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Top 5 Notre Dame Football NFL Draft Classes Since 2000

By Mason Plummer

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 28: Josh Adams #33, Alex Bars #71, and Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 28: Josh Adams #33, Alex Bars #71, and Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Tyler Eifert is still without a team.
Tyler Eifert is still without a team. /

3. 2013

Despite leading Notre Dame to its first National Championship appearance in seemingly forever, the 2013 NFL Draft Class comes in at #3.

Led by 1st round pick Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame once again flexed its muscles as “Tight End U”. Eifert is just the most recent star tight end Notre Dame has sent to the next level. He joins elite company such as Kyle Rudolph, Anthony Fasano and Ken MacAfee to name a few. Eifert was selected by the Bengals with the 21st overall pick in 2013. He has battled through a ridiculous amount of injuries in his relatively short NFL career. However, when is on the field, Eifert is a major difference maker for the Cincy offense.

Another top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft was Heisman candidate Manti Te’o. Fake girlfriend aside, Te’o will forever be remembered as one of the very best to ever play linebacker at Notre Dame. He was the leader of the 2013 defense that was the catalyst to the run to the National Championship game. Te’o’s success at Notre Dame has not quite continued into the NFL, however he has found himself a starting position with the New Orleans Saints. Te’o was originally drafted with the 38th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers. Te’o could not stay healthy in San Diego, and was released. Recently, he signed a 2-year deal with the Saints.

Perhaps the most consistently productive player of the 2013 class is Theo Riddick. Riddick was selected in the 6th round by the Detroit Lions. He has been very successful with the Lions playing a “Darren Sproles” role out of the Lions backfield. Riddick is coming off a career-best season for Detroit, and Irish fans will love to see him continue to succeed on Sundays.

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