Since the 2014 season, the FBS has utilized a playoff system to decide a national champion. After the national championship game, two players are named the offensive and defensive most valuable players. In January 2026, the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes to take home their first CFP National Championship.
Take a look at the offensive and defensive MVPs of each College Football Playoff National Championship game below:
Jan. 19, 2026: Indiana 27, Miami 21
Offensive MVP: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (16-of-27, 186 yards)
Defensive MVP: Indiana DL Mikail Kamara (Blocked punt, four total tackles)
Jan. 20, 2025: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
Offensive MVP: Ohio State QB Will Howard (17-of-21, 231 yards and two touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Ohio State LB Cody Simon (eight total tackles)
Jan. 8, 2024: Michigan 34, Washington 13
Offensive MVP: Michigan RB Blake Corum (21 carries, 134 yards and two touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Michigan CB Will Johnson (four total tackles and an interception)
Jan. 9, 2023: Georgia 65, TCU 7
Offensive MVP: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett (18-of-25, 304 yards and six total touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Georgia DB Javon Bullard (one tackle, two interceptions and a fumble recovery)
Jan. 10, 2022: Georgia 33, Alabama 18
Offensive MVP: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett (17-of-26, 224 yards and two touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Georgia S Lewis Cine (seven total tackles, including a tackle for loss)
Jan. 11, 2021: Alabama 52, Ohio State 24
Offensive MVP: Alabama WR DeVonta Smith (12 catches, 215 yards and three touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Alabama DT Christian Barmore (five total tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack)
Jan. 13, 2020: LSU 42, Clemson 25
Offensive MVP: LSU QB Joe Burrow (31-of-49, 463 yards and six total touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: LSU LB Patrick Queen (eight total tackles, 2½ tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks)
Jan. 7, 2019: Clemson 44, Alabama 16
Offensive MVP: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence (20-of-32, 347 yards and three touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen (six total tackles, one sack and one interception)
Jan. 8, 2018: Alabama 26, Georgia 23 (OT)
Offensive MVP: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa (14-of-24, 166 yards, three touchdowns and an interception)
Defensive MVP: Alabama DT Daron Payne (six total tackles)
Jan. 9, 2017: Clemson 35, Alabama 31
Offensive MVP: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson (36-of-56, 420 yards and four total touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Clemson LB Ben Boulware (six total tackles, including two tackles for loss)
Jan. 11, 2016: Alabama 45, Clemson 40
Offensive MVP: Alabama TE O.J. Howard (five catches, 208 yards and two touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Alabama S Eddie Jackson (three total tackles and an interception)
Jan. 12, 2015: Ohio State 42, Oregon 20
Offensive MVP: Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott (36 carries, 246 yards and four touchdowns)
Defensive MVP: Ohio State S Tyvis Powell (team-high nine total tackles)
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