Notre Dame working again Audric Estime has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and won’t take part within the group’s upcoming matchup with Oregon State within the Tony the Tiger Solar Bowl, he introduced Thursday. Estime ended the common season because the main rusher for the Combating Irish, beginning all 12 video games en path to 1,314 yards and 18 touchdowns. Estime additionally caught 17 passes on the season for a complete of 142 yards.
“Taking part in in entrance of one of the best followers on the planet each Saturday was a dream come true,” Estime said in an announcement posted to social media. “Notre Dame’s excessive requirements of excellence helped me develop into who I’m right now.”
Estime had one season of eligibility remaining on the collegiate degree. He ends his three-year Notre Dame profession with 2,321 yards speeding and 29 touchdowns. He appeared in all 37 video games throughout his time with this system and made 14 begins over the previous two seasons.
Estime joins a rising listing of Notre Dame stars who is not going to be on the sector for Solar Bowl as they start preparations for the NFL Draft. Quarterback Sam Hartman and offensive linemen Blake Fisher and Joe Alt are among the many different Irish gamers who opted out of the competition, with Fisher and Alt additionally forgoing their remaining NCAA eligibility.
Estime’s draft inventory
Estime figures to be a mid-round choice as soon as the 2024 NFL Draft rolls round in late April. The Notre Dame working again, at 5-foot-10 and 227 kilos, checks in at No. 161 general in CBS Sports activities’ 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings. That places Estime at No. 8 within the rankings inside his place group.
Estime’s speeding totals in 2023 have been one of the best of his profession, surpassing his 920 yards and 11 touchdowns from 2022. Estime saved his greatest for final, too, with a season-high 238 yards and 4 touchdowns throughout the group’s Week 13 victory at Stanford. Estime’s success in 2023 ought to make for a pleasant launching pad as he now appears to fine-tune his craft and enhance his draft inventory within the coming months.
What it means for Notre Dame
The offense does not have a comparable rusher out there towards Oregon State when it comes to manufacturing. Estime rushed for practically 1,000 extra yards than the Irish’s second-leading rusher, Jeremiyah Love, who had 346 yards. Estime’s choice to skip the bowl recreation ought to present helpful reps for Love, a freshman, as he tracks to tackle a a lot bigger function for Notre Dame in 2024.
Love may have reinforcements subsequent season, too. Sophomore working again Jadarian Worth tracks to return in 2024 after speeding for 166 yards and two touchdowns within the common season. The Irish additionally maintain a dedication from Kedren Younger, who’s ranked by 247Sports because the No. 3 working again prospect within the nation for the 2024 cycle. All stated, Estime leaves a significant void to be stuffed, however the items are there for coach Marcus Freeman and firm to really feel assured about sustaining a wholesome speeding assault shifting ahead.
