How did Notre Dame fare against The Athletic’s 2021 NFL prospects Freaks List?
Each yeah, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic shares a list of freakish college football players aptly named the “Freaks List.” On Wednesday, Feldman revisited the 2021 Freaks List, this time focusing on the class of NFL prospects and who might perform “freakishly” at the NFL Combine this week.
Below is a look at safety Kyle Hamilton — the only Notre Dame player on the list — as well as several of Notre Dame’s opponents from this past year. How might Hamilton do this week and how did the Irish perform against the best of the best in 2021?
No. 5 — Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton started the year at No. 3 and fell down to No. 5, but the drop is rather inconsequential. He missed half of the season and is still an expected top-five NFL Draft selection. Hamilton has rare height — 6-foot-4 — for a safety, allowing him to cover an immense amount of ground.
No. 10 — Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal
The 6-foot-2, 261-pound linebacker posted a team-leading 96 tackles in 2021 plus eight sacks and two forced fumbles. The game against Notre Dame on Sept. 25 was his first of the season, and he had eight tackles and a forced fumble. Chenal was a three-star recruit, but he earned five-star status according to his On3 college player rating.
No. 23 — Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce
Pierce was a massive problem for the Irish when the Bearcats came to Notre Dame on Oct. 2. He caught six passes for 144 yards, including a 45-yard reception. He finished the year with 52 catches for 884 yards (17.0 yards per catch) and eight scores. What Pierce lacks in the blocking category he makes up for with his size and speed combination.
No. 26 — Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis
Karlaftis is one of the nation’s best EDGE rushers, but Notre Dame was able to limit his impact when they hosted Purdue on Sept. 11; Karlaftis had just two tackles and 0.5 sacks against the Irish. Karlaftis finished the season with 44 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and he produced at that level whilst facing double and triple-team situations all year. He will be a standout at the next level and is expected to be a first-round pick.
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No. 28 — Wisconsin DL Matt Henningsen
Henningsen had four tackles and a sack against the Irish in Chicago on Sept. 25, and finished with 3.5 on the season. Despite being nearly 300 pounds, Henningsen is quick; the former walk-on ran a 1.59 10-yard split and hit 19.34 miles per hour on the GPS. That quickness will be highly coveted come April.
No. 32 — Toledo S Tycen Anderson
Anderson did not play against Notre Dame due to injury, but he played all over the field once he returned. The fifth-year player finished with 44 tackles, two passes broken up, a sack and a forced fumble. Anderson is 6-foot-2, but he is quick. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him dip into a high 4.3s this week, and he is certainly in the 4.4 range.
No. 34 — Purdue RB Zander Horvath
Horvath, a native of Mishawaka, Ind., is a jack of all trades. He led the team last year in all-purpose yardage, and the 232-pounder runs a 4.4 40. Like Anderson, Horvath missed the Notre Dame game. He suffered a broken fibula on Sept. 11 and did not return until Oct. 30.
No. 40 — Purdue EDGE DaMarcus Mitchell
What happened when opponents double and triple teamed Karlaftis? Mitchell was allowed to run free. The junior college transfer notched 4.5 sacks of his own, recorded 25 tackles and broke up a pair of passes. He was responsible for one of the four sacks the Boilermakers accumulated against Notre Dame on Sept. 18.
