Harrison Smith, Safety – 29th overall to Minnesota Vikings, 2012
Forget waiting five years for another first rounder, Notre Dame fans had to wait just a couple hours after Floyd was drafted to hear the name Harrison Smith get picked by the Minnesota Vikings.
If you would have told me in 2009 that Harrison Smith would one day be one of the best safeties in the NFL and sign a record deal for pay at the position I would have looked at you like you had three heads. Sure he had talent and athleticism but his discipline was clearly lacking, or at least it appeared exactly how you’d think a freshman’s would appear.
Turns out he got better. And better. And even better.
Smith has been one of the best defensive backs in the NFL since his arrival in the league in 2012 as he’s been selected to five Pro Bowl’s, the NFL’s All-Pro Team in 2017 and four times has been a member of the NFL Top-100 team, peaking at 46th overall in 2018.
Next: Two Years in a Row!