The San Diego Chargers on Saturday acquired their second Notre Dame player in the 2024 NFL Draft. Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers selected cornerback Cam Hart with the 140th overall pick in the fifth round. The shutdown corner follows left tackle Joe Alt to San Diego. Alt was taken by the Chargers in the first round on Thursday.
Hart had a career season for the Irish in 2023. His exploits didn’t go unnoticed. Hart played a key role in Notre Dame’s dominant defense last year. He allowed just 15 receptions for a meager 137 yards on 28 targets in 2023. He broke up two passes and forced three fumbles. Hart recorded 21 tackles playing opposite Benjamin Morrison, who is a likely high draft pick in 2025. Hart is the first Notre Dame cornerback selected in the draft since Troy Pride Jr. was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round in 2020.
Cam Hart a Converted Wide Receiver
A three-star wide receiver when he arrived at Notre Dame, Hart switched to cornerback before his freshman season started. He provides the Chargers with secondary depth. The Chargers also took Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still at No. 137 overall.
A 2023 team captain for Notre Dame, Hart tallied 21 tackles (15 solo) to go along with three tackles for loss. He also had four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Hart is not easy to throw on. He did not allow a touchdown reception in 308 coverage snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. Across five seasons with the Irish, Hart grabbed two interceptions to go along with 17 pass breakups.
JD Bertrand to the Falcons
A native of Roswell, Georgia, linebacker JD Bertrand is headed home. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Bertrand with the 143rd overall pick in the fifth round of the draft on Saturday. Bertrand is the fifth former Notre Dame player selected in this year’s draft and second linebacker. Marist Liufau was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round.
A two-time captain for the Fighting Irish, Bertrand led Notre Dame in tackles for three straight seasons (259 total). He became the first Notre Dame linebacker to accomplish that feat since Manti Te’o in 2010-2012. In 12 games last year, Bertrand made 76 tackles, 7.5 for loss. He recorded 2.5 sacks and had one forced fumble.
The 6-1, 233-pounder is a leader on and off the field. He is an excellent communicator with his pre-snap signals, helping teammates identify potential threats. He excels at reading quarterbacks and anticipating throws. On the flip side, he is a bit undersized, has subpar speed, and will be a 24-year-old NFL rookie.
Hart and Bertrand are the fourth and fifth Notre Dame players, respectively, taken thus far in this year’s draft. They follow Alt, Blake Fisher, and Liufau.
