What They’re Saying About Notre Dame’s Trio Of NFL Draft Day Three Picks

Below is the social media reaction to three more Notre Dame players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft’s final four rounds Saturday. Cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (fourth round, Carolina Panthers), defensive end Khalid Kareem (fifth round, Cincinnati Bengals) and safety Alohi Gilman (sixth round, Los Angeles Chargers) were chosen on day three of the draft and gave Notre Dame six picks overall for the second straight year.

Tight end Cole Kmet (second round, Chicago Bears), wide receiver Chase Claypool, (second round, Pittsburgh Steelers) and defensive end Julian Okwara (third round, Detroit Lions) went on day two Friday night.

Additionally, six Notre Dame players signed as undrafted free agents Saturday night.

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“It’s God’s plan — I’m never in control of those kinds of things — so I’m OK with that.

“I’ve always been working for the best and to have the best in our division — Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Mike Evans, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and all those guys, Matt Ryan — it’s going to be wonderful. You relish those opportunities, you relish that moment to compete against the best because, shoot, the cream’s gonna rise to the top.” (Via Panthers.com).

“It was a little bit of a surprise. I talked to them a little bit early in the process, but not really much coming into draft time.”

“It has been a long process and a long few days, so to get that call was pretty emotional for me and my family. Tears of joy and really excited.”

Gilman is joining former Notre Dame teammates Jerry Tillery and Drue Tranquill, who the Chargers drafted in 2019. They also signed two former Irish teammates as undrafted rookies: linebacker Asmar Bilal and cornerback Donte Vaughn. Another ex-Notre Dame defender, lineman Isaac Rochell, has played for the Chargers since 2017.

“I’m going to be excited. Those are guys I’ve been close with and mentors for me in my Notre Dame career. So excited to play with them again. … Just guys like them work really hard and know the ins and outs and ways I can help myself to better prepare for the transition to the NFL.”

On Troy Pride Jr.

“He’s really athletic, he checks the boxes. He’s got the size you want and he can run with anybody. [At the NFL Combine, he ran a] 4.4, he could probably run a 4.3 on a good day.

“He had his moments in coverage where he looked like maybe a second-round draft choice, but he was inconsistent in terms of locating the ball — he’d look like he was in position to make the play and didn’t. I don’t know if you could coach that up or if it’s instincts, but on talent, on recovery speed, on want-to, he’s got that, all the things you want in a corner physically he has.

“There was just that little thing missing where you thought he’d be there to make the play and it didn’t happen. If he can become a little more consistent, in terms of those one-on-one coverage skills, with the talent he posses, he could be a factor in that defensive secondary, particularly when you talk about the time you spend trying to find guys that can do what he can do physically.”

On Khalid Kareem

“He had a solid career, not spectacular, this past year he had 5.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, 11 hurries, forced three fumbles. The Virginia game was the stick-out performance for Khalid Kareem, he had a couple of sacks in that game. His real value is the all-around ability, not a top-flight pass rusher, he’s a guy with good hand usage, knows how to win the leverage battle, the scheme versatility.

“He can play a little inside/outside game there as well. You talk about a guy that could be able to get you maybe five sacks a year, he’s not going to be a double-digit sack guy, probably a guy you want to spot, find a way to get him involved in the defensive front. He’s a kid I thought he kind of leveled off a bit, had some guys where he showed flashes but when you’re not consistent week in and week out, in terms of being a dominant sack artist, you drop into day three of the draft.”

“They used him more down in the box. They liked to play him at strong safety in base, at the nickel or dime linebacker in sub. What he is, is a great communicator, he’s highly competitive and will run to the football.

“I just didn’t like how he missed as many tackles as he did, I think he’s a little bit challenged athletically from a one-on-one matchup standpoint against NFL-caliber tight ends and running backs. What you’re going to have to do is find the things he does well, which is do the right thing and then really utilize his instincts, then you’re going to have to hide him a little bit to not have some of his weaknesses exposed.”

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