Notre Dame in the NFL: NFC Super Bowl participant will have at least one former Irish player
At least one former Notre Dame player will be a member of the NFC’s Super Bowl representative. None, though, are left on the AFC side.
Either Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Ian Book or the San Francisco 49ers offensive line duo of Mike McGlinchey and Aaron Banks will play in Super Bowl LVII Feb. 13. Those two teams will meet in the NFC Championship Game Jan. 29 following their Divisional Round wins. The Eagles dusted the New York Giants, 38-7. The 49ers ousted the Cowboys 19-12.
McGlinchey and Banks have been the 49ers’ primary starters at right tackle and left guard. Book has not played in game this year and spent most of the season as the Eagles’ third-string quarterback.
Neither side of the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs has a former Irish player. The only one remaining in the AFC Divisional Round was Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad receiver Kevin Austin Jr. The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 27-20 Saturday. The Bengals beat the Buffalo Bills 27-10 in a game with zero Irish football alumni.
All told, there were eight former Notre Dame players in the four Divisional Round playoff games. Here’s a look at how each fared.
Kevin Austin Jr. (Played at Notre Dame from 2018-21), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Was a member of the Jaguars’ practice squad all season and did not appear in a game.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at left guard and allowed 2 pressures in the 49ers’ 19-12 win over the Cowboys.
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Regular season: 16 games (all starts), 1 sack and 25 pressures allowed, 62.7 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
This week: Inactive for the Eagles’ 38-7 win over the Giants.
Regular season: Did not appear in a game.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
This week: Started and made 8 tackles in the Giants’ 38-7 loss to the Eagles
Regular season: 16 games (all starts), 124 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 passes broken up and 2 interceptions.
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Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
This week: Started at right guard and allowed 1 pressure in the Cowboys’ 19-12 loss to the 49ers.
Regular season: 17 games (all starts), 16 pressures allowed, 73.3 PFF overall grade.
Nick McCloud (2020), S, New York Giants
This week: Had 1 tackle in 30 defensive snaps in the Giants’ 38-7 loss to the Eagles.
Regular season: 14 games (eight starts), 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 passes broken up.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at right tackle and allowed 5 pressures in the 49ers’ 19-12 win over the Cowboys.
Regular season: 17 games (all starts), 6 sacks and 27 pressures allowed, 71.5 PFF overall grade.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
This week: Started and had a team-high 14 tackles in the Giants’ 38-7 loss to the Eagles.
Regular season: 13 games (11 starts), 87 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.
