Notre Dame football: Liam Eichenberg to move inside with Miami
By Brad Weiss
The former Notre Dame football star is moving to guard to start his NFL career, and that could lead to a starting role with Miami as a rookie.
For the past few seasons, the Notre Dame football program has been blessed to have Liam Eichenberg as their starting left tackle. An All-American during his time with the Irish, Eichenberg was a wall protecting Ian Book’s blindside, becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the entire country.
During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins made Eichenberg the No. 42 overall pick, as he was the first member of the Notre Dame football program to be selected. Now in the pros, Eichenberg is moving inside with the Fins, as he is currently listed as a guard on their depth chart according to ourlads.com.
The move inside is a good one for Eichenberg, as they have a former first-round draft pick in Austin Jackson as their starting left tackle, and it will enable him to likely stay on the left side. He will find an easier path to a starting job as a guard, while also having the ability to kick outside if need be.
Notre Dame football has produced plenty of elite NFL offensive guards
When looking at the talent at the NFL level, you can see plenty of former Notre Dame football program members. In fact, Eichenberg is joining a long list of elite NFL linemen to come from South Bend, including fellow guard Quenton Nelson, who was recently named the No. 4-best player in the entire league.
The Irish are affectionately referred to as “Offensive Line U,” and rightfully so, as four of their starters from last season will be in the NFL this season. Eichenberg is joining a Miami team on the rise after winning ten games last season, and he is seen as a piece of the puzzle that can finally get them over the hump.
If Eichenberg can move inside and dominate the way he did at Notre Dame, then the Dolphins are going to very happy they picked him in the second round. In fact, when all is said and done, Eichenberg is going to be a very versatile lineman for the Dolphins, helping them to a likely spot in the playoffs in 2021.