Notre Dame in the NFL: Which former Irish are in the playoffs?

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•01/11/24•

jacksoble56

The NFL regular season is over, and by some metrics, former Notre Dame players made as big an impact on it as any college program this side of Alabama. Six former Irish were selected to the Pro Bowl, the second-most of any school.

Now, 19 former Irish are set to compete in the NFL playoffs. Notre Dame has representatives on 10 of the 12 teams who qualified for the postseason, with the only exceptions being the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here’s every former Notre Dame player who you can watch on Wild Card Weekend and beyond. All times are Eastern, and the list does not include players on injured reserve or on the practice squad.

Brandon Aubrey (played for Notre Dame from 2013-16), K, Dallas Cowboys

Matchup: vs. Packers, 4:30 p.m. on Sunday

Aubrey, a former Notre Dame men’s soccer player, was arguably the best kicker in the NFL this season. The 28-year-old rookie made 36 of his 38 field-goal attempts, going an incredible 10-of-10 from 50-plus yards.

Aaron Banks (2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers

Matchup: BYE

Banks was a season-long starter at left guard for the best offense in the league, and he finished the regular season on a high note. He posted Pro Football Focus offense grades of 75.4 and 73.2 in Weeks 16 and 18. Banks missed Week 17 with a toe injury but he should be good to go for the divisional round.

Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Matchup: at Bills, 1 p.m. on Sunday

Boykin played in every game this season as a reserve wide receiver, catching 3 passes for 17 yards throughout the year.

Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Miami Dolphins

Matchup: at Chiefs, 8:10 p.m. on Saturday

It was a tumultuous season for Claypool, to say the least. He was run out of town in Chicago due to poor play and questions about his work ethic, and he didn’t fare much better in Miami, either. Claypool reportedly worked with the scout team in practice this week, and he finished this season — a contract year — with 8 catches for 77 yards.

Liam Eichenberg, (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins

Matchup: at Chiefs, 8:10 p.m. on Saturday

Eichenberg started at all three positions on the interior offensive line for the Dolphins, finding the most success at guard. He’s been the starting center in recent weeks, though.

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Matchup: vs. Eagles, 8:15 p.m. on Monday

Hainsey started every game at center for the Buccaneers. He only allowed 6 quarterback hits this season, including sacks, in 641 opportunities.

Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens

Matchup: BYE

Hamilton is one of the best defenders in professional football at any position, making the NFLPA All-Pro Team at strong safety. Baltimore lines him up everywhere and he’s a dangerous player wherever he goes, finishing the season with 4 interceptions, 13 passes defended, 3 sacks and 81 tackles.

Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans

Matchup: vs. Browns, 4:30 p.m. on Saturday

Hinish received heavy rotational reps in his second season, totaling 11 quarterback pressures, 23 tackles and half a sack.

Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys

Matchup: vs. Packers, 4:30 p.m. on Sunday

Martin was Notre Dame’s third representative on the NFLPA All-Pro team, proving that even at 33 years old (as of Nov. 20) he’s still one of the best guards in the league. He finished the season with a 77.2 pass-blocking grade.

Sam Mustipher (2014-18), OL, Baltimore Ravens

Matchup: BYE

Mustipher is the Ravens’ backup center and has appeared in 7 games this season with 2 starts.

Julian Okwara (2016-19), EDGE, Detroit Lions

Matchup: vs. Rams, 8:15 p.m.on Sunday

Okwara has gone in and out of the lineup for the Lions this season, but he has 2 sacks in 9 games.

Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions 

Matchup: vs. Rams, 8:15 p.m. on Sunday

The elder Okwara has been more involved for the Lions, also totaling 2 sacks but doing it in 16 games.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns

Matchup: at Texans, 4:30 p.m. on Saturday

Owusu-Koramoah is a first alternate for the Pro Bowl, just missing the cut. He’s been a force for one of the best defenses in the NFL, setting career highs in tackles (101), sacks (3.5), passes defended (6) and interceptions (2). One more on that list: Owusu-Koramoah had 10 tackles for loss in his first 2 seasons, but he had 20 in 2023.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams

Matchup: at Lions, 8:15 p.m. on Sunday

Like Boykin, Skowronek is a reserve wide receiver. He caught 8 passes for 66 yards this season, but he also has 13 special teams tackles.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins

Matchup: at Chiefs, 8:10 p.m. on Saturday

Smythe has started at tight end for the Dolphins all year, and he’s become more involved in the passing game as of late. He has at least 3 receptions and 30 receiving yards in each of Miami’s last 4 regular-season games.

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

Matchup: BYE

Finally, Stanley managed to stay (mostly) healthy for a full season. He wasn’t the dominant offensive tackle that he was before his injury issues began in 2020, but he was still pretty good. Stanley’s pass-blocking grade was a respectable 72.4.

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

Matchup: vs. Dolphins, 8:10 p.m. on Saturday

Playing on a very good Chiefs defense, Tranquill racked up consistent numbers despite not being an every-game starter. He wound up with 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles.

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

Matchup: at Lions, 8:15 p.m. on Sunday

Williams exploded in his second season, earning Pro Bowl honors and finishing second in the league in rushing yards with 1,114 despite missing 5 games. He led the NFL in yards per game with 95.3 also scored 12 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 206 yards. Putting it simply, Williams was the engine that made the Rams’ offense go.

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

Matchup: vs. Rams, 8:15 p.m. on Sunday

Wright backed up sensational rookie Sam LaPorta, but with LaPorta’s injury, he could start the Wild Card game. He caught 13 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown this year.

Former Notre Players who did not make the playoffs

Former Notre Dame players on injured reserve

*Team made the playoffs

Former Notre Dame players on NFL practice squads

*Team made the playoffs

You may also like