Notre Dame's Draft Hopefuls on Offense

Notre Dame enters the 2024 season with high expectations, clocking in as the preseason No. 7 team in the country. With the new expanded College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish are looking to play deep into the postseason this year with their plethora of NFL talent. One of the biggest reasons for Notre Dame’s lofty expectations entering the season is the abundance of NFL talent on both sides of the football in South Bend.

Let Draft Nation take you through the excess of 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls to keep an eye on in South Bend this year on the offensive side of the football.

Mitchell Evans – Tight End

Mitchell Evans is set to enter his senior campaign this upcoming season in South Bend with the Fighting Irish. A second team All-American a season ago, Evans tallied 29 receptions for 422 yards and one touchdown last year but missed the final four games of Notre Dame’s 2023 season after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in an October contest against Pitt.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Evan is a solid athlete with the potential to make an impact right away at the next level. Given his size and catching ability, the tight end has an expansive catch radius, capable of reeling in any passes remotely close to him.

Given the extensive experience Evans has operating in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame, as well as his proven production and football IQ, Evans is projected to be one of the first tight ends off the board during day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Riley Leonard – Quarterback

Duke transfer Riley Leonard is the Fighting Irish’s new starting quarterback heading into the 2024 season. Leonard started seven games for the Blue Devils a year ago, tallying 1,102 yards through the air with three passing touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 signal caller added 352 yards on the ground and four rushing scores during the 2023 campaign.

Leonard is a tantalizing prospect for NFL teams. He can make almost any throw on the football field given his arm talent; however, the consistency hasn’t been there yet for the Alabama native. An underrated runner of the football, Leonard has showcased an impressive ability to use his legs throughout his collegiate career as well.

Leonard currently projects as a day two guy at next year’s NFL Draft. However, if his flashes of brilliance can become more consistent this season at Notre Dame, don’t be surprised if Leonard rockets up NFL Draft Boards.

Beaux Collins – Wide Receiver

At 6-foot-3, and with a tremendous wingspan, Beaux Collins has the physical profile to contribute at the next level. Across three seasons at Clemson, Collins amassed 91 catches for 1,290 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.

Collins has a strong frame, is great at finding soft spots against zone defense and he’s battle tested after spending three years in the ACC with the Tigers. The biggest knock against Collins is his ability to create separation from defensive backs given his lackluster speed and explosiveness, especially at the NFL level. 

Ultimately, NFL teams will look at Collins’s frame and raw playmaking ability and take a chance on him at some point, most likely late, in the 2025 NFL Draft. The senior wideout could significantly boost his draft stock this season with a strong showing in South Bend.

Rocco Spindler – Offensive Guard

A former four-star recruit out of high school, it took Rocco Spindler until his junior season with the Fighting Irish to earn any significant playing time. During the 2023 season, Spindler’s junior season, the 6-foot-5, 331-pound offensive lineman appeared in 10 games. While playing at right guard in 2023, Spindler surrendered two sacks.

The biggest strength for Spindler ironically is his strength. He blocks with a strong, wide foundation with the grip strength to have his way with opposing defensive lineman. NFL scouts love Spindler’s motor and competitive nature along the offensive line.

At this point in his development, Spindler’s pass blocking skills are more advanced than his run blocking abilities. He lacks the speed necessary to be a pulling guard in the run game at this point in his development, but Spindler’s pass blocking ability could persuade a team to use a late round pick on him at the 2025 NFL Draft.

Deion Colzie – Wide receiver

Another physical specimen in Notre Dame’s 2024 wide receiver room, Deion Colzie checks in at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds. He also runs a sub-4.50 40-yard dash. 

As a junior in 2023, Colzie missed a large chunk of the season due to injury. Throughout the first four games of the Fighting Irish’s season a year ago, Colzie caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. The wideout then missed the next eight games for Notre Dame before making a cameo in Notre Dame’s bowl victory over Oregon State.

While the production hasn’t yet caught up to his potential, Colzie is a versatile athlete and a precise route runner. If he’s able to put together a strong senior season in South Bend, Colzie could work his way into consideration of a late round pick in next year’s NFL draft.