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Notre Dame Football: COVID-19 diagnoses won’t affect draft status

By Brad Weiss

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Aaron Banks #69 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish blocks during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Aaron Banks #69 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish blocks during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame Football program saw three big-name draft prospects test positive for COVID-19, but it won’t affect their draft status.

The Notre Dame Football team will see plenty of players selected across the three-day 2021 NFL Draft, which kicks off at the end of the month. The program as a whole has enjoyed a nice draft cycle, performing very well in both the Senior Bowl and during the Pro Day.

As we inch closer to the first round, which is three weeks from today, the Irish are making their final pushes towards guaranteeing they get their names called this year. The Irish have some first-round talent, including Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who many feel will be one of the first defensive players off the board.

Another player who figures to be in the mix for the first round is Liam Eichenberg, one of the more NFL-ready offensive tackles in this draft class. However, Eichenberg has tested positive for COVID-19, and will not be traveling to Indianapolis for his official measurements head into the 2021 NFL Draft.

Looking around at recent mock drafts, Eichenberg has been sent to a few teams at the bottom of the first round who need help at offensive tackle, and then to kick off the second round, landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That would make him the left tackle for Trevor Lawrence as a rookie, a guy who is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick.

Notre Dame Football has three positives

Outside of Eichenberg, the Irish also have two other stars who tested position, including Aaron Banks and Ade Ogundeji. Banks has been mocked as a high as the second round in some mock drafts, while Ogundeji is considered either a late Day 2 pick or early Day 3.

Despite the positive tests, their draft status should be unaffected, as all three have done enough to guarantee they will be a selection. It could hurt them a bit, but they measured already during the Pro Day, and at least these diagnoses will not affect anything they can do in terms of their physical workouts.

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All three of these prospects are going to be exciting players at the next level, as both Eichenberg and Banks were anchors on one of the best offensive lines in football last season, and Ogundeji has the ability to be a real menace coming off the edge. Overall, this is going to be an exciting draft season for the Irish, and hopefully, all three players can get over COVID-19 healthy, and ready to make an impact in the NFL.

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