Troy Niklas Arrives at Cardinals' Workout

The Arizona Cardinals selected former Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas on the second round -- teaming him at that position with former Irish standout Jon Carlson.  (photo above has Troy on left and Carlson on the right).

The story linked below is the first interview of Niklas since his selection by the Cardinals:

LINK:  NIKLAS A CARDINAL

Steelers: Stephon Tuitt Gets His Gear!

The Pittsburgh Steelers posted these photos of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt getting his helmet fitted and his shoes for their Rookie Mini-Camp.  Here's the story:

LINK:  TUITT IS EXCITED TO PLAY...

Detroit Tigers' Tori Hunter Sr. -- Hit By Pitch

Detroit Tiger outfielder Torii Hunter Sr. -- who doubles as the father of Notre Dame student-athlete Torii Hunter Jr. -- was drilled by a 94 mph fastball last night that looked quite intentional.  

It escalated from there...

Here's more of the story:

LINK:  BASEBALL TONIGHT'S REPORT

LINK:  HUNTER TALKS WITH THE MEDIA

CBS Sports: Texans Get an "A" for Nix Pick!

The folks at CBS Sports weighed in on the Houston Texans selection of former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis Nix '14 who they selected in the third round of this weekend's 2014 NFL Draft.  See story below:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

San Diego Chargers: Chris Watt Media Session

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chris Watt '13 -- was drafted 89th overall by the San Diego Chargers in last weekend's 2014 NFL Draft.  Here's a story about Chris and the versatility he brings to the Chargers' offensive line -- along with a video of his inaugural media session in San Diego:

LINK:  CHRIS WATT

NFL Draft: Notre Dame Football Stands Alone!

77 years and counting -- that's how many years in a row that a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team has been drafted by a NFL Team -- the longest such streak in college football history.

The NFL Draft began in 1936 -- that year the Fighting Irish had five players drafted, including the #3 pick overall Bill Shakespeare.  In 1937 -- not a single Notre Dame player was drafted -- thus, the current streak began in 1938...

Notre Dame stands alone -- because the Texas Longhorns, who like ND had a 76 year streak going into the 2014 NFL Draft -- went without a single player drafted for the first time since 1938.  Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME STANDS ALONE

LINK:  ALL-TIME LIST OF NOTRE DAME PLAYERS DRAFTED INTO THE NFL

Holy Cross College Graduates Reflect...

I was sent this video yesterday (via Twitter) from the folks across the street at Holy Cross College -- who celebrated their 47th Commencement exercises yesterday afternoon.  It's a video of a number of their seniors reflecting on their time at Holy Cross College.

I am very fond of this institution.

Enjoy!

LINK:  HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

Happy Mother's Day!

It's a sunny Mother's Day morning -- just a few blocks away from the college campus named after Mary Our Mother -- the University of Notre Dame.

As a special treat, I've attached two videos below of the world-famous Notre Dame Glee Club singing Ave Maria and Notre Dame, Our Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's out there!


LINK:  AVE MARIA

LINK:  NOTRE DAME, OUR MOTHER

Pittsburgh Steelers: Photo of Stephon Tuitt

Here's a photo of Stephon Tuitt arriving in Pittsburgh today -- signing autographs for Steeler fans.

San Diego Chargers: Photo of Chris Watt

 

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Chris Watt -- left on a plane this morning from Chicago to start his new life as a professional football player in San Diego.  Very happy for you Chris!

Teams Signing ND Players to Free Agent Deals

Here's the list -- as the information becomes available -- of the former Notre Dame football players who sign free agent deals with NFL teams this evening.  The first to agree to a deal was George Atkinson -- and he signed with his Dad's old team, the Oakland Raiders.  Here's the list:

• George Atkinson III -- Oakland Raiders
• Dan Fox -- New York Giants
• Carlo Calabrese -- Cleveland Browns
• Tommy Rees -- Washington Redskins
• Kona Schwenke -- Kansas City Chiefs
• Mike Golic, Jr. -- New Orleans Saints

NFL Draft: Eight Notre Dame Players Selected!

After three long days -- the Fighting Irish ended up with eight former student-athletes drafted in the first six rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft -- the most since 1994!

The top photo is of the "luxury bus" that picked up Zack Martin at the Dallas airport to take him to the Cowboy's facility -- you're going to want to click on the "SLIDE SHOW" below...

Today -- Prince Shembo, Bennett Jackson and T.J. Jones joined their five teammates as NFL drafted players -- pretty awesome!  Here's the detail on all eight players:


ZACK MARTIN -- Drafted 16th overall (1st Round) by the Dallas Cowboys

• Signing bonus:  $5.3 million
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $9.6 million
• Introductory Press Conference:  ZACK
• Zach's arrival to Dallas:  SLIDE SHOW

STEPHON TUITT -- Drafted 46th overall (2nd Round) by the Pittsburgh Steelers

• Signing bonus:  $1.8 million
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $4.8 million
• Pittsburgh Steelers Press Conference:  LINK 

TROY NIKLAS -- Drafted 52nd overall (2nd Round) by the Arizona Cardinals

• Signing bonus:  $1.4 million
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $4.2 million
• Arizona Cardinals Press Conference:  LINK

LOUIS NIX III -- Drafted 83rd overall (3rd Round) by the Houston Texans

• Signing bonus:  $630,000
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $2.9 million
• Houston Texans Press Conference:  LINK
• Interview: IRISH CHOCOLATE

CHRIS WATT -- Drafted 89th overall (3rd Round) by the San Diego Chargers

• Signing bonus:  $600,000
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $2.9 million
• San Diego Chargers Press Conference:  LINK

PRINCE SHEMBO -- Drafted 139th overall (4th Round) by the Atlanta Falcons

• Signing bonus:  $330,000
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $2.5 million 
• Interview:  PRINCE 

BENNETT JACKSON -- Drafted 187th overall (6th Round) by the New York Giants

• Signing bonus:  $121,000
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $2.3 million 
• New York Giants Press Conference:  LINK

T.J. JONES -- Drafted 189th overall (6th Round) by the Detroit Lions

• Signing bonus:  $116,000
• Projected value of first NFL contract:  $2.3 million 
• Detroit Lions Press Conference:  LINK

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- 2014 NFL DRAFT PICKS

ND Softball in ACC Championship Game Today!

