Notre Dame football: Ade Ogundeji improved his draft stock vs. UNC
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team put on a show Friday against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and Ade Ogundeji improved his draft stock.
The Notre Dame football team needed to make a statement against No. 19 North Carolina on Friday, in what was likely their last real test before the ACC Championship Game. Early on, it looked like the Tar Heels would put up a serious fight against the Irish, matching them blow-for-blow in the first half.
However, after allowing two early touchdowns, the Irish defense clamped down on one of the more high-powered offenses in all of college football. They were able to completely shut down North Carolina’s star running back Javonte Williams, holding him to 28 yards, and Sam Howell was rendered ineffective in the second half.
A big reason for Notre Dame’s success in this one was the play of No. 91, Adetokunbo Ogundeji, who significantly improved his draft stock on Friday.
Ogundeji could be an early-round 2021 NFL draft pick
Already considered a legitimate draft prospect due to his size, and ability to play in the backfield, Ogundeji has saved his best for the biggest of games this season. He had a monster sack against Clemson in the team’s upset victory against the No. 1 team in the country, and North Carolina, he was a menace all game long.
Ogundeji had two sacks against Sam Howell and company on Friday, as he continued to get into the backfield and make life difficult for a quarterback who has shredded defenses all season long. Based on his ability to make plays in the backfield, and the fact that he will be one of the more NFL-ready defensive ends in the draft class, Ogundeji will definitely hear his name called in next year’s NFL Draft.
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However, if he continues to put together games like the one he had against North Carolina, or make game-saving plays like he did late in the Clemson win, especially on the College Football Playoff stage, he is going to rocket up draft boards. Defensive end is such a crucial position at the NFL level, and in a draft class that is not loaded with talent at the position, Ogundeji could be one of the first off the board.