Tag: Notre Dame NFL Draft

NFL Draft: Is Troy Pride, Jr. Still A Sleeper? USA TODAY Says Yes

His numbers don’t jump off the page at you as he intercepted four passes in his Notre Dame career which feels rather low for a two-year starter and regular contributor for even longer.

If you’ve been paying attention to NFL Mock Drafts or the off-season work to get to April’s NFL Draft, a Notre Dame player you’ve heard great compliments about over the last month has been cornerback Troy Pride, Jr.

Pride was a mainstay in the Notre Dame secondary over the last three seasons, appearing in 37 games in that time.  His numbers don’t jump off the page at you as he intercepted four passes in his Notre Dame career which feels rather low for a two-year starter and regular contributor for even longer.

He also started all 13 games on Notre Dame’s 2019 squad that not only went 11-2 but also allowed the third-fewest pass yards in all of college football.  If he wasn’t intercepting passes, he certainly wasn’t allowing big plays either.

Pride’s speed has been discussed at length and will be on full display at the upcoming NFL Combine.  For those paying attention he’s been seemingly climbing draft boards for a while now and his rise doesn’t feel like a surprise.

The USA TODAY Wednesday gave names of 11 draft sleepers and mentions Pride:
It’s hard to fathom a two-year starter at Notre Dame who also ran track would end up on this list. Pride, however, hasn’t received widespread recognition, even after an impressive Senior Bowl week in which he flustered nearly all of his opposition. At 5-11 and 195 pounds, he won’t be confused for Richard Sherman or Patrick Peterson, particularly given he recorded just four interceptions in three years. But his quick feet and recognition skills allow him to stick close to pass catchers and deny them any easy opportunities.

His size will keep him from ever being seen as a truly elite NFL prospect and if he his ultimately limited in the league, that’ll likely be why.  But his tape doesn’t lie and giving up a few well-thrown back shoulder throws this year may have urked some Notre Dame fans, but his skills and speed speak for themselves.

He might not be some superstar in the NFL but assuming health (which can be risky) I have trouble believing his skill-set and speed won’t keep him cashing league checks for a good amount of time.

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.

Notre Dame Football: Jones Headed to Collegiate Bowl

Others are taking notice of the late charge Jones has put on as well as he will be a part of the NFLPA Collegiate Game

Jamir Jones saved his best for last at Notre Dame, having easily his best year in his senior season.

The Rochester, New York product finished the regular season with career-highs in tackles with 24, forced fumbles with two and sacks after registering four-and-a-half this season.

Others are taking notice of the late charge Jones has put on as well as he will be a part of the NFLPA Collegiate Game held at the Rose Bowl Stadium on January 18.

Jamir is the brother of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Jarron, who has been a part of several NFL practice squads and was drafted in the first round of the XFL’s linemen draft back in October.