Notre Dame in the NFL: Which former Irish made Championship Sunday?
When the final whistle blows to end Super Bowl LVIII, at least one former Notre Dame football player will become a champion. The Irish have six alumni among the NFL’s final four teams, with at least one representative on the 49ers, Lions, Ravens and Chiefs.
Here is every former golden domer who will play on Championship Sunday. All times are Eastern.
Aaron Banks (Played at Notre Dame from 2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers
Matchup: vs. Lions, 6:30 p.m.
Banks, an every-week starter for the No. 1-seeded 49ers, is having a solid playoff run so far. The run game carried San Francisco to a win last week, and Banks is a big part of that.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: vs. Chiefs, 3 p.m.
Hamilton will likely take on the responsibility of covering star Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for much (if not all) of the AFC Championship. That might be the best matchup of the entire day if the Ravens play man.
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), OL, Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: vs. Chiefs, 3 p.m.
Mustipher is the Ravens’ backup center and was a healthy scratch in the Divisional Round.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions
Matchup: at 49ers, 6:30 p.m.
Okwara has seen healthy playing time at defensive end in recent weeks, and a major key to beating San Francisco is making 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy uncomfortable.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OL, Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: vs. Chiefs, 3 p.m.
The Chiefs have a few good edge rushers, but the major threat is defensive tackle Chris Jones. He has been known to line up on the outside in select passing situations, where Stanley might be the only thing between him and wrecking the game.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Matchup: at Ravens, 3 p.m.
Tranquill is fast for a linebacker, tackles well and can play all over the field. Kansas City will need his help to slow down likely MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Former Notre Players eliminated from playoff contention
- Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey
- Steelers wide receiver Miles Boykin
- Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool
- Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Day
- Dolphins offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg
- Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey
- Chargers safety Alohi Gilman
- Saints kicker Blake Grupe
- Buccaneers offensive lineman Robert Hainsey
- Texans defensive tackle Kurt Hinish
- Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen
- Bears tight end Cole Kmet
- Seahawks safety Julian Love
- Cowboys guard Zack Martin
- Raiders tight end Michael Mayer
- Giants cornerback Nick McCloud
- Broncos offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey
- Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson
- Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Vikings safety Harrison Smith
- Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe
- Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek
- Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown
- Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery
- Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble
- Rams running back Kyren Williams
Former Notre Dame players on injured reserve
- Falcons EDGE Ade Ogundeji (foot/ankle)
- Lions LS Scott Daly (knee)
- Lions TE Brock Wright (arm)
- Texans C Jarrett Patterson (ankle)
Former Notre Dame players on practice squads
- Lions S Brandon Joseph
- Lions DE Julian Okwara
- Lions DT Chris Smith
Former Notre Dame players on futures deals
- Cardinals RB Tony Jones Jr.
- Bears DE Khalid Kareem
- Texans CB Troy Pride Jr.
- Chiefs QB Ian Book
- Saints OL Tommy Kraemer
- Steelers S Jalen Elliott
