Draft Scout Notre Dame Player News, College Football: Notre Dame

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Notre Dame

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12/27/23 - Rod Heard II, rSr/2025, Notre Dame + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: Rod Heard,...Heard takes home consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention honors for the first time in his career after finishing second on the team with 50 solo tackles and third on the team with 73 total tackles. Heard recorded five or more tackles in six games, including each of the last three games. Serving as the Wildcats' primary nickel cornerback, Heard finished with four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Per Pro Football Focus, Heard's 83.1 coverage grade led the team and ranked 10th among all qualifying Big Ten players (50% of snaps). - Northwestern Football

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CB Rod Heard II, Notre Dame
News Source: Northwestern Football
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11/29/23 - Riley Leonard, Sr/2025, Notre Dame + More +

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, signaling his departure from the Blue Devils after two seasons as a starter. Leonard immediately becomes one of - if not the - most talented quarterback available in college football's transfer market. The move comes two days after Duke lost its head coach, Mike Elko, to Texas A&M. Leonard's 2023 season was cut short by ankle and foot injuries, but he helped lead the Blue Devils to a 4-0 start before being hurt on Duke's final offensive play of its 21-14 loss to Notre Dame. He finished this season throwing for 1,102 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games. He also ran for 352 yards and four TDs. Last year, Leonard threw for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions and he ran for 699 yards and 13 scores as Duke went 9-4. - AP College Football

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QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
News Source: AP College Football
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02/22/23 - Sam Hartman, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

One of Gerad Parker's first orders of business as Notre Dame's newly promoted offensive coordinator has been to communicate his vision for Wake Forest transfer quarterback Sam Hartman and Gator Bowl MVP Tyler Buchner. "Sam and all of them, they're all critical because now you're not building relationships with eight guys in the tight end room," Parker said Monday after his promotion was formally announced at Notre Dame Stadium. "You're building relationships with the entire offensive unit." While Hartman enters as the FBS level's active leader in career passing yards and touchdown passes, Buchner offers dual-threat skills that helped him beat out Drew Pyne for the starting job last offseason.

With Pyne having transferred to Arizona State and four-star freshman Kenny Minchey on site as a midyear enrollee, Parker was asked how he could maximize the skills of Hartman and Buchner. "I think it's our job to know what their skills are and make them better, but not get away from something that maybe is not what fits them," Parker said. "It's going to be our job to tailor this thing around in a pro-style form, as coach Freeman said, but we're going to do what our players can do best and then find ways to enhance it." Hartman ran the Slow Mesh RPO at Wake Forest, so there will be some adjustment for him beyond just getting to know a roomful of new faces. Buchner, who missed 10 games last season after surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, accounted for five touchdowns in the 45-38 Gator Bowl win over South Carolina. "There's certain differences in the two," Parker said. "It's our job to play off those differences of who it may be with Sam, and the same thing of Tyler just as we did in the bowl game. We want to do what our guys are good at and then get better at doing them." - South Bend Tribune

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QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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02/14/23 - Thomas Harper, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

When Thomas Harper decided to transfer from Oklahoma State to Notre Dame, he started watching game film from the Irish 2022 season. There was one defensive play that stood out. Late in Notre Dame's 35-14 upset over No. 4 Clemson Nov. 5, in South Bend, Irish nickelback TaRiq Bracy shot into the backfield untouched on a corner blitz to sack Tiger quarterback D.J. Uaigalelei. That sack, Bracy's lone of the year, peaked Harper's interest. "(Bracy) made a lot of plays," Harper said during his first appearance in front of the Notre Dame media Friday. "I watched that game multiple times and that was a huge play." To Harper, that play was more than 7-yard loss in a game the Irish had firmly in control. It was a vision of what the he could accomplish in Notre Dame's defensive scheme.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety/nickleback was more of a cover guy and run-stopper. Watching how Notre Dame, and defensive coordinator Al Golden, used Bracy appealed to Harper's versatility. "(Bracy) excelled at that (versatility), especially perimeter run game," Harper said. "He set the edge, got off blocks. Those are things I had to do at Oklahoma State and feel like I can do (here)." In Harper, who committed to Notre Dame on Jan. 6 as a grad transfer, the Irish are getting a do-it-all player that can be used all over the secondary and has produced at a high level. He's seems like an ideal candidate to step in an emulate Bracy, who is entering the NFL Draft. - South Bend Tribune

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FS Thomas Harper, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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01/13/23 - Javontae Jean-Baptiste, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Javontae Jean-Baptiste was the most overlooked member of Ohio State football's defensive line in 2022, as his four sacks nearly led the team. This fall he will be one of the edge rushers the Buckeyes new tackle tandem - as yet unidentified - will face off against. Jean-Baptiste announced via Twitter on Friday that he will play his final season of eligibility at Notre Dame. Ohio State plays at the Fighting Irish on Sept. 23, the fourth game of the season.

