Notre Dame has turned another page in its history as the
2014 NFL Draft is finished. With the
University of Texas failing to have a player drafted Notre Dame now has the
longest streak of consecutive of have at least one player drafted each year
going back to 1938. That is a nice
statistic to share when Irish coaches sit in a recruit's living room. After celebrating its history we should also
take a moment to recognize this year's success.
Notre Dame had eight players drafted (the most since 1994) and four
players signing as free agents. To put
the draft into perspective here is a look at how many some of the other
national programs had drafted; Michigan 3, USC 3, Florida State 7, Auburn 4, Ohio
State 6, Michigan State 1 and Stanford 6.
Last week talking
Irish previewed Notre Dame's draft prospects, this week we will review how they
did, how we did on the predictions and say goodbye to these former players as
they move one to the next step in their lives.
Zack Martin lead the way by being Notre Dames first player
picked going in the first round and number 16 overall to the Dallas
Cowboys. Talking Irish preview: "Zack Martin should not only go in the
first round but he may also be the first Notre Dame player taken in this year's
draft."
Stephon Tuitt was taken in the sixth round by the Pittsburg
Steelers with the 46th overall pick.
Talking Irish preview: "Even
though he has first round potential depending on team needs he might slide to
the second round..."
Troy Niklas may have
been the surprise of the draft for the Irish being selected 52nd overall by the
Arizona Cardinals in the second round.
Talking Irish preview: "Niklas
could have used another season to develop his skills at the tight end position
but because of his potential expect an NFL team to take him late in the
draft."
Louis Nix may have been expected to go sooner than 83rd in
the third round by the Houston Texans.
Talking Irish preview: "
Although most pick Nix to go in the first round and he should, depending on
what teams need he might end up going early in the second round."
Chris Watt also went in the third round to the San Diego
Chargers with the 89th overall pick impressing us. Talking Irish preview: "Watt has NFL potential and most likely have to take the free
agent route however I would not be overly surprised if he was taken late in the
draft by a team looking for a solid lineman."
Prince Shembo was the only Notre Dame player taken in the
sixth round. He went 139th overall to
the Atlanta Falcons. Talking Irish
preview: " He most likely will not
be drafted but he should defiantly be signed as a free agent and will work his
way onto a team."
Bennett Jackson was drafted by the NY Giants in the sixth
round with the 187th overall pick.
Talking Irish preview: "His
body of work at Notre Dame may however may result in him being drafted in a
later round. If not he will not only be
signed as a free agent he will make a team for the fall."
TJ Jones was the last Irish player taken in the draft with
the 189th overall pick in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions. Talking Irish preview: "Jones very well could be drafted in the mid to late rounds to a
team looking for a solid receiver who has good hands, is a solid route runner
yet a bit undersized."
Notre Dame also had several players sign over the weekend as
free agents.
Tommy Rees - Washington Redskins. Talking Irish preview: "No way, no how is he drafted but I would bet he makes a practice
squad somewhere."
Carlo Calabrese - Cleveland Browns. Talking Irish preview: " Don't expect to hear Carlo's name called from the podium,
however he could work his way onto a team's roster."
Dan Fox - New York Giants.
Talking Irish preview: "I
think Fox has a chance to be drafted and if not I would expect him to be signed
as a free agent very quickly."
George Atkinson III - Oakland Raiders. Talking Irish preview: "I expect him to go undrafted and probably sign as a free
agent."
NOTE: Mike Golic Jr.
signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent over the weekend.
