It might not be Notre Dame football season right now, but the conversation around the program never stops. We are in 2025 NFL Draft season, and several former Irish standouts are attempting to further their careers on the NFL level. That will be a topic of conversation for the next couple of months. 

While going down a rabbit hole of research, I began to find data on Notre Dame's success from a draft perspective. That brought some positive data, and some negative ones as well. There are several positions that are in quite a bit of a drought, and head coach Marcus Freeman needs to change it quickly. It applies to a couple of positions more than others. 

Years since Notre Dame has a 1st round pick at each position:

OL: 1
S: 3
DL: 6
WR: 9
TE: 12
QB: 18
EDGE: 28
CB: 31
RB: 32
LB: 43

I think that running back and cornerback drought could end over the next couple of years. Hopefully EDGE soon as well.

— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) February 16, 2025

Linebacker: 43 years

This one is pretty shocking to some. The last first round pick for Notre Dame at linebacker is Bob Crable in the 1982 NFL Draft. If not for the knee injury to Jaylon Smith, heart issue with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Manti Teo’s girlfriend, that probably would have ended multiple times. That room continues to be strong, but it’s unclear if and when they will break this drought.

Running back: 32 years

Jerome Bettis was the last Irish running back to be selected in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft. It’s becoming rare for running backs to be selected in the opening round but it’s very possible that Jeremiyah Love could change that in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s that special.

Cornerback: 31 years

This is a drought that could possibly change this cycle with Benjamin Morrison, but it appears unlikely at this moment. It is one that needs to change most with the increased importance of the cornerback position. Hopefully either Christian Gray or Leonard Moore could change that over the next couple of years.

EDGE: 28 years

This might be the most worrisome drought on the list right now, not seeing one going off the board early since Renaldo Wynn in 1997. We saw down the stretch of the season that the Irish defense wasn’t able to create consistent pressure, especially against Ohio State. Hopefully either Boubacar Traore or Bryce Young, or both, can change that trend soon.

Quarterback: 18 years

Quarterback play needs to get better at Notre Dame, and not many would argue against that. Brady Quinn was the last first rounder in the 2007 NFL Draft class to the Cleveland Browns. That needs to change in a big way.

Tight end: 12 years

This drought is a bit surprising, but not something to be overly concerned about Tyler Eifert was the last first rounder in the 2013 NFL Draft. Since then, the Irish have still had very good tight end play from performers such as Michael Mayer and Mitchell Evans in recent years. This is a position that Notre Dame has historically developed very well.

Wide receiver: 9 years

It’s so weird to see that a wide receiver has gone in the first round more recently than tight end. That was obviously Will Fuller to the Houston Texans in the 2016 NFL Draft. This is another trend that needs to change, and quickly. Wide receiver is a position that has been a problem position for too long. 

Defensive line: 6 years

Jerry Tillery was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he has been an outlier of the group. Notre Dame needs to develop the defensive line position better moving forward. There is no slam dunk first rounder on the roster right now, but that needs to change.

Safety: 3 years

Notre Dame has quietly been excellent at safety for quite some time now. Obviously, Kyle Hamilton was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens but players like Harrison Smith, and now Xavier Watts have been a part of that great tradition.

Offensive line: 1 year

The offensive line is, and has been, in a tremendous situation. You are fresh off of Joe Alt being a top five selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. With the talent in the recruit, that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. 

Notre Dame is set for the most entertaining QB battles in several years, and CJ Carr, Kenny Minchey, and Steve Angeli all have a strong selling point

Breaking down the Notre Dame quarterback battle.