Audric Estime announced that he’s declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
On Thursday evening, the running back shared a post thanking Notre Dame coaches, trainers, and teammates. Estime won’t play in the Sun Bowl, but he plans to attend the Dec. 29 game at El Paso.
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the decision to leave school early and opt out of our bowl game to pursue a lifelong dream of mine. I am officially declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft,” Estime wrote. “I have always pictured myself competing at the highest level, and with that comes preparation.”
Thank you Notre Dame!💚💚 pic.twitter.com/vL4qwBStnx
— Audric Estime (@AudricEstime) December 14, 2023
After receiving just 16 touches in his first season at Notre Dame, Estime tallied 1,055 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022. The 5-foot-11, 227-pound back earned a larger role this year.
While still not deployed as a prototypical bell-cow, Estime averaged 17.5 carries per game in 2023. Yet he turned those 210 handoffs into 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns, a Notre Dame single-season record.
Marcus Freeman let Estime loose to end the season, and he responded with 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-23 win over Stanford. That’s officially the final game of his collegiate career.
Pro Football Focus rates Estime as the No. 7 running back and No. 106 overall player on its 2024 draft board. He had the second-highest grade (93.9) at the position behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.