Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1349365
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2021 39 Still, it's tough to see his stock ris- ing above day three of the draft, with most projections giving him a fifth- or sixth-round grade. LIKELY UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS OG TOMMY KRAEMER Among the Notre Dame prospects in this section, Kraemer has by far the best chance of getting drafted. He's a four-year starter at Notre Dame and former blue-chip recruit. But most projections have him go- ing undrafted and signing as a free agent, which is often better than go- ing in the seventh round. WR JAVON MCKINLEY At 6-2 and 215 pounds, McKinley's primary offensive role in 2020 was of- ten as an additional run blocker. But there were plenty of games where he also proved to be a big-play threat. On the season, he averaged 17 yards per reception. He also caught three touchdown passes in the regular-sea- son finale against Syracuse, his only scores of the fall. McKinley will most likely be an undrafted free agent, but he did earn an NFL Combine invite. WR BEN SKOWRONEK After transferring from Northwest- ern, Skowronek was hampered by a hamstring injury early in the season. He still managed to catch 29 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns. He also garnered an NFL Combine invite and traveled to Mobile, Ala., to participate in the Senior Bowl before injuring his ankle during practice and sitting out the game. CB NICK MCCLOUD McCloud came to Notre Dame as a graduate transfer from North Caro- lina State and immediately became a starter on the boundary side. In 2020, he led the team with eight passes de- fended and was one of seven players with an interception. But he lacks the athleticism of a typical NFL cornerback, which is why he failed to receive an invite to the combine or the Senior Bowl. Mc- Cloud, instead, participated in the Hula Bowl, where he picked off two passes and was the defensive MVP for his squad. DB SHAUN CRAWFORD After six seasons at Notre Dame, the 5-9, 180-pound defensive back has experience at corner, nickel and safety. This flexibility should be enough for an invite to an NFL train- ing camp, but after multiple ACL injuries and a torn Achilles, Craw- ford may struggle to make a roster or practice squad. Yet, the tough-minded Crawford has shown he should never be counted out. He also played in the Hula Bowl. TE BROCK WRIGHT Wright was the top tight end pros- pect in the 2017 recruiting class and the No. 44 overall player nationally per Rivals. He earned playing time as a fresh- man, but never moved up the depth chart. Throughout his final three sea- sons, he was passed by less experi- enced players in Tremble and Michael Mayer. Still, he declared for the NFL Draft after his senior season, giving a pro- fessional football career the old col- lege try. ✦ NUMBER OF NOTRE DAME PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE NFL DRAFT BY YEAR Year Total Picks Highest Selection 2020 6 2nd round (No. 43 overall) 2019 6 1st (No. 28) 2018 4 1st (No. 6) 2017 2 2nd (No. 50) 2016 7 1st (No. 6) 2015 1 7th (No. 229) 2014 8 1st (No. 16) 2013 6 1st (No. 21) 2012 4 1st (No. 13) 2011 1 2nd (No. 43) Ian Book is the winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history with a 30-5 record as a starter, and he accounted for 10,465 yards of total offense and 99 touchdowns during his five-year career. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS