Notre Dame football: Jack Coan in perfect spot with the Colts
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program only had two draft picks during the 2022 NFL Draft, but Jack Coan landing in Indy as a UDFA is perfect for him.
He may have only played one season as a member of the Notre Dame football team, but quarterback Jack Coan left his mark on the organization. A graduate transfer from Wisconsin, Coan stepped right in as the leader of this team last year, earning the starting quarterback job, and playing extremely well down the stretch.
In fact, once the Irish figured things out upfront along the offensive line, Coan thrived in South Bend, leading them to an 11-1 regular-season record. Then, in a Fiesta Bowl loss, Coan had a record-breaking performance, throwing for over 500 yards and five touchdowns against the Oklahoma State defense.
After a strong draft season, many felt he would be a Day 3 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, however, that was not the case. Once the draft was over, the Indianapolis Colts were quick to bring him in, and for Coan, that could end up being a best-case scenario.
Notre Dame football QB lands in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, Coan finds himself in a perfect situation, as they have an established starting quarterback there in Matt Ryan. Ryan would be an excellent quarterback for Coan to learn the pro game under, and while Coan was not a draft pick, he has a great chance of making this roster out of camp and backing up Ryan as a rookie.
Standing in front of Coan is 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger, so it is not like there is some established backup behind Ryan in his first season in Indianapolis. Also, the Colts have an elite running back in Jonathan Taylor, who just happened to be Coan’s feature back when he led the Wisconsin Badgers to the Big Ten title game a few years back.
Overall, you have to think that Coan is very happy with where he ended up because as a UDFA, he had his choice of which team’s phone call he would answer. If his college career is any indication, Coan will eventually become a starter at the next level.