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Notre Dame Football: Four Former Irish Listed as Potential Rookie Surprises

By Connor McJunkin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Linebacker Te'von Coney of Notre Dame works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Linebacker Te'von Coney of Notre Dame works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Te’von Coney, Linebacker: Oakland Raiders

Notre Dame football
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 10: Te’von Coney #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a goal line stand against the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 10, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Lastly, probably the biggest surprise outside of Love was the fall of inside linebacker Te’von Coney. After grading out as one of the best pass coverage linebackers in the draft with the workload and stats to back up his stellar career, Coney found himself signing as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of day three.

Although it wasn’t ideal, the extra chip on Coney’s shoulder combined with the team that took him gives the former Irish standout one of the best chances to make a great impact as a rookie.

The Oakland Raiders current situation at inside linebacker is less than ideal to say the least. Comprised mainly of veteran cast-offs that includes free-agent acquisitions Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall, Coney has a very real chance to see playing time early in the season.

While he isn’t the most athletic linebacker and struggles when it comes to sideline-to-sideline play, he’s an absolute brawler that will stick his facemask into anyone coming his way, a trait I’m sure head coach John Gruden absolutely hates.

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It’ll be fun to watch Coney grow into his role, especially throughout training camp and the preseason. Regardless of what happens, he is in a great position to prove a lot of teams wrong.

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