2024 NFL Draft Class For Notre Dame Projects To Be Much Deeper
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone. In total, three Notre Dame players were selected over the weekend, including Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders), Isaiah Foskey (New Orleans Saints) and Jarrett Patterson (Houston Texans).
Flashing forward to the 2024 NFL Draft, Notre Dame has a chance to make a legitimate impact with a much larger group of prospects. Let’s take a look at a bunch of the names to know.
TOP OFFENSIVE PROSPECTS
Here are a few players who have already captured the attention of NFL scouts this off-season on the offensive side of the football.
OT Joe Alt - 6-8, 315 - Junior
Notre Dame has a chance to continue their trend of developing fantastic offensive lineman for the next level. It starts with offensive tackle Joe Alt, who has quickly developed into arguably the top offensive lineman in college heading into the 2023 season.
The son of former NFL Pro Bowl offensive lineman John Alt, the Notre Dame standout checks a lot of boxes that NFL evaluators want to see. NFL bloodlines will matter a great deal. As will his god given frame and easy projection to the blindside on the next level.
Being a former high school tight end is also something that evaluators will find attractive, possessing outstanding athleticism. Then, of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the Notre Dame stamp of approval. Alt really checks a lot of boxes and could potentially go in the top ten of the 2024 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare early.
OT Blake Fisher - 6-6, 310 - Junior
It’s pretty crazy to say but Alt may not be the most physically gifted offensive lineman on the roster. That distinction may belong to Fisher, who has some outrageous tools to continue to develop.
The more heralded recruit of the two, Fisher was good enough to earn a starting role as a true freshman. While Fisher has trimmed down his frame a bit this off-season, he has a frame to carry a ton of weight in a good way. That helps Fisher’s power profile, which is imposing to say the least.
Fisher is also a nice athlete who has the foot quickness to last outside on the next level. It’s all about technical refinement for Fisher. The tools are great but he must improve his hand usage and really improve all the technical aspects this off-season.
If he does, he has a chance to rise into the first round if he chooses to declare. If not, he’ll still get drafted pretty early based solely on tools whenever he chooses to declare. Whether it’s the 2024 or 2025 class, Fisher is a player that NFL evaluators are very aware about already.
QB Sam Hartman - 6-1, 210 - RS Senior
Notre Dame hasn’t had an NFL caliber trigger man in a few years. Hartman opted to transfer to the Irish with hopes of raising his draft stock and competing for a national championship. He should have every opportunity to challenge both goals this season.
Hartman has been incredibly productive over the course of his Wake Forest career. NFL evaluators aren’t as much looking for an uptick in production this season. No, they are looking for better decisions on a snap to snap basis and for Hartman to play his best football when the lights shine brightest.
If Hartman had declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he would have been drafted but more than likely somewhere on day three. He will have a chance to raise his draft stock this season and fight for a day two evaluation.
RB Audric Estime - 5-11.5, 227 - Junior
With the Logan Diggs transfer, Estime should manage an even bigger workload this upcoming season. He brings an outstanding combination of power, balance and determination. Estime also brings some surprising foot quickness to the table for his size.
The New Jersey native has already garnered interest from NFL scouts early on. Showing more impact on a snap to snap basis would be big for his evaluation on the next level. If Estime can show even more skills on passing downs, he has a chance to rise to day two status.
OFFENSIVE WILDCARDS TO WATCH
Here are some Notre Dame players worth keeping an eye on offense this season.
WR/RB Chris Tyree - 5-9, 192 - RS Junior
The NFL always goes crazy for speed and not many people bring more of it than Tyree. After starting his career at running back, he has made the switch to wide receiver this off-season.
There is a question about just how good Tyree could be at wide receiver but if nothing else, he should be a legitimate difference maker with the football in his hands. Add in Tyree’s impact as a kick returner and there should be some real interest from the NFL.
WR Jayden Thomas - 6-1.5, 220 - Junior
There is a group of talented pass catchers who could experience a potential rise this season, although there are questions on who could be the biggest beneficiary. Thomas ended last season as arguably the team’s best wide receiver and hopes to continue that momentum this upcoming season.
The Georgia standout is a big bodied pass catcher who really settled into his slot receiver role last season. He is a very physical wide receiver but also is an underrated route runner as well. Thomas has the chance to really rise this season.
WR Deion Colzie - 6-4.75, 211 - Junior
There is no question that Colzie looks the part. He brings an impressive combination of size, catch radius and ability to win down the football field.
Colzie will need to show that he can be a dependable playmaker every game, and even on a snap to snap basis. If he can, he clearly has an NFL skill set. Even as just a junior, he has that type of upside if he puts it together.
