Head coach Brian Kelly has transformed Notre Dame into a legitimate pathway to the NFL since taking the reins in South Bend in 2010. The Fighting Irish had 8 players selected in last year’s NFL Draft, which tied with Alabama for second overall (LSU was No. 1 with 9 selections). Notre Dame, as expected, had a quiet presence in the most recent NFL Draft with tight end Ben Koyack being the only player selected late in the seventh-round. But Notre Dame’s silence this year serves as the calm before the 2016 NFL Draft’s storm, with the Irish having a potentially record-breaking number of draft-worthy prospects.
Below are a few of the most prominent and likely candidates.
Ronnie Stanley, LT
Though the former 4-star prospect out of Las Vegas has eligibility through the 2016 season, Stanley’s departure for the NFL is inevitable, particularly after NFL analysts tabbed him as the best offensive tackle in the 2015 draft class had Stanley declared. An extra year of polishing at the college level will only elevate Stanley’s game and increase his draft prospects for 2016.
Stanley’s physical ability – as well as position flexibility having played both right and left tackle – will make him a high first-round draft selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. SB Nation has already released an early 2016 mock draft and have Stanley projected as the third overall selection, which would be the highest position a Notre Dame player has gone since Rick Mirer was picked second overall in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand is rapidly developing a reputation as one of the best at his position in the country.
Jaylon Smith, LB
The former 5-star linebacker and Indiana native was the highest rated player Notre Dame had signed in the Internet recruiting era and has lived up to the hype. Though Smith will still have eligibility through the 2016 season – and has the type of character to stay an additional year – the second team All-American will be too highly coveted by the NFL to not come out early.
SB Nation’s 2016 mock draft has Smith going as the seventh overall selection, meaning Notre Dame is predicted to have two top ten draft picks for 2016. The last time Notre Dame had two top ten picks occurred in the 1993 NFL Draft when Rick Mirer was taken second overall and Jerome Bettis was taken at the ten spot.
KeiVarae Russell, CB
KeiVarae Russell’s career at Notre Dame has been a tumultuous one. The Everett (WA) native was recruited by Notre Dame as a running back before making the switch to cornerback. The position change appeared effortless by the athletic Russell – who nabbed second team All-American honors as a freshman in 2012 – before his trajectory to stardom was stymied by an academic scandal that forced him to miss the 2014 season.
Should Russell have the kind of season expected in 2015 with his ability to provide blanket man-to-man coverage, the NFL will draw Russell away from Notre Dame as an early second day draft selection.
Sheldon Day, DT
Sheldon Day followed the lead of Ronnie Stanley by returning for another season after testing the draft waters. The Notre Dame captain has first-round upside but suffered a knee injury against Northwestern late in the year that ended his season prematurely. The expectations for Day are high after being named to the Outland Trophy Watch List – an annual award given to the nation’s best interior lineman – and Notre Dame is counting on the senior to shore up a defensive line that struggled last season.
Elijah Shumate, S
The 2015 season is the final chance for the one-time 4-star recruit from Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey to reach his vast potential. The physical senior has accounted for only one interception and two pass breakups in his time at Notre Dame, but reports surfacing from spring camp have teased a breakthrough.
“We don’t see the missed assignments,” Kelly told the media. “Their [safeties] development is clearly evident and so much different than where we were at this time last year or anytime during the season.”
If Shumate can manage a successful senior campaign the NFL will be willing to take a chance on a physical safety in an increasingly pass-happy league.
Nick Martin, C
Notre Dame’s offensive line is expected to be the strongest unit on the team this season and captain Nick Martin will play an integral part. Great things were expected of Martin in 2014 – including being named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, an award given to the nation’s best center – but instead Martin battled season-long injuries and eventually was moved to left guard.
Now healthy and back at center, the sky is the limit for Martin. Add to the mix Notre Dame’s budding reputation for developing offensive linemen – as well as the historic success of Nick’s brother, Zack, in the NFL – and a draft selection is inevitable.
Everett Golson, QB
Golson is included on this list, though it remains to be seen whether his final year of college eligibility will be at Notre Dame. And while Golson has physical talent conducive to the NFL, there are questions as to whether or not he will be drafted in 2016, which is why he is the final candidate on this list.
Quarterback Brett Hundley – who has roughly the same 40-yard dash time as Golson despite being three inches taller and 26 pounds heavier – had a record-setting career at UCLA, and at one point was considered the best quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft class had he entered the NFL early. Hundley, a career 67-percent passer, threw 25 career interceptions in three seasons at UCLA. Golson has thrown 20 interceptions in just two.
