Former ND Players -- Back in the NFL Today!

These former Notre Dame football players have been claimed off waivers today by another team in the NFL or, have cleared waivers and have been assigned to their current NFL team's practice squad:

• Mathias Farley -- Indianapolis Colts (off waivers)
• George Atkinson -- Cleveland Browns (off waivers)
• Ishaq Williams -- New York Giants (practice squad)
• T.J. Jones -- Detroit Lions (practice squad) 
• Kapron Lewis-Moore -- Baltimore Ravens (practice squad)

Where Would This ND Team Be Ranked Today?

We soon forget -- these players still have eligibility left -- but opted to pursue a professional career in the NFL.  Can you imagine the team Brian Kelly would be taking into Austin tonight!

  

STANLEY, SMITH, FULLER, PROSISE and RUSSELL

And, we have a 21 year-old named Romeo Okwara '16 (who has an Accounting Degree from Notre Dame) on the New York Giants this morning.  If he had redshirted as a 17 year-old he would be in today's starting line-up as well...

Please Say A Prayer for the Widzinski's Today

Their son David -- who dreamed of playing football for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- died in his sleep at the age of 16, four years ago.

A mini-replica Notre Dame Football helmet adorns his grave site (photo above).  See David's story linked below the post.

You know the Widzinski's will be thinking about David when Notre Dame takes the field tonight in Austin.

Here is a FACEBOOK post this morning from my friend Dan Collins -- a ND GO IRISH BLOG regular -- who works for Detroit Catholic Central:



LINK:  DAVID'S STORY

Here is Former Longhorn Redding on ND vs UT

Thought you'd like to hear a little something from the folks in Austin on tonight's big game...

LINK:  RADIO SHOW

Coach Kelly's Message to Fighting Irish Today

"You came to Notre Dame to be the absolute best."

Hear @CoachBrianKelly's message to the team after practice in TX. pic.twitter.com/iRoMWxprRJ

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 3, 2016

ND Next Opponent: Nevada 30 - Cal Poly 27

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what is being reported about Nevada's OT win last night over Cal Poly.  Nevada travels to Notre Dame next week to take on the Fighting Irish.

LINK:  RENO GAZETTE

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  FINAL STATS

ND Future Opponent: #8 Stanford 26 - KSU 13

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what is being reported about Stanford's win last night over Kansas State.  Stanford's next game is against USC in two weeks.

LINK:  FOX SPORTS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MCCAFFREY

LINK:  STATS

ND Future Opponent: #12 MSU 28 - Furman 13

Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what's being said about Michigan State's win last night over Furman.  Up next for Michigan State -- their game at Notre Dame.

FYI:  The Irish have two more games until they play Michigan State.

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MSU'S DANTONIO

LINK:  MSU'S QB

LINK:  FINAL STATS

Texas' Coach Talks ND Game on Radio Show

Notre Dame Football's Captains' Jerseys

Torii Hunter, Jr -- James Onwualu -- Mike McGlinchey -- Isaac Rochell

Notre Dame Football's First Business Trip

Let's take flight.#BeatTexas pic.twitter.com/Zdh9s0DBOu

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 3, 2016

Bleacher Report -- ND vs. Texas Hype Video

Sneak Peek: Notre Dame's 30 Second TV Spot

This is the University of Notre Dame's 30 second TV spot that will air during ABC's telecast of Sunday night's game with Texas.

NFL Teams Trim Rosters to 53 Players Today

The clock is ticking on the careers of professional football players fighting for roster spots on the 32 NFL Teams.  Each team's final 53 man roster for the 2016 NFL Season had be finalized by 4 PM ET today.

As of this very moment (Saturday 10:45 PM ET) -- there are 27 former Notre Dame players still receiving an NFL pay check this morning.  15 are on Offense, 11 are on Defense and 1 is a Specialist:


OFFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (5)

• Zach Martin -- Cowboys
• Ryan Harris -- Steelers
• Nick Martin -- Texans (PUP List)
• Ronnie Stanley -- Ravens
• Chris Watt -- Chargers  (PUP List)

TIGHT ENDS -- (5)

• Kyle Rudolph -- Vikings
• Tyler Eifert -- Bengals
• Troy Niklas -- Cardinals
• Ben Koyack -- Jaguars
• Anthony Fasano -- Titans

WIDE RECEIVERS -- (3)

• Golden Tate -- Lions
• Will Fuller -- Texans
• Michael Floyd -- Cardinals

RUNNING BACKS -- (2)

• Theo Riddick -- Lions
• C.J. Prosise -- Seahawks

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (4)

• Stephon Tuitt -- Steelers
• Romeo Okwara -- Giants
• Sheldon Day -- Jaguars
• Ian Williams -- 49ers (PUP List)

LINEBACKERS -- (2)

• Manti Te'o -- Chargers
• Jaylon Smith -- Cowboys  (PUP List)

DEFENSIVE BACKS -- (5)

• David Bruton -- Redskins
• Harrison Smith -- Vikings
• Keivarae Russell -- Chiefs
• Robert Blanton -- Bills
• Cody Riggs -- Titans

SPECIALIST -- (1)

• J.J. Jansen -- Panthers

NFL CUTS / NOW FREE AGENTS 

• John Sullivan
• Robert Hughes
• Amir Carlisle
• Jimmy Clausen
• Jarrett Grace
• Jonas Gray
• Bennett Jackson
• Elijah Shumate
• Kapron Lewis-Moore 
• Ishaq Williams 
• T.J. Jones 
• Louis Nix 
• Darrin Walls 
• George Atkinson III 
• Mathias Farley 
• Sam Young 
• Chris Brown

Please note:  PUP LIST means a player is physically unable to perform.  They don't count against the team's 53 man-roster, but they do get paid.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta -- Pray For Us!

In the story above you'll meet Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University -- a personal friend of Mother Teresa, and a Notre Dame parent.

Texas Week: Coach Kelly's Last Media Session

TEXAS Football: Preparation for Notre Dame

Warning, Don't Try This at Home: WKU Football

This entrance was...not ideal.  https://t.co/GTqIZ8B2Xn

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 2, 2016

They might want to practice this before the next home game...

THE HILLTOPPERS DID WIN THE GAME!  THEY BEAT RICE 46 - 14.

2016: Highest Ticket Value in College Football

I'd love to know how many Athletic Director's place a call each week to Jack Swarbrick asking to get Notre Dame on the schedule...

Just click on graph to enlarge.

LINK:  #1 VALUE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Notre Dame's Thursday Practice for Texas

72 HOURS.

Working Wednesday on a Thursday. #BeatTexas pic.twitter.com/41oNJeqN5H

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 1, 2016