April 27, 2009
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Led by fourth-round NFL draft pick David Bruton, the University of Notre Dame had six former football players either drafted or sign as free agents with NFL teams this weekend. The Fighting Irish have now had 25 players either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents in the last three years.
Bruton was selected with the 114th pick (14th selection in fourth round) by the Denver Broncos. He became the fourth Irish defensive back taken in the last three NFL drafts and joins former teammate Ryan Harris in the Mile High City. One of three team captains in 2008, Bruton started 24 of the final 25 games of his career and totaled 214 tackles, seven interceptions, nine pass breakups, seven tackles for loss, one sack, three fumble recoveries and forced three fumbles with the Irish.
Five Notre Dame players went undrafted but quickly signed with NFL teams:
Joining Bruton in Denver is wide receiver David Grimes. Another 2008 team captain, Grimes totaled 90 career catches for 900 yards with seven TDs at Notre Dame. He stared 24 games in his career and saw his receptions total increase every season.
Indianapolis-native Pat Kuntz will stay close to home as he signed with the Colts. The defensive lineman played inside for the Irish at nose tackle and defensive tackle and started all 23 games he appeared in as a junior and senior. Kuntz recorded 95 career tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, and batted down 10 passes during his career.
Cornerback Terrail Lambert returns to California as he signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Originally from down the California coast in Oxnard, Calif., Lambert started 31 straight games from his sophomore to senior season. He totaled 115 career tackles for the Irish and added four interceptions, six pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
Fullback Asaph Schwapp and offensive lineman Mike Turkovich both agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys. Schwapp was the starting fullback for the Irish when the Irish utilized a fullback and 12 games in his Irish career. He rushed 44 times for 98 yards and caught eight passes for 62 yards at Notre Dame. Turkovich emerged as a starter late in his career for the Irish, starting the final 25 games. He started all 12 games as a junior at left guard and moved to left tackle as a senior where he started all 13 contests.
Two other players have tryouts this weekend with NFL teams:
Defensive lineman Justin Brown will tryout with the Washington Redskins. Despite having played organized football for only the past six seasons, Brown was a four-time monogram winner and started 15 of 39 career games played. He totaled 72 career tackles including 10.5 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks and started 13 of the last 18 games he appeared in.
Maurice Crum Jr. was invited to a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Riverview, Fla., native and product of Tampa Bay Tech High School became the 17th player in Notre Dame history to be chosen a two-time team captain. His 306 career tackles rank eighth all-time at Notre Dame and his 48 career starts is tied for most in school history. Crum added 23 career tackles for loss, six sacks, seven forced fumbles, nine pass breakups and three interceptions.
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