The NFL free agency is underway, and rosters are being shaken up throughout the league. Let's take a look at where former Notre Dame players have landed to ensure fans do not miss them on Sundays.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Aaron Banks: Signs with the Green Bay Packers
The former Notre Dame guard has recently signed with the Packers after spending three seasons with the 49ers, including one Super Bowl appearance. Banks' new contract is representative of his skills as a player, signing a four-year deal worth $77 million. Banks is one in a long line of fantastic offensive linemen that have come through Notre Dame. Banks arrived in South Bend in 2017, but it was not until 2018 that he saw playing time. From that point on, Banks did not miss a single game, cementing himself as an integral part of the Irish offense for multiple years. With stellar play, Banks became an All-American offensive lineman, ranking as one of the very best in the country. His incredible college career was awarded when he was selected 48th overall by the 49ers.
Ronnie Stanley: Resigns with the Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of great Notre Dame offensive linemen, Ronnie Stanley also signed a new deal this offseason to stay with the Ravens. Stanley's deal will keep him there for the next three years, setting him up to make $60 million during that time. Stanley has spent his entire career in Baltimore, where he has had a very strong career. Throughout his nine-year career, Stanley has earned two Pro Bowl appearances and one all-pro first team selection. From 2013 to 2015, Stanley was featured in every game at Notre Dame. In 2015, he set himself apart as one of the top prospects in college football. He was awarded for this dominant season by being voted in as a consensus All-American. This led to Stanley being selected by the Ravens' 6th overall pick in the draft.
Harrison Smith: Resigns with the Minnesota Vikings
After speculation that he might retire, Harrison Smith has signed a new extension that will keep him with the Vikings for at least one more year. The deal ensures that Smith will be playing in his 14th season with the Vikings, giving him a chance to reach the 200 game mark. Smith has been a staple in the NFL for over a decade now, as one of the best safeties the game has to offer. During his long career, he has been selected to six Pro Bowl games, and one first team All-Pro. Before the Vikings, Smith also flourished during his time at Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, he played in every game for three seasons, where he logged 219 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 18 pass breakups, and seven interceptions (all coming in his senior year). The Vikings then selected him with the 29th pick in 2012.
Liam Eichenberg: Resigns with the Miami Dolphins
Liam Eichenberg's pro career has been difficult to say the least, but he has signed a one-year deal to stay in Miami. The Dolphins selected him in the second round with high hopes that he could be a valuable addition to their offensive line. Instead, his four-year career has featured multiple position changes, with Eichenberg seemingly struggling to find a fit at any position. This extension does show that the Dolphins still have faith that his career can turn around, fulfilling the high expectations when he was drafted. Before his struggles in the NFL, Eichenberg was a very important and impactful player at Notre Dame from 2017 to 2021. Eichenberg played only five games as a freshman, but played in every game from that point on. His strong play earned him a spot on the All-American first team in his senior year. That year, he was a part of the Notre Dame team that played their way to the playoff semifinals against Alabama.
Jerry Tillery: Signs with the Kansas City Chiefs
Jerry Tillery's most recent deal lands him with the Chiefs, the fourth team he has played on since his arrival to the NFL. The deal only keeps Tillery in Kansas City for one year, so Tillery will have a lot to prove this upcoming season. In 2019, Tillery was drafted in the first round by the Chargers, where he spent the next four seasons. After those four seasons, Tillery moved on to Las Vegas to play for the Raiders but struggled to make a real impact on the field. Last season, he played for the Vikings, seeing the field in every game of the season. Now, he signs with the Chiefs to play alongside the league's best, Chris Jones. Before his time in the pros, Tillery was a physical and dominant force in Notre Dame's defense. Not only was Tillery productive at Notre Dame, he was also incredibly dependable. Tillery played in every game of the season starting in his freshman year, going all the way to the last game of his senior year. Within that timespan, he recorded 135 tackles, four forced fumbles, 13.5 sacks, and 24.5 tackles for loss.
Durham Smythe: Signs with the Chicago Bears
After seven years with the Miami Dolphins, Durham Smythe makes his first move in his career to the Chicago Bears to play for their new head coach, Ben Johnson. Smythe has been a consistent and dependable tight end for his entire career with the Dolphins. Smythe is seen more as a backup tight end and has been for most of his career. Now, in Chicago, he will be backing up another former Fighting Irish, Cole Kmet. At Notre Dame, Smythe's stats are not draw-dropping or anything like that. What it did show was him playing the same role he plays in the NFL at a high level. Smythe was used as a second tight end and an effective blocker at Notre Dame, where he brought in 28 receptions for 381 yards and six touchdowns. After his college career, he was selected in the fourth round by the Miami Dolphins.
Spencer Shrader: Signs with the Indianapolis Colts
The former Notre Dame kicker had an interesting rookie year in 2024, playing for three teams in four games. In 2024, Shrader kicked for the Colts, the New York Jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs. Although Shrader was only used as a replacement kicker, he took advantage of the opportunities he got, going 5/5 on field goals and 9/9 on extra points. That strong tape was surely part of the reason Shrader was able to land a deal this offseason. Notre Dame's kickers have mostly been made up of transfers in recent memory, one of them being Spencer Shrader. In his one season at Notre Dame, Shrader struggled some, only making 15 out of his 22 attempts. With that being said, Shrader seems to be finding his footing in the NFL with a chance to win a starting position going into the 2025 season.
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