Notre Dame football alumni were all over NFL scoreboards in Week 7, but Harrison Smith delivered the biggest moment. The longtime Vikings safety grabbed his 40th career interception, while Kyren Williams, Eli Raridon and Xavier Watts added impressive performances of their own.
Usually, making the decision on who stood out the most is difficult, with 58 former Irish stars on NFL rosters. This week, however, Smith clearly stood out and, even more unusually, he dethroned Kyle Hamilton.
The most notable Notre Dame football alumni in Week 7 of the NFL season
Harrison Smith
This week, another former Irish safety grabbed the headlines. Harrison Smith notched his 40th career interception, secured Minnesota's victory over Indianapolis, and further strengthened his standing among the NFL's most accomplished safeties.
Smith, who has been with the Vikings since he was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, continues to put up big numbers. In addition to that interception, he also had four tackles and a quarterback hit in the Vikings’ 16-10 win that improved them to 6-0 on the season.
Kyren Williams
On the offensive side of the ball, it’s hardly a surprise that Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams was the top producer among Notre Dame alumni. Williams had 16 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown, adding two catches for 22 yards as one half of the one-two punch with Blake Corum.
The Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 and snapped a two-game losing streak. Williams’ 99 yards was a season high as he’s lost some touches to Corum.
Eli Raridon
Former Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon continues to emerge for the New England Patriots. The rookie scored his second touchdown of the season and finished with 3 catches and 56 receiving yards against the Chicago Bears.
Raridon has 16 targets, 12 catches, and 168 yards. He’s also becoming a safety valve when the Pats need a big conversion: 9 of his 12 receptions went for a first down.
Xavier Watts
Xavier Watts continues to stake his claim as one of the NFL's best safeties in just his second season. This week, he tallied seven tackles and a forced fumble for the Atlanta Falcons, who handed the San Francisco 49ers their first loss of the season.
Through seven games this season, Watts has 44 tackles, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, and 1 interception. It’s a nice follow-up to last season, when he had 92 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 5 interceptions.
Injuries and roster decisions remain significant for Notre Dame football alumni
Both rookie running backs out of Notre Dame this season are banged up. Jeremiyah Love missed his second straight game with an ankle injury, while Jadarian Price continued his recovery on injured reserve.
Audric Estimé was a healthy scratch, and Ben Skowronek remained sidelined with a calf injury. Love and Price’s injuries remain the most frustrating among Notre Dame alums, considering they started the campaign looking like they could be competing with each other for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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