Notre Dame has four players on Mel Kiper’s NFL draft Big Board

With Notre Dame football season heading to an end of the regular season, many players are wondering where they will land at the next level.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper recently released his updated Big Board (subscription required), and four Irish players made his list as some of the best NFL draft prospects in the country. Its more surprising that there any more listed, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

Find out below which Notre Dame football stars landed on Mel Kiper’s Big Board.

No. 22 overall – Cornerback Benjamin Morrison

Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Redhawks wide receiver Reggie Virgil (0) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

The injured star had no change in his ranking from the previous Big Board, as Morrison is still projected to get selected in the first round. He’s been helping the cornerback with breaking down film, showing he’s a consulate team player. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Morrison have a long and successful NFL career.

No. 5 tight end – Mitchell Evans

Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans (88) scores a touchdown against Florida State Seminoles linebacker Omar Graham Jr. (9) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Having been nominated for the Mackey Award, Evans has shown this fall that the injury suffered last year is starting to be in the rear view mirror. The numbers don’t pop off the stat page, but part of that is due to his recovery. Evans might not get drafted as high as some former Irish stars, but he’s got a chance to be very good at the next level.

No. 10 defensive tackle – Rylie Mills

Day after: Final thoughts on Notre Dame’s impressive win over Florida State — Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills (99) celebrates getting a sack during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

The senior had a monster game last weekend, with three sacks, which surely turned the heads of NFL teams. Mills has idea size for the position at 6-foot, 5-inches and 295-pounds, which should get the attention of scouts. He’s having a career year at exactly the right time.

No. 5 safety – Xavier Watts

Xavier Watts could be headed for another national award this fall — Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) intercepts a pass in front of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Abdul Janneh Jr. (4) in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Watts isn’t quite putting up the same numbers he did last year when he took home the Bronko Naguski Award, but that won’t stop many NFL teams from taking a chance on him. His wide receiver background gives the safety elite ball skills, something that most squads are carving.

Overview

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The biggest omission in Kiper’s list has to be defensive tackle Howard Cross III, as he’s shown that he can impact any game. I tent to think that Morrison and Watts are being undervalued as well, since they have shown the last few seasons they’re among the best nationally. Expect to hear every one of their names being called during the NFL draft, and potentially more like quarterback Riley Leonard.