In the NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons added a linebacker from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to bolster their front seven. The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the eighth overall pick, shocking many. Since then, the team has selected four defenders in a row. Linebacker JD Bertrand of Notre Dame, a native of Alpharetta, Georgia, and a graduate of Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell, was selected by Atlanta with the 143rd overall choice.Prior to playing 10 games and recording seven tackles in 2020, Bertrand played four games as a true freshman in 2019 and redshirted for the first two years of his collegiate career. In 2021, the 6-1, 235-pound Bertrand made a breakthrough, starting all 13 games, recording a team-high 101 tackles, and recording seven tackles for loss. The next year, Bertrand again led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 82 stops and 8.5 tackles for loss. With 76 tackles in his final season at South Bend, Bertrand once again led the club in tackle production. He also added 2.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. On May 5, Bertrand will turn 24 years old. He has a stellar off-field history. In 2022, he was a part of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. This past season, he advanced to the finals of the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the “Academic Heisman,” and the Wuerffel Trophy, which recognises community work. With the exception of the bench press, which he completed with 20 repetitions, Bertrand was unable to take part in any spring testing due to a foot injury he received at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In Atlanta, Bertrand becomes a member of a draft class that includes quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, defensive lineman Rude Orhorhoro in the second round, defensive end Bralen Trice in the third round, and defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus in the fourth round.
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