Notre Dame football: 3 NFL rookies in 2021 to make an impact in Year 1
By Sean Smith
The Notre Dame football team has 14 members of the 2020 squad starting their NFL journeys this summer, and these three will make an immediate impact.
Notre Dame football had nine players taken in the NFL Draft this past season, finishing only behind Ohio State and Alabama who had ten selected. That is a testament to this program, one that continues to produce high-level talent, and despite them not having a first round pick again, that does not mean this class is short on their ability to come in and dominate in Year 1.
Here, we take a look at three rookies poised to make an impact their rookie season.
Notre Dame football: 3 NFL rookies in 2021 to make an impact in Year 1
No. 1: Liam Eichenberg, OG, Miami Dolphins
Liam Eichenberg was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 42nd pick in the second round. The former Consensus All-American and First-team All-ACC player started every game for Notre Dame from 2018 until he finished his collegiate career in 2020.
He is projected to move inside of the offensive line in Miami, but is expected to compete for the starting job early on to protect the already injury-prone Tua Tagovailoa. I expect him to be a full-time starter by the end of the season and representing O-Line U.
No. 2: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 52nd pick in the second round. A shoo-in to be taken in the first round, he fell all the way to the second round because of a heart issue that he was cleared for before the draft.
That being said, the Browns got the steal of the draft, and possibly got the best rookie linebacker. He was just deactivated from the COVID-19 list after testing positive with no symptoms, and is currently making his training camp debut on August 3rd.
I expect him to be a Rookie of the year candidate while making an impact day one. Proving he is one of the best players to be taken in this year’s draft.
No. 3: Tommy Tremble
Tommy Tremble was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 83rd pick in the third round. He was an amazing all-around player for the Irish, and he has a decent chance to beat out Ian Thomas for the starting job with the Panthers.
Even if he doesn’t they will find a way to get him on the field as a starter, he is best as a blocker, especially in the run game so, I’m sure Christian McCaffery is excited about this pick, as we all saw the impact he made for Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree last season.
One can only imagine the holes he will open up for one of the league’s top-tier running backs. I expect him to start the year as the TE 2 on the Panthers, playing primarily as a blocking tight end. However, by the end of the season, he will become a full-time starter for the panthers.