Newsstand: Notre Dame had a top-three freshman performance in Week 3 per Pro Football Focus
Notre Dame had one of the best true freshmen in the country on the field this past weekend. Fighting Irish safety Kennedy Urlacher recorded the third-best Pro Football Focus game grade of Week 3. His score was 86.2.
Here’s a look at the top 10 freshmen per PFF in Week 3.
- Ryan Wingo, Texas wide receiver (89.4)
- Elija Lofton, Miami tight end (89.2)
- Kennedy Urlacher, Notre Dame safety (86.2)
- Tah’j Butler, Georgia Tech linebacker (83.0)
- Caden Durham, LSU running back (82.5)
- Trelain Maddox, Georgia Tech running back (80.3)
- Glenn Seabrooks III, Vanderbilt defensive lineman (80.2)
- Simeon Coleman, Cincinnati linebacker (80.0)
- Decker DeGraaf, Washington tight end (77.6)
- Jordan Lyle, Miami running back (76.5)
Urlacher was the lowest-rated signee in the Fighting Irish’s class of 2024. He was the No. 707 player in the country and the No. 75 safety per the On3 Industry Ranking. What he did Saturday at Purdue, though, was undeniable.
Irish head coach Marcus Freeman called Urlacher a “ball hawk” in his Monday press conference. In one half, Urlacher finished tied for second among all Irish defensive players with 3 total tackles. Two of those were solo, and he also had a pass breakup.
Urlacher was flying to the football. He showed plenty of closing speed and a willingness to hit. The combination of those two things will get a safety on the football field. The Irish have some more experienced players at that spot playing over him, but his time in the regular rotation seems to be coming.
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Fighting Irish quote of the day
“Oh, man. He played really well, which I knew he would. We have a lot of confidence in Steve Angeli. He made good decisions, took care of the ball. I know he wishes that he wouldn’t have took those sacks, but, man, I was really pleased and proud of the way Steve played.”
— Freeman on Irish backup quarterback Steve Angeli
Blue & Gold headlines of the day
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