Newsstand: Where NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Joe Alt, other Notre Dame football players
On Friday, ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest big board and positional rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft. Kiper included three Notre Dame football players in his rankings.
Former Fighting Irish left tackle Joe Alt was the only one to crack the Top 25 while running back Audric Estimé and linebacker Marist Liufau found spots among their positions. Kiper has Alt as his No. 8 overall player and top offensive tackle this year.
“Alt started 33 games at left tackle for the Fighting Irish, and I was most impressed by his technique on a snap-to-snap basis,” Kiper said. “(Alt) rarely gets caught out. He mirrors well in pass protection, adjusting easily to secondary moves from edge rushers. He does a great job keeping his huge frame between the defender and his quarterback. In his career, he allowed just 16 total pressures in more than 1,000 pass-block snaps.
“Alt’s father, John, was a first-round offensive tackle, too, going No. 21 overall to the Chiefs in 1984. He was 6-7, 275 pounds when he entered the NFL, which shows you how the game has changed since then.”
Estimé and Liufau ranked Nos. 8 and 9 at their respective positions. Kiper tapped Texas running back Jonathon Brooks as his top running back. He had Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper as the No. 1 off-ball linebacker.
This year’s NFL Draft begins on April 25 in Detroit.
Notre Dame Posts of the Weekend
The Irish women’s basketball team tipped off the start of the NCAA Tournament with a win at home on Saturday.
Irish graduate student outfielder David Glancy hit a grand slam against Miami on Sunday.
Irish freshman defensive lineman Bryce Young has the attention of coach Marcus Freeman.
Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend
“Bryce Young has stood out physically, I think more than anything, physically being college-ready. He’s got work to do like all of them do, but he’s the one that’s probably stood out the most, I think just being physically ready at this point.”
— Freeman on Young during Saturday’s news conference.
Notre Dame Headlines of the Weekend
- ND quarterback commit Deuce Knight breaks down latest South Bend visit
- Why Ole Miss could pose problems to ND women’s basketball
- How the Irish impressed dominant DL target Jamarcus Whyce during first ND visit
- Four-star QB Noah Grubbs goes in-depth on ND visit; decision coming soon?
- How Sonia Citron reminded us she’s a big-game player for ND in NCAA Tournament win over Kent State
- UMass transfer forward Josh Cohen to visit ND
- ND outlasts Kent State to advance to NCAA Tournament second round
- On300 RB Chase Enlow breaks down Saturday ND visit
- What Riley Leonard’s ankle surgery means for ND QB competition
- Everything ND head coach Marcus Freeman said after spring practice No. 4
- Veteran ND wide receiver and offensive newcomer hindered by spring injuries
- ND QB Riley Leonard’s spring practice availability jeopardized by second surgery
- Live updates: ND coach Marcus Freeman spring press conference No. 2
- Inside ND’s battle with Ohio State for top 100 recruit Cincere Johnson
- What to know about ND women’s basketball vs. Kent State in NCAA Tournament
