Notre Dame football’s 2013 recruiting class stands as one of the strongest groups former head coach Brian Kelly assembled during his tenure in South Bend. The class finished as the No. 5 overall group in the country according to the composite ranking and produced several players who left a lasting mark on the program.

From first-round NFL Draft picks to athletes who pivoted into careers far beyond football, the class offers a fascinating snapshot of how Notre Dame talent developed during the mid-2010s.

Defensive standouts

Linebacker Jaylon Smith headlined the defensive side of the class. In three years on campus, Smith recorded 284 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, and 10 pass breakups despite playing under defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. The former All-American was projected as a top-10 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he fell to the second round after sustaining a severe knee injury that included nerve damage during his final game against Ohio State.

Smith went on to play seven years in the NFL, spending five of those seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He earned a Pro Bowl selection during the 2019 season, finishing his NFL career with 626 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two interceptions, and 21 pass breakups. He is now an entrepreneur in his post-playing career.

Safety Max Redfield played three years at Notre Dame, starting the final two. He recorded 143 total tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups before being dismissed after the 2015 season after being charged with possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor.

He transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (UIP) in 2017, where he added 78 total tackles, four interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. Redfield now works as a solar specialist at Sunrun.

Defensive lineman Isaac Rochell was one of the best finds of the entire class. During his four-year career with the Fighting Irish, he recorded 168 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. A seventh-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft by the then-San Diego Chargers, Rochelle played seven years in the league with the Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns, recording 113 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.

Linebacker James Onwualu arrived at Notre Dame as a wide receiver but quickly transitioned to linebacker. In four years, he recorded 144 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and seven pass breakups. He spent parts of three NFL seasons with the then-San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Raiders. He is now a co-founder and partner of Afia Capital and a senior associate at Transition Equity Partners.

Offensive playmakers and linemen

Wide receiver Will Fuller was one of the most dangerous deep threats in Notre Dame’s history. In 32 games across three seasons, he hauled in 144 receptions for 2,512 yards and 30 touchdowns. The former All-American earned a first-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and spent six NFL seasons with Houston and the Miami Dolphins, recording 213 receptions for 3,136 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey started 38 games across five years with the Fighting Irish and became a first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. McGlinchey enters year nine in the NFL this fall. After beginning his career with the 49ers, he signed a significant deal with the Denver Broncos and enters the 2026 season with 115 career starts at right tackle.

Tight end Durham Smythe spent five years at Notre Dame with modest production (28 receptions for 381 yards and six touchdowns) but was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He enters his ninth NFL season this fall, having played for the Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Baltimore Ravens while recording 136 catches for 1,253 yards and three touchdowns as a valuable depth piece.

Quarterback Malik Zaire showed early promise as the 2015 starter before a fractured ankle against Virginia opened the door for DeShone Kizer. After four seasons at Notre Dame, Zaire transferred to Florida, finished his college career with 1,165 passing yards, eight total touchdowns, and just one interception, and was invited to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ minicamp after the 2018 NFL Draft. He now co-hosts the Lucky Lefty podcast.

Running back Greg Bryant spent two years with the program, rushing for 303 yards and three touchdowns before transferring to UAB. He tragically passed away in 2016 after being involved in a shooting in South Florida.

Life after football

Several members of the class carved out unique post-playing paths.

Wide receiver Corey Robinson left football during his junior year after suffering his third concussion of that season and transitioned into broadcasting with NBC Sports.

Fellow wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. left Notre Dame with a year of eligibility remaining to pursue baseball, getting drafted in the 23rd round by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Offensive lineman Steve Elmer departed Notre Dame to take a congressional internship on Capitol Hill and now serves as assistant Navy program manager for the Office of Defense and Cooperation in Spain.

Hunter Bivin, the top-ranked offensive lineman in the class, has spent 13 years in South Bend and now serves as assistant athletic director for the university.

The 2013 class produced two first-round NFL Draft picks, multiple long-term NFL contributors, and a collection of post-football success stories that reflect the breadth of talent Kelly and his staff brought to Notre Dame.