Notre Dame’s NFL draft prospects

Aug 30, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) waits between plays during the game agains the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Ronnie Stanley

Ronnie Stanley should have been the top tackle off the board had he come out following his redshirt sophomore season. But the 6’5″, 315 pounder had other things in mind and stayed at Notre Dame. Among those things is a playoff birth and National Championship that’s within reach this season.

If the Irish don’t at least make the playoffs this season, it won’t be because Stanley didn’t play well. All expectations are that Stanley is going to dominate, this year and walk on off to the NFL after. In the passing game, he’s big and strong enough to anchor and has the feet to handle speed-rushers.

In the running game Stanley’s mean-streak drives him to use that size and strength to maul opponents. When he finishes his great 2015 campaign, NFL teams will see he’s a franchise left tackle. He got off to a good start Saturday and if he keeps it up, depending on who’s picking, No. 1 overall is possible.

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