Pro Football Focus lists 4 Notre Dame football players among Top 100 prospects
By J.P. Scott
Four Notre Dame football players were mentioned in a pretty prestigious list when it comes to evaluating NFL prospects.
When it comes to the NFL, few sites out there carry the respect and clout that Pro Football Focus does. When they speak, people listen — and as a result — they are often the authority when it comes to player ratings. Earlier this week, PFF gave some love to four Notre Dame football players who are headed to the NFL this year.
On Tuesday, Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus updated his Big Board of the Top 100 NFL Draft prospects heading into the 2020 Draft in Las Vegas.
Julian Okwara came in at No. 22. That was fourth among all edge rushers, behind only Ohio State’s Chase Young, Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, and Boise State’s Curtis Weaver. As of now, there’s a really good chance Okawara hears his name called in the first round.
Khalid Kareem was listed at No. 60, which — according to PFF — gives him a legitimate chance to be selected in the 2nd round based on team needs.
Troy Pride Jr. came in at No. 90 overall. He seems to be gaining a lot of attention and rising up the boards lately, as his speed is tarting to get noticed by people who didn’t really watch a whole lot of Notre Dame football over the last couple of years. He has a great chance of being selected in the first three rounds.
Notre Dame CB Troy Pride Jr. may be the biggest draft board riser this week. pic.twitter.com/0cKXwvDb9f
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 23, 2020
The biggest surprise on the list from a Notre Dame standpoint is Cole Kmet coming in at No. 98. There were five tight ends that made the list, and Kmet was No. 4 among them. Here’s where our Notre Dame bias comes in: I promise that there are not three tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft class who will make an impact and have better careers that Kmet as long as he stays healthy.
Next. Clemson will get a bye before the Notre Dame game. dark
That aside, the list is a good sign for the Irish. If four Notre Dame football players can be taken in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, that’s just one more nugget that can be used on the recruiting trail in terms of demonstrating the continued relevance of Notre Dame football.