NFL Draft: Notre Dame OL Robert Hainsey selected by Tampa Bay Buccaneers with pick #95

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are sending their third offensive lineman to the NFL. With the 95th pick in the 3rd round the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected offensive lineman, Robert Hainsey.

Although a Pittsburgh native, Hainsey finished up his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before arriving in South Bend as an early enrollee in January of 2017. It was a good move for Robert as he very quickly became a co-starter at right tackle (steady rotation) as a true freshman. That year, the Notre Dame offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best line.

Robert then went on to start all 13 games at right tackle for the Irish in 2018 as Notre Dame went undefeated in the regular season and went to the college football playoff. Hainsey was on the rise and was selected as a team captain for the 2019 season — a season that saw a slight setback when he suffered an injury during the Virginia Tech game that kept him out for the remainder of the year.

Hainsey returned as a senior in 2020 as a two-time team captain, and helped the Irish to another undefeated regular season and a college football playoff appearance.

When Hainsey went down to the Senior Bowl, he worked out all across the offensive line — but mostly at guard, and even at center. Although he never snapped a ball at Notre Dame, there was a time when the Irish cross-trained him there for a while. He did really well down in Mobile, and most sources suggested that he improved his draft stock quite a bit.

So, the TEAM are getting a guy in Hainsey that is extremely versatile, and a steady force along the offensive line. His size is lacking for an NFL offensive tackle (6’4” 290 pounds) — so I guess it’s a good thing he will end up inside. Robert is a great leader, and if he is able to maximize his opportunities on the field, he will become a leader in the lockeroom.