Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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86 MARCH 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE O nly about two months ago, we were celebrating in almost every Blue & Gold Illustrated edition the heroics and exploits of Notre Dame women's soccer star Korbin Albert while she led the Irish to a 17-3-3 overall record and an Elite Eight appearance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. In this edition, Albert officially gradu- ated to the "Irish in the Pros" page when the All-American midfielder inked a professional contract Jan. 31 with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), one of the most prestigious and elite soccer clubs in the world. Surrounded by teammates family and friends, Albert signed on the dotted line, a signature that officially ended her impressive two-year career at Notre Dame, and opened a new door to what's expected to be a long and lucrative pro career. PSG has produced some of the best women's and men's players in the world, including legendary men's play- ers Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar, just to name a few of the soccer luminaries to move through the premier football club. "Once I heard about PSG [offering], I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy, there is no way this is happening,'" Albert said. "But I saw that opportunity and thought I just need to take it before it's gone." While at Notre Dame, Albert — a Grayslake, Ill., native — became one of the greats ever to don blue and gold. In 44 career games over two Fighting Irish seasons, Albert tallied 28 goals and 65 points, including a rare hat trick against Florida State in the 2022 ACC Tourna- ment semifinals. "The teammates here [at Notre Dame], my coaches, my friends, ev- eryone that's supported me has really helped me grow," explained Albert, 19. "I would say the coaches challenged me every single practice, every single game to be the best that I could be. That helped prepare me to be where I am." Despite losing one of the best play- ers in the country, Irish women's head soccer coach Nate Norman graciously celebrated his star midfielder. "To see her reach this level at such a young age is unbelievable," Norman said. "Just super proud of her and super ex- cited. I think she's going to have a tremen- dous career. It's a great chapter in her life." And as far as Albert's appreciation for Notre Dame, she wears her gratitude proudly, and vows to seize every oppor- tunity to give back, even while overseas. "Any chance I get to show the world what Notre Dame is, and what they are, and what they stand for is really im- portant to me," Albert said. "And this is just another opportunity to do that. … As long as you put the hard work in, it doesn't matter where you are, you can get to this stage." THE G.O.A.T.? Former Notre Dame All-American of- fensive lineman Zack Martin added an- other line item to his NFL Hall of Fame résumé last month when he was named a first-team All-Pro honoree for the sixth time. The standout right guard for the Dal- las Cowboys was the only former Fight- ing Irish player to earn All-Pro honors in 2022. And if that's not enough, Martin in December was named to his eighth pro bowl during his nine-year NFL career. Martin's only miss came in 2020 when the game was canceled because of the global pandemic. Need more evidence into Martin's dominance? The Indianapolis native has more NFL Pro Bowl invites in his career (eight) than he does holding penalties (seven). Martin was a first-round draft pick (16th overall) of the Cowboys in 2014 af- ter starting four seasons at Notre Dame. BY THE BOOK With no live-game snaps this season, there is no statistical way to measure any contributions that former Irish quarterback Ian Book made during the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run this season. But becoming even a third-string NFL quarterback has its privileges, and its opportunities. When the Eagles beat San Francisco 31-7 in the NFC Cham- pionship Game Jan. 29, Book became the first Notre Dame quarterback listed on a Super Bowl roster since Rick Mirer in 2003. And, if the Eagles win the title, Book Korbin Albert Riding A Quick Career Ascent After starring for two years with the Irish women's soccer team, Albert signed a professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain Jan. 31. PHOTO COURTESY PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN