Notre Dame Football hosts NFL Pro Day
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Running back Audric Estime improves 40-yard dash from 4.71 to 4.58
In their last opportunity to show their physical attributes, 17 former Notre Dame players showed up to the Irish Athletic Center for NFL scouts. Eight of the 17 players were invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February.
Not everyone needed a second effort. Offensive lineman Joe Alt, a projected top 10 pick in the upcoming draft performed well in the Circle City but took advantage of what could have been his final set of drills at Notre Dame.
"I think for me, it's just to continue to show like what I said, my hard work, just continue from the combine to now just little steps of improvements, but something I want to show, and I think that does, that did that today," Alt said.
Others, like running back Audric Estime had a second chance to show scouts, he has speed. Estime ran for 1,341 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his junior season. It's impressive on paper and in person, but there was never a narrative that Estime was a "speed" back. It didn't change the fact that his 4.71 40-yard dash was frowned upon.
"It's just something I knew I had in me you got to take the good with the bad and I thought come on, I feel like I did well and everything, but I knew my 40 had more in there and you just gotta put that in the past and prepare for what's in it and I prepared hard for it," Estime said.
It's safe to say, being at "home" matters,
"The comfort level was on an all-time high like I'm back home, I'm back where I did this, I've been here since I was 17 years old, I ran fasteners, filled plenty of times and Coach Deland, he's a big mentor in my life and just being around him makes me feel comfortable," Estime added.
It's always comfortable going through drills with your quarterback. Sam Hartman, handing the ball off to the 220 pound back, while also looking to build on his performance at the combine, where his hair was a main topic during his 4.8 40-yard dash.
After a successful combine, Hartman still had work to do but it was more about closing the lid on his 6-year collegiate career.
"It's been surreal. I mean, I think it's one of those things where you've been in college for so long you think it might not come and then it finally does and then you blink your eyes and it's already over. So, I try to enjoy it as much as I can," Hartman mentioned.
As for his hair and the famous flip, Hartman says "Blame my mom, you know, I debate cutting it and I feel like if I cut it, then it's a bigger deal. So, I don't know, just was rocking and rolling."