Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM JUNE/JULY 2024 31 (sixth overall in 2016), Quenton Nelson (sixth in 2019) and Mike McGlinchey (ninth in 2018). Alt is also the highest-drafted Irish offensive lineman since tackle George Kunz went No. 2 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 1969. Prior to Kunz, tackle Art Hunter was selected No. 3 by the Packers in 1954. It will be difficult for Alt to top Nel- son, a three-time All-Pro or the Cow- boys' Zack Martin, who is considered one of the best guards in NFL history. But if anyone can, it's Alt, the quintes- sential Notre Dame offensive lineman. "There are two thoughts that popped into my head immediately, the first one being gratitude," Alt said about being drafted. "Grateful for the people around me, grateful for this organization for believing in me. "The second one is just straight ex- citement. Can't wait to get out here, get to work and go back to what I love doing, and that's playing football." TEXAS TEAMS TAKE DAY 2 SHOTS ON FISHER, LIUFAU The Houston Texans didn't need an offensive tackle, with a star in Laremy Tunsil on the left side and a solid starter in Tytus Howard on the right. But as general manager Nick Caserio said several times during his press con- ference on Day 2 of the draft, he wasn't looking to fill needs. He was looking for good football players. That led him to Notre Dame's Blake Fisher, whom he selected in the second round (59th overall). "Long arms, plays strong, plays physical," Caserio said about Fisher. "Played against good competition. Well-coached on the offensive line [by the] former offensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin [Joe Rudolph]." Fisher will reunite with former Notre Dame guard Jarrett Patterson, who started at center for the Texans as a sixth-round rookie in 2023 before a lower-leg injury ended his season in late October. Offensive line injuries are all too com- mon in the NFL, which was also a factor in Fisher becoming a Texan. Howard missed 10 games in 2023 and Tunsil has played one fully healthy season (2022) since he was drafted in 2016. If Fisher proves ready to play in his debut season, odds are he'll eventu- ally see the field. Caserio and the Tex- ans believe their program will help the 21-year-old, three-year Notre Dame starter fulfill his potential. "You need three tackles," Case- rio said. "You probably need four. You probably need more than that. Here's another young player with experience. There's a lot of good qualities and traits. That was the reason behind the pick." Elsewhere in Texas, Notre Dame line- backer Marist Liufau had impressed the Dallas Cowboys on his visit. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer told Liufau he was sold when the Hawai'i native saw a play on film and told him — accu- rately — what everyone on the defense was doing. Dallas selected Liufau in the third round, with the 87th overall pick. It was higher than many had projected the vet- eran linebacker, but the versatility that he showed in his final season at Notre Dame put him over the top. Liufau was a weak-side linebacker on early downs and an edge rusher on passing downs. He was effective at both. Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay noticed. "In this day and age, and [head] coach [Mike McCarthy] will talk about it, he talks about players doing two things," McClay said. "Defensively, the way they used him at Notre Dame. Being able to rush off the edge, being able to rush as a linebacker. He has 34-inch arms. Able to match tackles. The way he plays all FIGHTING IRISH HEADED TO NFL Player, Pos. Pick (Round) Team Joe Alt, OT 5 (1st) Los Angeles Chargers Blake Fisher, OT 59 (2nd) Houston Texans Marist Liufau, LB 87 (3rd) Dallas Cowboys Cam Hart, CB 140 (5th) Los Angeles Chargers JD Bertrand, LB 143 (5th) Atlanta Falcons Audric Estimé, RB 147 (5th) Denver Broncos Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE 222 (7th) Washington Commanders UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS Player, Pos. Team Sam Hartman, QB Washington Commanders Spencer Shrader, K Indianapolis Colts Thomas Harper, DB Los Angeles Chargers Michael Vinson, LS* Indianapolis Colts Bo Bauer, LB^ Washington Commanders * Received rookie minicamp invite; ^ went undrafted in 2023 Offensive tackle Blake Fisher was a second-round pick (No. 59 overall) of the Houston Texans, who didn't need an offensive tackle but picked him as the best player available. GRAPHIC COURTESY HOUSTON TEXANS Linebacker Marist Liufau impressed the Dallas Cowboys with his football IQ and film recall dur- ing his visit. The Cowboys made him the 87th pick overall in the third round of the NFL Draft. GRAPHIC COURTESY DALLAS COWBOYS