Comparing OFD readers’ predictions for ND’s Draft prospects at the linebacker, running back and quarterback positions.
The 2024 NFL Draft is officially closed. A total of seven Notre Dame prospects were selected between Rounds 1 and 7, with one prospect going as an undrafted free agent as of Sunday night. Leading up to the Draft I put out a few articles that gave some stat backgrounds and took prediction polls for the linebacker, running back and quarterback positions.
So let’s see how things fared out for the four players at those positions we made predictions for.
Linebackers
Both of the linebacker prospects ended up going between Rounds 1 and 7. In terms of predictions, OFD fans had JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau coming off the board at similar spots. Thirty-six percent of voters had Bertrand going in the 5th Round and close to 33% predicted Lifufau getting drafted in the 6th Round.
When it came to the actual Draft, both had their names called. This is the first time since at least 2013 that two Irish linebackers have been drafted in the same year.
Marist Liufau
Marist Liufau significantly outperformed the predictions. He was taken in Round 3 at #24. That’s 3 rounds above where most OFD voters had him going. Only 4% of voters had him being taken in the 3rd Round.
JD Bertrand
JD Bertrand was right around where the predictions had him going. Most OFD voters predicted a 5th Round exit for the linebacker and he went at #143 in the 5th.
Running Back
Audric Estime
Running back Audric Estime took a bit of a slide from where OFD fans predicted him being drafted. Thirty-eight percent of voters had Estime going in the 3rd Round. He ended up coming off the board in the 5th Round at #147. Only 11% of voters had him going in the 5th.
Quarterback
Sam Hartman
The spread of votes for where quarterback Sam Hartman would be Drafted was pretty wide.
Three percent of voters had him going in the 1st Round and the largest concentration of voters, 21% had him being taken in the 7th Round. Hartman ultimately ended up as an undrafted free agent.
Final Thoughts
In general, the OFD readers’ predictions were spot on. Although only three of these four prospects were taken in Rounds 1-7, there’s a high likelihood that all of them are on a NFL roster come Fall. Offensive linemen Joe Alt (#5 overall) and Blake Fisher went in the 1st and 2nd Rounds, respectively. Cornerback Cam Hart was drafted in the 5th Round and Defensive/EDGE Javontae Jean-Baptiste came off the board in the 7th Round. All in all it was a solid showing for the Irish program.
A goal for next year is to figure out somewhat solid methodologies for predicting the other positions. Any comments or recommendations on what you’d like to see are highly welcomed.
Cheers and Go Irish!!