RJ Oben, son of Super Bowl champ Roman Oben, shines in CFP National Championship game

ATLANTA— Under the glowing lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with more than 77,000 fans roaring in attendance, RJ Oben took the field for the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game. For the Cameroonian and Haitian American defensive standout, the night was both a career milestone and an opportunity to etch his name into Notre Dame’s storied history.

From a distance, the stands were a vibrant mix of colors, with Notre Dame students and alumni proudly displaying their school spirit in shades of green, gold, and white, while Ohio State fans filled the stadium with red and black. The two striking color schemes filled the stadium, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Despite a valiant effort by RJ and the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame fell short to the Ohio State Buckeyes, losing 34-23 in a hard-fought battle. The loss marked the end of RJ’s college football career, but his contributions throughout the season, and particularly in the postseason, solidified his legacy.

 RJ, who wears No. 9, made an early impact in the game. During the first quarter, he relentlessly pressured Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, forcing rushed throws and disrupting the Buckeyes’ offensive rhythm. It was the kind of performance that defined  RJ’s season—consistently stepping up in the biggest moments.

RJ grew up immersed in football, watching his father, Roman Oben, dominate in the NFL. Roman, born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and raised in the U.S., was an offensive lineman at the University of Louisville before being drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a 12-year professional career, highlighted by winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003—two years after RJ was born.

“My dad played for a long time growing up, that was the first time I was really exposed to the game,” RJ told The Haitian Times two days before the game during media day. Players were proudly sporting school pride in sweaters inside the freezing convention center, hanging out with their teammates between media interviews.

“I spent a lot of time watching him, learning it more and loving it more as I got older. I didn’t start playing until seventh grade, and from then on I became passionate about it.”

RJ’s mother, though born in Manhattan, traces her roots back to Jacmel, Haiti. Her Haitian heritage has been central to RJ’s identity, and he often credits his diverse background for shaping his character both on and off the field.

RJ has been pivotal to Notre Dame’s success this year, helping the team secure victories in the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl on their road to the national championship game. He also played a key role in Notre Dame’s defense during the program’s first-ever appearance in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format.

This historic season marked the first time teams fought for a national title under the new playoff structure, which expanded from four teams to 12. Notre Dame made history as one of the first programs to compete in the new format.

For RJ, the stakes were high shown by his intensity on the field throught the game. This was his final opportunity to win a national championship, as NCAA regulations allow players five years of academic eligibility to complete four seasons of competition. With his eligibility now complete, RJ will prepare for the next chapter in his football career.

The championship game carried added weight for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, who is in his third year leading the program. Freeman, who is African American and Korean American, entered the game hoping to follow in the footsteps of four previous Notre Dame coaches who all won titles in their third season.

However, the loss broke that streak, as Freeman—who once played linebacker for Ohio State in the early 2000s—fell short of delivering a championship to the Fighting Irish.

“He’s a coach players love to play for, guys are fired up to wake up every day to go to work on the field,” RJ said of Freeman.

Freeman was quick to praise RJ’s contributions to the team, calling him a key factor in Notre Dame’s success this season.

“He’s been great! RJ doesn’t speak a lot, but he works his tail off, and at the biggest moments, he’s shown up,” Freeman said. “He’s a big reason why we’re in this position. He’s been doing a great, great job for our defense, making big plays. You look at the play he made versus Georgia, we’re going to need him to play big versus Ohio State to have success.”

Though the season didn’t end with a championship, RJ leaves Notre Dame with a résumé to be proud of. This year alone, he started in all three postseason games after the New Year, helping the team to victories in the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl.

RJ’s journey to Notre Dame was also significant. As a transfer, he quickly earned a starting role and became a standout defensive player in his first year with the team.

As RJ reflects on his time at Notre Dame, he now looks ahead to what’s next—whether that’s pursuing opportunities in professional football or continuing to make strides off the field.

The post RJ Oben, son of Super Bowl champ Roman Oben, shines in CFP National Championship game appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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RJ Oben, son of Super Bowl champ Roman Oben, shines in CFP National Championship game was first posted on January 22, 2025 at 5:33 pm.