From dominant offensive linemen to elite safeties and clutch kickers, Notre Dame's NFL stars shine brightly on the Pro Bowl stage this season.
The initial roster for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl was announced last Friday and five notable Notre Dame alum found themselves named. Now, there's a possibility some may end up sitting out based on how far they make it in the post season, but they were still names on the initial Pro Bowl roster nonetheless voted on by players and coaches across the league.
There were two Notre Dame players listed on offense who made this year's Pro Bowl; it doesn't come as a surprise that both players live along the offensive line. For the Los Angeles Chargers, offensive tackle Joe Alt was named to the AFC Pro Bowl Roster. Alt only played in six games this season due to an ankle injury but his play up until that was was exceptional. He played 194 pass blocking snaps and only allowed one sack in week three to the Denver Broncos.
The other offensive lineman joining Alt on the AFC rosters is Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson. This is the 8th consecutive Pro-Bowl this former Notre Dame star has been to and it's not a secret as to why. This season, in 637 pass blocking snaps, Nelson allowed a grand total of one sack allowed, which is an improvement from the three he allowed all last season. The 6-5, 330-pound guard has consistently been one of the best, if not the best, interior offensive guards in the NFL for quite some time.
There was only one defensive player that was a Notre Dame alum who made the Pro Bowl roster this season and that's Baltimore Raven's safety Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton has been considered one of the best safeties in the NFL for the last few seasons and this year proved why. He ranked 1st among all strong safeties in the league in overall PFF grade (88.0). Hamilton also ranks 1st amongst all NFL safeties in coverage grade (87.2) and 2nd in pass rush grades on PFF. The 6-4, 220-pound safety finished the regular season with 105 total tackles, nine run stuffs and nine passes defended.
Two Notre Dame alumni made the NFL Pro Bowl roster this season on special teams. First, was kicker Brandon Aubrey from the Dallas Cowboys. Aubrey has been one of the best kickers in the league the last two seasons and made 47 of his 48 extra points attempted. He also made 11 field goals this season of 50 yards or longer; Aubrey's longest this season was 64 yards. Pittsburgh Steelers special teams phenom Ben Skowronek also made the Pro Bowl roster.
I was a little surprised to see Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster. He finished this season with 1,252 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That's 50 more rushing yards that the 49ers Christian McCaffrey on 52 less carries. That being said, McCaffrey has 924 receiving yards this season and seven receiving touchdowns compared to Williams' 281 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Unfortunately, there's a chance we only see Nelson, Hamilton and Aubrey compete in the Pro Bowl games. Alt is still injured but will likely be in attendance and Skowronek may still be playing football on February 2nd. Either way, Notre Dame's pipeline to the NFL is getting stronger and stronger by the year. Whether you watch the NFL or not, it's always nice seeing notable Notre Dame alum having success at the next level.
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