The #20 ranked Fighting Irish made a remarkable comeback (from five runs down) to beat Virginia Tech yesterday in the ACC Championship Semi-finals to advance to today's Championship game against #4 ranked Florida State.

The game will be televised LIVE on ESPN2 beginning at 2 PM ET -- GO IRISH!

Here's a few highlights from yesterday's comeback win!

LINK:  BIG WIN!

ND's New Field: A Baseball Field With No Dirt!

Folks, I'd never thought I'd see the day when you couldn't find a "spec of dirt" on a baseball field...

NONE.

Notre Dame baseball's new playing surface is made entirely from field turf, even the pitching mound!  Here's a few of the photos I could find online of this "unique" -- beautiful field.  The bottom photo was taken by Notre Dame's award winning photographer Matt Cashore -- which I'm sure you could buy at photos.nd.edu

Oh, by the way -- the Fighting Irish (behind the pitching of multi-sport star Pat Connaughton) beat #24 ranked Clemson 2 - 1 in the first game on their new playing surface.

Media Reaction to ND Players Drafted: Day Two

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the LSU Tigers lead all college football programs with the most players drafted after the first three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft -- with five each.

It's been twenty years since Notre Dame has had this many players taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

Here's what the media is saying this morning about all five of Notre Dame's drafted student-athletes:

ZACK MARTIN -- Dallas Cowboys:

• LINK:  RADIO INTERVIEW

STEPHON TUITT -- Pittsburgh Steelers:

• LINK:  TEARS OF JOY
• LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE
• LINK:  TRIBUNE REVIEW

TROY NIKLAS -- Arizona Cardinals:

• LINK:  ARIZONA CENTRAL
• LINK:  ARIZONA SPORTS
• LINK:  ESPN

LOUIS NIX III -- Houston Texans:

• LINK:  CBS SPORTS
• LINK:  HOUSTON CHRONICLE
• LINK:  ESPN

CHRIS WATT -- San Diego Chargers:

• LINK:  FIRST INTERVIEW
• LINK:  SB NATION
• LINK:  UT-SAN DIEGO

The 2014 NFL Draft LIVE Beginning at NOON ET

The final day of the 2014 NFL Draft begins in less than 12 hours away -- with Round 4 scheduled to begin at NOON ET on ESPN and the NFL NETWORK.  The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- tied with LSU with the most players drafted in the first three rounds -- have a number of players whose names could be called later today:

• T.J. Jones
• Prince Shembo
• Jackson Bennett
• Dan Fox
• Carlo Calabrese
• George Atkinson III

LINK:  NOTRE DAME 2014 NFL DRAFT PICKS

Four Domers Selected on Day Two of NFL Draft

Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas, Louis Nix III and my man Chris Watt (pictured above) were drafted this evening in Rounds Two and Three of the 2014 NFL Draft --- congratulations!!!

When you add in First Round pick Zack Martin -- the Fighting Irish and the SEC's Louisiana State University are tied with the most players drafted in the first 3 rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft -- think about that!

Here's the detail on each former Notre Dame football star:

Stephon Tuitt:

• Selected #46 overall (Round 2) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Projected signing bonus: $1.8 million
• Projected four-year value of first NFL contract: $4.8 million

Troy Niklas:

• Selected #52 overall (Round 2) by the Arizona Cardinals
• Projected signing bonus:  $1.4 million
• Projected four-year value of first NFL contract:  $4.2 million

Louis Nix III:

• Selected #83 overall (Round 3) by the Houston Texans
• Projected signing bonus:  $630,000
• Projected four-year value of first NFL contract:  $2.9 million

Chris Watt:

• Selected #89 overall (Round 3) by the San Diego Chargers
• Projected signing bonus:  $600,000
• Projected four-year value of first NFL contract:  $2.9 million

ND Baseball's New Field on ESPNU Tonight!

The Fighting Irish baseball program has a new playing surface -- FIELD TURF -- and it will be unveiled on national TV tonight in a 7:30 PM ET game televised on ESPNU between Notre Dame and Clemson.

Notre Dame's multi-sport star -- Pat Connaughton will get the start for the IRISH.  

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Video Replay of Cowboys Calling Zack Martin

Thought you'd enjoy the replay of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and their call to former Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin -- just prior to the official announcement that he's their first round selection -- 16th overall.

A pretty special moment for Zack and his family!


LINK:  PHONE CALL TO ZACK MARTIN

Media Reaction to Cowboys Selecting Martin

Well, the media has forever labeled former Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin as "the guy the Cowboys picked over Johnny Manziel" in the 2014 NFL Draft.  I don't think Zack is going to spend much time concerning himself with this...

And, when he's a perennial Pro Bowler -- all will be forgotten.

Here's the media reaction this morning to the Dallas Cowboys selection of Zack Martin as the 16th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft:

LINK:  DALLAS MORNING NEWS

LINK:  ESPN DALLAS

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  FORBES