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Notre Dame in the NFL: Which former Fighting Irish made NFL rosters?

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•09/06/23•

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Brandon Aubrey Cowboys
Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

Despite a busy cut-down day for the NFL, 34 former Notre Dame football players — and one former Notre Dame men’s soccer player — survived to make active rosters. Here are those 35 players, listed in alphabetical order, along with where they stand on their respective teams.

Former Notre Dame players on an active NFL roster

Brandon Aubrey (played at Notre Dame from 2013-16), K, Dallas Cowboys: Surprise! The first player on this list played soccer at Notre Dame, not football. After a short stint in Major League Soccer and a few years out of sports alogether, Aubrey played in the USFL in 2022 and signed with the Dallas Cowboys in July. He will be the Cowboys’ kicker when they open their season against the Giants on Sunday Night Football.

Aaron Banks (2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers: Banks will start at left guard for a 49ers team that expects to contend for the NFC Championship again. He plays next to Trent Williams, one of the best left tackles of all time.

Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Boykin is a backup, but he made the Steelers’ roster by performing on special teams.

Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Chicago Bears: Claypool, by all accounts, showed more of a connection with Bears quarterback Justin Fields in training camp than he did last season. DJ Moore is the No. 1 receiver in Chicago, but Claypool will have a big role. 

Scott Daly (2012-16), LS, Detroit Lions: Daly won a long snapper competition in August, beating former Pro Bowler Jake McQuaide. This will be his third season in Detroit.

Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins listed Eichenberg as their starting left guard in the depth chart that they released Tuesday. He’ll protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Isaiah Foskey (2019-22), DE, New Orleans Saints: Foskey started slowly but had a sack and three more pressures in the preseason finale against the Texans. He’s listed as the Saints’ third-string right defensive end.

Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers: Gilman dealt with a knee bruise in the preseason. If healthy, he’ll start alongside star safety (when he’s healthy) Derwin James Jr. in a big year for the Chargers. 

Blake Grupe (2022), K, New Orleans Saints: The kicker from Sedalia (Mo.) Smith-Cotton, Arkansas State and Notre Dame won the Saints’ job over longtime starter Will Lutz, who was traded to the Broncos. Grupe said he had to prove who he was multiple times to get past ushers onto fields and into locker rooms due to his 5-foot-7, 156-pound frame, but he’ll start for the Saints as a rookie

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hainsey will be the Buccaneers’ starting center this season, snapping to former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield.

Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens: The word out of Ravens camp is that a major breakout season is coming for Hamilton, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s part of a talented Ravens secondary that also includes Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans: For the second year in a row after being undrafted in 2022, Hinish made the Texans’ active roster. His brother, Donovan Hinish, is a current sophomore at Notre Dame who cracked the defensive tackle rotation in the first two games.

J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Jansen holds the record for most games played by a Carolina Panther, appearing in 225 straight. He is the 10th-longest tenured active NFL player.

Khalid Kareem (2017-19), DE, Chicago Bears: The Bears claimed Kareem off waivers after he was cut by the Colts. Chicago leads the NFL in former Notre Dame players on their active roster with four.

Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears: Speaking of which, the Bears signed Kmet to a four-year, $50 million extension in late July. He scored seven touchdowns in 2022 and will be a major fixture in Chicago’s offense going forward.

Julian Love (2015-18), DB, Seattle Seahawks: Love is a vital player in Seattle’s defense, having signed a two-year, $12 million contract after a successful tenure with the Giants. With Jamal Adams still recovering from a torn quadricepts tendon, the Seahawks will need Love to perform.

Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Martin ended his holdout after the Cowboys gave him a significant raise, moving him up to third on the list of the highest-paid guards in the NFL. Even at 33, Martin continues to play at a high level.

Michael Mayer (2020-22), TE, Las Vegas Raiders: Mayer is listed behind veteran Austin Hooper on the Raiders’ depth chart, but he’s expected to take over the starting role sooner than later. 

Nick McCloud (2020), CB, New York Giants: McCloud moved to safety this offseason and was expected to fill the versatile DB role Love left when he went to Seattle. He’s listed as the third-string nickelback, though.

Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, Denver Broncos: McGlinchey dealt with a knee sprain in preseason, but he’ll play in Week 1 against the Raiders. The Broncos signed McGlinchey to a five-year, $87.5 million contract this offseason after a five-year stint in San Francisco.

Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts: 2022 was a down year for Nelson and the Colts in general, even though he was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl in five seasons. He’ll look to bounce back in 2023 with a new quarterback in Anthony Richardson.

Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions: Okwara made the Lions’ roster, but not by much. He’s listed as a third-string defensive end. 

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns: Owusu-Koramoah added weight over the offseason and believes he maintained his speed. Now wearing the No. 6 he wore at Notre Dame, the Browns believe he could break out. 

Jarrett Patterson (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans: Patterson will start at center in Week 1 for the Texans, months after being selected in the sixth round. He’ll snap to fellow rookie CJ Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams: Skowronek will play on special teams for the Rams. He’s listed as Cooper Kupp’s backup, but Kupp’s injury might give him a shot at some more snaps on offense.

Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Smith is still going strong in Year 12. He’s had a prolific career, as his 946 tackles lead all active defensive backs, and his 34 interceptions are tied for the lead.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Reports out of Dolphins camp indicate Smythe has been more involved as a receiver. He’ll start in what should be a high-flying passing game alongside star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears: The Bears re-signed St. Brown to a one-year deal before the end of the 2022 season because they like his blocking. He’ll play on early downs but largely back up Claypool, Moore and Darnell Mooney.

Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: It’s a make or break year for Stanley after dealing with injuries for the past three years. He missed a couple practices in training camp, but he should be good to go for Baltimore.

Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DL, Las Vegas Raiders: Tillery was waived by the Chargers midway through 2022, but he found a home in Las Vegas. He’ll start for the Raiders. 

Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs: There’s a lot of buzz about Tranquill, a free agent from the Chargers, in Kansas City. Tranquill is listed as a backup to star linebacker Nick Bolton, but he’ll play, especially on passing downs.

Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers: Tremble will play significant time alongside veteran tight end Hayden Hurst, with notoriously tight end-friendly coach Frank Reich at the helm. He’ll catch passes from No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams: Williams had a good training camp. He’s listed as the backup to starting RB Cam Akers, but Akers’ availability was an issue last season. Williams should see the field plenty.

Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions: He’ll face competition from Sam LaPorta, a rookie from Iowa, but Wright took over as TE1 after the Lions traded T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings. For now, he’ll remain in that role.

Total: Twenty-three former Notre Dame players are projected to start in Week 1.

Former Fighting Irish player on injured reserve

Former Notre Dame players who were cut but signed to a practice squad

Former Fighting Irish players who were cut and have not been signed (last team listed)

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