Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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as a consensus top-10 pick. Junior linebacker Jaylon Smith was the next most often mentioned player; he appeared in five of the mock drafts, including a pair of top-10 projections. Meanwhile, senior defensive line- man Sheldon Day appeared in three, while junior wideout Corey Robinson was listed on two. Senior offensive lineman Nick Martin and cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who is expected to join the team this summer after being suspended last fall, are also viable can- didates, and that includes only pro- jected first-rounders. Athlon Sports ranked the ACC's top 25 draft prospects for 2016, and seven of them hailed from Notre Dame. In addition to Stanley, Smith, Day, Martin and Russell, senior defensive lineman Jarron Jones and junior safety Max Redfield also made the cut. Both Stanley (No. 10) and Smith (No. 18) are listed on the big board of ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., where he ranks the top 25 draftable players. The Irish have not had multiple first- round picks since 2012 and twice have produced four No. 1 selections (1946 and '93). There is enough talent on the roster with 19 returning starters that a big 2015 could put the Irish in position to set a program best in next year 's NFL Draft. ✦ John Carlson Hangs Up The Cleats Former Notre Dame tight end John Carlson is ending his football career after seven seasons in the NFL. The 31-year-old was a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2008 NFL Draft after he totaled 100 collegiate catches, was named a Mackey Award finalist and served as a team captain. He enjoyed his best season as a rookie in Seattle, hauling in a career-high 55 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns. The following campaign, he started all 16 games for the only time in his career and logged 51 receptions for 574 yards and seven touchdowns. His numbers dipped to 31 catches for 318 yards and a touchdown in 2010. He did record two touch- down catches in the playoffs that year, but was injured for the entire 2011 campaign, which was his last in Seattle. Carlson spent the next two years with the Minnesota Vikings and started 14 games, but was limited to 40 catches and one touchdown. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 2014 campaign and was finally healthy — he played in every game for the first time since 2009. He recorded 33 catches for 350 yards and a score, but still decided to hang up the cleats May 5. He finishes his NFL career with 90 appearances, 64 games started and 210 receptions for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns. "After much thought and consideration, my wife, Danielle, and I know that this is the best decision for us," he said in a statement issued by the team. "I was blessed to play seven seasons in the NFL for three tremendous organizations — the Cardinals, Vikings and Seahawks. I will always treasure the experiences and relationships made during that time, but I'm also very excited about the next phase of my life and what's ahead." Fellow Notre Dame product Troy Niklas, who played in only seven games as a rookie due to injuries, is expected to step up in Carlson's absence. The 2014 second-round pick started twice and made three catches for 38 yards last season. — Ryan Tice