Notre Dame Football: Tuitt and Nix Still On The Board

Mar 20, 2014; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish former football player Louis Nix runs a drill during Notre Dame pro day at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Football – NFL Draft

Last night’s draft only saw one Notre Dame player selected. Zack Martin went 16th to the Dallas Cowboys. Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix are among the best available on the board as the draft resumes tonight.

According to an updated CBSSports mock draft, the Houston Texas will select Louis Nix with the 33rd pick. Writer Dane Brugler writes of the pick, “A quarterback is possible here, but Houston can get Tom Savage in the third round, get the behemoth nose tackle now.” Tuitt is projected as the 46th selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brugler writes of Tuitt, “Pittsburgh needs to revamp its front three and Tuitt was born to play the 5-technique spot in a 3-4 scheme.”

In addition to Tuitt and Nix, the New England Patriots are predicted to select Troy Niklas with 62nd pick. Brugler writes of the Patriots selection, “The Patriots are expected to add a tight end at some point in the first few rounds and Niklas fits really well as a secondary option there.”

All three players were highly touted when they arrived at Notre Dame. According to Rivals, Stephon Tuitt was a 5-star recruit and 22nd overall in the nation. Tuitt began his career against Michigan State in 2011. He finished the 2011 season with 30 tackles and 2 sacks. Tuitt had his best season in 2012. He collected 47 tackles, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. His most memorable play occurred against Navy when he picked up a fumble and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown.

Louis Nix committed to Notre Dame when there was no Head Coach. That type of interesting move typified who Louis Nix was at Notre Dame. Nix entered as a 4-star recruit. After redshirting his Freshman year, Nix went on to collect 122 tackles and 14 tackles for loss during his career.

Troy Niklas was tabbed as a 4-star recruit and 221st overall. Niklas’ journey to Tight End was most interesting. Out of high school, most projected Niklas as an Offensive Tackle. However, he began on defensive side of the ball as an Outside Linebacker in Bob Diaco’s 3-4 scheme. In 2012, Niklas moved to Tight End. Niklas really became a threat this season as he collected 32 receptions on 498 yards with 5 touchdowns.