Kiper on Notre Dame

Irish Insights

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Mel Kiper Jr., a NFL draft analyst for ESPN, sees NFL talent on Notre Dame's returning roster for next season.

Kiper discussed some of the Irish's NFL prospects for the 2014 draft during a teleconference Wednesday.

Here is what he said:

"I think moving forward with (nose guard Louis Nix III) as a guy that has a chance to eventually be a late first-round pick next year," Kiper said. "He's certainly a guy to keep an eye on.

"You have Bennett Jackson in the secondary at the cornerback spot for next year. … Zack Martin goes back as the left tackle, he'll be in the second-round discussion next year.

"(Defensive end Stephon Tuitt is going to be an elite guy next year, we know that. He'll be a true junior, and he will be a high first-round pick. Tuitt is the guy that has that enormous upside. If he plays as well as he is capable week to week, you could be looking at a guy that goes very early in the 2014 draft."