Jean-Baptiste entered the transfer portal after the Buckeyes' loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl playoff semifinal. He is using the extra season of eligibility afford all players active during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jean-Baptiste spent his entire OSU career as a rotational player on the defensive line. The New Jersey native added some versatility to his game last season, playing the hybrid defensive end/linebacker role known as the Jack behind Jack Sawyer. - Cleveland.com

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DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame
News Source: Cleveland.com
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01/10/23 - DJ Brown, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Over the past two seasons, no safety for Notre Dame has been on the field for more defensive snaps than DJ Brown. A trusted contributor on special teams as well, Brown delivered a pleasant surprise on Sunday evening when he shared via social media his decision to return for a sixth season in 2023. "DJ!!! (L)ead em," outgoing captain/left guard Jarrett Patterson posted in the comments section. That was typical of the reaction among Brown's current and former teammates. A 2018 enrollee from Annapolis, Md., Brown (6-feet, 200 pounds) ranked fourth in tackles for Notre Dame last season. Despite a hamstring injury in Week 4 at North Carolina, Brown still played in all 13 games, pushing his career total to 47 games. Brown totaled 936 defensive snaps across 2021-22. - South Bend Tribune

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SS DJ Brown, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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01/05/23 - Sam Hartman, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Sam Hartman is transferring to Notre Dame, giving the Fighting Irish a dynamic quarterback for coach Marcus Freeman's second season. Hartman, a three-year starter at Wake Forest, was widely regarded as the top quarterback in the transfer portal. He announced his decision Thursday by tweeting pictures of himself in a Notre Dame uniform. The 23-year-old Hartman holds the Atlantic Coast Conference record for passing touchdowns with 110. He has one year of eligibility remaining. He completed a career-best 63.1% of his passes this past season for 3,701 yards with 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, leading the Demon Deacons to an 8-5 record and a victory in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23.

In 2021, Hartman threw for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns as Wake Forest went 11-3, finished 15th in the final AP poll and lost the ACC title game to Pitt. Hartman threw 16 TD passes for the Demon Deacons as a freshman in 2018, but was relegated to a backup role the following year, playing in four games and preserving a year of eligibility. He then got an extra year because of the pandemic. Notre Dame went 9-4 under Freeman, who took over as coach after Brian Kelly departed for LSU. The Fighting Irish began the season ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 but lost their first two games. They moved back into the rankings with a late five-game winning streak and are currently 19th. Notre Dame concluded its season with a 45-38 victory over No. 20 South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. - AP College Football

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QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
News Source: AP College Football
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01/03/23 - *Brandon Joseph, rJr/2023, Notre Dame + More +

This wasn't the season Brandon Joseph hoped to have for Notre Dame, but the uber-confident safety is still headed to the NFL regardless. Joseph, a 2020 All-American at Northwestern who joined the Irish as a transfer 12 months ago, announced via social media he is declaring for the NFL Draft. A nagging high-ankle sprain suffered in the first half against Clemson on Nov. 5 limited Joseph to just one more game appearance the rest of the season. He played 37 snaps in the 38-27 loss at USC to close out the regular season.

Joseph practiced all week ahead of the Gator Bowl against South Carolina and even went through pregame warmups in full uniform, but he watched the game from the sideline in street clothes. After making nine interceptions and 132 tackles over his final two seasons with the Wildcats, Joseph managed just 30 tackles and one interception in 9 1/2 games for Notre Dame. Joseph had just one forced fumble and one pass breakup after breaking up a total of six passes in his previous two seasons. - South Bend Tribune

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FS *Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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12/28/22 - Riley Leonard, Sr/2025, Notre Dame + More +

Riley Leonard ran for two touchdowns and threw for 173 yards, and Duke wrapped up an impressive first season under Mike Elko with a 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl on Wednesday. The Blue Devils (9-4) have won four consecutive bowl games, although this was their first appearance in one since 2018. Jordan Moore ran for a touchdown in the first quarter, and then Duke took control in the second. UCF (9-5) lost three of its final four games this season. John Rhys Plumlee managed only 28 yards passing in the first half and 182 for the game. Moore opened the scoring with a 14-yard run, but Isaiah Bowser's 1-yard touchdown run for the Knights tied the game at 7. Duke outscored UCF 13-0 in the second quarter to take control.

