Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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144 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW IRISH IN THE NFL ON THE MOVE DeShone Kizer After a rocky first year in the NFL, the former Notre Dame quarterback is getting a fresh start in Green Bay. Kizer completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards with 11 touchdowns and 22 intercep- tions, while going 0-15 as a starter for the winless Cleveland Browns. Kizer will serve as the backup to star Aaron Rodgers. Troy Niklas In four years with the Arizona Cardinals, the tight end recorded 19 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns in 42 games played. The former Irish standout signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots this offseason in hopes of jump-starting his career with one of the NFL's best organizations. Jarron Jones The former Irish defensive lineman turned NFL offen- sive lineman spent his first year on the practice squads of the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys after being waived by the New York Giants following the preseason. Jones will get another chance in New York after signing with the team June 11. TOP FIVE SINGLE-GAME PERFORMANCES 1. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings — Smith turned in arguably his best per- formance of the season in a week 16 showdown (Dec. 23) against the archrival Green Bay Packers. Smith registered two interceptions and eight total tackles to help blank the Packers 16-0 and continue their momentum into the playoffs. Pro Football Focus called it the best single-game performance by a safety ever, giving him a perfect grade of 99.9 after he lined up at both safety positions, slot and outside cornerback, and even edge defender. Only four defenders have been awarded that grade in PFF's 12 years of existence. 2. Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys— In his fourth game returning from the devastating knee injury he suffered in college, Smith showed a glimpse of the talent that had him as a potential top-10 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Against the Los Angeles Rams in week four (Oct. 1), Smith recorded 10 total tackles, including seven solo in a 35-30 loss. It was tied for his highest individual tackle total of the season and was a sentimental moment for Irish fans to see Smith have success after a long year-plus recovery. 3. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans — Fuller and the Texans were rolling offensively during the first half of the season, and the second-year wide receiver couldn't be stopped in a week eight game (Oct. 29) against the Seattle Seahawks. Fuller found the end zone twice on five catches while adding 125 yards in the 41-38 shootout loss. It was the latest example of Fuller and the mismatches he can create. 4. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions — Much like Smith, Tate turned in one of his top games late in the year against the Green Bay Packers. Tate caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a 35-11 win on Dec. 31. It was a positive note heading into a contract year. 5. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings — In the Vikings' week 12 (Nov. 23) game against the Detroit Lions, Rudolph registered his highest yardage and touchdown totals of the year going for 63 yards and two scores on four catches. Both of Rudolph's touchdowns came in the first half during the 30-23 victory. ON THE RISE Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys Smith had his ups and downs during his first professional season of ac- tion, but the former second-round pick surpassed all expectations during the first step in his return from the knee injury he suffered in college and finished fourth on the team with 81 stops. Smith's knee continues to improve, which could lead to an even more productive year in 2018 with more range of motion and strength. With the potential he showed when healthy during his three years in South Bend, Smith will be a name to watch in the NFL, especially for Irish fans as he inches closer to his old self they are used to seeing dominate. Matthias Farley, S, Indianapolis Colts In his second season after going undrafted in 2016, Farley started in 15 games and totaled 98 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes defended for the Colts. He was third on the team in total tackles and tied for second in passes de- fended. He was also one of three players with multiple interceptions for the team. In 2018, the 26-year-old will look to prove 2017 was not a fluke and a sign of production to come. Sheldon Day, DL, San Francisco 49ers After being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars midseason, Day made the most of his opportunity in San Francisco. In six games, he registered 16 total tackles and one sack to best the three stops and one sack he had in six games with the Jaguars. With a strong finish to the year, it appears Day will get a shot to continue doing the same next to DeForest Buckner in the middle of the 49ers defense. Day will very likely split reps this upcoming year, but should be a name to watch for Irish fans if his play carries over to 2018. BY THE NUMBERS 3 Former Notre Dame players made Pro Football Focus' top 101 list from the 2017 season: safety Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings led the way at No. 3, with Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin at No. 16 and Detroit Lions wide receiver Detroit Lions Golden Tate at No. 88. 4 Irish players were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, including two of the first top 10 picks — India- napolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (No. 6) and San Francisco 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey (No. 9). Tight end Durham Smythe went in the fourth round to the Miami Dolphins, while wideout Equanimeous St. Brown was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round. The Irish had just two players selected in 2017. 7 Former Notre Dame players selected in the first round are currently on NFL rosters, and the num- ber would go up to eight if wide receiver Michael Floyd signs with a team, which was not the case as of June 19. Along with Nelson and McGlinchey, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (2016), wide receiver Will Fuller (2016), Martin (2014), tight end Tyler Eifert (2013) and Smith (2012) round out the list. $15,453,752 Was the reported signing bonus for Nelson on his first NFL contract. The four-year deal will pay a total of $23,888,912. As of June 19, McGlinchey had not inked his deal. In his second year in the NFL, Indianapolis Colts safety Matthias Farley had 98 tackles and two interceptions. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith put together an All-Pro season that included a two- interception game against the Green Bay Pack- ers in December. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA VIKINGS