Nine former Notre Dame players will participate in the program’s pro day at the Loftus Sports Center in South Bend on Thursday.
A little more than one month ago, three of them traveled to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis to showcase their skills and interview with NFL teams.
The group was led by quarterback DeShone Kizer, who is still battling to be the top signal-caller selected in next month’s draft. Kizer wasn’t particularly sharp at the combine, so his performance at pro day will be key.
Kizer will participate in pro day alongside long snapper Scott Daly, running back Tarean Folston, tight end Chase Hounshell (who transferred to Ohio State), defensive linemen Jarron Jones and Isaac Rochell, cornerback Cole Luke, linebacker James Onwualu and safety Avery Sebastian.
Blue & Gold Illustrated will be in attendance for the pro day. Testing begins around 11 a.m., while on-field workouts will take place beginning around noon.
Here are the top storylines heading into Notre Dame’s pro day:
KIZER THE TOP QB?
In the weeks since he participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, there is still debate about who the top quarterback is in the draft.
His college coach feels that Kizer is the best.
“I’ve had a number of conversations with GMs and coaches about DeShone and my personal feeling is he has the biggest upside of all the quarterbacks,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday. “I don’t know that he’s prepared to come in and win a Super Bowl for you [immediately]. Some may feel as though maybe one of the other quarterbacks are, I don’t know that firsthand.
“But I think in time, he has the biggest upside of all the three quarterbacks.”
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock still has Kizer as the No. 1 quarterback on his draft board. Others, like Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, do not have Kizer being taken in the first round.
Many analysts believe Kizer should have returned to Notre Dame for his senior season in an effort to improve his accuracy and mechanics, which slumped during a 4-8 campaign in 2016.
But Kizer is arguably the best physical prospect among the top quarterbacks, standing 6-4 and weighing 233 pounds. He ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash at the combine and is expected to try and best that time at pro day.
Kelly reiterated that Kizer is likely not a day one impact starter in the NFL, but instead is a player that needs some time to develop.
“Everybody’s under the same pressure of performing and needing somebody to come in right away,” Kelly said. “But I think he’s a guy that just needs some time. So if he gets in the right situation I think he’d be the guy to take.”
Who exactly Kizer will throw to Thursday is up in the air. It is expected that Notre Dame will bring in some outside receivers, including former players, to catch for Kizer.
OTHER PRO DAY PARTICIPANTS
• Scott Daly (LS): A four-year starter for the Irish as a long snapper, Daly has a chance to latch onto a team as a free agent. Former Notre Dame long snapper J.J. Jansen took a similar path and has been in the NFL since 2008.
• Tarean Folston (RB): A knee injury prior to his junior season derailed his NFL plans. He failed to show much during the 2016 season, appearing limited by various injuries.
• Chase Hounshell (TE): Played five years are Notre Dame but missed almost two complete seasons due to injury. Was a defensive lineman until 2015, when he moved to the offensive side. Started three games at tight end at Notre Dame before transferring to Ohio State for his final season in 2016.
• Jarron Jones (DL): Had an underwhelming combine performance and needs to help himself with a consistent, eye-popping pro day to convince NFL teams he’s worthy of a mid-round selection.
• Isaac Rochell (DL): Did not wow NFL teams at the combine last month, but could help himself with a better pro day. Is seen as a versatile player along the defensive line with an ability to play in both a 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.
• Cole Luke (CB): Peaked early in his Notre Dame career before having an up-and-down senior season in 2016. Will need to impress with a good 40-yard dash time.
• James Onwualu (LB): Has perhaps the best chance to get drafted among Notre Dame’s combine snubs. NFL teams could see him as a versatile special teams player.
• Avery Sebastian (S): Struggled with injuries throughout his college football career, both at Cal and Notre Dame. Is not expected to be drafted next month.
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