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Liam Eichenberg is now a NFL player after the Miami Dolphins selected him with the 42nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The potential landing spot over the last few months for Liam has always felt like a mystery, as mock drafts were all over the place.
#Dolphins trade up & select OL Liam Eichenberg with the No. 42 overall pick https://t.co/iR5Q6Scl5Z #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/GTCIA8yE7M
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) April 30, 2021
Eichenberg was a three year starter at Notre Dame at left tackle after taking over for Mike McGlinchey who was a top 10 NFL Draft pick in 2018. It was a learning and growing process for Liam, but during his time at Notre Dame as a starter at LT, he helped lead the team to two playoff appearances in tow undefeated regular seasons (2018 and 2020).
Liam Eichenberg's rookie contract with the Miami Dolphins will be worth $8,014,490, with $3,188,720 coming as a signinging bonus, according to https://t.co/0vOJiiDZVo. #NDFB #IrishIntheNFL
— Jude (@ndjrs) April 30, 2021
2020 saw Eichenberg’s stock rise as he dominated the competition. He was an Outland Trophy finalist as well as a finalist for the Joe Moore Award (a group award for the best offensive line in college football). He earned consensus All-American status as only one outlet had him listed as a 2nd team player, and he won the Jacob’s Blocking Trophy for being the ACC’s best blocker (was also All-ACC 1st team on the coaches and media votes).
His best stat, however, was one that was 100% earned on the field as he didn’t allow a single stat in 2019 or in 2020.
Eichenberg is a day one plug and play at right tackle, but can certainly be used at left tackle as well as inside. He is more athletic than most give him credit for, and his toughness has never been questioned.
Eichenberg is the first Notre Dame player selected in the NFL Draft, and the Cleveland native might enjoy the Miami winters.