Notre Dame has sent many players to the NFL. Here are some of the greats who excelled in South Bend before stepping up to the pros. They’ve all had an impact in one way or another. Draft year is in parentheses.
Alan Page (1967)
Alan Page was a member of the Purple People Eaters, the Minnesota Vikings’ formidable defense. He went on to a career in law and became a judge. The nine-time Pro Bowler is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Rocky Bleier (1968)
Rocky Bleier is one of the most inspirational athletes in any sport. He served his country and was wounded in Vietnam. The running back recuperated and went on to become a vital part of four Super Bowl winning teams in Pittsburgh.
Bob Kuechenberg (1969)
The late Bob Kuechenberg was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ. He actually was a draft pick of the Eagles, but quit before the 1969 season. The next year he signed with Miami and went on to a stellar career.
Terry Hanratty (1969)
Terry Hanratty did his best work in South Bend. He still, however, was a two-time Super Bowl champ as a member of the Steelers.
George Kunz (1969)
George Kunz was the second overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons. He went on to become an eight-time Pro Bowler in a career that saw him play for both the Falcons and Baltimore Colts.
Joe Theismann (1971)
Joe Theismann starred at Notre Dame, then in the CFL, and finally for the Washington Redskins. The quarterback was the NFL MVP in 1983, a Super Bowl winner and two-time Pro Bowler.
Dave Casper (1974)
Dave Casper is known for far more than the “Holy Roller.” The great tight end was a Super Bowl champ and five time Pro Bowler. He caught 378 passes in his career, which saw him play for the Raiders (twice), Vikings and Oilers.
Ken MacAfee (1978)
Like Terry Hanratty, Ken MacAfee had his best years in South Bend. He was a three-time All-American and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round. His NFL career was short and he then went on to dental school.
Joe Montana (1979)
Joe Montana is one of the legendary quarterbacks of the game in college or pro football. A four-time Super Bowl winner, three-time game MVP and eight-time Pro Bowler, Montana had his No. 16 retired by SF
Mark Bavaro (1985)
Mark Bavaro quietly went about his business as a tight end for the New York Giants. Until he was blocking or caught the ball when he turned into a ferocious force. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ in a career that saw him catch 351 passes.
Steve Beuerlein (1987)
Steve Beuerlein played for six teams while throwing for better than 24,000 yards. The quarterback made the Pro Bowl in 1999 and was a Super Bowl champ.
Tim Brown (1988)
Tim Brown made 1,094 catches for more than 14,900 yards in a career that saw him make the Pro Bowl eight times. He had precisely 100 TD catches.
Chris Zorich (1991)
Chris Zorich was a beast in the middle of the line at Notre Dame and for the Chicago Bears for whom he played from 1991-86.
Ricky Watters (1991)
Ricky Watters was a Super Bowl champ and five-time Pro Bowler while rushing for more than 10,600 yards and scoring 78 TDs.
Todd Lyght (1991)
Todd Lyght commanded the secondary for the Fighting Irish and the Rams. He made 37 picks while playing in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl and appearing in a Pro Bowl.
Jerome Bettis (1993)
“The Bus” Jerome Bettis is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champ and six-time Pro Bowler. He rushed for 13,664 yards and scored 91 TDs on the ground.
Bryant Young (1994)
A four-time Pro Bowler, Bryant Young played his entire NFL career as a 49er and finished with 89.5 sacks.
Justin Tuck (2005)
Justin Tuck was a two-time Super Bowl champ, two-time Pro Bowler and finished with 66.5 sacks in a career spent mostly with the New York Giants.
John Sullivan (2008)
John Sullivan is the man in the middle of the offensive line. The center has played for the Vikings, Redskins and Rams. He currently is a free agent.
Golden Tate (2010)
Golden Tate has the gift of grab. The Super Bowl champ will be with his fourth team, the New York Giants, for 2019. He had 611 catches, 38 of which have gone for TDs.
Kyle Rudolph (2011)
Kyle Rudolph is a two-time Pro Bowler. Forty-one of his 386 career receptions have finished in the end zone.
Harrison Smith (2012)
Harrison Smith is one of the elite safeties in the NFL. He has made the Pro Bowl four consecutive seasons and has 12 sacks and 20 picks.
Zack Martin (2014)
Zack Martin is one of the mainstays of the Cowboys’ offensive line. The five-time Pro Bowler has proven durable and dependable.
Mike McGlinchey (2018)
The future is bright for Mike McGlinchey off a rookie season that saw him named to the All-Rookie team after being chosen ninth overall by the 49ers.
Quenton Nelson (2018)
The Colts hit it rich with Quenton Nelson when they drafted him sixth overall. The guard made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was named to the All-Rookie team. A gem.
