Photo by The 2024 NFL Draft has come to a close, and it was a historic one for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Seven players from the esteemed program were selected in the draft, bringing the total number of draft picks in program history to 532. The Irish now hold the top spot for most all-time draft picks by a college.
The first Irish player to be selected was Joe Alt, who was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the first round. This marks the highest draft selection for a Notre Dame player since 1993 and the highest for an Irish offensive lineman since 1954.
Joe Alt, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
Two more Irish players found new homes in Texas, as offensive tackle Blake Fisher was taken by the Houston Texans in the second round and linebacker Marist Liufau was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third.
The fifth round was a big one for Notre Dame, with three players being selected in the span of eight picks. Cornerback Cam Hart was taken by the Chargers, linebacker JD Bertrand was selected by the Atlanta Falcons, and running back Audric Estimé was drafted by the Denver Broncos.
The last Irish player to be selected was Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who was picked by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round.
While seven players were drafted, several others signed as undrafted free agents or received rookie minicamp invites. Quarterback Sam Hartman will join Jean-Baptiste in Washington, D.C. after signing with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent. Safety Thomas Harper will head to Los Angeles alongside Alt and Hart after signing with the Chargers.
In other draft news, the Seattle Seahawks selected Michael Jerrell, a tackle from the University of Findlay, with the 207th pick in the seventh round. Jerrell, who started 40 straight games to end his college career, was a team captain for the 2023 season and tallied 27 tackles with six tackles for loss and two sacks over 12 starts.
Michael Jerrell, the 207th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns selected DT Jowon Briggs with the 243rd pick in the seventh round of the draft. Briggs played his first two seasons with Virginia before transferring to Cincinnati, where he recorded 130 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks over three seasons.
Jowon Briggs, the 243rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft may be over, but the journey has just begun for these young players. As they embark on their professional careers, they will carry the legacy of their respective colleges with them, inspiring the next generation of athletes to chase their dreams.
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