Tag: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Network Mock Draft Lists No Notre Damers

f Notre Dame is to go without a first round selection it would be the first time since the 2017 draft that were to occur.

Daniel Jeremiah is a former starting quarterback at Appalachian State and spent time working in the front offices of the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore since he graduated in 2000.

Jeremiah is now an analyst at NFL Network and spends a ton of time offering his thoughts on draft prospects once we transition from the collegiate season to the off-season.

Jeremiah released his latest mock draft last week and perhaps to the surprise of some, no Notre Dame players were listed.

A few notable things from this draft:

-Joe Burrow goes first.  That part isn’t a shock but he’s the first of five players form LSU that Jeremiah projects to go on opening night.  The Tigers are tied with Alabama for the most first round picks in this mock at five.

-Clemson checks in with three projected first round picks, two of which come from the defensive side of the ball and one that comes from the offense.

-Ohio State has a somewhat surprising total of just two first round picks here but it doesn’t feel that light by Ohio State standards when you realize the projected second and third picks are both Buckeyes.

-No tight ends go in round one, noteworthy obviously when discussing Cole Kmet who several have as a likely first rounder.

-Four Notre Dame opponents from the 2019 season are projected to go in the first round by Jeremiah.  Those include offensive tackle Mekhi Becton of Louisville (4 – Giants), offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (10 – Browns) and running back De’Andre Swift (18 – Dolphins) of Georgia and offensive tackle Austin Jackson of USC (26 – Dolphins).  

If Notre Dame is to go without a first round selection it would be the first time since the 2017 draft that were to occur.

ACC Fines Notre Dame, Reprimands Brey After Rant

Everyone knows the officials screwed up. Why can’t that part at least be admitted or acknowledged?

Good morning and happy Monday. If you missed it over the weekend Mike Brey was none too pleased over how Saturday night’s loss at Florida State was officiated.

The Fighting Irish lost a close one in Tallahassee and now the university has to pay for Brey’s outburst.

In a statement released by the Atlantic Coast Conference Monday morning the following has been handed down:

-The ACC issues a public reprimand of Brey for his comments because he violated the ACC sportsmanship policy.

-The league also handed Notre Dame a $20,000 fine for the violation.

-The ACC also considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.

Listen, Notre Dame got to the free throw line more than Florida State did Saturday. I don’t think any official went in with the idea of fixing things to make sure an upset was avoided.

The thing that bothers me the most isn’t as much an ACC problem as it is a sports problem. Officials clearly messed up like they do in any league or level of play and anyone with a functioning pair of eyes could see it. Yet when no comment is made about Brey in this instance having a point, it feels like complete propaganda.

You and I watch that showing by the officials and know it was awful. Joe in accounting who doesn’t watch basketball even knows the officials were brutal. So what then would the harm be in at least releasing something in that statement that read along the lines of “The ACC is reviewing the officials performance from Saturday’s game”?

Everyone knows the officials screwed up. Why can’t that part at least be admitted or acknowledged? I say that in regards to strictly officiating, not in Brey’s comments about the league having it out for Notre Dame.

I think I speak for most college basketball observers when I say that officiating in the game is awful. I don’t like to play the blame game but I do feel like just flipping on a random Big Ten game in the middle of the week will give multiple occurrences where you ask yourself “what the heck was that?” in regards to a call.

Why can’t that at least be acknowledged instead of sports organizations pushing their propaganda? Instead it comes off to me as treating viewers and fans as if they’re stupid.

5 standouts from the 2020 Senior Bowl for the Bills

5 standouts from the 2020 Senior Bowl.

A week of practice for more than 100 college seniors from across the nation culminated on Saturday with the 2020 Senior Bowl, where the North had a dominating 34-17 victory over the South team. The North won the game with a strong run game, and a great front-four that was rotated throughout the game.

Could the Bills be interested in any standouts from the game?

