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Notre Dame Football: Biggest NFL Draft busts in program history

By Daniel Morrison

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn holds a jersey after being selected wth the 22nd pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns at the Radio City Music Hall, April 28, 2007. (Photo by Richard Schultz/Getty Images)
Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn holds a jersey after being selected wth the 22nd pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns at the Radio City Music Hall, April 28, 2007. (Photo by Richard Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame Football: Biggest NFL Draft busts in program history

Ken MacAfee

Ken MacAfee is probably the best tight end in Notre Dame Football history. Certainly, even if you argue someone like Tyler Eifert is a bit better, that MacAfee is in the top two. After all, MacAfee was a three time All-American was a Walter Camp and Knute Rockne Award winner.

MacAfee was more than that, though. He was a lineman with a receiver’s ability, like Gronkowski before Gronkowski.

That actually became an issue when he hit the NFL. MacAfee was taken with the 7th overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, and he’d be reunited with Joe Montana a year later, in what seemed like a dream of a decision.

Except, MacAfee and offensive genius Bill Walsh had an issue. Despite having two good seasons to start his career, starting at tight end and catching four touchdowns in 1979, Walsh didn’t want him to play tight end anymore. He wanted him to play guard, to take full advantage of his blocking skills.

MacAfee didn’t want to play guard, so much so that he left the NFL for dental school.

The 49ers would trade MacAfee to the Minnesota Vikings, but the damage was done. He never played another down in the NFL, instead becoming a successful dentist who volunteers his time for the United Way.

Joe Heap

Joe Heap’s historic reputation at Notre Dame suffers for two key reasons. The first is that there are so many legends to play running back before and after him, Heap gets lost in the mix. The second reason, Heap played at the end of the Frank Leahy and start of the Terry Brennan eras, which weren’t exactly the highlights of Notre Dame history.

Still, Heap was a three year starter who still holds the Irish record for receiving yards as a running back. He was an elite player.

A great all around player like that was bound to be noticed by the NFL, and the Giants took him number 8 overall in 1955. Unfortunately for the Giants, Heap didn’t show off those skills in the NFL, only playing one season.

After that one season Heap left the NFL, instead joining the Air Force. After the Air Force, he’d go on to work for Shell Oil for a career.

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