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Notre Dame Football: Aaron Banks signs rookie deal with San Francisco 49ers

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 nine players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, and one of them, Aaron Banks, signed his rookie contract Thursday.

The Notre Dame Football program was one of the more active teams in the 2021 NFL Draft, as nine members of the Irish were selected across the three-day event. The first player off the board was Liam Eichenberg, who went to the Miami Dolphins with the No. 42 overall pick.

Only six selections later, the second member of the Notre Dame Football program came off the board, offensive guard Aaron Banks. After an All-American final season with the Irish, Banks was one of the premier interior offensive linemen in the draft class, and the 49ers got a special player by selecting him at No. 48 overall.

On Thursday, according to Pro Football Talk, Banks signed his rookie contract with the 49ers, becoming the first member of their rookie class to ink their first NFL deal.

Notre Dame Football well-represented in 2021 NFL Draft

Banks should slide in as the starting right guard for the 49ers, who are looking to bounce back after a terrible 2020 campaign. The year before, the 49ers actually represented the NFC in the Super Bowl, a game they lost to the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs.

While Banks is the first 49ers player to sign his rookie deal, he is also the first Notre Dame draft pick to sign on the dotted line, but they should all be under contract before long. The Irish were shut out of the first round for the second straight year in 2021, and players selected after the first 32 picks are usually quick to get to camp and get working.

Overall, it was a very successful draft season for Brian Kelly and his staff, as they continue to prove that Notre Dame is “Offensive Line U.” In fact, all four of the starters who entered the draft along the offensive line were either drafted, or picked up by a team as an undrafted free agent, and all four should be on NFL rosters come Week 1.

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