Despite such intangibles Hundley tumbled in the NFL Draft until taken by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth-round. Such a development is not a positive one for Golson, particularly after a turnover-plagued season in 2014.
Golson has attributes that can be carried over into the NFL but has a long way to go before the 2016 NFL Draft.
Honorable Mentions
Forty-three underclassmen were drafted in the first three rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft and Notre Dame has many athletes that will have eligibility remaining beyond the 2016 NFL Draft that are talented enough to potentially declare early next year. Honorable mentions for next year’s draft include wide receiver Will Fuller, defensive tackle Jarron Jones, safety Max Redfield, running back Tarean Folston, defensive end Isaac Rochell, right guard Steve Elmer and cornerback Cole Luke.
Scott Janssen is a blogger for the Huffington Post and has authored several nationally-featured articles, including an appearance on MSNBC as a sports contributor. He talks football 24 hours a day, much to the chagrin of his wife and those around him. Scott can be reached at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.
I wish Golson well! Go for it Malik! Its your team now! Let’s bring it on and take it to opposing defenses!
GO IRISH!
It’ll be interesting to see if he ends up at LSU. If he does one can only assume the previous story had some legs and he and his guru were being less than honest when they said there was nothing to it.
Bring on Malik!!!!
Golson is transferring according to ESPN. I wish him all the luck at another school.
So whining, whether you want to admit it or not, is the most important thing???
If Dick doesn’t care then none of us should.
Who cares? I know I do not! The main concern at ND should be and I suspect it is winning ballgames.
Winning, whether you want to admit it or not is the most important thing a coach can do for his college.
Does it matter if a player is rated a 5,4,3? It looks good but if said player does not perform and many do not, it doesn’t mean a damn thing. The focus should be on winning, period and as we know the teams that focus on that are generally successful. Go Irish!!
Golson, Martin, Shumate, Russell, and Day are all obviously leaving as they are out of eligibility in 2016. Stanley will leave as well though he would have a year left if he wanted. He has already entertained the idea of the NFL once and will not pass the chance a second time. I’m not that sure Smith would bolt though he seems a very steady and level headed type. The same goes for Fuller, both Smith and Fuller would be welcomed in the draft with open arms though. As for the rest of your honorable mentions; Jones needs a season where he is not injured, Redfield needs a season where he is not benched, Folston needs a 1000yd. season, Elmer needs a full season at one position, Rochelle just needs another season, finally Luke would be a mystery to me (I suppose I would put him in the Fuller/Smith category as CBs of his caliber leave early and are drafted often). Here are a few you forgot and with a good season could put their names in the ring easily: Schmidt, Grace, Farley, Procise, Carlisle, and Sebastion.
RKG
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/10/ridiculously-photogenic-running-back-cam-mcdaniel-had-an-awkward-interview-on-nbcs-today-show
I’ll always remember Cam for the photo of him running through the middle of the USC defense without his helmet.
Run Cam Run!
Cam McDaniel was signed as undrafted free agent by the Comboys….
If Cam wanted a practice squad job I’d think he’d get one if for no other reason than that he’s a coaches dream player, though I’d be surprised to see him play Sundays beyond special teams. He lacks the speed and/or size component that would make him one of those that go from obscurity to starter, but he could be that guy that didn’t have the genes, but gets into coaching.
Irish fans – anyone have a strong opinion on whether Cam McDaniel will get a shot somewhere?
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Hey Dustin, I’d be shocked if Cam doesn’t end up on a roster/practice squad.
Cam McDaniel is working to earn a spot in the Dallas Cowboys camp.
@Shazamrock
I’m a huge fan of CJ Prosise and I think he definitely has a future in the NFL with the way he’s been playing this spring. The only reason he wasn’t included in this article is because he has eligibility through the 2016 season, and I honestly think he’ll stay and won’t come out early. But absolutely, Prosise has a great chance to be an NFL pick in the future.
C’mon Man…. no love for CJ Prosise?
6’1″ 220. Can play WR, Slot, RB… He is sure to be on somebody’s radar… not yours, but somebody’s.
Great article!
Irish fans – anyone have a strong opinion on whether Cam McDaniel will get a shot somewhere? I’d be a bit surprised to see him totally ignored, but maybe teams are waiting for the veteran / UFA combine?