NFL Draft picks Kenny Beckett and Kyle Hamilton take their college rivalry to North Asia, with Beckett to the Steelers and Hamilton to the Ravens.
The Pittsburgh Panthers and Ireland’s Notre Dame Combat Team have had fierce competition since 1909, and the two teams have met regularly since 1982. Notre Dame leads the series with a 49-21-1 safety, and former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton doesn’t let former quarterback Pete Kenny Pickett forget it.
Hamilton, who now claims to hate the Steelers, found it amusing that the franchise chose its collective opponent Kenny Beckett.
“It’s ridiculous,” Hamilton said. “I hope I choose him.”
Kenny Beckett and Kyle Hamilton bring college rivalry to Steelers and Ravens
As of April 28, Hamilton is a proud member of the Baltimore Ravens, being named No. 14 overall by the defensive-minded historical franchise. Hamilton joins the legacy of one of the greatest safes ever, the Ravens’ longtime safety Ed Reed, but surprisingly the Ravens were able to pick out Hamilton at that late stage. While some have argued that Hamilton should have been #1 overall, the truth is that the safety position is undervalued, fellow NFL teammate Jaquan Brisker recently told FanSided.
While Hamilton is seen as a steal, the Steelers Nation is more divided over choosing Kenny Pickett for 20th. Some Steelers fans prefer quarterback Malik Willis, who remains unpolished and is expected to top the second round of the NFL draft.
Willis is known for his mobility and game-making, although his ways are largely limited to deep side throws. On the other hand, Beckett has been analyzed as the best against loyal defenses, and Pittsburgh is looking for a quick successor to Ben Roethlisberger.
While Willis is coveted for his dynamic movement reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes, Beckett may be the best fit for Pittsburgh – especially since he can continue to fight Hamilton for years to come.
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