Notre Dame DL Kurt Hinish signs with the Houston Texans following NFL Draft

Fernando Ramirez
ND Insider
Notre Dame’s Kurt Hinish (41) rushes during the 2022 Playstation Fiesta Bowl Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Notre Dame defensive lineman Kurt Hinish signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the NFL Draft Saturday, according to the University of Notre Dame. 

Hinish is one of seven Notre Dame players either selected in or signed after the draft. Kyle Hamilton (14th overall pick) to the Baltimore Ravens and running back Kyren Williams (164th pick) to the Los Angeles Rams were the only Irish players picked in the seven-round draft.

Linebacker Drew White (Washington Commanders), wide receiver Kevin Austin (Jacksonville Jaguars) defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Las Vegas Raiders) and quarterback Jack Coan (Indianapolis Colts) also signed free agent contracts after the draft. 

A three-star defensive lineman from Pittsburgh, Hinish was the anchor for Central Catholic High School the same way he was for Notre Dame. 

Hinish played 61 games for the Irish, starting 35 of them and accumulating 81 tackles, 20 for loss, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

The man who wore paint like a warrior on his face earned All-ACC Honorable mention in 2020. As a senior, Hinish set a career-high of five tackles at Virginia Tech last season.

Kurt Hinish runs the 40-yard-dash during Notre Dame’s NFL Pro Day event on Friday, March 25, 2022, in South Bend.

During the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in March, Hinish ran a 4.96 40-yard dash and benched-pressed 225 pounds 31 times. Only Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson out lifted him. Johnson was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 17th overall pick in Thursday's first round. 

Golden Notre Dame moment

In 2021, Hinish had 10 tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss in the 34-6 victory over Navy.

Notre Dame’s Jayson Ademilola (57) and Kurt Hinish (41) celebrate during the Notre Dame vs. Navy NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

5 things to know about Kurt Hinish

► 1 — Was an All-ACC Honorable Mention after the 2020 season, the one year the Irish participated in the conference.

► 2 — First career sack came against Syracuse in sophomore year when he finished the game with 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.

► 3 — At Central Catholic High School, helped lead team to an AAAA state championship.

► 4 — Earned degree in sociology.

► 5 — Likes to fish and hunt in free time.