An even dozen

Notre Dame picked up their 12^th verbal commitment from the class of 2013.  6’4” 220 lb. four-star tight end Mike Heuerman has chosen the Irish over national power houses including Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Florida State, LSU and Ohio State (where his brother plays), among many others.  Although Brian Kelly seems overstocked on tight ends, he did not get one from last year’s recruiting class.  Technically, the Irish have another tight end commit from the class of 2013 in Jacob Matuska (out of Urban Myers backyard of Columbus Ohio), but at 240 lbs. as a high school junior, he may end up being an end on the defensive side of the ball for the Irish.   After watching video on Mike Heuerman, he is a decent receiver and a monster blocker, physically pushing defensive linemen around.  Getting Heuerman out of the state of Florida is another example of Tony Alfred’s recruiting abilities.  Scott Booker (tight ends coach) will have to continue to develop the relationship with Heierman to ensure he does not have any second thoughts. Even though he has said he is a solid commit and is not going to take any other visits, I am sure Urban Myer will not give up that easy. 

Next man in on the next level

Three more former Irish players reached their goal of becoming NFL players this weekend after the draft ended.  Notre Dame had four players drafted, two in round one and two in round five leaving several former Irish looking to go the free agent route.

Initially, Ethan Johnson was not sure that he would make himself available for the draft and instead take a year to work out and develop into what he considered a NFL caliber player.  Although Johnson started off playing all 13 games during his freshman year and looked as if he would be an all-time great in South Bend, personal issues and injury made for a rocky ride.  Ethan was a more than solid contributor on defense and does have the potential to be a solid NFL defensive lineman as the Kansas City Chiefs sent him a free agent contract.

It was a bit surprising that Taylor Dever was not chosen late in the NFL draft, but what was not surprising was that after the draft was finished he had several teams vying for his services.  The Buccaneers, Jaguars, Bills, Giants, Chargers and Cowboys were all interested but Dever felt that Dallas gave him the best chance to make the team.

Jonas Gray came to South Bend highly toughed but underachieved during his first three seasons. Gray’s senior season showed a lot of promise as he amassed 791 yards and 12 touchdowns before a season ending injury put his football future in jeopardy.  Jonas said he was at 80% when interviewed at the annual Blue and Gold scrimmage earlier this month and felt he could contribute to a NFL team next season.  The Miami Dolphins have told Gray they are going to be patient with him "It’s in the contract that they’re going to be patient with me. That was something that was huge for me, my family, my agent and my business manager to go to a team that would put it in writing."

Draft Review Irish Style

The first round on day one of the NFL draft was good to the Irish on Thursday when for the first time in over a dozen years, two Notre Dame Players were picked in the first round.  Over the years, 63 former Irish football players have been chosen in the second round.  It was little to no surprise that Michael Floyd went in the first round and there was some chatter that Harrison Smith might go late in the first round.  What is more of a surprise is that Smith may be an impact player sooner than Floyd. 

Harrison Smith from Knoxville, Tennessee was taken by the Minnesota Vikings as the 29^th overall pick, where he will join fellow former Irish players Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson and John Sullivan.  Harrison Smith had a more than solid career in South Bend, initially coming to play safety before moving to outside linebacker under Charlie Weis and back to safety under Brain Kelly and crew. Having a fifth year after being red-shirted his freshman year gave him an opportunity to show his leadership ability as he was the sole team captain last season.  Smith started in 47 of the 51 games he played while leaving his mark in the Notre Dame record books; finishing 2^nd in career pass break ups and 9^th in tackles.

It is expected that Harrison Smith will play right away for a Vikings defense that needs help in the secondary. The fact that Minnesota traded up with the Baltimore Ravens to get the pick they used to get Smith speaks volumes as to how they feel about him.  Vikings’ head coach Leslie Frazier had an opportunity to get to know Smith while spending a week coaching the North at the Senior Bowl in January.

SMITH'S PLACE IN THE IRISH RECORD BOOKS

·  Career Pass Breakups (2007-11, 28, 2nd)

·  Career Tackles (2007-11, 309, 9th)

·  Career Tackles By Defensive Back (2007-11, 222, 5th)

·  Single-Season Interceptions (2010, 7, t-6th)

·  Single-Season Pass Breakups (2011, 10, t-6th)

·  Single-Season Tackles By Defensive Back (2010, 93, 5th)

·  Single-Season Tackles By Defensive Back (2011, 90, 8th)

·  Single-Game Interceptions (Dec. 31, 2010 VS. Miami, 3, t-1st)

Compliments of UND.com

Michael Floyd was considered by many to be the second best wide receiver available in a receiver rich draft (284 were eligible) this year.  Floyd’s impact on the Notre Dame record book is well documented during his four years in South Bend.  Out of the 28 career and single game receiving records, he is in at least the top 10 in all of them, top 3 in eighteen of them and 1^st in seven of them.

