NFL Draft Player Profile: Kyle Hamilton
by Ben Brydges
Every football fan’s favorite off-season weekend is right around the corner, as top prospects prepare to hear their name called in Las Vegas beginning April 28.
This year’s draft features an abundance of dominant edge rushers, including Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. We’ve also talked about elite offensive weapons such as Ohio State star receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
Among these top prospects lies one of the most unique prospects in NFL history, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
Hamilton, a 21-year-old from Atlanta, GA., is a solidified day one pick in this year’s draft.
However, recent questions have come up about his true value, and whether he should be selected in the top 10 or not.
The reality is, the former two-sport athlete and consensus All-American safety has all the qualities to go down as not just the best player in his class, but one of the best at his position all-time.
The most unique prospect in the draft
Hamilton, a physical specimen, is unlike any safety the NFL has seen before.
At the NFL Combine, he measured in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, comparable to legendary wide receiver Julio Jones.
He also carries two 33-inch arms that can shoot up to block pass attempts in a heartbeat.
At the Combine, Hamilton posted a 38-inch vertical jump, a 131-inch broad jump, and a 6.9 second three cone drill, all good enough to be ranked top five among safeties in Indianapolis.
Unfortunately, the 40-yard dash did not go in Hamilton’s favor, as he put up a 4.69 second time. But the game tape tells a different story.
More specifically, Hamilton is so different because of his position-less playing style at Notre Dame.
Although he is listed as a safety, he can line up at almost any position on defense and hold his own.
While playing for the Irish, Hamilton took most of his snaps at safety. But would also jump in at linebacker and cornerback in certain defensive sets.
Hamilton showed his elite versatility through three years as a star in college. In 31 games, he finished with 138 total tackles, as well as eight interceptions and a touchdown.
Even in his freshman year, Hamilton led Notre Dame with four interceptions despite only starting one game.
Why he is the best player available in Las Vegas
Why don’t we start with the intangibles? Hamilton’s measurements and athleticism are things that simply cannot be taught.
He is able to make plays that other players just cannot do, given his superior height and length.
In week one of 2021 against Florida State, Hamilton made one of the best defensive plays of the college football season by tracking a ball down from the far hash marks to the opposite sideline and diving for an amazing interception. Anyone else on the field that day would not have been able to make that play.
Another factor that separates Hamilton from the rest of this class is his ability to stop both the run and the pass.
It will be hard for any quarterback to throw a deep shot with Hamilton lurking downfield. He also possesses the brains and quickness to read the play and shoot the gap from the secondary.
Hamilton has the required IQ and leadership ability to succeed for a long time at the professional level.
He was named one of the captains on Notre Dame’s roster this past season. While battling injuries, he managed to keep one of the nation’s top defenses afloat, helping his team to a 11-1 regular season record (6-1 when Hamilton played).
He did everything he could as a defender and as a teammate to help his team succeed. The Irish held one of the country’s top defenses for all three of Hamilton’s playing seasons.
Hamilton will be waiting anxiously to hear his name called this Thursday. Whoever selects him will sleep a lot easier that night, knowing they have one of the next big things in the NFL on their roster.
