Notre Dame setting the NFL standard with its undrafted free-agent contributors

There’s a common misnomer that the undrafted college players each year hold little chance of ever making an NFL roster, when nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, 14 former Irish players in 2021 — or more than 30 percent of Notre Dame’s total NFL representation last season — found their professional homes via the undrafted free-agency route.

With 14 undrafted players on NFL rosters last season, Notre Dame featured the most from a single school in the country. 

For comparison, Ohio State and Iowa had 13. Alabama and Georgia each featured 11 undrafted NFL players last season. Michigan and Oklahoma both provided six and Clemson fielded only three. 

Interestingly, six of those former undrafted Irish players landed with the Detroit Lions. 

An argument could actually be made that rather than getting trapped on a particular team with a sixth- or seventh-round selection, free agency and the ability to shop for the best franchise fit might provide a more flexible and preferred route onto a NFL roster. 

And that’s what gives these six 2022 Notre Dame undrafted free agents plenty of hope for a bright NFL future: DL Kurt Hinish (Houston); WR Kevin Austin Jr. (Jacksonville); LB Drew White (Washington); DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Las Vegas); QB Jack Coan (Indianapolis); LB Isaiah Pryor (New Orleans).

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Making their mark

The 14 undrafted Irish free agents on NFL rosters in 2021 (years at Notre Dame in parenthesis):

• Josh Adams (2015-17), RB, New Orleans Saints

Recorded no carries in one appearance for the Jets last season. During brief stints and spot work with the Jets and Eagles since going undrafted in 2018, Adams made 26 appearances with 680 rushing yards and five touchdowns before signing with the Saints in January. 

• Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Chicago Bears

Appeared in all 17 games for the Bears in 2021 with three starts. Known for his versatility, Bars — who recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders — started at both guard positions and center in two productive seasons with the Bears.

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

Undrafted in 2017, Daly was signed and cut by the Cowboys in 2018 then bounced around the AAF and XFL novelty leagues before finding his home in Detroit last season after earning the full-time job as the Lions starter. 

• Jalen Elliott (2016-19), S, Detroit Lions

Elevated from the practice squad to the active roster last October, Elliott played in 10 of the team’s final 12 games and recorded 12 tackles — seven solo — as a backup safety and special teams player. 

• Chris Finke (2015-19), WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Listed as a fourth-string wideout with the AFC West champions, Finke didn’t appear in any games last season but stuck with the team as an insurance policy and a valuable practice squad player. 

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

Undrafted in 2008, Jansen briefly played with the Packers before being traded to the Panthers in 2009 and has spent the last 13 seasons and 209 games there as a reliable special teams member and a 2013 pro-bowl selection. 

• Jamir Jones (2006-19), DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Well-traveled after going undrafted in 2020, Jones had already made brief stops on three different teams before landing in Jacksonville late last season. Playing for the Steelers, Rams and Jaguars in 2021, Jones recorded 10 tackles in 15 games and made one start. 

• Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints

An ankle injury in Week 4 cost Jones some playing time as a backup last season but he still appeared in 12 games, including the final eight. He made four starts and rushed for 142 yards on 54 carries. 

• Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions

A bumpy ride early last season while bouncing between Detroit’s practice squad and active duty, Kraemer found his niche and appeared in the team’s final eight games and made three starts. 

• Nick McCloud (2020), DB, Buffalo Bills

In his second stint with the Bills, McCloud has teetered between active roster and the waiver wire and has yet to find his NFL footing, though he did make two appearances at cornerback for the Bengals in 2021. 

• Javon McKinley (2016-20), WR, Detroit Lions

A 2021 draft hopeful after a break-out graduate year at Notre Dame in 2020, McKinley made one appearance for the Lions in the team’s final game last season and recorded no statistics. 

• Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears

The most established player on this NFL list of former Irish undrafted free agents, Mustipher in the last two seasons with the Bears played in 26 games with 24 starts. Musipher started in all 17 games for the Bears last season. 

• Romeo Okwara, (2012-15), LB, Detroit Lions

A full-time starter and a player on the rise after recording 44 tackles and 10.0 sacks for the Lions in 2020, Okwara inked a three-year, $39 million contract extension in March of 2021 and picked up where he left off before an Achilles injury ended his 2021 season in Week 4.

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

Even after going undrafted in 2021, Wright wasted no time making his mark with the Lions. In 12 games last season, Wright recorded 12 catches for 117 yards with two touchdowns, putting himself in line for a secure spot with Detroit or another franchise for years to come.