A look at the complete Notre Dame 2022 NFL Draft class

The entry deadline has passed. Mock drafts are trickling out with more frequency. The Senior Bowl is less than three weeks away.

What’s all that mean? NFL Draft season is nigh. Notre Dame’s 2022 class likely won’t yield as many selections as last year’s nine, but it has a prospect as talented as any to come out the program this century. How does the rest of it shape up? Here’s a look at every Irish player who bypassed a remaining college season(s) to declare or is out of eligibility. Projections are made using ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s top 300 rankings.

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Safety Kyle Hamilton (projected top-10 pick)

Hamilton is appearing in the top 10 of most mock drafts and might be the first defensive back taken. He’s the clear top safety in the draft. The knee injury that wiped out his season hasn’t affected that status at all. In six-plus games, Hamilton made 35 tackles (2.0 for loss), grabbed three interceptions and broke up four passes. He looked like a future pro as a freshman. He leaves as a player with All-Pro potential.

Running back Kyren Williams (projected Day 2 pick)

Williams was the first Notre Dame running back to rush for 1,000-yards since Darius Walker in 2005-06. He brings much more than his elusive and tough running style, though. He had 77 catches over the last two seasons and willingly takes on pass rushers who are 50 pounds heavier than him. He was also Notre Dame’s punt returner in 2021.

Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (projected late-round pick)

Austin made his long-awaited emergence in 2021, leading Notre Dame in receiving yards (888) and yards per catch (18.9). His seven receiving touchdowns tied for the team lead. The final numbers are solid, and his physical traits should intrigue a pro team, but his senior year had some valleys that highlighted the need to improve his consistency and strength. He’s a worthy project for an NFL team, but not one who’s likely to hear his name called early.

Defensive end Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (projected late-round pick)

Tagovailoa-Amosa had a successful graduate season on the edge after moving from tackle, posting 35 quarterback pressures, two sacks and six tackles for loss. His NFL future might be inside or in a three-down front. He’s a three-year starter and team captain who will ace all the intangibles tests.

Linebacker Drew White (projected free agent)

White was a productive three-year starter and team leader, but usually came off the field in sub-packages and was limited in coverage. Recent drafts have shown the NFL’s demand for two-down linebackers is low.

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Linebacker Isaiah Pryor (projected free agent)

Pryor was barely visible in 2020 as deep reserve at safety and rover, but emerged as a complement to Jack Kiser on passing downs and a staple in the nickel and dime defense this year. The NFL is more willing to draft smaller linebackers than before, but the size and limited time at linebacker are big hurdles to overcome.  

Other Notre Dame players in the draft

Notre Dame had four players who exhausted their eligibility in 2021, and all were graduate student starters: quarterback Jack Coan, guard Cain Madden, nose tackle Kurt Hinish and kicker Jonathan Doerer. None is a projected draft pick.

Coan was Notre Dame’s starter in 2021 after taking a grad transfer from Wisconsin. He threw for 3,150 yards, 25 touchdowns, seven interceptions and completed 65.5 percent of his passes. Madden came over as a graduate transfer from Marshall and had an up-and-down season as the starting right guard.

Hinish set Notre Dame’s career games played record (61) and was a three-year starter with under-appreciated quickness and disruptive ability. Doerer made 75 percent of his career field goal attempts (49-of-64) and hit four from at least 50 yards.