Notre Dame football’s top 10 offensive players since 2000
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (BVM) — The Notre Dame football program is one of pride, history, tradition and plenty of success. Through the years, many legendary players have come through South Bend, Indiana, and the program continues to be one of college football’s best today.
Over the past two decades, the Fighting Irish have seen a fair share of explosive offenses, and many weapons that not only had great college tenures, but also went on to have strong pro careers as well. Let’s take a look at the 10 best offensive players since 2000 for the Fighting Irish.
- Julius Jones – RB, 1999-2003
Jones played one season in the 1990s, but still slots in as one of the top offensive players of the century. A 3,000-plus yard rusher, Jones was a key contributor to Notre Dame for four years. Jones’ best season came in 2003 when he ran for 1,268 yards and 10 scores. Drafted 43rd overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2004, Jones went on to have a more productive pro career than many on this list.
- Quenton Nelson – OG, 2014-2017
Nelson is a well-known NFL lineman who has starred for the Indianapolis Colts the last several years. Prior to his pro career, he played college football in the same state as a star for the Irish. A physically dominant presence, Nelson was part of some of arguably the best lines in Notre Dame history, and was a unanimous All-American selection in 2017. After becoming a first-round pick in 2018, his NFL success has been no surprise to the Notre Dame faithful.
- Josh Adams – RB, 2015-2017
While Adams’ strong running hasn’t necessarily translated to the NFL, it made a major impact at Notre Dame. In his first game ever, Adams had two touchdowns, and finished with a historic freshman season. Adams concluded his college career with over 3,200 yards rushing, highlighted by a 1,400-yard junior campaign. He had more 50-plus yard rushes that season than any Notre Dame back before him, proving his vision and explosiveness.
- Jeff Smardzija – WR, 2003-2006
Smardzija not only impressed on the football field at Notre Dame, but he was also a baseball standout who went on to have a 13-year MLB career. However, he may have been just as successful had he tried his hand in the NFL. As a wideout for the Fighting Irish, Smardzija was special, racking up nearly 2,600 yards. As one of Brady Quinn’s favorite targets, the multi-sport star caught an impressive 27 touchdowns over his final two seasons at ND, and held the career receiving yards mark until a couple of other receivers that appear later in this list came along.
- Darius Walker – RB, 2004-2006
Walker shined at running back as part of the Brady Quinn-led teams of the mid 2000s. He finished his Notre Dame career fourth all-time in rushing yards with 3,249. Rushing for over 1,500 yards in each of his final two seasons at ND, Walker set himself apart thanks to his ability in the pass game, catching over 100 balls for an additional 816 receiving yards in his career. Walker may not have been the flashiest player for the Irish and also didn’t have many highlights in his NFL career, but he was certainly a big reason for their success.
- Tyler Eifert – TE, 2009-2012
Eifert was a dominant force at tight end in his three seasons on the field at Notre Dame. His junior season was the highlight, as Eifert set single-season program records for a tight end with 63 catches and 803 yards. He followed it up with a tremendous senior campaign in which he was honored with the Mackey Award — given to the nation’s top tight end. Eifert’s college career turned him into a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, where he would go on to have a productive but injury-marred career.
- Golden Tate – WR, 2007-2009
Tate was a fan favorite at Notre Dame, and also became one in several of his stops in the NFL where he has had a very productive career, most notably for the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. In college, Tate had over 2,700 yards receiving, highlighted by a 1,496-yard senior campaign. A son of a former NFL player, Tate earned the Biletnikoff Award as a senior as well, and was a special athlete who was also drafted into the MLB in 2010 to the San Francisco Giants.
- Michael Floyd – WR, 2008-2011
A five-star recruit out of Minnesota, Floyd came in and delivered on his potential and promise during his Notre Dame career. The wide receiver’s first career catch was a touchdown, a career that saw him start 42 games for the Fighting Irish. By the time his career was all said and done, Floyd became Notre Dame’s all-time leader in receptions with 271, receiving yards with 3,686, and receiving touchdowns with 37. Although his NFL career didn’t last all that long, Floyd was one of the most dominant receivers to ever come through South Bend.
- Zach Martin – OT, 2010-2013
Most know Martin now for his integral part in the success of the Dallas Cowboys’ run game, but prior to that he was an underrated star at Notre Dame. Linemen are never going to get the love they deserve, but Martin was a big reason why the Fighting Irish made it all the way to the national championship game in 2012. Starting all 52 games in his college career, Martin returned to play for a fifth year alongside his brother, Nick, and then became a first-round pick of the Cowboys.
- Brady Quinn – QB, 2003-2006
Quinn is certainly one of the best known and most popular Fighting Irish players of the 21st century. Although his NFL career didn’t quite pan out, there is no denying his impact on Notre Dame. And while his stats may not be as eye-popping as some on this list, it’s that overall impact that puts him at the top. Quinn passed for nearly 12,000 yards and threw 95 touchdowns during his time with the Irish, and led the program out of a lull in 2005 and 2006 with nine and 10-win seasons, respectively. Overall, he broke several passing records for the Irish, and also won 29 games for the team. His 37-touchdown, seven-interception senior season is part of what led to his first-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in 2007.
