Breaking down recent NFL Draft history for Notre Dame football defensive backs
Welcome to NFL Draft week, Notre Dame football followers.
While the Irish are projected to go without a first-round pick for the fourth time in six years, defensive backs Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison are widely considered second-round talents in those ubiquitous mock drafts.
Here’s a look at where the last 21 Notre Dame defensive backs have been drafted since 2000:
Down to 2: Notre Dame football loses QB Steve Angeli to transfer portal
2024: Cam Hart, CB, Round 5
The former Irish team captain went 140th overall to Chargers, joining forces with two former Irish assistant coaches (Chris O’Leary and Mike Elston).
2022: Kyle Hamilton, S, Round 1
How did the future NFL All-Pro last until pick 14 and land with the Ravens? Lingering concerns about a nonsurgical knee injury cut short Hamilton’s third and final season at Notre Dame and caused him to drop.
2020: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Round 4; Alohi Gilman, S, Round 6
Pride went to the Panthers at No. 113. Gilman, the former Navy transfer, landed with the Chargers at No. 186 and has developed into a franchise stalwart.
2019: Julian Love, CB, Round 4
Before becoming a Seahawks Pro Bowler, Love started his career with the New York Giants as the 108th overall pick.
2016: KeiVarae Russell, CB, Round 3
Taken 74th overall by the Chiefs, Russell was a three-year college starter who suffered a fractured tibia in his final Irish season.
2014: Bennett Jackson, DB, Round 6
The Giants took him No. 187 overall after he made six combined interceptions in his final two seasons.
2013: Jamoris Slaughter, DB, Round 6; Zeke Motta, DB, Round 7
Coming off a torn Achilles that ended his 2012 season after three games, Slaughter went to the Browns at No. 175 overall. Motta, a three-year starter, went to the Falcons at No. 244.
2012: Harrison Smith, S, Round 1; Robert Blanton, CB, Round 5
The perennial Pro Bowler and the four-year Irish starting cornerback both landed with the Vikings that year: Smith at No. 29 overall and Blanton 110 picks later.
2009: David Bruton, DB, Round 5
The Broncos took Bruton (seven picks in his final two seasons) at No. 114.
2008: Tom Zbikowski, DB, Round 3
The Ravens grabbed the cult-hero safety/punt returner at No. 86.
2007: Mike Richardson, DB, Round 6; Nedu Ndukwe, DB, Round 7
Richardson went to the Patriots at No. 202. The Bengals turned in Ndukwe’s card at No. 253.
2004: Glenn Earl, DB, Round 4; Vontez Duff, DB, Round 6
The Texans grabbed both players: Earl at No. 122 and Duff, a former Irish captain, at No. 170.
2003: Shane Walton, Round 5; Gerome Sapp, Round 6
The Rams took Walton at No. 170 off a seven-interception finale. The Ravens nabbed Sapp at No. 182 after his four-pick season.
