Draft Picks, Returning Starters On Notre Dame's Schedule
With the completion of the NFL Draft, Blue & Gold Illustrated takes a look at what each team on Notre Dame’s 2017 schedule loses and brings back this fall.
The Irish had just two players selected in last week’s draft: quarterback DeShone Kizer and defensive lineman Isaac Rochell. Three other players have signed as undrafted free agents: defensive lineman Jarron Jones, cornerback Cole Luke and linebacker James Onwualu.
In terms of draft picks, Miami’s nine selections led the way among 2017 opponents. Despite losing that talent, the Hurricanes figure to be a tough opponent again, returning 15 starters from last year’s team that finished 9-4.
Notre Dame brings back 15 starters in 2017, which ranks tied for 25th nationally, according to research done by Phil Steele. Seven teams on Notre Dame’s schedule bring back as many or more starters.
9/2: Temple (10-4)
• Draft picks (3): Haason Reddick (LB), Dion Dawkins (G), Nate Hairston (CB)
• Undrafted free agents (6): Phillip Walker (QB), Jahad Thomas (RB), Romond Deloatch (TE), Colin Thompson (TE), Praise Martin-Oguike (DE), Avery Williams (LB)
• Starters returning (10): Six on offense; four on defense
9/9: Georgia (8-5)
• Draft picks (1): Isaiah McKenzie (WR)
• Undrafted free agents (6): Tyler Catalina (G), Greg Pyke (G), Brandon Kublanow (C), Marcus Sayles (CB), Quincy Mauger (S), Maurice Smith (S)
• Starters returning (17): Seven on offense; 10 on defense
9/16: at Boston College (4-8)
• Draft picks (2): John Johnson (S), Matt Milano (LB)
• Undrafted free agents (0)
• Starters returning (15): Eight on offense; seven on defense
9/23: at Michigan State (3-9)
• Draft picks (2): Malik McDowell (DT), Montae Nicholson (S)
• Undrafted free agents (6): Tyler O’Connor (QB), R.J. Shelton (WR), Josiah Price (TE), Brandon Clemons (OL), Riley Bullough (LB), Demetrious Cox (S)
• Starters returning (9): Four on offense; five on defense
9/30: Miami (Ohio) (6-7)
• Draft picks (0)
• Undrafted free agents (3): Collin Buchanan (G), J.T. Jones (DE), Austin Gearing (DE)
• Starters returning (16): Eight on offense; eight on defense
10/7: at North Carolina (8-5)
• Draft picks (5): Mitchell Trubinsky (QB), Mack Hollins (WR), Ryan Switzer (WR), T.J. Logan (RB), Elijah Hood (RB)
• Undrafted free agents (3): Bug Howard (WR), Lucas Crowley (C), Des Lawrence (CB)
• Starters returning (12): Five on offense; seven on defense
10/21: USC (10-3)
• Draft picks (5): Adoree Jackson (CB), JuJu Smith Schuster (WR), Zach Banner (G), Leon McQuay (S), Stevie Su’kolovatu (DT)
• Undrafted free agents (6): Justin Davis (RB), Darreus Rogers (WR), Isaac Whitney (WR), Chad Wheeler (OT), Damien Mama (G), Jordan Simmons (G)
• Starters returning (12): Five on offense; seven on defense
10/28: North Carolina State (7-6)
• Draft picks (3): Josh Jones (S), Jack Tocho (CB), Matt Dayes (RB)
• Undrafted free agents (3): Bra’Lon Cherry (WR), Joe Scelfo (C), Dravious Wright (DB)
• Starters returning (17): Nine on offense; eight on defense
11/4: Wake Forest (7-6)
• Draft picks (1): Marquel Lee (LB)
• Undrafted free agents (2): Josh Banks (DE), Brad Watson (CB)
• Starters returning (15): Nine on offense; six on defense
11/11: at Miami (9-4)
• Draft picks (9): David Njoku (TE), Rayshawn Jenkins (S), Danny Isidora (G), Corn Elder (CB), Al-Quadin Muhammad (DE), Brad Kaaya (QB), Stacy Coley (WR), Adrian Colbert (S), Marquez Williams (FB)
• Undrafted free agents (4): Malcolm Lewis (WR), Jermaine Grace (LB), Jamal Carter (S)
• Starters returning (15): Seven on offense; eight on defense
11/18: Navy (9-5)
• Draft picks (0)
• Undrafted free agents (0)
• Starters returning (13): Five on offense; eight on defense
11/25: at Stanford (10-3)
• Draft picks (2): Solomon Thomas (DE), Christian McCaffrey (RB)
• Undrafted free agents (2): Michael Proctor (WR), Francis Owusu (WR)
• Starters returning (16): Eight on offense; eight on defense
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