How many Notre Dame graduates are getting drafted into the NFL this year?

Position-by-position

Quarterback

Nate Montana has graduated to the University of Montana, presumably because a starting spot was on the table.  So the next time you're taking in a ballgame at ole Washington-Grizzly Stadium and see the Montana kid uh...playing decently.  Walk over to the closest other crowd member and tell them "There goes a Notre Dame man".

But make sure they know you're saying it ironically

Running Back

Armando Allen - Ranked 34th, Projection: Undrafted

It'd be one thing to have durability issues but undoubted flashes of dominance.  But not being healthy all four seasons, getting de-emphasized in the offense his senior year, and not really having anything beyond the first two games of 2009 to submit as "Armando doin' work" moments, there's just way too much working against AA even he wasn't too small to be running a 4.5. 

If players needed more motivation to want to make it to the league, the prospect of being invited to this should fill the gap

Fullback

Robert Hughes - Ranked 8th, Projection: 7th round-Free Agent

Apparently once you're big and slow enough, you just get slated as a fullback.  Let's go ahead and put him at undrafted, because who spends a pick on a fullback that they don't need to?  But look for Hughes to go to mini-camp (whenever that is) with someone.  He's got skill, has stayed healthy, and was trending upward near the end of his career.  Specialists get paid in the pros, and if Hughes can establish himself as a short-yardage back, he can carve out a few years.

Wide Receiver

Duval Kamara - Ranked 96th, Projection: Undrafted

I'm waiting till "I Wish I Could Tell Ya: The Duval Kamara Story" comes out on bookshelves to figure out what the hall happened over four years in South Bend, and really want to reserve any additional judgment until then.  But I'll say this, even though he's big and strong (6'4", 226 lbs), at his speed (4.62 40-yd dash), Kumara really needed to have a prolific career where he proved himself capable of consistently getting open to get a chance.  He didn't have that.

Tight End

Kyle Rudolph - Ranked 1st, Projection: 1st-2nd round

Hot diggity.  Rudolph has at least the guaranteed years of his rookie contract ahead of him.  Without elite speed and mild injury concerns, there's a chance he slips to the 2nd round, but I doubt it, as he's the unquestioned guy for the first team that has need at the tight end position.  ND tight ends (Fasano, Carlson) have been solid, unspectacular starters in the NFL, so I would put that as the basement for Rudolph's career.

Tackle

Taylor Dever is coming back for a 5th year, and Matt Romine is listed as 999th on the prospect list.  That's right, Matt Romine just broke this prospect page.

Guard

Chris Stewart - Ranked 26th, Projection: Undrafted

346 pounds is a lot heavier than most guards run at these days, and Stewart isn't overpowering enough to justify his lack of footspeed at the next level.  On the bright side, he's still a whip-smart guy, had an admirable career at ND, and some law school intramural team is going to run the hell out of the ball this fall.

Basic message: Rudolph's a lock, everyone else is iffy

Center

Dan Wenger is coming back, and Braxston Cave is too young, but speaking of centers, Torin Francis is just waiting for his shot at the pros.

Defensive End

Ethan Johnson and Kapron Lewis-Moore are both juniors, with no one ahead of them.  Sounds like someone didn't recruit the D-line one of these years.

Defensive Tackle

Ian Williams - Ranked 14th, Projection: 4th round

I've been pretty forthright in saying that I for one can't figure Ian Williams out.  But for all the time he spent as a main cog in some underwhelming defenses, and never was responsible for a lot of big plays, he's a hard-worker, has good size, and did wonders for his stock at the Senior Bowl.  He's going to be a mid-round selection, he's going to make a team, and he's going to have a shot to stick in the league.  All you can ask for.

Outside Linebacker

Kerry Neal - Ranked 78th, Projection: Undrafted

Apparently 'enigma' is not one of the buzzwords scouts look for when latching onto a prospect.  Neal was a DE-LB hybird pass-rusher who never could consistently get to the passer, was at best adapting to the idea of pass coverage, and runs a 4.78.  That's a mix made for the CFL.

Brian Smith - Ranked 48th, Projection: Undrafted

I shied away from extreme optimism so far, but here's where the floodwaters rush over.  Smith is a player.  He wasn't a player, for more than 40 games.  He overreached, overran, and blew assignments, but then he figured things out with far fewer games left in his career than he needed to impress scouts.  If he gets into a pro camp, he can impress, but he's gotta overcome a few things.  The end of his season makes it seem like he's better suited for the interior, but he's too small, and will need to bulk up to fit there long-term.  I hope he tries.

Middle Linebacker

Could be Brian Smith, but as it is, the only team that might draft a Notre Dame middle linebacker this year is The Mormons.

Free Safety

No, Jamoris Slaughter is not leaving early.

Soooooo good, you tossers

Strong Safety

The SS crop isn't the strongest this season, but I won't question Smith's decision to return.  He'll benefit from having a second year in a row at the position, seems to be getting better at reading coverages all the time, and really, really needs to establish an elite skill to make up for being such a 'tweener.

Cornerback

Darrin Walls - Ranked 36th, Projection: Undrafted

Alright, this is a ******* outrage.  Walls has pro-speed (4.47), pro-size (6'0", 188 lbs), and was the top corner on a team that really had a very good pass defense that didn't get burnt deep.  He's criminally overlooked, has great character, and is now going to have to battle through some crap contract his opening years, and never earn as much money as he should.  He didn't even get invited to the combine!  Or the Senior Bowl!  It's a disgrace. 


Hmm, it seems like I've completely lost any shred of objectivity.  Probably time to call it.



Follow On Down The Line on Twitter @ OnDownTheLineND and on Facebook