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Notre Dame football: Top-10 draft picks of the Brian Kelly era

By Daniel Morrison

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Head coach Brian Kelly of Notre Dame arrives to the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Head coach Brian Kelly of Notre Dame arrives to the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame Football Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Top-10 draft picks of the Brian Kelly era

5. Harrison Smith

  • Minnesota Vikings, 2012: Round 1, Pick 29

During his time in the NFL, Harrison Smith has been one of the game’s best safeties, even if he’s not one of the flashiest. Arguably, he has even been one of the better defensive players in all of the NFL during this time, and he’s also spent that entire time, starting in 2012, playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

During the past decade, Smith has made five Pro Bowls, was All-Pro in 2017, and second-team All-Pro in 2018. Pro Football Focus also named him to the All-Decade team. Smith’s career numbers are massive, with 747 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 28 INTs.

Going forward, the next trick for Smith is going to be looking to find postseason success in the second act of his career. Other than that, he’s already accomplished everything there is to accomplish in what will likely be a Hall of Fame career before all is said and done.

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