Notre Dame Football: Updating Player Performances from the NFL Combine

With the NFL Combine coming to a close, it's time to take a look back at how former Notre Dame players fared in the week-long event at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Robert "RJ" Blanton, Darius Fleming, Taylor Dever, Michael Floyd, Jonas Gray and Harrison Smith represented Notre Dame at the event, which tests each prospect's physical and mental abilities.

For a deeper look at how each of those six former "Fighting Irish" stars fared, take a look at the following slides.

Enjoy.

Robert "RJ" Blanton, DB

Official NFL Combine grade: 73.5

Former Notre Dame cornerback Robert Blanton didn't have an excellent performance at the NFL Combine, but it wasn't all bad, either.

According to the NFL Combine's official site, Blanton ran an official 4.70 in the 40-yard dash, a time that is not going to wow pro scouts by any stretch of the imagination.

Over the weekend, Blanton told a small group of reporters that his time in the 40-yard dash would be, "super fast."

Unfortunately for Blanton, that wasn't the case. It's also a bit of a surprise, considering he had been focusing on strengthening his lower body during training sessions in Chicago.

Another figure worth noting is Blanton's 12 reps on the 225-pound bench press, a figure that will likely hurt Blanton in the draft.

However, Blanton did receive some praise from NFL Draft guru Dion Caputi.

"

"Notre Dame DB R.J. Blanton is a big, physical kid who looked good today. Wasn't very stiff and moved well at his size."

"

We'll have to wait and see whether or not that will be enough for an NFL team to come calling for Blanton's services.

Darius Fleming, LB

Official NFL Combine grade: 59.7

No, your eyes don't deceive you. Darius Fleming did receive a grade of 59.7 at the NFL Combine. Why was it such a low grade?

The NFL Combine site can tell us more.

"

"Fleming has little value as a dropping pass defender and often looks lost there. He is a scheme player and would struggle if forced to cover tight ends in space in a 4-3 scheme. He also struggles when defending inside runs and is better when just setting the edge to keep the play inside."

"

It was already assumed that Fleming's struggles in pass defense would hurt him, but to be pushed down to a grade of 59.7 damages his draft status badly.

Fleming's physical abilities went without questioning, as the 6'2", 245-pound linebacker put up 27 reps on the 225-pound bench press, and cleared 114 inches in the broad jump.

Teams looking for a pure pass rusher who can set the edge are likely to take a chance on Fleming.

Taylor Dever, OL

Official NFL Combine grade: 47.2

Here is another shockingly low grade for a former Notre Dame player. This time we're looking at offensive lineman Taylor Dever.

Let's hear what the professionals from the Combine had to say about Dever.

"

"Dever started at tackle for Notre Dame in his senior year, and he displayed some traits that garner some late-round consideration. He plays with his pad level too high, an obvious hitch in his game, but he has a strong anchor and fought to win many one-on-one battles throughout the year. He will have to hope to be given an opportunity to develop in the right situation in the NFL, as he could be years away from being able to compete on game days."

"

While the flaws in Dever's game seem to be blatantly obvious, his pure physical skills were on display during the combine.

Dever recorded a time of 7.49 seconds in the three-cone drill, earning him "top performance" honors in the drill among all prospects.

It won't be surprising to see Dever go undrafted, but there may be a team out there willing to give him a shot to develop in a system that plays to his strengths.

Michael Floyd, WR

Official NFL Combine grade: 89.5

Clearly the best prospect among former Notre Dame players in this year's draft, Michael Floyd thoroughly impressed scouts at the combine.

"

"Floyd has been a game changer at the collegiate level and possesses the size, aggressiveness and game experience to make a difference early in his transition to the NFL. Floyd has been an extremely productive threat both deep and in possession for the Irish throughout his career, as well as a physical blocker and a reliable third-down playmaker. His on-field maturity, physical nature and ability to make the big catch will outshine some off-field mishaps, as Floyd projects to be one of the top receivers off the board."

"

Based on that analysis, Floyd's off-field transgressions, once thought to threaten his chances of being drafted in the first round, don't seem to be an issue anymore.

Another issue surrounding Floyd was his speed, which has been questioned during discussions about where he might be selected in the draft.

Floyd put that concern to bed by recording an official time of 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. While that time came without a helmet and pads on, it's still impressive, to say the least.

Because of his excellent performance at the combine, it's safe to say that Floyd will be the first Notre Dame player to be selected in the first round of the draft since Brady Quinn in the 2007 NFL draft.

Jonas Gray, RB

Official NFL Combine grade: 46.2

Jonas Gray's low grade at the combine shouldn't come as a surprise, after he missed the final month of the regular season with a torn ACL.

Also hurting Gray is the fact that he didn't burst onto the scene until the season had gone by. Because he wasn't a consistent four-year player, his draft stock is likely to plummet.

As for what those at the NFL Combine thought, here's more.

"

"Gray has started at times for Notre Dame but has never been able to claim the spot solely as his own. He is a straight-line runner who doesn't have much movement in his play and struggles laterally. He is not very instinctive and often times will hit a hole that leaves you wondering what he was seeing. He is not going to be able to get to the edge at the next level and will never be a space player; he is only serviceable as an inside runner and is very limited."

"

Because of his limitations, Gray is likely to be selected by a team in need of a short-yardage back.

Another possibility for Gray is to be selected by a team with a weak offensive line, who can rely on Gray to pick up yards at a time without much help.

Gray only competed in one event at the combine due to his knee, recording 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press, solidifying his brute strength.

Harrison Smith, DB

Official NFL Combine grade: 84.5

Perhaps one of the more pleasant surprises at the NFL Combine, Harrison Smith capped a great week in Indianapolis by wowing scouts with a time of 4.57 in the 40-yard dash.

Smith also checked in at a legitimate 6'2" and 213 pounds, which is enviable size at the safety position.

The scouts were very high on Smith after his performance at the combine.

"

"Harrison is an ultra-athletic, big and smart safety who has roamed the secondary as a four-year starter and senior captain for Notre Dame. He is the type of safety who is always involved, using his quickness, recognition and overall body control to react effectively to plays. While he has just adequate speed, he makes up for this deficiency with strong play recognition and anticipation, and he is often in a position to make a play on the ball. Overall, Smith is a smart, athletic defender who should push to start early in a zone-heavy NFL scheme. Expect him to contend for a late first-round selection with the help of impressive postseason workouts and interviews."

"

Pending a few great interviews with prospective teams, Smith will be cashing in quite a hefty paycheck sooner rather than later.

Smith's physical abilities were also on display, as he put up 19 reps on the 225-pound bench press and recorded a distance of 122 inches in the broad jump.