Let’s look at who stood out during the Senior Bowl and helped their draft stock before the NFL combine:

North defensive lineman Alton Robinson. Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

EDGE Alton Robinson, Syracuse

This is the beginning of the edge rushers that will be discussed because the North created consistent pressure with just four men. Not many people outside of Central New York saw Alton Robinson play during his time at Cuse but he had 19.5 sacks in his career, who has a variety of moves and a great motor.

During the Senior Bowl he had two sacks, the first was against the elusive Jalen Hurts where Robinson bullied his matchup and dragged Hurts down. His second was against Steven Montez where Montez escaped the initial pressure but, Robinson tracked him down and finish the sack.

The Buffalo Bills need more players who can pressure the quarterback, and Robinson is projected as a Day 3 pick, so he should be on the radar of Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott.

 

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Watch: Troy Pride, Jr.’s Senior Bowl Interception

However, had Pride left a year early you’re looking at what, a very late round pick if he gets drafted at all?

Let me just start by saying evaluating passing games in the Senior Bowl is difficult. It’s difficult in that only very generic coverages are run, quarterbacks aren’t facing blitzes, nor do they have to worry about twists or anything wild being thrown at their linemen.

With that said, I still think making a huge play in the game as a defensive back is better than not making a big play.

Captain Obvious, right?

Well, Troy Pride, Jr. wrapped up his impressive week at the Senior Bowl with exactly that.

People have taken notice of Pride who showed out in practices long before Saturday’s interception.

What I do know is that Pride is a fantastic example of what staying in school can do for a player. Yes, it’s easy to want the money and I’ll never knock a football player for seeking compensation for putting their bodies on the line like they do.

Had Pride left a year early you’re looking at what, a very late round pick if he gets drafted at all?

Now you’re talking a possible day-two of the draft type player as Pride proved Notre Dame’s pass defense wasn’t just a fluke but that is was one of the very best in college football in 2019.

Senior Bowl: Chase Claypool’s Touchdown Reception

Claypool deserves credit because it’s a nice route but the defensive back that shall remain nameless wasn’t, um, we’ll just say he doesn’t appear to be the next Deion Sanders.

Playing the final time with the iconic golden helmet on his head, Chase Claypool scored a touchdown.

Participating the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Claypool has been a player getting much praise throughout the week.

Although most scouts will say that the practices in Mobile matter more than the actual game, Claypool didn’t exactly struggle in game, scoring a touchdown just past the midway point of the third quarter.

It won’t go down in his official Notre Dame records but I have trouble believing there were many receptions, let alone touchdowns receptions for Claypool since he’s started playing football than that.

He completely froze the defensive back and went undefended as you see. Claypool deserves credit because it’s a nice route but the defensive back that shall remain nameless wasn’t, um, we’ll just say he doesn’t appear to be the next Deion Sanders.

Claypool’s touchdown reception gave the North a 23-10 third quarter lead.

Notre Dame Football: 2020 Signee Facing Burglary Charge for Stealing Guns

Landon Bartleson is facing burglary charges for breaking into a business in Danville, Kentucky and stealing nine guns.

WKYT in Lexington, Kentucky is reporting Notre Dame signee to the football recruiting class of 2020, Landon Bartleson is facing burglary charges for breaking into a business in Danville, Kentucky and stealing nine guns.

Bartleson and two juveniles were taken into custody Friday.

The report states that police are also investigating a vehicle theft that happened overnight that the three are believed to be linked to.

Bartleson signed his letter of intent to play football for Notre Dame on December 18. The 6-1, 182 pound cornerback received a three-star grade from Rivals.

We’ll obviously let things play out but if the the report is true it’s safe to assume Bartleson will never enroll at or play for Notre Dame.

We will have on this troubling story as it develops.

Former Notre Dame Safety Wins “DB of the Week” at Senior Bowl

it was a different former Notre Dame defensive back that walked out with the “DB of the Week” award for the North team.

If you’ve been paying attention to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this week you’ve heard a ton about how former Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride, Jr. has wowed the masses and elevated his draft stock.

