Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/311901
A Look Ahead: 2015 NFL Draft For the first time since 1994, eight former Notre Dame players heard their names called at the NFL Draft. Here's a look at which players on the current roster could be chosen in next year's draft, according to DraftCountdown.com analyst Scott Wright: Ben Koyack, TE — "The senior class is a little bit light. A lot of the talent is in the underclassman ranks. I think you start off with Ben Koyack. He has an opportunity he probably didn't expect to have six, seven months ago. It was a bit of a surprise to see [Troy] Niklas come out, and he still went really early. But there was money left on the table because a year from now instead of being the third tight end and mid-second round pick he could've been the first tight end in the mid-first round. "It's a huge opportunity for Koyack to step into that role. You look at the people that have come before him. They've all gotten to the NFL as highly ranked prospects." DaVaris Daniels, WR — "DaVaris Daniels's status is a little in flux right now, but he has the talent to be an early round pick. I don't think there's any question about that. Having Everett Golson back throwing the ball to him will help. "It's a matter of whether he'll be able to put it together on and off the field to maximize the potential he has. There's a wide range. Best-case scenario, he could be a top-100 pick, worst-case scenario he could go undrafted." Ishaq Williams, DE — "Ishaq Williams is another guy with all the talent in the world and just hasn't been able to put it together yet. Maybe this year going to a 4-3 defense everything will start to click for him. Maybe that's the position he's better suited for. "He's talented but an underachiever who we're waiting to see break out." Christian Lombard, OL — "Christian Lombard is a notch below where Chris Watt was as a prospect and maybe has some health concerns that will be looked into. I think he has the chance to be a mid-round pick." after the organization spent a sixth- round pick (No. 187 overall) on him. Jackson helped the Irish defense lead the program to the BCS National Championship Game as a junior. He played in all 52 games during his career and led the Irish secondary with 64 tackles last year. Two picks after Jackson's selection, the Detroit Lions added wide receiver TJ Jones with the No. 189 pick (sixth round). Jones, a 2013 tri-captain along with Martin and Jackson, was named the Monogram Club MVP after leading the team in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,108) and touchdowns (nine) last year. UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS Five former Irish players signed as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the NFL Draft. Running back George Atkinson III joined his father 's old team, the Oakland Raiders; linebacker Carlo Calabrese inked with the Cleveland Browns; linebacker Dan Fox signed with the New York Giants; quarterback Tommy Rees ended up with the Washington Redskins; and defensive lineman Kona Schwenke was snagged by the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition, 2013 graduate and offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. signed with the New Orleans Saints. ✦