Notre Dame in the NFL: Ronnie Stanley finds groove in midseason return
Former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley generated headlines over the offseason for finally, after playing 7 games between 2020-21 and dealing with a nagging ankle injury in 2022, being healthy. That’s why it must’ve hurt even more when he went down with a knee injury in Week 1 of this season, forcing him to miss the next 3 games.
Stanley returned in Week 5, but in Weeks 6 and 7, he looked more like the dominant offensive tackle Ravens and Notre Dame fans remember.
Stanley turned in a 73.3 run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and a 77.2 pass-blocking grade in Week 7. His numbers were even better in Week 6 at 75.3 and 78.2, respectively. The 2016 No. 6 overall pick will look to build on his strong midseason performance next week against the Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
Here’s how every other former Notre Dame player in the NFL did in Week 7.
Brandon Aubrey (played for Notre Dame from 2013-16), K, Dallas Cowboys
Result: BYE
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers
Result: 22-17 loss to Vikings
Banks allowed 2 pressures and was given a 32.9 overall PFF grade, primarily due to poor run blocking.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Result: 24-17 win over Rams
Boykin played on special teams this week, not on offense.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Miami Dolphins
Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles
Claypool was active for the first time as a Dolphin, playing 4 snaps. He was not targeted. Teams that employ the former Notre Dame wide receiver, not counting the two games for which the Bears sent him home, have lost 16 in a row.
Scott Daly (2012-16), LS, Detroit Lions
Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens
Daly snapped successfully 4 times, all on punts.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles
Eichenberg started for the second-straight week. He allowed only 1 pressure but was given a 47.8 overall PFF grade.
Isaiah Foskey (2019-22), DE, New Orleans Saints
Result: 31-24 loss to Jaguars
Foskey only played 3 snaps this week and did not make the stat sheet.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
Result: 31-17 loss to Chiefs
Gilman missed his third-straight game with an injured heel. He has not yet been placed on injured reserve.
Blake Grupe (2022), K, New Orleans Saints
Result: 31-24 loss to Jaguars
Grupe went 3/4 on field goals and 1/1 on extra ponts.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Result: 16-13 loss to Falcons
Hainsey allowed only 1 pressure but struggled in the run game, finishing with a 45.4 PFF grade.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-2021), S, Baltimore Ravens
Result: 38-6 win over Lions
Hamilton made 7 tackles, 1 for loss, continuing his breakout campaign in his second season out of Notre Dame. He allowed 2 catches on 4 targets for 35 yards.
Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans
Result: BYE
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Result: BYE
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Arizona Cardinals (practice squad)
Result: 20-10 loss to Seahawks
Jones was released by the Cardinals but re-signed to their practice squad Friday.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Result: 30-12 win over Raiders
Kmet was not targeted, which is unusual for the former Notre Dame tight end.
Julian Love (2015-18), DB, Seattle Seahawks
Result: 20-10 win over Cardinals
Love made 6 tackles. He allowed 2 receptions on 3 targets for only 12 yards.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys
Result: BYE
Michael Mayer (2020-22), TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Result: 30-12 loss to Bears
Mayer caught 2 of his 4 targets for 13 yards. The former Notre Dame All-American tight end has been more involved in the Raiders’ offense the past three weeks.
Nick McCloud (2020), CB, New York Giants
Result: 14-7 win over Commanders
McCloud played 16 snaps on defense, his most since Week 1. He made two tackles.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, Denver Broncos
Result: 19-17 win over Packers
McGlinchey allowed 5 pressures, turning in a 38.4 PFF pass-blocking grade. He did well in the run game, though.
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), OL, Baltimore Ravens
Result: 38-6 win over Lions
Mustipher was a healthy scratch.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts
Result: 39-38 loss to Browns
Nelson earned a 77.3 pass-blocking grade, allowing only 1 pressure.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), EDGE, Detroit Lions
Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens
Okwara tallied one quarterback hit.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions
Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens
Okwara played 10 snaps and did not make the stat sheet.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
Result: 39-38 win over Colts
Owusu-Koramoah made 4 tackles and allowed 2 receptions for 27 yards on 2 targets.
Jarrett Patterson (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans
Result: BYE
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Result: 30-12 loss to Bears
Rochell made 4 tackles.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Result: 24-17 loss to Steelers
Skowronek was not targeted.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Result: 31-17 loss to Eagles
Smythe was not targeted.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Result: 22-17 win over 49ers
Smith made 6 tackles, 3 solo, and defended 1 pass. The former first-round pick out of Notre Dame still has it at 34 years old.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Result: 30-12 loss to Bears
Tillery made 1 tackle and totaled 1 pressure.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Result: 31-17 win over Chargers
Tranquill allowed 1 catch on 2 targets for 10 yards. He added a quarterback hit and 2 tackles.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Result: BYE
Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Result: 24-17 loss to Steelers
Williams was placed on IR, sidelining him until at least Week 12. The former Notre Dame leading rusher is not expected to miss more time than that, though.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Result: 38-6 loss to Ravens
Wright was not targeted.
