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Notre Dame football: Kyle Hamilton could be highest-drafted Irish player this century

By Brad Weiss

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Safety Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 after a first quarter interception against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Safety Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 after a first quarter interception against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team produces their fair share of first-round picks, but Kyle Hamilton could be the highest-selected player this century.

Over the past two NFL Drafts, the Notre Dame football team has not seen one of their players selected in the first round. The last member of the program to go in the first round was Jerry Tillery back in 2019, a trend that needs to end this April.

Last year, many felt that linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would go in the first round, with some mock drafts predicting him to go as high as the top-10. However, a medical issue forced him into Day 2, and the Cleveland Browns would get a steal, as he was named a PFWA All-Rookie selection this past season.

This year, the Irish figure to have a lock on a first-round pick, but just how high could safety Kyle Hamilton go. Many predict he will go in the top-5 selections, and that would make him the highest-drafted Notre Dame football player this century.

Notre Dame football star could go in the top-3

Looking around at the latest mock drafts, Hamilton could actually end up as a top-3 pick, with many predicting that the Houston Texans will not pass on him. In recent drafts, both Quenton Nelson and Ronnie Stanley have been picked No. 6 overall, and that is the highest a player has been drafted from the school since 2000.

In Hamilton, the NFL is getting a generational talent at the safety position, and with how pass-happy the league is now, he plays a premium role. Having a strong defensive backfield is paramount if you want to be a legitimate playoff contender, and Hamilton could be the most NFL-ready player in this entire draft class.

One thing is for sure, the Irish drought of first-round picks is coming to a close, as it would take a miracle for Hamilton not to be selected in the first round this April. I also like him going in the top-3 to Houston, playing under a defensive-minded head coach in Lovie Smith, and possibly being an All-Pro in Year 1.

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