Newsstand: The Athletic NFL Draft analyst ranks one Notre Dame player in first 2025 Big Board
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst, Dane Brugler, revealed his first 2025 NFL Draft Big Board. Notre Dame football cornerback Benjamin Morrison was the only Fighting Irish player to make his top 50.
“He might not be elite by NFL standards when it comes to speed and size, but he is an athletic technician with a developed feel for route concepts and how to defend passing windows,” Brugler said. “Morrison’s next-level projection is easy: He is a future NFL starter on the outside.”
Ahead of Morrison, Brugler ranked Michigan cornerback Will Johnson as the top player in the draft and Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter Jr. at No. 3. Morrison, Johnson and Hunter are widely regarded as the top cornerbacks in next year’s NFL Draft.
In 2022, Morrison showcased his potential as an NFL prospect and immediately made his mark on the Notre Dame football program. He had five interceptions as a rookie and earned a spot on seven freshman All-America teams.
He followed up his first-year campaign with a solid 2023 season, notching 8 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in 12 games. According to ESPN, Morrison allowed a 35% defensive completion rate, which was 24th-best among all FBS defensive backs.
Morrison missed most of spring practice with a shoulder injury. However, he is expected to play without any restrictions against Texas A&M on Aug. 31.
Notre Dame Posts of the Day
The start of the Irish season is almost here.
Blue & Gold beat reporter Tyler Horka projects Notre Dame’s tight ends make a big impact this season.
Tickets to see the Irish take on Texas A&M in College Station are expensive.
Notre Dame Quote of the Day
“It was great for me to get out there and recruit players in my class. I need to lead this class and get on recruits to get this ’26 class rolling.”
— Lake Mary (Fla.) High four-star quarterback Noah Grubbs, the No. 121 overall player and No. 10 quarterback in the 2026 class, about his second trip to campus as an Irish commit. He was last on campus July 26 for the program’s Grill and Chill.
Notre Dame Headlines of the Day
How two Notre Dame football commits performed in their senior season debuts
WATCH: The Notre Dame recruiting update with Singer and Kelly (Aug. 22)
Why Notre Dame covets four-star, in-state forward Brady Koehler
Where the schools of Notre Dame football commits rank in On3 High School rankings
How rising center Tommy Ahneman became a top Notre Dame target
Five Notre Dame 2025 class commit storylines to monitor this high school football season
Notre Dame QB commit Noah Grubbs had recruiting hat on during latest South Bend visit
Seven players who can take the 2024 Notre Dame football season from good to great
Notre Dame football stock up, stock down after Fighting Irish fall camp
Nine days until Notre Dame football: Putting Mitch Jeter’s accuracy in context
Newsstand: 16 Notre Dame football players named to Senior Bowl watch list
The post Newsstand: The Athletic NFL Draft analyst ranks one Notre Dame player in first 2025 Big Board appeared first on On3.
