Upside the focus after Notre Dame football's Blake Fisher joins Houston
To the surprise of very few, the first two former Notre Dame football players off the 2024 NFL Draft board were both offensive tackles. On Friday night, near the end of the second round, Blake Fisher joined teammate Joe Alt in the NFL.
There was one big difference in Fisher, who went 57th overrall and was the 27th pick in the second round, and Joe Alt who was the fifth player taken, was the reaction from their new teams' fans. For the most part, Alt was met with derision, mainly because Los Angeles Chargers fans wanted another offensive weapon rather than an offensive lineman.
Fisher, on the other hand, has mostly been met with optimism. There is however, some understanding that Fisher is going to be a bit more of a project than his Notre Dame football offensive line counterpart. There's even quite a bit of talk that he won't play tackle for the Houston Texans but could move inside to guard.
The prevailing theory, from both Notre Dame fans and Houston Texans fans was that Blake Fisher has a ton of upside. And that more protection for budding superstar quarterback CJ Stroud is never a bad thing.
Upside the focus after Notre Dame football's Blake Fisher joins Houston
One Texans analyst pointed out that Fisher was slated for left tackle at Notre Dame before Joe Alt became the man-mountain we all knew and loved. The implication might be that Fisher is likely going to move around the line for Houston.
Blake Fisher has a lot of potential. He was pegged to be the starting LT before injuries came about, and Joe Alt took over the left side at ND. But Fisher is a player who can become a solid starter in the league. He has excellent athletic ability and good hands
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) April 27, 2024
Another analyst believes Blake Fisher might be slated for right guard. At least at the start of his Houston Texans career.
Blake Fisher is a very talented tackle who can play on either side at tackle. What is curious is with Tytus Howard's contract extension it makes you wonder if the Texans believe they can potentially move Blake Fisher to guard early in his career to compete at LG. Regardless,…
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 27, 2024
This clip from Texans radio shows some initial confusion and surprise, but then the hosts warming up to the idea of the former Notre Dame football star on the team.
Texans Radio reaction to Pick 59 Blake Fisher T from Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/e7ZRpXvuI0
— Marc Vandermeer (@TexansVoice) April 27, 2024
Another user pointed out that Fisher has been a star at every stop of his career.
5 star recruit ✅
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) April 27, 2024
Early declare ✅
Power 5 school ✅
In game athleticism>Testing results ✅
Blake Fisher checks Caserio’s boxes, who’s really got a clear draft strategy at this point imo.
Feels like a “luxury” pick when you have unfilled needs tho https://t.co/rn4le6TxDG
This user thinks Fisher wasn't even as good as he could have been with Notre Dame football, but talks about the upside that's obvious.
Blake Fisher joins Jarrett Patterson with the Houston Texans. Didn't reach his ceiling at ND, but he has outstanding tools and would not surprise me if he ended up being one of the best OL from this draft pic.twitter.com/mPkhmHsa9z
— Jamie Uyeyama (@jamieuyeyama) April 27, 2024
Finally, a Notre Dame football beat writer points out that Fisher outperformed most projections as to where he'd go. And points out the Fighting Irish are having a heck of a run when it comes to the claim of OLU.
Blake Fisher out performs virtually every projection out there, going late second round to the Houston Texans.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) April 27, 2024
Notre Dame’s run of offensive tackle development is incredible. https://t.co/Qh6FjG6ehH
There is still one more Notre Dame football player who could get drafted on Friday night. Defensive back Cam Hart is a borderline 3rd round, 4th round pick waiting to see if he gets the call before Saturday.