SOUTH BEND — Three Notre Dame football players have been selected through the first two days of the three-day NFL Draft.
The first two were offensive tackles: Joe Alt went fifth overall to the Los Angeles Chargers, becoming the highest Notre Dame draft pick since QB Rick Mirer went second overall to the Seattle Seahawks in 1993; and Blake Fisher went in Friday's second round (59th overall) to the Houston Texans.
Also drafted on Day 2 was linebacker Marist Liufau, who went to the Dallas Cowboys in Round 3 with the 87th overall pick.
Here’s a look at the best projected fits for the remaining hopefuls from Notre Dame football as the NFL Draft concludes with Rounds 4-7, starting at noon on Saturday:
More:Los Angeles Chargers make Joe Alt highest-drafted Notre Dame football O-lineman in 55 years
Notre Dame football CB Cam Hart NFL Draft projections
A converted WR who overcame three shoulder surgeries during his five-year college career. The first pure cornerback in 20 years to be voted a Notre Dame team captain and just the fourth in modern team history. Graded out at 84.2% in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, in 2023. That placed Hart 23rd nationally among all cornerbacks with at least 200 defensive snaps. Although his only career interceptions came in the 2021 win over Wisconsin, Hart allowed just 15 completions (no touchdowns) for 137 yards in his final season. Over his final 33 games, he allowed just three touchdown catches.
Blake Fisher:Blake Fisher heads to Houston Texans in Round 2, reunites with Notre Dame captain Jarrett Patterson
Hart enters Day 3 at No. 9 onESPN's listof best available players. The only cornerback listed ahead of him is Iowa State's T.J. Tampa.
▶Dane Brugler, The Athletic:Fourth round (106thoverall) toTennessee Titans
Notre Dame football RB Audric Estime NFL Draft projections
Renounced his final year of eligibility after breaking the program record for single-season rushing touchdowns. The previous mark had been shared by Allen Pinkett (1984) and Vagas Ferguson (1979). Powerful workhorse who also showed off his surprising agility with leaping runs against Clemson (2023) and BYU (2022). Shows excellent vision and instincts with more burst than defenders might expect. Forced 105 missed tackles (4.2 average) over his final 25 games. Struggled with a midseason fumbling problem (three in four games) as a sophom*ore but fumbled just once in his final 18 games.
Estime entered Day 3 ranked 61st on ESPN's list ofbest available players. Jonathon Brooks of Texas was the first running back selected this year, and he had to wait until midway through the second round (46th overall).
▶Chad Reuter, NFL.com:Fourth round(132ndoverall) to San Francisco 49ers
▶Dane Brugler, The Athletic:Fourth round (125thoverall) toTampa Bay Buccaneers
▶Jordan Reid, ESPN.com:Fourth round (107th overall) toNew York Giants
Notre Dame football LB JD Bertrand NFL Draft projections
A finalist for the Campbell Trophy (aka the academic Heisman), Bertrand led Notre Dame in tackles the past three seasons. The last player to do that for the Irish was Manti Te’o from 2010-12. What Bertrand lacks in raw athleticism he offsets with preparation, instinctive play and rugged determination. A two-time team captain who moved inside for his final two seasons, Bertrand is an effective blitzer (61 career pressures, per Pro Football Focus) but struggled at times with missed tackles (42 over his final three years). Despite a torn plantar fascia, he stood out during Senior Bowl workouts and was voted the National squad’s top LB by teammates.
Bertrand was listed 170th onESPN's listof best available players entering Day 3.
▶Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com:Rated No. 119 amongTop 150 prospects.
▶Dane Brugler, The Athletic:Sixth round (206thoverall) toCleveland Browns
Notre Dame football DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste NFL Draft projections
Pegged as a situational pass rusher upon his arrival from Ohio State, Jean-Baptiste expanded his game and his impact in his one-and-done experience with the Irish. Blessed with enviable measurables, including a 33 ¾-inch reach and 10-inch hands, Jean-Baptiste remained a force off the edge and graded out well against the run (85.4 grade). According to Pro Football Focus, that trailed only LB Jack Kiser among all Irish defenders. Jean-Baptiste led the team with five sacks and made 36 tackles, not missing a tackle all year. He’s a product of the same youth football league as Irish teammate Audric Estime.
Jean-Baptiste entered Day 3 at No. 114 onESPN's listof best available players. Twelve undrafted edge rushers were still listed ahead of him.
▶Jordan Reid, ESPN.com:Fifth round (174th overall) toDallas Cowboys
▶Chad Reuter, NFL.com:Sixth round (191st overall) toIndianapolis Colts
▶Dane Brugler, The Athletic:Seventh round (244th overall) to Dallas Cowboys
Notre Dame football QB Sam Hartman NFL Draft projections
The Wake Forest grad transfer went 36-21 as a starter, but just 5-10 against ranked teams. He overcame a broken leg (2018) and a blood clot (2022) to finish tied for third in FBS history in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards. His arm strength and speed are only average, but his leadership, production and durability could earn him a late-round draft slot. He struggled in the Senior Bowl (7-for-25 passing, 69 yards, one interception) but his lone season in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame yielded career-bests in completion percentage (63.5%), yards per attempt (8.9) and passer rating (159.5).
Hartman entered Day 3 at No. 215 on ESPN's list of best available players. Six QBs werestill ranked aheadof him after no signal-callers were selected on Day 2: Spencer Rattler, Michael Pratt, Kedon Slovis, Jordan Travis, Devin Leary and Joe Milton III.
▶Dane Brugler, The Athletic:Seventh round (224thoverall) toCincinnati Bengals
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com:Seventh round (224thoverall) toCincinnati Bengals
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is on social media @MikeBerardino.
