Notre Dame's 2011 Draft Class and Their Chances in the NFL

Years have gone by and we're still anxiously awaiting the next great NFL player to come from one of the most storied programs in college football—Notre Dame.

With the exception of Justin Tuck, there haven't been any great players recently out of South Bend, but with nine players entering this year's class, there just may be some potential.

Here's a look at the Notre Dame prospects in alphabetical order and their chances in the National Football League:

Armando Allen, RB:

Allen was great by freshman and sophomore standards at Notre Dame, especially when it came to catching passes out of the backfield. But then injuries started to catch up with the quick back.

In his junior year he averaged nearly five yards per carry and added 216 yards receiving out of the backfield. There was great potential to be the starting back and possibly a star.

But once he caught the injury bug, he found himself on the bench and had to watch Robert Hughes star in the final half of the 2010 season.

Unfortunately it looks as if Allen will just be a depth back at best. Think Darius Walker a few years ago, and that's pretty much what Armando Allen's career looks like in the NFL.

Projected Round: Seventh-FA

Robert Hughes, FB:

Hughes will be entering this year's draft as a fullback, despite ending the season at halfback for the Irish in 2010. His most productive game came against rival USC when he put up 69 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries.

He would make a nice running fullback if given the opportunity (a la Leonard Weaver), but the demand for a fullback in the NFL these days is weak at best. Expect Hughes to be taken in the seventh round, if at all.

Projected Round: Seventh

Duval Kamara, WR:

I remember how excited I was when Kamara came to South Bend. He was a big and physical receiver that I thought was going to be the target that Jimmy Clausen needed to get over the hump.

Then a little player named Michael Floyd came along and outperformed Kamara in every facet. Pair that with the injury problems Kamara had and it looks like Kamara won't be in the NFL long, if at all.

He put up just 112 yards in his senior season (his career high was 357 as a freshman) to end an underwhelming career that got off to such a promising start.

Projected Round: FA

Kerry Neal, DE:

Kerry Neal put up a miserable 40 time at 5.23, not exactly what you want out of a 3-4 outside linebacker. He did show some big play potential at ND, but could never really establish himself as the dominant OLB that some thought he would be.

He only had seven career sacks, one forced fumble and one interception in his four-year career. Don't expect him to be taken in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Projected Round: FA

Kyle Rudolph, TE:

Despite missing the second half of the season, and really only putting up stats in four different games, Rudolph is the cream of the crop in this class—and for good reason.

If his Pro Day showed us anything, it's that he's NFL ready. His hamstring looks like it's at 100 percent and we already know what he can do on the field. He stretches out the defense and has great catching ability. If he works on his blocking, he can be a great tight end.

Check out this video. Great speed and open field ability. Let's hope he goes in the first round.

Projected Round: Late first-Early second

Brian Smith, LB:

Smith will be going into this draft as an inside linebacker, but doesn't quite have the pro chops that Manti Te'o has. You could pretty much lump him together with Brian Smith in this class. It should be noted that his only sack of the season came against Tulsa.

Not a whopping amount of pro potential, but could eventually get a look on the practice squad.

Projected Round: FA

Chris Stewart, OG:

At 6'5" and 350 pounds, Stewart can drive the line. The thing is, he is not as strong as he is smart (which is saying something). He is currently in law school at Notre Dame—which is no easy feat, and should have a fine career with or without football.

If he is drafted, he should be able to add some quality depth to any offensive line. He's been ranked anywhere from the 15th to the 29th guard spot overall, so he could go almost anywhere in the second or third day of the draft.

Oh, to be both smart and athletic.

Projected Round: Sixth-Seventh

Darrin Walls, CB:

Walls really helped himself out with his senior season. It didn't look like he was going to be any sort of NFL player. Now it's starting to look like he can get drafted on the third day.

He finally showed an ability to get to the ball, racking up over 40 tackles and three interceptions. He even ran a 4.36 40-yard dash time in his best outing. Even if NFL scouts don't think he can shut down some of the best receivers, he can keep up with them at the very least.

Projected Round: Seventh

Ian Williams, DT:

Finally, we've reached the end of the class with the second best prospect. Ian Williams was given the chance to produce as a tackle in the 3-4 system and didn't disappoint. He's added weight to get up to 320 pounds and could swallow some blocks.

He's a good value pick but does come with some risk after his knee injury sat him for four games in 2010. He's strong enough to get off of blocks and can devour almost any running back that comes his way.

Look for him to be drafted on the second day and get a chance to start somewhere down the line in his career.

Projected Round: Third-Fourth