Preview: Notre Dame Pro Day
By Andrew Hall
Tomorrow, former Irish players will participate in the Notre Dame Pro Day. Each player will look to improve their draft status or, in some cases, a team’s desire to sign them. The former Irish players include: Kicker Kyle Brindza, Wide Receiver DaVaris Daniels, Tight End Jake Golic, Quarterback Andrew Hendrix, Defensive End Ethan Johnson, Tight End Ben Koyack, Running Back Cam McDaniel, Cornerback Cody Riggs, Defensive Tackle Justin Utupo and Tight End Alex Welch.
11 former #NotreDame players will participate at ND's Pro Day Tuesday: Kyle Brindza, DaVaris Daniels, Jake Golic, Andrew Hendrix ...
— Eric Hansen (@EHansenND) March 30, 2015
... Ethan Johnson, Ben Koyack,Cam McDaniel, Kendall Moore, Cody Riggs, Justin Utupo and Alex Welch.
— Eric Hansen (@EHansenND) March 30, 2015
This group of Irish players can be broken up into three distinct groups: players who actually played for Notre Dame last year, players who played elsewhere and players who did not play at all.
Notre Dame Players
This group includes Kyle Brindza, Ben Koyack, Cam McDaniel, Cody Riggs and Justin Utupo. Of this group, Koyack and Riggs hold the most draft potential.
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Koyack made one of the most important plays in Notre Dame’s 2014 season when he caught a last second desperation touchdown heave from Everett Golson to beat the Stanford Cardinal. This play sums up Koyack’s career: flashes. Koyack flashed ability to be a threat blocking and catching. In 2014, Koyack caught 30 passes for 317 yards and 2 touchdowns. In his career, the Tight End from Oil City, Pennsylvania only caught 44 passes for 532 yards and 5 touchdowns. Koyack is projected between the 3rd and 4th round.
Riggs only played one season at Notre Dame but made an impact when healthy. In 2014, Riggs collected 36 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 interception. Riggs contributed each season he was healthy at Florida. “When healthy” is a phrase used in association with Riggs frequently. Durability is definitely a question. Riggs is projected in the later rounds and possibly as a free agent.
Kyle Brindza is projected as the 2nd best Kicker in the draft but may end up undrafted.
Transferred From Notre Dame
Jake Golic (Cincinnati), Andrew Hendrix (Miami) and Alex Welch (Miami) are also slated to participate in the Notre Dame Pro Day. Each player hopes to make a roster by signing a free agent contract following the draft.
Former Notre Dame Players
Suspended Notre Dame players DaVaris Daniels and Kendall Moore as well as former Irish Defensive Linemen Ethan Johnson will also participate in the Notre Dame Pro Day. DaVaris Daniels holds the best chance of landing himself in the NFL Draft. However, the combination of a deep Wide Receiver class, a slow 40-yard dash time and a missed year of football equals a likely free agent contract for the former Irish standout.