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Notre Dame Football: Four former Irish players named to PFF’s All-Pro List

By Matt Clark

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 after scoring a two point conversion in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Running Back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 after scoring a two point conversion in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 02: Former Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings looks at the scoreboard during the second half of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks won, 37-30. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame had a strong showing on PFF’s list of All-Pro NFL players of the 2019 season with four of the top 52 players named being former Irish players.

The University of Notre Dame had a strong contingency of former players listed on PFF’s All-Pro list of best graded NFL players at their respective positions. The offensive line was the most represented area for the Irish, with three former offensive linemen making the list.

Notre Dame has positioned themselves as one of the elite schools in regards to developing top caliber NFL offensive linemen in the league under head coach Brian Kelly’s watch. Since 2010, the Irish have had eight offensive linemen selected in the NFL draft, with four being selected in the first round.

Former Irish offensive linemen that were first-round NFL draft picks include Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Quenton Nelson, and Mike McGlinchey. Not surprisingly, three of the four of these players were named to PFF’s All-Pro selection list.

Due to the production of such elite offensive linemen, Notre Dame has positioned itself in the conversation of schools that can be considered as “offensive linemen university.” While the success of the above-mentioned players is well documented, Notre Dame has additional talent on their current roster that is considered to be first-round caliber in the form of Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer.

In addition to offensive linemen, the Irish were represented by a hard-hitting former safety — Harrison Smith — that regularly appears on all-star lists. Having roughly 8 percent of the players listed to the All-Pro list is a great accomplishment, given the number of universities that are producing NFL caliber players.

Given how well Notre Dame has performed in recent years, coupled with the stellar recruiting classes that they have committed for 2020 and 2021, the expectation is that we will continue to see Notre Dame be well represented in the NFL by its alumni.

Here are the four former Notre Dame players named to PFF’s All-Pro first and second-team lists:

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