According to multiple sources, both Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich (along with Director of Player Personnel Kevin Rogers) were in attendance on Wednesday for Notre Dame’s Pro Day held in South Bend, Indiana:
Colts GM Chris Ballard also at Notre Dame pro day.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 31, 2021
From the NBCSN telecast of #NotreDame Pro Day: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Colts coach Frank Reich are in the building.
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) March 31, 2021
#Colts head coach Frank Reich has arrived at Notre Dame pro day. @nflnetwork @MikeGiardi pic.twitter.com/pTyXLSf2aB
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowClay) March 31, 2021
For the Colts, two notable top Fighting Irish prospects are offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg and tight end Tommy Tremble among others—and both graded out pretty well in each’s physical measurables and at their position group respectively:
Liam Eichenberg is a OT prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 8.53 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 166 out of 1124 OT from 1987 to 2021.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 31, 2021
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/nDDvTJGseW #RAS pic.twitter.com/qwWjhyCU3f
Tommy Tremble is a TE prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 8.8 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 111 out of 918 TE from 1987 to 2021.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 31, 2021
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/Ntr77SIrdI #RAS pic.twitter.com/r6KFOfvooe
Regarding Eichenberg, the 6’6”, 302 pound offensive tackle had 38 career starts for Notre Dame. This past season, at left tackle, he earned Consensus All-American, First-Team All-ACC, and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (given to the ACC’s top blocker in the conference).
The Fighting Irish redshirt senior was also named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which honors the nation’s top interior lineman, and he was the first Notre Dame player to be named a finalist since the Colts’ very own Quenton Nelson in 2017.
While not necessarily the best athlete (but testing better than expected), Eichenberg was incredibly effective anchoring the blindside for Notre Dame’s offensive line—and the results speak for themselves:
Liam Eichenberg isn't a 'WOW' type of OT... But after watching multiple games - you sit back in your chair and say, 'no one sniffed the QB against him and he constantly moved people in the run game'
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 31, 2021
Very much like a Mitchell Schwartz or Anthony Castonzo https://t.co/i8AdVCBFi1
Can't find a ton of Notre Dame coaches film, but you don't really need it to see how much of an impact Liam Eichenberg had for the Irish in 2020. Enjoy the voice-over clip break-downs. @ArrowheadLive pic.twitter.com/qU5MJKDSkN
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) March 25, 2021
Meanwhile, the Colts have already met virtually with Tremble ahead of the draft—indicating the team’s potential interest.
The 6’4”, 248 pound junior tight end had 19 receptions for 218 receiving yards (11.5 ypr. avg.) during 10 games in 2020—earning All-ACC honorable mention.
While under-utilized as a receiver at Notre Dame, Tremble is already an impact blocker, who’s shown the physical tools to continue to develop as a pass catcher—potentially into a dynamic receiving option over the middle in-time at the pro level:
I could watch Notre Dame TE Tommy Tremble run block for hours. No TE has a higher % of positively graded run blocks this year and it's not close. Just so violent.
— Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) September 20, 2020
Ready for Tommy Rees to start feeding Tremble targets, too. Has had 10 so far & athleticism has jumped off screen pic.twitter.com/U4BDeeYjQQ
Studied Notre Dame TE Tommy Tremble this morning. Lot of ways he can be used in an offense. Love his versatility. Check him out on his block in the run game. Ability to be an IMPACT receiver at all three levels of the field #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/C7BmZefSbZ
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) February 12, 2021
Both would fill major team holes: Eichenberg at the Colts’ vacant starting left tackle spot and Tremble as the team’s new ‘move’ tight end.
However, it’s worth noting that too much shouldn’t be read into this.
Notre Dame is in the Colts ‘own backyard’ for scouting purposes, and it’s a short drive or flight away for either Ballard or Reich to catch the action with their own eyes—without having to spend too much time on a lengthy commute.
It was the second time that both Ballard and Reich have been present together scouting since the duo was at Alabama’s first Pro Day around a week ago.