TE Mitchell Evans - 6-5, 260 - Junior
Nobody has developed tight ends historically as well as Notre Dame. Evans could be the next in line, bringing an interesting combination of size, length and blocking upside.
He ended the 2022 season on a good note against South Carolina and has the chance to take his game to the next level. Evans is just a junior but if he has a big season, it isn’t unrealistic that the NFL could come calling. His next level frame and background is an exciting one for evaluators.
OC Zeke Correll - 6-3, 300 - RS Junior
After a disastrous 2021 season at guard, Correll made the switch back to center on a full time basis last season. While he had a rough couple games to start the season, Correll really turned it around and developed into a staple on the interior.
Correll isn’t the most physically gifted offensive lineman in the world but he brings experience and toughness to the table that you want. If he is able to put his best season together in 2023, Correll has a chance to make some headway as a prospect. Consistency will be key, especially for a player who currently projects as a day three prospect.
TOP DEFENSIVE PROSPECTS
Here are a few players who have already captured the attention of NFL scouts this off-season on the defensive side of the football.
CB Cam Hart - 6-2.5, 202 - RS Senior
If Hart didn’t get injured down the stretch last season, there is a good chance that he would have heard his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft. He came into the season with third round grades around the league, with even more upside to work with.
Hart brings an impressive combination of size, explosiveness and physicality. He was expected to take a massive step forward in 2022 but unfortunately those durability issues did not help his development. When he is on the field, Hart is an impressive overall athlete with even more potential to tap into.
DL Rylie Mills - 6-5, 296 - RS Junior
With experience at both strongside defensive end and inside at defensive tackle, Mills is an ideal fit into an NFL who values working between even and odd man fronts more than ever. His size, power and movement skills should add value to either front.
We have yet to see the best of Mills, still wanting to see more consistency from him. Working more exclusively inside, he has the chance to really cause interior offensive lineman some issues. His twitch and length is a headache to handle. Day two is not out of the realm of possibility if he puts together a fantastic season.
EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste - 6-4.5, 255 - RS Senior
There were borderline draftable grades on Jean-Baptiste last season but he opted to transfer to Notre Dame in hopes of upping his production. He has been extremely productive in limited opportunities in the past but hopes to turn that into more consistent production this season as a part of the Irish program.
Jean-Baptiste projects most as a power rusher with plus length and ability to push the pocket. While he may not be the most flexible rusher, he has shown the ability to finish plays while a member of Ohio State. He has hopes of bolstering his draft projection this season.
DEFENSIVE WILDCARDS TO WATCH
Here are some Notre Dame players worth keeping an eye on defense this season.
EDGE Jordan Botelho - 6-2.5, 255 - RS Junior
There might not be a bigger potential riser on the defensive side of the football than Botelho, who is expected to have a breakout season in 2023. From a talent perspective, the Hawaii native is the twitchy pass rusher that Notre Dame needs more of.
He was super productive in limited snaps in 2022. If he transfers that impact to a higher volume, Botelho could be a wildcard to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Botelho quietly led the team in sacks last season with 4.5, including two and 10 quarterback hurries in the bowl game victory over South Carolina. The talent is certainly there to make this conversation interesting if he has a big year.
LB JD Bertrand - 6-1, 230 - RS Senior
There’s nothing flashy about Bertrand but he just gets the job done. He has quietly led the team in tackles each of the last two seasons, playing some good football along the way.
The biggest hang up on Bertrand’s draft projection is his size. NFL teams typically like a little more length on the second level, hurting his range and ability to play outside of his frame consistently.
Still, Bertrand had a borderline draftable grade from NFL teams last spring. He’s respected on that side of the business and has a chance to hear his name called next guy with a big 2023 season.
S Xavier Watts - 5-11.75, 198 - RS Junior
Watts has two years of eligibility remaining so it isn’t overly likely that he enters the 2024 NFL Draft. There is, however, some high expectations for what the talented defensive back can accomplish in the 2023 season at safety.
The Nebraska native is a versatile player on the back end, who has an appealing combination of movement skills and tenacity to make plays all over the field. This is a massive projection currently but there is clearly an athletic profile to work with. Watts entering the 2024 NFL Draft would be a clear indication that he developed into a star this season.
OTHERS WORTH MONITORING
Here are a few players who have some questions as far as projecting to the next level but could surprise with big seasons.
OL Andrew Kristofic - 6-5, 305 - RS Senior
DL Howard Cross - 6-0.75, 280 - RS Senior
LB Jack Kiser - 6-1.75, 223 - RS Senior
LB Marist Liufau - 6-2, 235, RS Senior
NB/S Thomas Harper - 5-11, 195 - RS Senior
This should make for an interesting year between now and next year's NFL Draft.
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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers
2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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