Every year, the University of Notre Dame’s Pro Day attracts the attention of the entire NFL. As the departing Irish prepare to venture into their careers as hopeful professional athletes, they have the chance to showcase their talents one last time in a controlled environment. This year, one of Notre Dame’s strongest draft classes in recent memory took to the field to show scouts, coaches, general managers and more what they had to offer.
19 draft hopefuls were present, with junior running back Jeremiyah Love being the only Notre Dame draft hopeful who did not participate in the showcase, electing to watch from the sidelines. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr, though not draft eligible until 2027, also showcased his skills by throwing during the receiving drills for the wide receivers, running backs and tight ends.
Besides Carr, 16 Notre Dame players were featured alongside two Indiana State standouts who were invited to participate. The full list in attendance included running backs Jeremiah Love and Jake Tafelski. Representing the wide receivers were Malachi Fields and Will Pauling for Notre Dame and Rashad Rochelle for Indiana State. Eli Raridon and Davis Sherwood were the only tight ends present. The offensive line was represented by Aamil Wagner, Gabriel Rubio and Billy Schrauth, while Jordan Botelho, Jared Dawson and Junior Tuihalamaka were present on the defensive line. Notre Dame defensive backs Jalen Stroman and DeVonta Smith were joined by Indiana State’s Kimal Clark. Noah Burnette was the only kicker present, and James Rendell was the only punter.
Many notable coaches and alumni came to witness the showcase. New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn talked with several players, as did New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. The general managers of the Green Bay Packers, Jets and Saints were also in attendance.
Several former Irish standouts made appearances, including Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson and free agent quarterback Ian Book. Book was also a part of Peacock’s broadcast of the Pro Day as a desk analyst alongside Tony Simeone and fellow Notre Dame alumna Caroline Pineda.
As for individual draft expectations, many players had a similar outlook: whatever happens, happens. Many explicitly discussed how their faith has played a role not only in their outlook on April’s draft, but also in their preparation for the NFL Scouting Combine and Tuesday’s Pro Day.
“My identity isn’t in my sports or in my performance, but my identity can be found in my faith and that’s what I have to stay rooted in,” senior wide receiver Will Pauling explained to the media. “I really just had to focus on what God had for me, what God has for you is for you, and nobody can take that away.”
Senior cornerback Smith shared a similar sentiment. “I put it in God’s hands and I know God has a plan at the end of the day,” he said. “God has a plan and I trust in his plan each and every day that I live.”
As for the players’ actual workouts, several individual performances caught the attention of the entire Irish Athletics Center throughout the day’s events. Pauling ran a blazing 4.37-second 40-yard dash, much to the delight of his observing teammates. He also impressed with a 42-inch vertical jump, which would have been tied for second best at the NFL Combine among wide receivers.
Pauling’s vertical was bested only by Smith. His soar to 42 inches would have also been good for second at the Combine, this time among cornerbacks. His explosion to an 11-foot broad jump would also have placed him in the same second place spot on the leaderboard.
One of the most pleasantly surprising individual moments of the day was senior running back Tafelski’s 41-inch vertical. When compared with the stacked groups of running backs at the Combine, his finish would have earned him a promising second-place result.
With both the Combine and Notre Dame Pro Day now in the rearview mirror, all the players can do is wait. The NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, in Pittsburgh, with several Irish hoping to hear their names called.
