Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/276022
BY ANDREW OWENS N ine former Notre Dame players participated in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium Feb. 20-25 in an effort to showcase their abilities leading up to the NFL Draft, which will be held May 8-10. Only Alabama (12) and LSU (11) re- ceived more invitations than the Irish. Only those two schools, plus Florida and Florida State, ran more players through the NFL Combine during the past two years than Notre Dame's 17. Overall, the Irish prospects improved their draft stock with strong 40 times, a loss of a considerable amount of weight, and impressive showings in the bench press and other drills. GEORGE ATKINSON III OPENS UP ON EXIT FROM NOTRE DAME During an interview in Indianapolis, former Irish running back George At- kinson III expressed regret for how his three-year career at Notre Dame ended. Atkinson, who received a fourth- to seventh-round grade from the Draft Advisory Board, turned pro shortly af- ter his junior season, a campaign that began with him receiving the bulk of the team's carries and culminated in a suspension at the Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 28. "It was during team meal and I was on the phone, and Coach [Brian] Kelly walked up to me and told me to get off the phone," Atkinson said. "For some stupid reason I decided not to get off right away, and it led to the suspension. "I would've liked to have approached the situation towards the end of my career there, especially my junior year, with both carries and the coaching staff [with a] more mature mindset." The 6-1, 218-pound running back and hopeful special teams contributor ad- mitted that his relationship with the Irish coaching staff deteriorated toward the end of his time with the program, but said it was not the cause for declar- ing for the NFL Draft. "I didn't get a chance to talk to [Kelly] actually," Atkinson said. "We were playing phone tag back and forth, and unfortunately we didn't get a chance to talk with his busy schedule — and I was training and stuff." He first considered the move before his junior season began and added that a poor health situation surrounding his mother also helped expedite the process. "I feel like it was the perfect time for me right now," said Atkinson, who said concerns over getting a fair opportu- nity from the coaching staff next season did not factor into the decision. "I'm 100 percent healthy. I feel like I have enough tape for teams to see and I also had some family issues that need to get cleared up. I feel like I can fix them go- ing to the NFL. "Regardless of how high the draft grade is, you have to come out and make a team. You have to feel comfort- able in yourself to do that. Currently, I feel that way." Atkinson's 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds was perhaps the most crucial physical test among the nine former George Atkinson III, who expressed regret for his final weeks and months at Notre Dame, received a fourth- to seventh-round grade from the Draft Advisory Board. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA