Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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94 MARCH 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY LOU SOMOGYI F or the sixth time in the 52 Super Bowls that have been played — and the first year since 1999 — there was no Notre Dame player rep- resentation on the rosters of the champion Philadelphia Eagles or the runner-up New England Patriots. Overall, 34 former mem- bers of the Fighting Irish football team either played in the NFL during the 2017 campaign or were signed with a franchise. Here is the synopsis, alphabetically: • George Atkinson (Played at Notre Dame from 2011-13), RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Waived by Cleveland July 29 and claimed by Oakland, where he missed the final cut prior to the season opener … Picked up by the Chiefs for their practice squad, and on Jan. 8 he signed with the franchise to a reserve/ future contract. • Sheldon Day (2012-15), DL, San Francisco 49ers: Waived by Jacksonville Nov. 18, but was claimed by the 49ers two days later … Finished with 19 tackles and two sacks. • Tyler Eifert (2009-12), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Placed on injured reserve Oct. 12 and underwent a third back surgery a week later … Has missed 41 of the 80 games in his career with injuries, but caught 127 passes for 20 touchdowns (13 in 2015) in the 39 he has played … Becomes a free agent this year. • Matthias Farley (2011-15), SS, Indianapolis Colts: Finished second on the team in tackles with 98 (60 solo) to go with seven passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble while playing all 16 games … Ranked 24th in the NFL in tackles. • Anthony Fasano (2002-05), TE, Miami Dol- phins: Oldest Notre Dame alumnus in NFL had 12 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, giving him 299 receptions and 36 scores in his career … Reportedly is contemplating retirement. • Michael Floyd (2008-11), WR, Minnesota Vi- kings: Suspended the first four games by the NFL due to his DUI arrest in December 2016 and subse- quent 24-day jail stint … Finished with 10 catches for 78 yards in 11 regular-season games … Did not have a reception in two playoff contests. • Will Fuller (2013-15), WR, Houston Texans: Suffered a broken collarbone Aug. 2, but returned to play 10 games … Fin- ished with 50 catches for 423 yards and seven touchdowns. • J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Handled all the team's long snapping duties in 2017. • Jarron Jones (2012-16), OT, Dallas Cowboys: The undrafted free agent was moved to offensive tackle while with New York Giants and signed with Dallas' practice squad Sept. 20. • TJ Jones (2010-13), WR, Detroit Lions: After nabbing only 15 passes his first three seasons, he snared 30 for 399 yards and a touchdown in 2017. • DeShone Kizer (2014-16), QB, Cleveland Browns: Second-round rookie started 15 games for the 0-16 Browns and threw for 2,894 yards (most among 2017 rookies) with 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions … Added 419 yards and five scores on 77 rushing attempts. • Ben Koyack (2011-14), TE, Jack- sonville Jaguars: Played all 16 regular- season games and finished with five catches for 38 yards … Caught a touch- down pass — his only one of the season — in the Jaguars' 10-3 win versus Buffalo in the wild card round of the playoffs. • Kapron Lewis-Moore (2008-12), DE, Baltimore Ravens: Released by Chicago in August and signed to Ravens' practice squad Oct. 10. • Cole Luke (2013-16), CB, Carolina Panthers: The undrafted free agent made the roster, but on Sept. 14 was placed on injured reserve for the year. • Nick Martin (2011-15), OL, Houston Texans: Missed all of 2016 as rookie because of an ankle injury, but started first 14 games at center in 2017 before another major ankle injury placed him on injured reserve the final two contests. • Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl, which he missed after undergoing elbow surgery … The Notre Dame record for most Pro Bowls is nine apiece by Alan Page and Tim Brown, and at this pace Martin could challenge it. • Troy Niklas (2011-13), TE, Arizona Cardinals: After playing only 26 games and making eight catches his first three years, started 11 of the 15 games he played in 2017 and notched 11 catches for 132 yards and a score. • Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, New York Gi- ants: Recorded three tackles in the first five games before a knee sprain put him on injured reserve for 10 games … Played in regular-season finale. • James Onwualu (2013-16), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: The undrafted free agent made the Char- gers roster and played mainly special teams (eight Irish Are Not Represented In The Super Bowl For The First Time Since 1999 Safety Matthias Farley had an outstanding season for the Indianapolis Colts, finishing second on the team and 24th in the NFL in tackles with 98 (60 solo) while also compiling seven passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS NEWS & NOTES • Five Notre Dame players, all on offense, were among the 330 prospects invited to the NFL Combine to be held in Indianapolis Feb. 27-March 5: running back Josh Adams, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, tight end Durham Smythe, and offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson. • Smythe had a strong Senior Bowl week, including catching three passes for 48 yards, highlighted by a 27-yard touchdown, in the Jan. 27 game. In an NFL Mock Draft by ESPN's Todd McShay, Nelson was tabbed with the No. 11 pick by Miami and McGlinchey No. 30 to Minnesota in the first round. • On Jan. 5 the NBA's Sacramento Kings signed forward Jack Cooley to a two-way-deal, while on Jan. 14, the Philadelphia 76ers did the same with guard Demetrius Jackson. The deals are for the 16th or 17th players on the expanded rosters with only a finite amount of time guaranteed and then alternat- ing in the G-league. The duo joined former teammates Jerian Grant (Chicago) and Pat Connaughton (Portland) on NBA rosters. • During a 5-2 NHL victory by Pittsburgh over San Jose Jan. 30, Penguins' forward Bryan Rust tallied a goal that was assisted by defenseman Ian Cole and forward Riley Sheahan. It marked the first time such a score was achieved by three Fighting Irish alumni in the NHL, if not a potential first by any school.