Senior Bowl Preview: Former Notre Dame Stars Are Set To Impress
On Tuesday, the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl officially kicks off in Mobile, Alabama and will be aired on NFL Network. That event will feature four former Notre Dame standouts in quarterback Sam Hartman, cornerback Cam Hart, and linebackers JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau.
Each player is going to have a chance to impress NFL evaluators on site, and begin to hopefully rise during the pre-draft process. Here is what is at stake this week for each player, including the opportunity in front of them and what they need to show.
QB SAM HARTMAN
Things didn’t go quite as planned during Hartman’s one season at Notre Dame. Despite some inconsistencies, the record setting quarterback still threw for 15,656 yards and 134 touchdowns in his career. In a 2024 quarterback class that lacks depth, Hartman has a chance to rise as one of the top senior signal callers. That potential ascension could start this week down in Mobile.
WHAT TO PROVE
Hartman isn’t going to go out there this week and blow away NFL evaluators with his stellar size, arm strength and athleticism. In fact, there is an argument that he possesses the least impressive physical skill set of any quarterback at the Senior Bowl. He isn’t going to win an athletic beauty pageant against guys like Joe Milton (Tennessee), Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Bo Nix (Oregon), Michael Penix (Washington) and others.
Hartman must impress with his accuracy, timing and mind on the field. As a signal caller who projects as a backup on the next level, Hartman must show that he can retain information and utilize it effectively on the field. Behind the scenes, he must interview well and present himself as a person that can be an asset for a prospective team.
LB JD BERTRAND
Like the quarterback class, the linebacker group is starved for premier headliners and depth. While Bertrand won’t figure into the former, he does have a significant opportunity in front of him to make himself one of the more demanded depth pieces in this class. Mobile is a big chance for the three-time Irish leading tackler to show that his skills translate to the next level.
WHAT TO PROVE
This isn’t a setting that is typically a place Bertrand would excel. What he does best is process information quickly, help get his teammates set up before the snap and get to the right spot consistently. Those intangibles will go a long way to finding a way to stick on the next level but are more for the team meetings and white board sessions. On the field, it will be a little harder to showcase those skills.
All star events are all about isolating athletes and seeing just how well they move. You are going to see Bertrand in 1-on-1 pass coverage against running backs and tight ends. You are also going to see him in the 1-on-1 pass rush reps against running backs. If he is able to showcase unforeseen impact in those drills, it would go a long way to selling more upside for Bertrand.
LB MARIST LIUFAU
Liufau is in a completely different situation than Bertrand. This is a setting that should allow him to excel, and potentially rise in a less than stellar 2024 linebacker group. He will be flying around with some of the top linebackers in the class, such as Payton Wilson (NC State), Cedric Gray (UNC) and Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State). Liufau has a chance to impress side by side with some other notable players.
WHAT TO PROVE
When Liufau was at his best in the blue and gold, it was as a moveable chess piece who could make plays in a variety of roles. He will have plenty of chances to get reps in those different roles, including as a blitzer, in pass coverage and even on special teams. With his level of athleticism, there is an opportunity for Liufau to rise tremendously during the week.
He was a maddeningly inconsistent player for the Irish over the last two years. The lows were low but there was no questioning how impressive his best plays are. If he can remain consistent, and make some eye catching plays, don’t be surprised if Liufau begins to position himself into the middle rounds come April.
CB CAM HART
There may not be a more anticipated player in attendance this week from Notre Dame than Hart, who put together his finest season in the blue and gold in 2023. Hart is already well liked in NFL circles due to his combination of size, length and athleticism. The 2024 cornerback class is pretty strong up top and especially deep. Hart could play himself into a firm day two player with a great draft process. It all starts this week.
WHAT TO PROVE
At these events, people always flock to the wide receiver-defensive back 1-on-1s. These types of drills are slanted toward the offense. It can be hard for defensive backs to come away as winners. With Hart’s physical gifts, he could be one that is the exception, especially if he’s able to show better ball skills than what he put on film the last couple of years. If he comes away as a winner, Hart could have a chance to rise up draft boards.
Excelling on the practice field would be massive for Hart. In reality, however, Hart’s biggest gain during this draft process is going to be during the medical portion. That information is going to be gained more during the Combine testing but starting to ease some scout minds about his injury past would be ideal. It’s a huge week, and process for the talented cover man.
DE JAVONTAE JEAN-BAPTISTE
After originally set to participate in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, Jean-Baptiste got the late call up to Mobile. It is a pretty talented 2024 EDGE class and overall group down at the Senior Bowl, which provides Jean-Baptiste an opportunity to potentially rise. That comes after a very successful lone season with the Irish, leading the squad with 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
WHAT TO PROVE
No position is more picked a part at these events than the defensive line. The pass rush one-on-ones are possibly the most heavily anticipated part of the practices overall. Jean-Baptiste is viewed as a grinder on the edge, doing the little things you love to see. He can set the edge, work at the point of attack and play in pursuit. Figuring out what pass rush upside he has will be big this week.
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