Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star rewrites NFL history, now sitting at the very top of an important category for defenders

That deal also makes Hamilton the highest paid non-quarterback in Ravens’ team history. The deal was negotiated by Kyle McCarthy and Brian Murphy of Athletes First. McCarthy was also a former Fighting Irish safety during his college career. 

There were some interesting conversations around Hamilton predraft when he was coming out in the 2022 NFL Draft class. When he ran a 4.59-second forty yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, some doubted the upside that the 6-4, 220-pound safety possessed. Largely viewed as an elite prospect of that group, some media members decided that the film wasn’t that impressive. 

Some were very wrong.

Hamilton proceeded to slide outside of the top ten of that draft before the Ravens selected him with the No. 14 overall pick. It was just another example of Baltimore letting premier talent fall into their laps. The rest is history. 

In three seasons with the Ravens, Hamilton has already become one of the top overall defenders in the league. The Georgia native has been selected to two Pro Bowls, as well as an All-Pro once. In 48 games played, Hamilton has collected 250 total tackles, five interceptions, 27 pass breakups, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. 

Once considered a five-star recruit coming out of Marist High School, Hamilton quickly made an impact with the Fighting Irish. An All-American selection, he ended his three-year career with 138 total tackles, eight interceptions, 16 pass breakups, and eight tackles for loss. That is especially impressive considering Hamilton missed the second half of the 2021 season with an injury. 

Hamilton has become an easy recruiting pitch for prospective Notre Dame safety targets. That allure is only going to strengthen now with Hamilton being at the top of the NFL landscape. He has fully tapped into the potential he always had.