Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/651219
IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS O ne year ago, many across the country were quick to point out that Notre Dame produced only three NFL Combine invitations and boasted just one drafted player — tight end Ben Koyack in the seventh round. Hold on, many around the Irish program suggested. There would be plenty of NFL talent just around the corner. Last month the Irish sent 10 former players to the annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis, second only to Ohio State's 14. Notre Dame sent eight (2013), nine (2014), three (2015) and 10 (2016) the past four years. Clearly, last year was the outlier. What the critics failed to recognize is that 19 of 22 starters returned to South Bend in 2015. What also contributed was the early departure of juniors Troy Niklas, Stephon Tuitt and George At- kinson after the 2013 season. Despite the Irish losing five players with eligibility remaining to the 2016 NFL Draft, don't expect the same sort of drop-off in intriguing draft pros- pects one year from now. Glancing at the Irish roster, the case could be made for as many as 12 players to make it to the 2017 NFL Combine: junior quarterback DeShone Kizer, senior running back Tarean Folston, senior wide receivers Torii Hunter Jr. and Corey Robinson, senior tight end Durham Smythe, junior of- fensive guard Quenton Nelson, senior offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, senior defensive end Isaac Rochell, fifth-year senior defensive tackle Jar- NFL Output A Sign Of Program Development Former Irish wide receiver Will Fuller departed Notre Dame early to enter the NFL Draft after scor- ing 29 times the past two seasons. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA