Notre Dame football quarterbacks taken in NFL Draft since 1960
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program, one of the most storied programs in college football history, has produced a number of quarterbacks who have made their mark both at the collegiate level and in the NFL. Since 1960, several of these quarterbacks have been selected in the NFL Draft, contributing to the rich legacy of Notre Dame football.
Starting with the first notable quarterback taken in the NFL Draft from Notre Dame post-1960, we have Joe Theismann, who was chosen in the fourth round (99th overall) by the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 1971 CFL Draft before being picked in the 17th round (232nd overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Although he was originally overlooked, Theismann found his footing and became a star with the Washington Redskins, leading them to victory in Super Bowl XVII and earning a league MVP award in 1983.
Following Theismann, the next significant quarterback to emerge was Rick Mirer, who was selected with the second overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Mirer had a strong collegiate career, but his NFL tenure was far more challenging. Despite some early success, he failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by his draft status and ultimately played for several teams, including the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers, before retiring in 2005.
In the early 2000s, a new wave of talent emerged. In 2005, Brady Quinn was selected in the first round (22nd overall) by the Cleveland Browns. Quinn was highly regarded coming out of Notre Dame and had a celebrated collegiate career. While he had moments of promise in the NFL, including starting games for the Browns and San Francisco 49ers, his professional career did not match the high expectations set by his college performance.
Later in the 2010s, Jimmy Clausen joined the ranks of Notre Dame quarterbacks drafted into the NFL. He was picked in the second round (48th overall) by the Carolina Panthers in 2010. Clausen faced challenges in the Panthers’ organization, struggling to find consistency and eventually relegated to backup roles with various teams.
The most recent high-profile quarterback from Notre Dame is Ian Book, selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Book had a successful collegiate career and was known for his dual-threat capability. He faced adversity but was seen as a player with potential for development in the NFL.
As of October 2023, the Notre Dame program has produced a total of over a dozen quarterbacks who have been drafted into the NFL since 1960. Each of these players has contributed to the ever-evolving conversation surrounding the effectiveness and legacy of quarterbacks from the Fighting Irish tradition. While not all have experienced the success of their collegiate achievements, they represent a proud lineage of talent that reflects the rich history of Notre Dame football and its influence on the professional game. The Fighting Irish continue to be a program to watch for future quarterback prospects, consistently developing talent that can transition to the NFL.
