He's not the biggest player, but his energetic style and feisty ball skills make him capable of shutting down elite receivers. The nephew of TCU legend LaDainian Tomlinson, the senior cornerback had three interceptions and 12 pass breakups this season. He'll have to line up across from Michigan's Ronnie Bell but has the quickness to give him trouble all game.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Round 3
16. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
As noted previously, Johnston will likely draw Michigan's Turner in his matchup. Johnston's ability to win over the top and dominate on jump balls makes him a constant threat to rip off chunk plays or score touchdowns. He is the primary target in the TCU passing game, and if the Horned Frogs fall behind, he'll be pressed to make big plays. Johnston had 17 of his 53 catches go for 20 or more yards this season.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Round 1
17. Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
A second-year starter in 2022, Wypler emerged as one of the top centers in the nation by allowing no sacks and building a reputation as an elite run-blocker. The 6-3, 300-pound Wypler will face off against the nation's best defensive tackle -- Georgia's Carter -- in a matchup that will dictate the outcome of the game. Protecting Stroud from interior pressure is key given his lack of mobility. Wypler will be under the spotlight.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Round 2
18. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
At any other school, Washington would be a starter. But at Georgia, he's a TE2 behind Bowers. The 6-7, 270-pounder is a difficult matchup for defenders. As Ohio State focuses on Bowers and the run game, Washington's size and speed in space are certain to factor into this game. And while Washington had just two touchdowns in 2022, every defensive coordinator knows he's a threat. He averaged 16 yards per catch, and 22 of his 26 catches were first downs or scores.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 1-2
19. Olu Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
A transfer from Virginia, Oluwatimi stepped into the middle of the Michigan offensive line and solidified the unit. A 6-3, 307-pound senior, Oluwatimi is nearly flawless in pass protection. On the year, he allowed zero sacks and just two pressures while also being an solid mover in the run game.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 2-3
20. Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
A former five-star recruit, Harrison has blossomed into a special pass-rusher for the Ohio State defense. The 6-6, 272-pound senior has three sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles on the year. He has been integral to the Buckeyes' scheme and is one of the best tackling edge defenders in the nation. Against Georgia, he'll need to bring his A-game to slow down a tough run game.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 1-2
21. Mike Morris, DE, Michigan
A rare mover in space at 6-6 and 292 pounds, the senior has been Michigan's best pass-rusher off the edge. Morris' seven sacks are a result of great length, power, quickness and first-step ability. Setting the edge in the run game against TCU's Miller will be the difference in this matchup, and that will fall on Morris.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 2-3
22. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
One of the most underrated players in the vast Ohio State passing game, Stover contributes not only as a receiver but also as a key blocker down the field in the short-yardage passing game and when running backs break free. Stover has 35 catches and five touchdowns this season, but watch him work as a blocker to see his real value to the offense.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 2-3
23. Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
The Michigan passing game has been inconsistent at times this year, but when McCarthy gets going, it's typically Bell who he finds. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior caught 56 passes for 754 yards and three scores this year, but it's his yards-after-catch ability that gets the offense moving. Should Michigan fall behind TCU and need to move the ball quickly, expect McCarthy to look for Bell.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 3-4
24. Dee Winters, LB, TCU
The TCU defense doesn't get talked about much coming out of the Big 12, but senior linebacker Winters is a key piece to the team's success. A three-tool linebacker, Winters has 7.5 sacks coming off the edge and 66 tackles this year. He's a player TCU moves around and relies on to make big plays.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 4-5
25. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
When Georgia throws the ball, it's usually to a tight end -- but sophomore wide receiver McConkey has become a downfield asset. With 51 catches and five touchdowns, McConkey is the team's most productive receiver. Matched up against an Ohio State secondary that struggled against Michigan's passing game, McConkey could be a difference-maker in this one.
NFL draft eligible: 2024