Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1302940
18 OCT. 31, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREW MENTOCK N otre Dame had a three-week layoff prior to the Florida State game Oct. 10. By the time the game rolled around, the college football world was yearning to see the Fighting Irish back in action. Yet, for as eventful as the 42-26 victory over the Seminoles was, two scenes from the game remain in the mind of most followers: the ferocious hit senior rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah exacted on a Seminole running back, and the grotesque black eye fifth-year senior left tackle Liam Eichenberg suffered and played through, even after it put a strain on his ability to see. "In regard to my vision being im- paired, I would say it was fine," Eichen- berg said. "I could see for the majority of the time, towards the end of drives it was pretty small, so I had to come off and ice it. I was just happy to be out there, happy I could continue to play." It's fitting that these two physical and tough-minded players also hap- pen to be Notre Dame's top two pros- pects when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, with both capable of becoming first-round selections. Near the start of the 2020 college football season, ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay re- leased their prospect rankings for the 2021 draft. Kiper Jr. listed Owusu- Koramoah as his No. 17 overall pros- pect, while McShay had the senior linebacker at No. 16. EICHENBERG'S IMPROVING DRAFT STOCK Based on both lists, Eichenberg isn't expected to crack the first round but was mentioned as the No. 8 offensive tackle in this draft class per McShay. Additionally, NFL Draft analyst Scott Wright, of DraftCountdown.com, sees Eichenberg going in the second or third round. Yet, this also means that Eichenberg doesn't have too far to climb in order to be a first-round pick. For a frame of reference, six offensive tackles were taken in the first round of the 2020 draft, and he has the benefit of playing for a program that's well respected at developing offensive linemen, particu- larly at left tackle. Prior to Eichenberg, every starting left tackle in the Brian Kelly era has gone on to be a first-round draft pick. Zack Martin went No. 16 overall in 2014 to the Dallas Cowboys. Two years Owusu-Koramoah, a senior rover, was ranked as the No. 16 and No. 17 overall prospect (a first-round grade) for the 2021 NFL Draft, respectively, by ESPN experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. PHOTO BY MIKE MILLER FIRST-ROUND TALENT? Rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and left tackle Liam Eichenberg represent Notre Dame's top prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft