Football might not be fully back (unless you’re a fan of the UFL) but the NFL draft always offers football fans a breath of fresh air each spring.
Whether you’re a bigger fan of the college game or NFL game, you’re covered as the draft has become a much bigger event the last 30 years than a man in a suit reading names off of an index card.
Notre Dame is a football factory, producing more NFL draft picks than any other college throughout history. USC is knocking at Notre Dame’s door but the Irish still hold the edge.
We tracked where every Notre Dame player was selected this past weekend as well as where each signed an undrafted free agent deal.
Selection: No. 5 to the Los Angeles Chargers | First Round
In the long lineage of great Notre Dame offensive linemen, [autotag]Joe Alt[/autotag] is right near the top of the list of the best ever. Alt was an All-American by most outlets each of the last two seasons and perfectly fits the physical mold that Jim Harbaugh has build his successful teams at Stanford, Michigan, and with the San Francisco 49ers previously.
Related: Joe Alt Photo Gallery at Notre Dame
Selection: No. 59 to the Houston Texans | Second Round
Blake Fisher was Notre Dame’s most-prized recruit in the 2021 recruiting cycle and quickly lived up to the expectations. Fisher became just the second true-freshman to start at left tackle in a season opener, doing so against Florida State in 2021. Fisher however suffered a knee injury that night and missed the rest of the regular season. He returned for the bowl game that year and although he didn’t meet his sky-high expectations in blue and gold, put himself in position to become a second round draft pick after just three years in college.
Selection: No. 87 to the Dallas Cowboys | Third Round
Marist Liufau missed all of the 2021 season at Notre Dame due to a nasty leg and ankle injury, but by 2022 played more downs than any other Fighting Irish defender. He showed an important ability, availability that is, by starting 24-straight games from 2022-2023 before opting to sit out of Notre Dame’s dominating Sun Bowl win over Oregon State this past December. Liufau has tremendous athleticism as he can get after opposing quarterbacks while also being strong in coverage, but at times can get caught guessing, too.
Selection: No. 140 to the Los Angeles Chargers | Fifth Round
[autotag]Cam Hart[/autotag] shouldn’t be here. After three shoulder surgeries at Notre Dame, he should be getting ready to enter the traditional workforce. Instead, he bounced back from all of those to help a Notre Dame secondary that has been among the nation’s very best the last two seasons. Clearly a leader, Hart was voted a Notre Dame captain, something a cornerback hadn’t been in the program in nearly 20 years previously.
Selection: No. 143 to the Atlanta Falcons | Fifth Round
JD Bertrand is headed home as the suburban Atlanta product was selected in the fifth-round by the Falcons. Bertrand will be missed at Notre Dame as the reliable linebacker led the Fighting Irish in tackles over the past three seasons. Bertrand is a solid blitzer but could use some growth in finishing tackles, something he struggled with during his time at Notre Dame.
Selection: No. 147 to the Denver Broncos | Fifth Round
[autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] only spent three seasons at Notre Dame but goes down as one of the most accomplished running backs in program history. Estime set the single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a Notre Dame player this past year while putting up the seventh-most rushing yards in a single-season ever by a Notre Dame back. Despite his clearly ridiculous physical build, Estime is much more versatile and explosive as a runner than one might expect.
Selection: No. 222 to the Washington Commanders | Seventh Round
Javontate Jean-Baptiste spent just 2023 at Notre Dame after being a graduate transfer from Ohio State. Jean-Baptiste led Notre Dame with five sacks in 2023 and was very strong against the run. He also measured out great at the NFL combine, a likely factor in him getting selected in the draft’s final round.
Selection: Washington Commanders | Undrafted Free Agent
Sam Hartman spent one year at Notre Dame and although he didn’t live upto lofty expectations, he did put up impressive numbers. Hartman doesn’t bring a monster arm or that impressive of measurables but his leadership, production, and ability to overcome some rather nasty injuries and health concerns are major reasons the Washington Commanders extended an impressive offer his way despite him being undrafted.
Selection: Los Angeles Chargers | Undrafted Free Agent
Harper spent just one season at Notre Dame after transferring form Oklahoma State but brought sure tackling to the Fighting Irish defense. Harper finished his one season at Notre Dame with 41 tackles while being rated by Pro Football Focus as the nation’s sixth-best tackling cornerback.
Selection: Indianapolis Colts | Undrafted Free Agent
Spencer Shrader spent one year at Notre Dame after transferring from South Florida. Shrader brought a monster leg to the Fighting Irish football program but although he could kick the ball seemingly a mile, his accuracy was inconsistent. If he can become more accurate his leg strength certainly plays at the NFL level as his 54-yard field goal at North Carolina State this past September is the longest in Notre Dame history.
Selection: Indianapolis Colts | Undrafted Free Agent
Notre Dame quietly has become quite the place to develop longsnappers and Vinson is the latest in that. “Milk” as his teammates call him, was on the Patrick Mannelly Award watchlist for the nation’s best longsnapper each of the last two seasons and his dependability will certainly be missed at Notre Dame.