by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
“Since the National Football League began drafting players in 1936 — starting with the initial draft on February 8, 1936, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia — Notre Dame football players have been selected by NFL teams on 498 occasions. The total rises to 559 selections to the professional ranks when you include the AFL (37) and AAFC (24) drafts. …”
“After wrapping up a terrific career as one of the greatest offensive linemen in Notre Dame history, Quenton Nelson will be playing his pro ball less than three hours south in Indianapolis, where the Colts made him the No. 6-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. … Nelson — an unanimous All-American selection for the Fighting Irish last season — comes in as a presumed starter at one of the guard spots for the Colts, which is not a job he said he will take lightly. With Indianapolis running a completely new, up-tempo offensive scheme under first-year head coach Frank Reich and coordinator Nick Sirianni, Nelson will be counted on to be a key building block in the team’s mission to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. …”
“With the ninth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey. McGlinchey’s stock has risen over the last 48 hours as he emerged as the consensus top tackle in this year’s class. With the pick, San Francisco has now acquired the heir apparent to Joe Staley. ‘He is a pile driver in the run game,’ Mike Mayock said on the NFL Network’s broadcast. ‘He’ll set the tone in the offensive line room and the culture in the locker room. He has some nasty to him.’ …”
“… a rundown of Notre Dame’s undrafted free agents and where they will try and make a roster this season.”
Kizer, DeShone QB 6’4″ 233 Notre Dame Pick 20, Round 2 (52) Browns 5.7
Rochell, Isaac DT 6’4″ 280 Notre Dame Pick 7, Round 7 (225) Chargers 5.3
Others …
Folston, Tarean RB 5’9″ 214 Notre Dame 4.9
Jones, Jarron DT 6’6″ 316 Notre Dame 5.5
Luke, Cole CB 5’11” 195 Notre Dame 4.9
Onwualu, James LB 6’1″ 232 Notre Dame 5.0
“Former University of Notre Dame defensive lineman Isaac Rochell was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the seventh pick in the seventh round (225th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft Saturday afternoon in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval.”
“Standout quarterback is the 13th Notre Dame signal caller drafted in the top two rounds of the NFL Draft”
“… Inconsistent decision-maker. Showed dreadful lapses in judgement that lead to interceptions. Too willing to make off-balanced heaves. Benched against Stanford. Had at least one interception in 15 of his 23 starts. …”
“NFL Draft 2017 home page at NFL.com ….”
“University of Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer has decided to forego his final two years of eligibility to make himself available for the 2017 National Football League Draft. ‘DeShone is an extremely gifted quarterback that was faced with a difficult decision,’ Irish head coach Brian Kelly said. ‘He could return as a senior captain at Notre Dame — a place that he loves, and with a program that respects him immensely. Or, he could begin the next chapter in his life and accept the opportunity that likely awaits in the NFL. While he chose the latter, the type of leadership DeShone displayed this past season will benefit our program moving forward. He’ll certainly be missed on and off the field, but we’re very happy for him and his family. DeShone will always represent this University with the utmost professionalism and class.’ …”
… #DeShoneKizer remains one of college #football’s most highly regarded prospects in scouting circles. … an NFC executive views the redshirt sophomore as a top-10 draft choice. ‘Pocket passer with a very good arm, has the athletic ability to get out and make plays with his feet,” the executive [said] …’All the tools are there. He’s struggled a little bit over the last month but was excellent on film last year and the beginning of this year.’ Kizer will be eligible for the 2017 #NFL Draft if he applies for and is granted early eligibility after the season. As a redshirt sophomore, however, his draft year could also be 2018 or even 2019. …
“The 6-4, 230-pounder has all the physical tools NFL teams salivate over when it comes to quarterback prospects.”