Notre Dame listed as a top-five program for NFL hopefuls
Want to make it to the league? You may want to take a look at Notre Dame.
Earlier this week, RJ Young of Fox Sports released a list of “top schools to get you drafted” to the NFL. Notre Dame checked in at No. 4, behind Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia. Oklahoma rounds out the top five.
The numbers will change in less than a week when a new class is drafted in Las Vegas beginning on Thursday, but for now, Notre Dame leads college football all-time with 520 NFL Draft picks. Ohio State is third (473), Oklahoma is fourth (402), Alabama is sixth (384), and Georgia is 14th (346).
However, since 2000, it’s a different story. Ohio State leads the pack with 151 since the turn of the century, while Alabama is second at 137.
The Irish have had 99 players drafted since the turn of the century, meaning safety Kyle Hamilton is set to be No. 100 when — barring unforeseen circumstances — he is taken in the first round of next week’s NFL Draft. Quarterback Jarious Jackson was the only Irish player taken in 2000, and Ade Ogundeji was the most recent Notre Dame player drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
PROMOTION: Sign up for just $1 for your first year at Blue & Gold
Explaining Young’s order
Considering Alabama’s draft success under current head coach Nick Saban, flipping the Crimson Tide and the Buckeyes makes sense. Here is what the list looks like over the last five years:
Top 10
- 1
Updated SEC title game scenarios
The path to the championship game is clear
- 2
SEC refs under fire
'Incorrect call' wipes Bama TD away
- 3
'Fire Kelly' chants at LSU
Death Valley disapproval of Brian Kelly
- 4New
Chipper Jones
Braves legend fiercely defends SEC
- 5
Drinkwitz warns MSU
Mizzou coach sounded off
- Alabama: 51 picks (21 first-round)
- Ohio State: 43 (11)
- Georgia: 30 (7)
- Notre Dame: 26 (3)
- Oklahoma: 25 (5)
Obviously, the list here reflects Young’s rankings when accounting for total draft picks; Alabama’s 51 selections mean Alabama gets the top spot. Plus, the Tide are set to add anywhere from eight to 10 additional picks in this week’s draft.
In addition to Hamilton, it seems likely Notre Dame will have three or four additional players selected next weekend, although there may be zero on Friday. Running back Kyren Williams, receiver Kevin Austin, quarterback Jack Coan and defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa are on the list. Williams and Coan are likely locks to be drafted, while Austin and Tagovailoa-Amosa are fringe Day 3 selections.
Austin’s draft position appears to have the most uncertainty surrounding it. He played well last season — leading the Irish receiving corps with 48 catches for 888 yards (18.5 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns — but those 13 games are the only sample for NFL teams. He did not play much during his first few years at Notre Dame due to a suspension and multiple injuries.
The 6-2 wideout performed well at the NFL Combine and Notre Dame’s pro day, likely increasing his draft stock, but this is a wide receiver-heavy draft. Austin could go as early as the fourth round, but he could also be signed as a free agent.
