Notre Dame star awaits NFL Draft shot despite ACL injury cutting season short
Forgotten former
Notre Dame
star Rylie Mills is heading into this week's 2025
NFL
Draft full of optimism despite still being on the road to recovery from his season-ending injury in December.
The defensive lineman finished
his collegiate career
with 131 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks in 62 games for the Fighting Irish as he brought an end to
an impressive career in South Bend
last season, playing an important role in helping
Marcus Freeman's
side reach the College Football Playoff.
However, disaster struck during Notre Dame's
first round tie with Indiana
on December 21, 2024, with Mills tearing his ACL in the midst of the 27-17 win and
missing the following three games as a result
, playing no part as the Irish
defeated Georgia
and
Penn State
to advance to the National Championship game.
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It wasn't to be for Freeman's outfit as they
fell to Ohio State in the CFP final
, and Mills would wave goodbye to his teammates without having played a single minute of that heartbreaking 34-23 defeat. Having been out of action for the past four months, the 23-year-old is now hoping and praying that
someone is still willing to take a chance on him
.
That's because, aside from the obvious with regards to his injury, Mills has been unable to work out at
the Combine
or Pro Days, instead watching from the sidelines as his competition made the most of showing NFL decision makers exactly why they should draft them. In Mills' case, he has to hope his film speaks for itself.
"It's not my favorite part," Mills told
Irish Sports Daily
about being unable to demonstrate his skills at the workouts. "I think it's tough having to watch everyone else compete. That competitive part of me is really on fire right now. I want to get out there. I have a great support system. The best part is I go back to my tape and I can look at that, which has been helpful."
With the realization that he couldn't flex his athletic prowess, Mills dove headfirst into the strategic aspects of the sport, pouring hours into defensive analysis and benefitting from the insights shared by former Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser, with whom he collaborated closely to master the intricacies of coverages and schemes.
"It was great," Mills shared enthusiastically. "I got to show what I knew. Shoutout to Jack for helping me with the coverage. I was able to go up and draw up some stuff. It ultimately helped me understand the game better. I had this free time doing rehab and interview prep, so it helped me get a better understanding and feel more confident."
Although unable to participate, Mills was present at Notre Dame's Pro Day last month to cheer on his former teammates, soaking in the camaraderie and in what was very likely their last collective appearance on the field. "It's fun," Mills beamed. "It's great seeing everyone together. For me, it's a celebration of everyone's hard work during the season. They got to compete and show what they've done."
As the week unfolds, Mills anxiously anticipates the location where his professional saga will unfold while steadfastly pursuing his rehabilitation objectives. "I'm just starting to run," he shared. "All I do is walk. I walk six miles a day now. I'm out there Forrest Gumping it. If I can get running, that'd be great."
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