That may all be fine and true but it was a different former Notre Dame defensive back that walked out with the “DB of the Week” award for the North team.

It instead went to Jalen Elliott who was voted the winner by the the north teams wide receivers that he spent all week practicing against.

I think the key takeaway here is it’s voted on my those that played against him which is the best way to decide.

“Hey, who was the guy you absolutely didn’t want to see across from you this week?”

Seems like a logical way to pick a winner and can only mean good things for Elliott as he tries to raise his stock before April’s NFL Draft.

The 2020 Senior Bowl kicks off at 2:30 pm E.T. in Mobile, Alabama and can be seen on NFL Network.

WATCH: Quenton Nelson Gets Wakeup Call in Pro Bowl Dodgeball

Participating in the Dodgeball Competition in the Pro Bowl Skills Competition, Nelson had a ball bounce of his hands right before another, well, gave Big Q a wakeup call.

Good morning and happy Friday to all of you!

Crazy weather across the Midwest aka winter (it happens every year) so what better way to wake up this Friday and get ready for your weekend than by watching a former Notre Dame star participate in the NFL’s Pro Bowl Skills Competition?

All-World offensive guard Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts is a beast. He’s in rare-air in that he’s been a First-Team All-Pro in both of his first two NFL seasons, he’s the straw that stirs the drink for the Colts offensive line and he’s got perhaps the best set of highlights we’ve ever seen for a guard.

One thing he doesn’t appear to have however is a great set of hands.

Participating in the Dodgeball Game in the Pro Bowl Skills Competition, Nelson had a ball bounce of his hands right before another, well, gave Big Q a wakeup call.

All I can think of is in “Billy Madison” when Adam Sandler’s character goes hog-wild on a bunch of kids in a game of dodgeball.

In my head that is what Quenton Nelson is doing right now – storming through Disney Land destroying whoever hit him in the face and each of their teammates one by one.

Notre Dame offers 4-Star LB Mondon from Georgia

On Thursday evening, Notre Dame extended in offer to class of ’21 LB Smael Mondon.

Recruiting never sleeps and the Irish are at it again, this time offering Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr, from Paulding High School Thursday evening. The four star outside linebacker stands six-foot-three and weighs 210 pounds.

The Irish currently do not have any commits at the position in their 2021 class, and if they were to add Mondon it would be a huge coup for Brian Kelly and Clark Lea.

Mondon also plays running back for the Paulding Patriots, and after his junior year, earned region 7AAAAA Athlete/All-Purpose Player of the Year. A linebacker that can run like Mondon is always in high demand and taking one look at his highlight reel he is quite an impressive prospect. Mondon also excels on special teams, lining up for his Patriots on the edge and blocking multiple field goal attempts. Mondon reads and reacts well in the passing game as well, with his speed shining in that area once again.

Mondon has a very impressive offer list, which include Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and many others. He is a national recruit and if the Irish are able to pull him out from the South, it would be a fantastic start for the linebacker position in the ’21 class.

Mondon is the type of difference maker that helps win championships, and if Notre Dame expects to compete and win those kinds of games, getting a commit from Mondon will go a long way helping attain that goal.

University of Notre Dame Police Seek Help to Find Missing Student

They ask that anyone who has seen Annrose Jerry since or has any potential information on her whereabouts call the Notre Dame Police Department at 574-631-5555.

Annrose Jerry, a Senior who lives on Notre Dame’s campus has not been seen since the night of January 21 and university police are seeking help from the community to help find her.

The University of Notre Dame tweeted out the following on Thursday night:

In the release on Notre Dame’s website, Annrose Jerry is listed as 5-feet-5-inches in height and has dark hair.

The university states that Jerry was last seen at 8:45 Tuesday night at Coleman-Morse Hall. They ask that anyone who has seen Annrose Jerry since or has any potential information on her whereabouts call the Notre Dame Police Department at 574-631-5555.

Here’s to hoping this ends well.