Quartet of Notre Dame football stars make latest 2025 NFL Draft big board

Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over, Notre Dame football's focus turns to the 2024 season. But the focus for those who make their living putting together mock drafts turns to the 2025 edition. Those looking to see who the next Fighting Irish stars will be that could get drafted should be plenty excited according to Pro Football Focus's way too early projections for its big board.

Some of the names on this big board are similar to the ones that have popped up on other way too early projections. Though there are some new names here as well. 

2025 NFL draft prospects: Notre Dame's rising stars to watch

Right at the top of the list is cornerback Benjamin Morrison. The Notre Dame defensive back is considered one of the best players in the draft class. That's not a surprise by any means. He's long been thought to be first round talent. The surprise really only comes in because at the moment, he's still injured. He missed Notre Dame football's spring practice.

It would appear this big board believes Morrison will be healthy and ready to go in time to boost himself all the way up to 8th on the list. Unfortunately, if the Big Board is 100 percent accurate, like Joe Alt this year, Morrison will be the only Irish star going in the first round.

Though Notre Dame football fans won't have to wait long to see the next Golden Domer get picked. Tight end Mitchell Evans is ranked 33rd on the list. Which would basically be the first player taken in the 2nd round. And of course, with a ranking like that, all it would take is one NFL team deciding they badly need a good tight end for him to go in the first round.

The final two Notre Dame players on the list don't come far behind Evans. Defensive lineman Howard Cross III is projected as the 37th best player and safety Xavier Watts is the 41st ranked. That of course means that four Irish could get drafted in the first two rounds.