A Look At Notre Dame's 2024 NFL Scouting Combine Options
With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine having come and gone, it should be smooth sailing from here to the 2023 NFL Draft at the end of April. All that is left is the millions of rumors and team meetings over the next several weeks.
Four Notre Dame football players were a part of the recent event in Indianapolis. Former stars Michael Mayer, Isaiah Foskey, Jarrett Patterson and Brandon Joseph all did their best to impress all the NFL personnel that were on hand during the week.
Looking forward to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, it will be interesting to see which Irish stars are there to represent the program, including a couple of wildcards. Here are some standouts that could potentially look to wow NFL scouts, coaches and decision makers with big seasons in 2023.
CONTINUING OFFENSIVE LINE U
There is a very good chance that Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt could be in the running to be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2024 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare early following his junior campaign. The Minnesota native has a lot of the intangibles that evaluators would want at the position, including being a multiyear starter for the Irish.
Alt took over at left tackle for the Notre Dame program during the 2021 season, quickly providing the offensive line with a much needed boost in terms of stability. The talented offensive tackle quickly turned that stability into star power during the 2022 season, developing into arguably the top offensive tackle in all of college football. Being a near three-year starter for the Irish following the 2023 season will mean a lot to NFL evaluators considering the experience level and prestige that comes with playing offensive line at a place like Notre Dame.
Family lineage will also be a main talking point for Alt’s evaluation. His father, John Alt, played 13 years in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and started a total of 149 games in the NFL. That background will be another big check mark for NFL scouts and decision makers.
At nearly 6-8 and 317 pounds, there just aren’t many holes in Alt’s profile. He’s massive, long, athletic and young. Alt has the makings of a top ten selection next spring.
You could make the argument that although Alt is the best player on the offensive line currently for Notre Dame, his running mate at right tackle in Blake Fisher might be even more talented. There was a reason why the 6-6. 327-pound behemoth was so highly coveted coming out of high school. From a physical perspective, he looks the part of an NFL offensive lineman.
Fisher’s technique is something that is still improving but you saw down the stretch of the season just how talented he is. When he stays balanced and consistent, he is absolutely dominant. The movement that Fisher can create off of pure explosiveness and raw power is truly something to watch. He is the type of offensive lineman who could put on a show down in Indianapolis.
TRANSFERS COULD BE IMPACTFUL
It is no secret that if quarterback Sam Hartman had chosen to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft that he more than likely would have received a Reese’s Senior Bowl invite and would have been a part of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. That would have been more as a mid to late round player but that could change after a notable season with Notre Dame coming from a great career with Wake Forest.
Hartman isn’t the type of player that usually “rises” in these types of events from the media side. He isn’t incredibly impressive when it comes to the physical attributes, having just solid arm strength and modest athleticism. The big sell for him is the intangible area of what the Combine has to offer.
When the throwing portion of the event begins, that’s when he could really flourish. Getting through his drops quickly, getting the football out of his hand on time and accurately, that’s where Hartman must win. Hartman must also kill the interview portion, which some would argue is actually more important than the on-field work for quarterbacks.
Coming over to Notre Dame as a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, Kaleb Smith is hoping to crack the wide receiver rotation for the Irish and being a veteran presence. He is long, has great hands and really nice body control working on the perimeter. If Smith can be productive for Notre Dame, he has the type of profile that NFL evaluators could be drawn to this time next year.
DEFENDERS TO WATCH
There are several Notre Dame draft eligible defensive players who are falling relatively under the radar early on for a variety of different reasons. It all starts with cornerback Cam Hart, who is returning for a fifth season after a shoulder injury cost him the latter stages of the season. At 6-2, 200 pounds with 32 plus inch arms, Hart is how you draw up a cornerback on the next level. If he has a healthy season, he could be a big riser when he tests. According to sources within the Irish program, Hart has consistently tested as one of Notre Dame's fastest players in recent seasons.
Defensive lineman Rylie Mills is another player who could test extremely well if he declares for the 2024 NFL Draft after this season. At 6-5 and nearly 300 pounds, he has movement skills on the interior that a lot of NFL teams will hold in high regard. You should expect a crazy three cone time considering his experience working off the edge for the Irish.
New Notre Dame defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a player who was nearly in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He chose to instead transfer from Ohio State and put his skill set on display with a new program. Jean-Baptiste has a solid combination of size, length and athleticism on the edge. The testing portion of the draft process will be big for him next spring.
There might not be a bigger sleeper than pass rusher Jordan Botelho, who has plenty of athleticism to get excited about. If Botelho is able to put together a productive season in an expanded role, there is sure to be some interest in a player who has experience at defensive end, linebacker and Rover. He brings an interesting skill set to the table.
RUNNING INTO THE PROS?
The running back room for Notre Dame is one of the best units in all of college football. The duo of Audric Estime and Logan Diggs put together superb sophomore campaigns last season, rushing for 920 and 822 yards respectively.
Now entering their draft eligible year, it’s almost always wise for running backs to declare early for the NFL when they can. It is, however, much rarer for two running backs on the same team to declare early. It’s also no guarantee that either makes the jump after the 2023 season.
Notre Dame must be preparing for the worst case scenario just to cover their basis. Both players are very talented and bring some outstanding intrigue to the table in different roles.
For Estime, he is a 5-11, 227-pound hammer. He also possesses surprisingly good foot quickness to make defenders miss in the hole. Estime may not be a home run threat but he has more than enough juice to create some explosive plays.
Diggs is a bit more dynamic of a mover, possessing nice change of direction skills and juice to create bigger plays. At 6-0 and 214 pounds, Diggs also has a solid power profile to carry the load on early downs. He was especially strong down the later stretch of the season.
You can also add in running back Chris Tyree, who didn’t have as much production in 2022 but it wasn’t always his thought. Tyree is, however, an absolute blazer as a runner. Whenever he does test as a draft prospect, expect him to put up some great numbers.
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