Two former Notre Dame players among The Athletic’s list of best UDFA signings by every NFL team

On3 imageby:Patrick Engel05/17/22

PatrickEngel_

Eight of the 10 members of Notre Dame’s 2022 NFL Draft class were not among the 262 picks last month. Six signed rookie contracts with teams that will earn them a shot in training camp. Two more were invited to rookie minicamp.

Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Jack Coan chose the Indianapolis Colts, defensive tackle Kurt Hinish picked the Houston Texans, linebacker Isaiah Pryor signed with the New Orleans Saints, defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa is with the Las Vegas Raiders and linebacker Drew White chose the Washington Commanders.

Kicker Jonathan Doerer and guard Cain Madden were invited to the New York Giants’ rookie minicamp May 13-15, but were not offered contracts.

PROMOTION: Sign up for just $1 for your first year at Blue & Gold

Two of those Notre Dame signings stood out to The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner. He named Austin and Tagovailoa-Amosa the best undrafted rookie fit among their respective teams’ post-draft free agent pickups.

“Prototypical X-receiver build (6-2, 200), but he was suspended in 2019 and missed most of 2020 with a foot situation that required two surgeries,” Baumgardner wrote. “Still, Austin showed up at the combine and ran a 4.43 40 with a 39-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump. With a 6.71-second three-cone. If he’s healthy, watch out.”

Those combine numbers seemed likely to launch Austin firmly into Day 3 of the draft. Instead, he became just the second receiver since 2013 to run the 40 in 4.45 or fewer seconds and vertical jump at least 39 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine and go undrafted.

More Notre Dame football:

• Lucky Charms: Four-star cornerback schedules Notre Dame official visit

• Five thoughts on DL Owen Wafle committing to Notre Dame football

Austin’s physical tools are enticing, but he had just six catches in his first three seasons before emerging as the Irish’s top receiver in 2021. He hauled in 48 passes for 888 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. His 18.5 yards per catch was the second-highest by a Notre Dame receiver since 2009 (minimum 30 catches). He ended the year with three 100-yard games in his last five appearances, but also went catchless vs. Purdue and hauled in one pass against Cincinnati.

Tagovailoa-Amosa’s productive week at the East-West Shrine Bowl didn’t lead to a draft selection or dispel the idea he’s a “tweener” defensive lineman. But it did make teams examine him more closely, even if the conclusion merely pushed him higher on the undrafted free agent priority list. He started at defensive end in 2021 after two years as the primary three-technique tackle. His motor stood out at each spot. Baumgardner believes it will give him a solid chance to make a roster.

Tua Tagovailoa’s cousin, Tagovailoa-Amosa got off to a slow start at ND after a foot injury during his sophomore season,” Baumgardner wrote. “But he found a way back, earning a team captain nod as a full-time starter in 2021 who played with all sorts of effort. Good on the edge, never stops working and chopping with his hands.”

Tagovailoa-Amosa made 22 tackles (6.0 for loss) with 2.0 sacks last year.

You may also like