Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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94 MARCH 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY COREY BODDEN Q uenton Nelson received rave re- views during the 2018 draft process and became the first offensive lineman selected when he went No. 6 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. The former Irish star did not disap- point in year one with the organization. Nelson became the first rookie of- fensive lineman from the Indianapolis Colts to earn first-team All-Pro honors. He also made the Pro Bowl in year one, along with becoming the first offensive lineman in league history to be named Rookie of the Month (October). Nelson was not the only former Irish offensive lineman on the Associated Press All-Pro team. For the fifth time in his five-year career, Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin was chosen to the squad, with 2018 being his third first- team selection (2014 and 2016). The recognition didn't stop there for Nelson or Martin. Both ranked among the 101 top-graded players from this season by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Nelson finished ranked 86th by PFF and was the NFL's third-best guard. "Nelson was a stud in pass protec- tion, leading the team in pass-blocking grade while allowing just 23 pressures on a whopping 730 pass-blocking snaps," PFF noted. Martin was not far behind at No. 92. "Martin saw a slight regression from his overall dominance this season as he battled through nagging injuries to his left knee," PFF observed. "Despite being somewhat limited for much of the year, the fifth-year guard still lined up on over 1,000 snaps and posted the second-highest overall grade at the po- sition at 78.6. In pass protection, Martin allowed 21 pressures in 597 pass-block snaps." Despite the All-Pro seasons of the two linemen, Dallas Cowboys line- backer Jaylon Smith had the highest PFF grade among former Irish players. Smith recorded 121 tackles and four sacks in his second full season in the NFL, and he graded out as the second- best inside linebacker in the league and the 53rd player overall. "A torn ACL and MCL in his junior year at Notre Dame pushed him from being a sure-fire first-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft to a question mark, but Smith overcame those questions emphatically this year," PFF noted. "Among off-ball linebackers with 50 or more pass-rush snaps, his 27.8 win percentage as a pass rusher ranked first, while he was one of six off-ball linebackers with 500 or more cover- age snaps to allow one or fewer touch- downs in coverage." Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith rounded out the list at 101st af- ter finishing the season with 84 tackles and three interceptions. "Although his overall grade dropped to 79.7 this season from 91.8 in 2017, Smith remained elite against the run with a 91.3 run defense grade, best among safeties," PFF stated. "He was also one of the most reliable tack- lers in the NFL with a 21.5 tackle effi- ciency rating, again, best among safe- ties who logged 400 or more snaps." EIGHT IRISH PLAYERS EARN NFL COMBINE INVITES On Feb. 7, the 338 participants for the 2019 NFL Combine were an- nounced and featured strong repre- sentation from Notre Dame. The Irish tied for seventh nationally with eight players invited to the event: offensive lineman Alex Bars, wide re- ceiver Miles Boykin, linebacker Te'von Coney, cornerback Julian Love, tight end Alizé Mack, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, linebacker Drue Tranquill and running back Dexter Williams. Only Alabama (11), Clemson (11), Ohio State (10), Georgia (nine), Mis- sissippi (nine) and Washington (nine) had more. Bars is not expected to participate in any drills while still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered against Stanford in September. Boykin led the Irish in catches (59), receiving yards (872) and receiving touchdowns (eight) during his senior season. Despite missing the first four games, Williams rushed for 995 yards and 12 scores to provide a spark to the Irish running game. Mack had his best season in a Notre Dame uniform with 36 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Coney and Tranquill were key cogs in the Irish front seven, with Coney leading the team with 123 tackles, including four sacks, while Tranquill added 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Love followed his stellar sophomore year with another strong season total- ing 63 tackles and 16 passes defended to become the school's all-time leader in the latter category. Tillery likewise had a breakout campaign recording eight sacks in the middle of the Irish defensive line. The combine will take place Feb. 27-March 4 inside of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Drills can be seen live starting March 1 on NFL Network. IRISH TRIO MAKES THEIR CASE IN SENIOR BOWL While more Irish prospects will be featured in the NFL Combine, a trio of former stars began their preparations for the next level in late January. Linebackers Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill and running back Dexter Williams each participated in the 2019 Reese's Senior Bowl Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala. Each of the trio played for the North team that defeated the South 34-24 in the exhibition contest. Williams rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and was named the Practice Player of the Week for running backs on both squads. "Williams showcased and garnered positive notice for his explosiveness throughout the week," Scott Wright, founder of DraftCountdown.com, said. "On the downside, there were too many drops as a pass catcher and that is a question he'll still have to an- swer in pre-draft workouts. Former Irish Stars Earn Major NFL Recognition Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin earned a spot on the Associated Press All-Pro team for the fifth time in his five-year career. PHOTO BY JAMES D. SMITH/COURTESY DALLAS COWBOYS