Notre Dame in the NFL: Ronnie Stanley finds groove in midseason return

Former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley generated headlines over the offseason for finally, after playing 7 games between 2020-21 and dealing with a nagging ankle injury in 2022, being healthy. That’s why it must’ve hurt even more when he went down with a knee injury in Week 1 of this season, forcing him to miss the next 3 games.

Stanley returned in Week 5, but in Weeks 6 and 7, he looked more like the dominant offensive tackle Ravens and Notre Dame fans remember.

RONNIE STANLEY KILLED A GUY & DUMPED HIS BODY OUT OF THE END ZONE 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/RPMjwXjZQD

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 22, 2023

Stanley turned in a 73.3 run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and a 77.2 pass-blocking grade in Week 7. His numbers were even better in Week 6 at 75.3 and 78.2, respectively. The 2016 No. 6 overall pick will look to build on his strong midseason performance next week against the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

Here’s how every other former Notre Dame player in the NFL did in Week 7.

Brandon Aubrey (played for Notre Dame from 2013-16), K, Dallas Cowboys

Result: BYE

Aaron Banks (2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers

Result: 22-17 loss to Vikings

Banks allowed 2 pressures and was given a 32.9 overall PFF grade, primarily due to poor run blocking.

Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: 24-17 win over Rams

Boykin played on special teams this week, not on offense.

Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Miami Dolphins

Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles

Claypool was active for the first time as a Dolphin, playing 4 snaps. He was not targeted. Teams that employ the former Notre Dame wide receiver, not counting the two games for which the Bears sent him home, have lost 16 in a row.

Scott Daly (2012-16), LS, Detroit Lions

Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens

Daly snapped successfully 4 times, all on punts.

Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins

Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles

Eichenberg started for the second-straight week. He allowed only 1 pressure but was given a 47.8 overall PFF grade.

Isaiah Foskey (2019-22), DE, New Orleans Saints

Result: 31-24 loss to Jaguars

Foskey only played 3 snaps this week and did not make the stat sheet.

Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers 

Result: 31-17 loss to Chiefs

Gilman missed his third-straight game with an injured heel. He has not yet been placed on injured reserve.

Blake Grupe (2022), K, New Orleans Saints

Result: 31-24 loss to Jaguars

Grupe went 3/4 on field goals and 1/1 on extra ponts.

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Result: 16-13 loss to Falcons

Hainsey allowed only 1 pressure but struggled in the run game, finishing with a 45.4 PFF grade.

Kyle Hamilton (2019-2021), S, Baltimore Ravens

Result: 38-6 win over Lions

Hamilton made 7 tackles, 1 for loss, continuing his breakout campaign in his second season out of Notre Dame. He allowed 2 catches on 4 targets for 35 yards.

Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans

Result: BYE

J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers

Result: BYE

Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Arizona Cardinals (practice squad)

Result: 20-10 loss to Seahawks

Jones was released by the Cardinals but re-signed to their practice squad Friday.

Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears

Result: 30-12 win over Raiders

Kmet was not targeted, which is unusual for the former Notre Dame tight end.

Julian Love (2015-18), DB, Seattle Seahawks

Result: 20-10 win over Cardinals

Love made 6 tackles. He allowed 2 receptions on 3 targets for only 12 yards.

Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys

Result: BYE

Michael Mayer (2020-22), TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Result: 30-12 loss to Bears

Mayer caught 2 of his 4 targets for 13 yards. The former Notre Dame All-American tight end has been more involved in the Raiders’ offense the past three weeks.

Nick McCloud (2020), CB, New York Giants

Result: 14-7 win over Commanders

McCloud played 16 snaps on defense, his most since Week 1. He made two tackles.

Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, Denver Broncos

Result: 19-17 win over Packers

McGlinchey allowed 5 pressures, turning in a 38.4 PFF pass-blocking grade. He did well in the run game, though.

Sam Mustipher (2014-18), OL, Baltimore Ravens

Result: 38-6 win over Lions

Mustipher was a healthy scratch.

Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts

Result: 39-38 loss to Browns

Nelson earned a 77.3 pass-blocking grade, allowing only 1 pressure.

Julian Okwara (2016-19), EDGE, Detroit Lions

Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens

Okwara tallied one quarterback hit.

Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions 

Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens

Okwara played 10 snaps and did not make the stat sheet.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns 

Result: 39-38 win over Colts

Owusu-Koramoah made 4 tackles and allowed 2 receptions for 27 yards on 2 targets.

Jarrett Patterson (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans

Result: BYE

Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DE, Las Vegas Raiders

Result: 30-12 loss to Bears

Rochell made 4 tackles.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams

Result: 24-17 loss to Steelers

Skowronek was not targeted.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins

Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles

Smythe was not targeted.

Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings

Result: 22-17 win over 49ers

Smith made 6 tackles, 3 solo, and defended 1 pass. The former first-round pick out of Notre Dame still has it at 34 years old.

Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DL, Las Vegas Raiders 

Result: 30-12 loss to Bears

Tillery made 1 tackle and totaled 1 pressure.

Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs 

Result: 31-17 win over Chargers

Tranquill allowed 1 catch on 2 targets for 10 yards. He added a quarterback hit and 2 tackles.

Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers 

Result: BYE

Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Result: 24-17 loss to Steelers

Williams was placed on IR, sidelining him until at least Week 12. The former Notre Dame leading rusher is not expected to miss more time than that, though.

Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions

Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens

Wright was not targeted.