Notre Dame Football: Early look at top 5 prospects for 2023 NFL Draft

Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 11, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats safety Brandon Joseph (16) runs back a punt against the Indiana State Sycamores during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding an All-American to the roster via the portal doesn’t happen all the time, but when you’re one of the best defensive minds in college football in your first year as head coach, you’re going to draw some interest from talented transfers.

Joseph broke out as an All-American as a redshirt freshman for Northwestern in 2020, recording 46 tackles, six interceptions, and two pass breakups in just eight games. The Wildcats also won the Big Ten West that season and were a top-10 team for a bit. He proved that he can play for a contender and excel.

The next season, all he did was improve on most of those numbers, finishing with 79 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, and four pass breakups.

Now he’s playing for a serious playoff contender in Notre Dame and he’s going to be a starter immediately and probably the best defender for the Irish in the defensive backfield.

I would not be shocked to see him sneak into the early rounds in 2023.

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