Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/871976
50 SEPT. 18, 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY COREY BODDEN I n previous years, the N a t i o n a l F o o t b a l l League would hold multiple cuts through- out the preseason to help teams gradually re- duce their rosters down to the 53-man limit for the regular season. However, this season the league adopted a different method and had just one deadline for teams to have their rosters set for the 2017 campaign. That hap- pened Sept. 2 with many players across the league finding out their fate and leaving some scrambling to find new homes. Typically, late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents make up the majority of those vying for ros- ter spots and trying to impress their coaching staff. Former Notre Dame players that exhausted their eligibility following last season were part of the hectic day, and multiple late-round picks and undrafted free agents made their respective team's 53-man roster for the 2017 season. Cornerback Cole Luke impressed the Panthers this offseason and pre- season, and landed a spot on the roster. He went undrafted after re- cording 40-plus tackles and multiple interceptions in each of his final three seasons in South Bend (2014-16). Luke is listed as the second-team right cornerback, according to the Panthers.com depth chart. Former Irish team captain and line- backer James Onwualu, like Luke, made a 53-man roster after not being selected in April's NFL Draft. On- wualu will stick with the Los Angeles Chargers after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent. He recorded 143 tackles, 19.5 stops for loss and six sacks during his career in South Bend, and made 75 tackles in 2016. According to Char- g e r s . c o m , O n w u a l u registered seven tackles in the three preseason games he played and impressed the Chargers with his play on spe- cial teams as well. He is listed as the team's second-string outside linebacker. Joining Onwualu on the Chargers' active ros- ter is defensive lineman Isaac Rochell, who was drafted by the club in the seventh round. Ro- chell recorded 56 stops, seven tackles for loss and one sack during his senior season at Notre D a m e . T h e t e a m ' s depth chart has Rochell as the second-team defensive end. Jarron Jones was not as fortunate as his fellow 2016 Notre Dame se- niors and was cut by the New York Giants. The converted offensive lineman, however, signed with the Seattle Seahawks to be part of their practice squad. Here is a rundown of former Irish players who were cut: running back George Atkinson (Raiders), defen- sive back Robert Blanton (Cowboys), wide receiver Chris Brown (Bengals), defensive lineman Kapron Lewis- Moore (Bears) and defensive back Cody Riggs (Buccaneers). ✦ Irish NFL Hopefuls Beat The Odds Cornerback Cole Luke was one of three Notre Dame rookies to make a 53-man NFL roster heading into the 2017 campaign. PHOTO BY MELISA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ/PANTHERS.COM Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team Sheldon Day (2012-15) DL Jacksonville Jaguars Tyler Eifert (2009-12) TE Cincinnati Bengals Matthias Farley (2011-15) DB Indianapolis Colts Anthony Fasano (2002-05) TE Miami Dolphins Michael Floyd (2008-11) WR Minnesota Vikings Will Fuller (2013-15) WR Houston Texans J.J. Jansen (2004-07) LS Carolina Panthers Jarron Jones^ (2012-16) OT Seattle Seahawks TJ Jones (2010-13) WR Detroit Lions DeShone Kizer (2014-16) QB Cleveland Browns Ben Koyack (2011-14) TE Jacksonville Jaguars Cole Luke (2013-16) CB Carolina Panthers Nick Martin (2011-15) OL Houston Texans Zack Martin (2009-13) OL Dallas Cowboys Troy Niklas (2011-13) TE Arizona Cardinals Romeo Okwara (2012-15) DL New York Giants Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team James Onwualu (2013-16) LB Los Angeles Chargers C.J. Prosise (2012-15) RB Seattle Seahawks Theo Riddick (2009-12) RB Detroit Lions Isaac Rochell (2013-16) DT Los Angeles Chargers Kyle Rudolph (2008-10) TE Minnesota Vikings KeiVarae Russell (2012-15) CB Cincinnati Bengals Harrison Smith (2007-11) S Minnesota Vikings Jaylon Smith (2013-15) LB Dallas Cowboys Ronnie Stanley (2012-15) OL Baltimore Ravens John Sullivan (2003-07) C Los Angeles Rams Golden Tate (2007-09) WR Detroit Lions Manti Te'o (2009-12) LB New Orleans Saints Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) DE Pittsburgh Steelers Ishaq Williams* (2011-14) DL New York Giants Sam Young (2006-09) OT Miami Dolphins ^ Practice squad; * injured reserve IRISH IN THE NFL As of Sept. 8