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Notre Dame in the NFL: How Alohi Gilman, Kyle Hamilton fixed Ravens' defense

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble10/28/25jacksoble56
hamilton
Former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. (Photo courtesy ravens/IG)

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense was in shambles until it paired one former Notre Dame safety with another.

Let me explain. The Ravens had allowed 35.4 points per game through their first five matchups. In desperate need of secondary help, they traded for former Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman. Gilman and rookie safety Malaki Starks both play free safety, taking care of the back end. Their presence frees up superstar Kyle Hamilton, also formerly of Notre Dame, to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

When Hamilton plays closer to the line of scrimmage, this happens.

In a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Gilman allowed a reception for 10 yards on 2 targets. He also made 5 tackles and broke up a pass. Hamilton made 8 tackles and notched that lightning-fast quarterback hit, which led to an intentional grounding penalty (meaning it was essentially a sack).

Since trading for Gilman, the Ravens have allowed 16.5 points per game.

Hamilton played 139 snaps at free safety through his first four games of the season. In two starts since the Ravens traded for Gilman, that number has fallen to zero. He’s all box, slot and even edge, meaning offenses have to account for No. 14 before every snap.

Ironically, Baltimore’s big defensive fix was moving Hamilton to free safety to prevent explosive plays. That fact is not lost on Ravens fans.

Here’s how every other former Notre Dame athlete performed in Week 8.

Joe Alt (2019-21), OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Result: 37-10 win over Vikings

Alt returned from his Week 4 ankle injury. He allowed 2 pressures, including a quarterback hit, but he earned a well-above-average 76.1 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade.

Brandon Aubrey (2017-20), K, Dallas Cowboys

Result: 44-24 loss to Broncos

Aubrey made his lone field-goal attempt from 24 yards out.

Aaron Banks (2017-20), G, Green Bay Packers

Result: 35-25 win over Steelers

Banks allowed 1 pressure and earned a 70.1 PFF pass-blocking grade.

JD Bertrand (2019-23), LB, Atlanta Falcons

Result: 34-10 loss to Dolphins

Bertrand made his first career start, finishing with 9 tackles and a pass breakup. However, he was credited with allowing 8 receptions on 9 targets for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Beaux Collins (2024), WR, New York Giants

Result: 38-20 loss to Eagles

Collins caught a pass for 18 yards on 2 targets.

Scott Daly (2012-16), LS, Chicago Bears

Result: 30-16 loss to Ravens

Daly snapped 8 times successfully, 3 on punts and 5 on kicks.

Sheldon Day (2012-15), DT, Washington Commanders

Result: 28-7 loss to Chiefs

Day made a solo tackle.

Mitchell Evans (2020-24), TE, Carolina Panthers

Result: 40-9 loss to Bills

Evans started his third-straight game, but he was not targeted. PFF loves what he’s doing, though, giving him an 84.1 offense grade so far this season in 183 snaps.

Blake Fisher (2021-23), OT, Houston Texans

Result: 26-15 win over 49ers

Fisher started as Houston’s jumbo package sixth offensive lineman and played 26 snaps. He finished with a 52.3 PFF offense grade.

Blake Grupe (2022), K, New Orleans Saints

Result: 23-3 loss to Buccaneers

Grupe made his lone field-goal attempt from 48 yards out.

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), C, Jacksonville Jaguars

Result: BYE

Thomas Harper (2023), S, Detroit Lions

Result: BYE

Cam Hart (2019-23), CB, Los Angeles Chargers

Result: 37-10 win over Vikings

Hart allowed 2 receptions for 12 yards on 5 targets, breaking up the other 3 passes intended for him. He earned a 92.4 PFF defense grade and a 91.5 mark in coverage, both the highest among all cornerbacks in the NFL.

JJ Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers

Result: 40-9 loss to Bills

Jansen snapped 7 times successfully, 4 on punts and 3 on kicks.

Jack Kiser (2019-24), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Result: BYE

Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears

Result: 30-16 loss to Ravens

Kmet (back) missed Week 8.

Riley Leonard (2024), QB, Indianapolis Colts

Result: 38-14 win over Titans

Leonard made his NFL debut on Sunday, throwing 2 passes, both of which fell complete. The only former Notre Dame quarterback on an active NFL roster also rushed once for 1 yard.

Marist Liufau (2019-23), LB, Dallas Cowboys

Result: 44-24 loss to Broncos

Liufau made 3 tackles.

Julian Love (2015-18), S, Seattle Seahawks

Result: BYE

Michael Mayer (2020-22), TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Result: BYE

Nick McCloud (2020), CB, Chicago Bears

Result: 30-16 loss to Ravens

McCloud started for the injury-ravaged Bears, allowing 3 receptions on 3 targets for 56 yards.

Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, Denver Broncos

Result: 44-24 win over Cowboys

McGlinchey allowed 2 pressures, including a quarterback hit. He finished with a 54.9 PFF offense grade.

Benjamin Morrison (2022-24), CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Result: 23-3 win over Saints

Morrison allowed 2 receptions on 5 targets for 21 yards, breaking up a pass as well. He also made 3 tackles.

Quenton Nelson (2014-17), G, Indianapolis Colts

Result: 38-14 win over Titans

Nelson allowed no pressures, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 87.4.

Jarrett Patterson (2018-22), C, Houston Texans

Result: 26-15 win over 49ers

Patterson played 6 snaps on special teams.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: 35-25 loss to Packers

Skowronek caught a pass for 13 yards.

Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings

Result: 37-10 loss to Chargers

Smith made 9 tackles, but he allowed 6 receptions on 6 targets for 59 yards.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Chicago Bears

Result: 30-16 loss to Ravens

Smythe played 20 snaps, earning a 79.3 PFF grade as a run blocker.

Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens

Result: 30-16 win over Bears

Stanley did not allow a pressure, earning an 84.8 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Kansas City Chiefs

Result: 28-7 win over Commanders

Tillery made a season-high 4 tackles.

Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Result: 28-7 win over Commanders

Tranquill made 6 tackles.

Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers

Result: 40-9 loss to Bills

Tremble caught his lone target for 4 yards.

Xavier Watts (2020-24), S, Atlanta Falcons

Result: 34-10 loss to Dolphins

Watts made 4 tackles and was not targeted in coverage.

Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Result: BYE

Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions

Result: BYE

Former Notre Dame players on NFL practice squads

Former Notre Dame players on injured reserve