After taking the lead on a short field goal, the Blue Devils recovered a fumble by Plumlee at their own 42. They went 58 yards in seven plays, and Leonard scored on 1-yard run. A 48-yard field goal by Todd Pelino made it 20-7 at halftime. Down 23-7, the Knights had a good chance to get back in the game after a profitable exchange of punts gave them the ball at the Duke 32, but UCF turned the ball over on downs. The Knights finally scored again on 2-yard run by Bowser with 9:03 remaining, but a trick play on a 2-point conversion failed badly. Leonard completed the scoring with a 3-yard run with 2:29 to play. He finished with a team-high 63 yards on the ground. Duke went winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play last year, but Elko turned the team around quickly, winning ACC coach of the year honors. The Blue Devils reached nine wins in a season for the seventh time and first since 2014. - Duke/AP College Football

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QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
News Source: Duke/AP College Football
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12/23/22 - Sam Hartman, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Sam Hartman completed 23 of 36 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in what was expected to be his final game with Wake Forest, a 27-17 win over Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday night. The redshirt junior now will look at entering the NFL draft or the transfer portal. Hartman threw his 108th career touchdown pass to set an Atlantic Coast Conference record on a 5-yard strike to Taylor Morin that made it 7-0 in the first quarter. He had been tied with Clemson’s Tajh Boyd (2010-13), and ended up with 110 overall. Hartman came up 33 yards short of joining North Carolina State’s Philip Rivers (13,484 from 2000-03) as the only quarterbacks in ACC history to reach 13,000 passing yards. A.T. Perry had 11 receptions for 116 yards for Wake Forest (8-5).

Brady Cook threw for 215 yards on 29-of-48 passing for Missouri (6-7). He also rushed for 38 yards on 14 tries. Missouri took its first lead, 17-14, when Cody Schrader scored from 4 yards out with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter. He finished with 54 yards on 13 carries. Wake Forest went ahead 20-17 just 1:16 later when Hartman hooked up with Jahmal Banks for a 48-yard touchdown. Matthew Dennis missed the extra point, which ended the Demon Deacons' streak of 269 consecutive successful tries, dating to Nov. 18, 2017. Hartman and Morin hooked up for a 16-yard touchdown with 2 1/2 minutes to play. Justice Ellison put the Demon Deacons ahead 14-3 on a 1-yard TD run five minutes into the second quarter. He had 64 yards on 21 attempts. After Jaylon Carlies picked off a pass by Hartman in the end zone, Cook connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Demariyon Houston to get Missouri within 14-10 2 1/2 minutes before halftime. Harrison Mevis made a 35-yard field goal to cut the Missouri deficit to 7-3 late in the first quarter. - Wake Forest/AP College Football

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QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
News Source: Wake Forest/AP College Football
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12/22/22 - Sam Hartman, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

The record-setting passer could very well be playing his final game for Wake Forest. He hasn't entered the NCAA transfer portal or announced plans to enter the NFL draft, but there's been so much chatter about Hartman moving on, Clawson has addressed the possibility that Hartman is making his final appearance Friday. "Whatever decisions Sam makes, we support him," Clawson said earlier this month. "When the bowl game is over, if there's some incredible offer for him to go to another school and get life-changing money, how can we fault him for that?" The senior comes into Friday's game with 107 career passing touchdowns, tied for the most in ACC history with former Clemson QB Tajh Boyd. Consider the legends behind him on that list: Phillip Rivers, Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, Chris Weinke, Russell Wilson. This season, Hartman's thrown for 35 touchdowns and 3,421 yards in 11 games with a passer rating of 160.2, best in the ACC and seventh among all Power Five quarterbacks. - Post-Dispatch

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QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
News Source: Post-Dispatch
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12/19/22 - Matt Salerno, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Matt Salerno's 1-yard reception for his first career touchdown was one of the feel-good moments of Notre Dame's Senior Day thrashing of Boston College. Four weeks after that long-awaited end zone visit, the former walk-on wide receiver/punt returner has decided maybe it shouldn't be his last. The Valencia, Calif., product announced via social media on Friday evening that he would "run it back" for a sixth season with the Irish. A COVID-year waiver for those who played in 2020 made that possible.

