Notre Dame football: Based on visits, Kyle Hamilton should go top-10
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team has not seen a player selected in the first round since 2019, but that is about to change in two weeks.
We are officially two weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft, a draft that should bring some fireworks for the Notre Dame football program in the first round. Star safety Kyle Hamilton dominated during his tenure in South Bend and has long been seen as a first-round draft pick.
Sure, he endured some injury issues last season and did not play from the USC game on, but it won’t affect his draft status. He also had a rough go in terms of the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and while many feel that will hurt his draft status, Matt Lombardo, FanSided’s NFL Insider spoke to a scout who said that will not be the case.
"“He could legitimately go No. 1 overall,” an NFL scout tells FanSided. “His range and football IQ are easily his best traits, and I just can’t see how he would slide anywhere past No. 7 (Giants) or No. 10 (Jets).”"
In fact, Hamilton is going to be meeting with the Detroit Lions, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, and a selection that I believe is his ceiling in this draft. Safeties do not go No. 1 overall, even though he has the talent to do so, but Detroit would be a perfect landing spot for him here.
Notre Dame football star a game-changer
For whichever team gets Hamilton, they are getting a player who can legitimately change their fortunes in the secondary in an instant. Hamilton plays sideline to sideline, and while his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine left much to desire, his game speed is second-to-none in terms of this draft class, as he is the unquestioned No. 1 defensive back available this year.
This is an exciting two weeks for Hamilton, as he figures out where he is going to continue his football career. Notre Dame football likely won’t see another player selected until Day 3 based on projections, so sit back and enjoy No. 14 going early, possibly as a top-3 selection.