It was a busy weekend for Notre Dame football, with six players getting selected in the NFL draft and the annual Blue & Gold game concluding spring practices. For some, the wait to see if their name was called during the draft was uneasy, but the good news was that there were more than a few that quickly signed free agent deals after the three-days of picks. Their football careers will continue, although not in a guaranteed fashion.
Luckily, there is a good history of former Irish players going undrafted and making a team, as just last season defensive tackle Howard Cross III and wide receiver Beaux Collins impressed enough to make their respective teams without getting drafted. Check out below which former Notre Dame players have signed undrafted free agent deals following the NFL draft. Safety DeVonta Smith Signed to the Panthers ✍️Congratulations, DeVonta!#GoIrish☘️ | #NFLDraft | #KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/0GTFQmOP4w— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 26, 2026Date signed: April 25th, 2026Team: Carolina Panthers Wide receiver Will PaulingSigned to the 49ers ✍️Congratulations, @Will_Paul6!#GoIrish☘️ | #NFLDraft | #FTTBpic.twitter.com/SIUGtqxe99— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 26, 2026Date signed: April 25th, 2026Team: San Francisco 49ers Defensive end Jordan Botelho Signed to the Vikings ✍️Congratulations, @Jordanbotelho_!#GoIrish☘️ | #NFLDraft | #Skolpic.twitter.com/XiizNGo0DT— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 26, 2026Date signed: April 25th, 2026Team: Minnesota Vikings Safety Jalen Stroman Former Notre Dame safety Jalen Stroman signs undrafted free agent deal with San Francisco 49ers, per ProStar Sports Agency.🔗 https://t.co/FmhctSYfuUpic.twitter.com/PB5D9WOyob— Tyler James (@TJamesND) April 26, 2026Date signed: April 25th, 2026 Team: San Francisco 49ersContact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChenThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame football 2026 undrafted free agent tracker