Notre Dame in the NFL: Eight former Irish players in Divisional Round of playoffs
The NFL playoffs are through the first round, which reduced the field from 14 to eight. Notre Dame football will maintain strong representation into the second weekend. Eight former Irish players are on teams that will play in the Divisional Round Jan. 21-22.
Five of the eight teams remaining have at least one former Domer on the roster or practice squad. Here’s an overview:
• Dallas Cowboys: guard Zack Martin
• Jacksonville Jaguars: wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (practice squad)
• New York Giants: safety Julian Love, safety Nick McCloud, linebacker Jaylon Smith
• Philadelphia Eagles: quarterback Ian Book
• San Francisco 49ers: guard Aaron Banks, tackle Mike McGlinchey
Six of those eight started at least eight regular-season games this year. The other two have yet to see action. Eleven former Notre Dame players saw their seasons end in the wild card round.
All told, 19 former Notre Dame players were on a roster or a practice squad of a team in the NFL playoffs. Here’s a look at how each fared in the wild card round.
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Kevin Austin Jr. (Played at Notre Dame from 2018-21), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Has been a member of the Jaguars’ practice squad all season, but has not appeared in a game.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at left guard and allowed 2 pressures in the 49ers 41-23 win over the Seahawks.
Regular season: 16 games (all starts), 1 sack and 25 pressures allowed, 62.7 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
This week: The Eagles are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and did not play.
Regular season: Did not appear in a game.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
This week: Missed the Dolphins’ 34-31 loss to the Bills with a hand injury.
Regular season: 10 games (all starts), 2 sacks and 27 pressures allowed, 39.8 PFF overall grade.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
This week: Started and had 5 tackles and 1 pass broken up in the Chargers’ 31-30 loss to the Jaguars.
Regular season: 17 games (five starts), 58 tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes broken up, 1 fumble recovery.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This week: Did not play in the Bucs’ 31-14 loss to the Cowboys … Bumped from the starting lineup when center Ryan Jensen returned for the playoffs after missing the entire regular season due to injury.
Regular season: 17 games (all starts), 0 sacks and 21 pressures allowed, 66.6 PFF overall grade.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
This week: Started and made a team-high 9 tackles with 1 forced fumble in the Ravens’ 24-17 loss to the Bengals
Regular season: 16 games (4 starts), 62 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 passes broken up, 1 forced fumble.
Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Waived/injured by the Ravens at final cuts and placed on injured reserve … Did not play in a game this year.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Seattle Seahawks
This week: Signed from the Seahawks’ practice squad to the active roster, but was inactive for the 41-23 loss to the 49ers.
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Regular season: Six games, 10 carries for 24 yards and 5 catches for 30 yards between the Saints and the Seahawks … Waived by the Saints Oct. 8 and claimed by the Seahawks Oct. 10 … Waived Dec. 21 and returned to the practice squad.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
This week: Started and made 4 tackles in the Giants’ 31-24 win over the Vikings.
Regular season: 16 games (all starts), 124 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 passes broken up and 2 interceptions.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
This week: Started at right guard and allowed 0 pressures in the Cowboys’ 31-14 win over the Bucs.
Regular season: 17 games (all starts), 16 pressures allowed, 73.3 PFF overall grade.
Nick McCloud (2020), S, New York Giants
This week: Had 2 tackles in the Giants’ 22-16 win over the Vikings.
Regular season: 14 games (eight starts), 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 passes broken up.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at right tackle and allowed 0 pressures in the 49ers’ 41-23 win over the Seahawks.
Regular season: 17 games (all starts), 6 sacks and 27 pressures allowed, 71.5 PFF overall grade.
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Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This week: Inactive for the Bucs’ 31-14 loss to the Cowboys.
Regular season: Eight games, 79 offensive snaps, 3 catches for 28 yards and 1 touchdown.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
This week: Started and had 3 tackles in the Vikings’ 31-24 loss to the Giants.
Regular season: 14 games (all starts), 85 tackles, 5 interceptions, 5 passes broken up.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
This week: Started and had 7 tackles in the Giants’ 31-24 win over the Vikings.
Regular season: 13 games (11 starts), 87 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
This week: 1 catch for 20 yards in the Dolphins’ 34-31 loss to the Bills.
Regular season: 16 games (15 starts), 15 catches for 129 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 rushing attempts for 1 yard and 1 touchdown.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
This week: Started at left tackle and allowed 0 pressures in the Ravens’ 24-17 loss to the Bengals.
Regular season: 11 games (all starts), 1 sack and 16 pressures allowed, 70.9 PFF overall grade.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
This week: Started and had 5 tackles and 1 interception in the Chargers’ 31-30 loss to the Jaguars.
Season: 17 games (16 starts), 146 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 passes broken up, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble.
