Notre Dame football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era

Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leads his team out of the tunnel before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /

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Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era

3. Quenton Nelson, OG, 2014-17

Quenton Nelson is one of the best offensive linemen in Notre Dame history and the best offensive lineman of the Brian Kelly era, and he became so from the guard position. A mauler in every sense of the word, Nelson stood next to McGlinchey and the two erased an entire side of the defensive line on every single play of the game.

Nelson was known for being a vicious run blocker and a brick wall pass blocker.

Nelson was an All-American and captain at Notre Dame, while also appearing on a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. He established himself as a top player in the country from his offensive guard position, something that is not easy to do.

Nelson would then go on to be drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, Nelson has been an All-Pro in all three NFL seasons that he has played and is widely considered the best guard in the NFL. When all is said and done, Nelson could find himself in Canton.

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