FLOYD'S PLACE IN THE IRISH RECORD BOOKS

·  Career Receptions (2008-11, 271, 1st)

·  Career Receiving Yards (2008-11, 3,686, 1st)

·  Career Touchdown Receptions (2008-11, 37, 1st)

·  Career Receiving Yards/Game (2008-11, 85.7, 1st)

·  Career 100-Yard Receiving Games (2008-11, 17, 1st)

·  Career Touchdowns (2008-11, 38, 3rd)

·  Career Scoring (2008-11, 228, 8th)

·  Career All-Purpose Yards (2008-11, 3,760, 10th)

·  Single-Season Receptions (2011, 100, 1st)

·  Single-Season Receptions (2010, 79, 3rd)

·  Single-Season Receiving Yards/Game (2009, 113.6, 3rd)

·  Single-Season 100-Yard Receiving Games (2009, 5, 4th)

·  Single-Season Touchdown Receptions (2010, 12, 4th)

·  Single-Season Receiving Yards (2011, 1,147, 4th)

·  Single-Season 100-Yard Receiving Games (2008, 4, t-7th)

·  Single-Season 100-Yard Receiving Games (2010, 4, t-7th)

·  Single-Season 100-Yard Receiving Games (2011, 4, t-7th)

·  Single-Season Receiving Yards (2010, 1,025, 8th)

·  Single-Season Touchdown Receptions (2009 and 2011, 9, t-9th)

·  Single-Game Yards/Reception (Sept. 5, 2009 vs. Nevada, 47.3, 1st)

·  Single-Game Receptions (Sept. 11, 2011 at Michigan, 13, t-2nd)

·  Single-Game Touchdown Receptions (Oct. 16, 2010 vs. Western Michigan, 3, t-2nd)

·  Single-Game Touchdown Receptions (Sept. 5, 2009 vs. Nevada, 3, t-2nd)

·  Single-Game Receptions (Oct. 1, 2011 at Purdue, 12, t-4th)

·  Single-Game Receptions (Sept. 3, 2011 vs. USF, 12, t-4th)

·  Single-Game Receptions (Nov. 27, 2010 at USC, 11, t-8th)

·  Single-Game Receptions (Oct. 30, 2010 vs. Tulsa, 11, t-8th)

·  Single-Game Receiving Yards (Sept. 5, 2009 vs. Nevada, 189, 10th)                                                             Compliments of UND.com

This is a good situation for Michael Floyd for several reasons.  If Michael had gone to Buffalo, Kansas City or Miami he would have been looked to as the “go to” receiver on the field, obviously in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald he does not need to be and will not be the “go to” guy off the bat.  Floyd will be able to deflect some defensive attention from Fitzgerald, learn the Pro Game and be mentored by one of the league’s best wide receivers.  On a side note, both Floyd and Fitzgerald are from Minnesota, they already have a relationship where Floyd has communicated with Fitzgerald for years now when he needed advice.

It appears that the Cardinals have done their homework on Floyd dispelling any concerns about his character stemming from his off field issues involving alcohol and choices. 

“We really put a lot of work into this besides just spending time with Michael and finding out his background,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “That involved our scouts spending a lot of time talking to people at the school and his background. I think one of the things that struck me about him was his honesty. We asked him some pretty tough questions about his past and he was honest.” Compliments of Fort Wayne News-Sentinel

Of course being able to throw out a large number of players drafted benefits Notre Dame recruiting but it is also where they are drafted.  Floyd’s first round selection connected with incoming freshman Davonte’ Neal, who, shortly after hearing Floyd’s name called donned a Cardinals cap.  This sends a great message as to the character of Notre Dame Football alumni and how they stay connected to the program.

The second day of the draft brought the sound of crickets as it pertained to Irish players in rounds two and three.  Things got moving going again on Saturday in the fifth round when Robert Blanton joined former defensive backfield teammate Harrison Smith after being picked by Minnesota Vikings with the 139 overall pick and again when the San Francisco 49ers selected Darius Fleming with the 165^th overall pick.

Robert Blanton was not expected to make an early impact on an NFL team but the Vikings’ dismal performance defensively last season against the pass (although Robert is probably a better against the run then he is against the pass) may give Blanton an opportunity to contribute sooner than later, most likely on kickoff and or on punt coverage.  At the very least he will be able to give reputable depth in the secondary, as Blanton’s experience (starting 50 of 51 games played) will cut down on the learning curve this fall.

Darius Fleming looked like an easy choice for San Francisco who did not take up a lot of clock time picking him in the fifth round.  It is seemingly obvious that the 49ers do not need immediate help at the linebacker spot with All-Pros Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman and promising rookie Aldon Smith already in place.  To make the team, Fleming will have to show his value on special teams.

Four Irish players chosen in this year’s NFL Draft (two in the first round and two in the fifth), was a respectable showing.   Although the draft may be over, there are still plenty of opportunities for college players including those from South Bend to make an NFL team through free agency.  I would expect to see Jonas Gray and Taylor Dever signing a free agent contract as soon as Monday, and possibly David Ruffer will as well.  Ethan Johnson, Gary Gray, Trevor Robinson and Steve Filer may work their way into a camp and have a chance to impress a team the hard way.  As for Nathan Robinson, ESPN has still not been able to give Talking Irish anymore information so we must assume he had a long weekend waiting to hear his name called and now must wait to see what free agency brings.