Notre Dame Football Recruiting: 5 Players in the Class of 2014 Likely to Play in the NFL

Jul 3, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Landsharks quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks on at play from the sidelines during the Nike 7on7 elimination play at Nike World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Football Recruiting

The Class of 2014 is now signed, sealed and delivered. No longer do the discussions center around who will sign with the Irish but who will have the biggest impact in their freshman year’s and beyond. This is about those who will land in the NFL in three to four years. This analysis is based as much on their star ranking as it is on the needs of NFL teams and the height-weight prototypes that they look for. Here are the five players (if the Irish are lucky there will be more) who are most likely to make it in the NFL from the Class of 2014:

1. Quenton Nelson, Offensive Tackle

Nelson is a 5-star prospect from Red Bank, New Jersey. It is not simply because he is a 5-star prospect that he is number one on this list. NFL teams constantly need Left Tackles. He combines the need and the talent that could land him in the first round. The only question surrounding Nelson is whether or not he is truly an NFL Left Tackle. Nelson checks in at 6’5″ 301 lbs. Scouts would probably feel better if he was 6’6″ or 6’7″. But, he is only a high school Senior, he could be by the time he heads for the draft.

2. DeShone Kizer, Quarterback

Quarterback is the most important position on the field. Notre Dame has solid prospects in Zaire, Kizer and Barnett. However, Kizer possesses the best tools of all three. Kizer simply needs to refine these tools to become an excellent Quarterback. If he does not, he may never see the field.

3. Alex Bars, Offensive Tackle

The only difference between Nelson and Bars is that Bars has slightly better size. This may allow him to be a better Left Tackle than Nelson. Scout prefer a 6’6″ player like Bars. However, Bars is not as good of an offensive linemen as Quenton Nelson.

4. Nic Weishar, Tight End

Notre Dame has produced five Tight Ends to the NFL since the 2006 Draft, all of whom were drafted in either the first or second round (Troy Niklas not yet drafted). It is likely that Notre Dame will continue this trend and Weishar has all of the tools to be a great pass catching Tight End.

5. Jhonathon Williams, Defensive End

Williams jumped onto the recruiting scene late with a great Senior season. He is a boom or bust prospect. He has the frame, speed and size to be a future selection in the NFL Draft. Where will he play at Notre Dame, Outside Linebacker or Defensive End?