Notre Dame All-American Safety Kyle Hamilton Declares for NFL Draft
Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
It comes as no shock as the All-American is set to be a top-five pick following a highly productive three-year career in South Bend.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder ends his Notre Dame career with 138 tackles, 17 passes defended, 7.5 tackles for loss and eight interceptions, including a pick-six on his first play inside Notre Dame Stadium in 2019.
Hamilton was on pace to perhaps his most productive season in 2021, but a fat pad injury in the first quarter against USC sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The Atlanta native had recorded three interceptions in six games in Marcus Freeman's new defense before the injury.
In talking to NFL sources, there was no structural damage to his knee and not playing in the Fiesta Bowl is the right call. Jaylon Smith suffered a horrific injury on the same field at the 2016 Fiesta Bowl and the risk doesn't make a lot of sense for the Notre Dame star.
Hamilton and his family used two outside opinions, including Dr. James Andrews, in addition to Notre Dame's medical staff led by Dr. Brian Ratigan.
The Kyle Hamilton File
2021
Team Captain
Walter Camp Preseason All-American First Team
Associated Press Preseason All-American First Team
Bednarik Award Watch List
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Week 1)
Athlon Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3)
Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week (Week 3)
Bednarik Award Player of the Week (Week 3)
Associated Press First Team Midseason All-American
The Athletic First Team Midseason All-American
CBS Sports First Team Midseason All-American
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
2020
FWAA All-America First Team
AFCA All-America Second Team
Walter Camp All-America Second Team
Associated Press All-America Third Team
Phil Steele All-America First Team
The Athletic All-America Second Team
All-ACC First Team
Associated Press First Team All-ACC
Phil Steele All-ACC First Team
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Bednarik Award Watch List
Pro Football Focus Preseason All-ACC First Team
Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team
USA TODAY Preseason All-America Second Team
2019
The Athletic Freshman All-American (2019)
Co-Defensive Newcomer of the year (Echoes 2019)