The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had an outstanding 2020 college football season, but that didn't translate into top-tier NFL draft success. While national champion Alabama had five offensive players taken in the first round, Notre Dame had to wait until pick No. 42 for its first selection in 2021, offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg. He went to the New York Giants.
The #Giants have traded back again, as expected(!!!) The #Dolphins jump to No 42 and take ND OL Liam Eichenberg.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
The 2020 Notre Dame offense had some early-season struggles against Duke and Louisville, but it found its footing later in the season, especially against the most formidable opponents the Fighting Irish faced.
Eichenberg was part of a typically muscular and powerful offensive line which enabled Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book to make big plays in the passing game. The Irish offensive front also paved the way for running back Kyren Williams to rush for 1,125 yards and 13 touchdowns in what was less than a full-length (12-game) regular season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is true that Notre Dame was handled fairly easily by Alabama in the College Football Playoff national semifinals in Arlington, Texas, but everyone lost to Alabama last season.
The idea that Notre Dame should have been downgraded — and its players accordingly lower in the NFL draft pecking order — because of how the Irish fared against Alabama seems like an overreaction, but the Irish clearly aren't getting a lot of respect from NFL teams thus far. Eichenberg did at least break the run of 41 picks without an Irish player being taken. He goes to New York to help Daniel Jones take the next step in his evolution as a professional quarterback. He will also try to create gaps for Saquon Barkley to run through.
At press time — 8:22 Eastern on Friday night — Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah was still waiting for his name to be called in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL draft. We will see how long he must wait.
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