All-America long snapper Michael Vinson recently announced he would return as a sixth-year super senior in 2023 as well. Reserve kicker Chris Salerno, Matt's brother, is a sophomore walk-on for the Irish. The elder Salerno, who has five catches for 62 yards this season, produced half of that yardage with an acrobatic grab as he fell backward in the season-opening loss at Ohio State. "Matt is a guy that we have a ton of trust in," offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said on Nov. 22. "He's in there in critical moments. He's in there with roles that are critically important. He's tagged on stuff to make sure he's in. He's done a lot of the dirty work for us and been in critical spots and he's worked extremely hard to deserve the opportunity to be out there playing." - South Bend Tribune

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WR Matt Salerno, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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12/12/22 - Michael Vinson, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

Long snapper Michael "Milk" Vinson's decision to return for a sixth season came as an early Christmas present for special-teams coordinator Brian Mason. Prior conversations, most recently during the bye week in early October, indicated Vinson would leave after a three-year run as the starter. Instead, the Irish will milk another season out of a popular team leader and Patrick Mannelly Award semifinalist as one of the nation's top long snappers. "When it came time for the end of the year, (Vinson) decided, 'You know what, I love Notre Dame. I'm going to stay,' "Mason said. "There were a couple things he still wanted to get done. He's clearly the leader of our group. He's in the office a ton. He watches a lot of film. You just can't easily replace somebody like that." With kicker Blake Grupe and punter Jon Sot moving on after successful grad-transfer seasons, Vinson's return should ease the transition for the next set of specialists. Freshman Bryce McFerson is set to assume punting duties, Mason said, and the Irish reportedly could add South Florida kicker Spencer Shrader as a graduate transfer. - South Bend Tribune

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LS Michael Vinson, Notre Dame
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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12/09/22 - *Michael Mayer, Jr/2023, Notre Dame + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame,...Mayer led all FBS tight ends in touchdown receptions in 2022 while posting a team-high 67 receptions for 809 yards. The Independence, Kentucky, native finished his career at Notre Dame as the greatest statistical tight end in school history, setting program tight end marks for receptions (180), yards (2,099) and touchdown receptions (18) while also owning the single-season tight end records for receptions (71 in 2021), yards (840 in 2021) and touchdowns (9 in 2022). Among Mayer's noteworthy games in 2022 was an 11-catch, 118-yard, two-touchdown performance against No. 16/16 BYU in Las Vegas, a game in which he established a tight end record for receptions in a game.

He piled up six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against UNLV, seven catches for 88 yards and a score at North Carolina, four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown against No. 5/5 Clemson and eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns at No. 5/5 Southern Cal. Mayer, who has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, led all active FBS tight ends in receptions (180) and yards (2,099). He also finished his career third on Notre Dame's all-time receptions list while becoming the 13th Irish player to amass 2,000 receiving yards in a career. Mayer ended his time at Notre Dame on a 36-game streak of games with at least one reception which represented every game he suited up in the blue and gold. - Notre Dame Football

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TE *Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
News Source: Notre Dame Football
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12/09/22 - *Isaiah Foskey, rJr/2023, Notre Dame + More +

Record-setting tight end Michael Mayer has played his last game for Notre Dame. As widely expected, Mayer announced Wednesday he will skip the Dec. 30 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against No. 19 South Carolina as he begins preparations for the 2023 NFL Draft. The projected first-rounder plans to start ramping up those workouts on Jan. 2 in California. A draft-eligible junior and fiery team captain, Mayer had eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns (24 and 22 yards) in a Nov. 26 loss at USC. That pushed his career totals to 180 receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns, all of which represent the most in program history by a tight end.

Mayer had at least one catch in all 36 games he played in his Notre Dame career. The Irish went 28-8 with Mayer in the lineup as he sat out just once (Virginia Tech in October 2021) due to a strained hip adductor muscle. Despite facing near-constant double coverage this fall, the Mackey Award finalist hauled in 67 passes from 809 yards and nine touchdowns - all single-season records for an Irish tight end. He converted 66.3 percent of his 101 targets as a junior, dropping just four passes while working with inexperienced quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne. "The first reason I picked Notre Dame was the NFL," Mayer told ESPN ahead of Thursday's College Football Awards show. "It was on my mind a very, very long time. I saw a lot of good tight ends in the NFL from Notre Dame. That was one of the main reasons I went there." - South Bend Tribune

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