Audric Estime addresses upcoming NFL Draft decision

Notre Dame running back Audric Estime will have an NFL Draft decision to make in the coming weeks, following two outstanding seasons with the Fighting Irish.

The 5-foot-11, 227-pound bowling ball of a back will certainly garner NFL interest should he choose do entertain the pro ranks, but Notre Dame’s prospects on the field for 2024 are also plenty enticing after the addition of Duke quarterback transfer Riley Leonard.

Estime said he hasn’t made a decision yet.

“I don’t really have a timeline right now, I’m just worried about coming in on Monday, getting a lift in, going over this game, see how I could have done better,” he said. “We’ll have conversations then.”

Notre Dame is set to take on Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, and for now there’s no indication Audric Estime is thinking about missing that one.

That’s great news for the Irish, too, because Estime has been a one-man wrecking crew for most of the season.

The talented junior has piled up 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing, this on the heels of 920 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022. Needless to say, Notre Dame will anxiously be awaiting Estime’s eventual NFL Draft decision.

Duke adds Riley Leonard at quarterback

The major news for Notre Dame this offseason came on Tuesday, when quarterback Riley Leonard committed to the Fighting Irish.

He will give the program an experienced veteran to run the offense following the departure of Sam Hartman, who spent one year with the program following a transfer from Wake Forest.

At least one Notre Dame insider thinks the Fighting Irish can make a playoff run with Leonard under center.

“It’s interesting. Gerad Parker has a lot of heat on his shoulders because you didn’t get the most out of Sam Hartman that you would have liked to,” Blue and Gold’s Tyler Horka said on the Andy Staples On3 show.

“You’ve got to get the most out of Riley Leonard because he’s a true dual-threat quarterback and if you can do things in the pass game and the run game that kind of fit to his style of play, you can go 10-2, you can go maybe even 11-1 and make the College Football Playoff, and I’m sure Riley Leonard would love to do that.”

Audric Estime and Notre Dame will open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at Texas A&M.