Kiper on Notre Dame

Irish Insights

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about former Bishop Dwenger standout and current Irish defensive lineman Tony Springmann, and the value Springmann has by being a versatile lineman.Tuesday

Fort Wayne products impress Elston

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about local products Tony Springmann of Bishop Dwenger and Jaylon Smith of Bishop Luers.Tuesday

Elston likes incoming defensive linemen

As rumors swirl about Eddie Vanderdoes' future, Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston said he likes the linemen the team is bringing in this year.Tuesday

Mel Kiper Jr., a NFL draft analyst for ESPN, sees NFL talent on Notre Dame's returning roster for next season.

Kiper discussed some of the Irish's NFL prospects for the 2014 draft during a teleconference Wednesday.

Here is what he said:

"I think moving forward with (nose guard Louis Nix III) as a guy that has a chance to eventually be a late first-round pick next year," Kiper said. "He's certainly a guy to keep an eye on.

"You have Bennett Jackson in the secondary at the cornerback spot for next year. … Zack Martin goes back as the left tackle, he'll be in the second-round discussion next year.

"(Defensive end Stephon Tuitt is going to be an elite guy next year, we know that. He'll be a true junior, and he will be a high first-round pick. Tuitt is the guy that has that enormous upside. If he plays as well as he is capable week to week, you could be looking at a guy that goes very early in the 2014 draft."