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NFL Draft: Notre Dame LB Drew White goes undrafted, signs with the Washington Commanders

Fernando Ramirez
ND Insider
Notre Dame’s Drew White (40) during the Notre Dame-USC NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

Notre Dame linebacker Drew White went undrafted in the final rounds of Saturday NFL Draft in Las Vegas, but was signed as a free agent by the Washington Commanders, according to the University of Notre Dame. 

White is one of seven Notre Dame players selected or signed in 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 selected in the seven-round draft.

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (Indianapolis Colts), wide receiver Kevin Austin (Jacksonville Jaguars) defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Las Vegas Raiders) and defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (Houston Texans) also signed free agent contracts after the draft's conclusion. 

White, a three-star linebacker who came to Notre Dame from of the football factory St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played in just four games his first two seasons in South Bend.

But White hit the ground running as a junior, making 80 tackles, eight for loss with two sacks. 

► More:Baltimore Ravens take Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall in NFL Draft

White was emerged as a leader in the Notre Dame locker room. Freshman linebacker Prince Kollie said how important White was for him in deciding to come to Notre Dame. Kollie noted that White is a player he will always lean on no matter if he has moved on.

Notre Dame mike linebacker Drew White is nursing a shoulder injury that should've kept him out against North Carolina. He'll be needed Saturday against the option attack of Navy.

Golden Notre Dame Moment 

Last season, White snared his first career interception and returned it for a touchdown during a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago. He also added four tackles.

Notre Dame’s Drew White (40) defends Wisconsin's Jalen Berger (8) during the Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

5 things about Drew White

► 1 — In 2019 had 11 tackles against Michigan, the most in a single game by an Irish player that season.

► 2 — In 2017 was one of 10 scholarship freshmen that spent the season on the scout team and didn't play.

► 3 — Was on the Nagurski Trophy watch list in 2020 and made the All-ACC Academic Team.

► 4 — Majored in pre-professional studies.

► 5 — Graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas, which also produced high-level NFL players like Joey and Nick Bosa.