A handful of Notre Dame football players are participating in today’s Senior Bowl.
Fewer Fighting Irish players are appearing this season than most because of the extended schedule due to the College Football Playoffs. However, that just means guys like Jack Kiser are standing out more than normal. And Kiser is standing out so much that he’s drawing praise from all sides.
Earlier this week, the former Notre Dame football star was named the top linebacker on the American squad at the Senior Bowl. What makes that honor more impressive is that it’s voted on the players he’s going up against. The running backs, offensive linemen, and running backs. As Jim Nagy pointed out, Kiser also won that vote after getting a very short time off from the College Football Playoffs and playing a 16-game regular season schedule.
Notre Dame football star drawing praise at Senior Bowl practices
Kiser’s praise and accolades haven’t stopped with being named the linebacker of the week. And like JD Bertrand last year, it’s looking like a linebacker who didn’t have much draft buzz during the season, might be pushing himself up NFL charts with the way he’s played this week.
𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Irish ☘️ Notre Dame's Jack Kiser was named top LB on American squad in vote from OL, TE, and RB position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl...and he came to Mobile after only 6-day CFP window and 16-game… pic.twitter.com/LqWjHiMUAw
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025
Several other scouts were impressed by Kiser’s play during the Senior Bowl practices. In particular, the linebacker has been doing very well in pass coverage. NFL Scout Matt Miller was especially glowing in his assessment.
“Every time I watch linebackers, Jack Kiser is making a play in coverage.”
Kiser posted a career year for the Notre Dame football team in 2024. He logged a career-high in tackles with 90 while also getting a pass defended and two forced fumbles. He was also a superstar when it comes to PFF Ratings. He had the third-highest overall score (82.6) of the defense, but he was even better with tackling (90.5) and run defense (86.8).
Oddly enough, his weakest area according to that site was pass coverage. That’s why his Senior Bowl practice performances have impressed scouts so much.