INDIANAPOLIS — Billy Schrauth declared for the 2026 NFL Draft nearly a week after announcements came out from teammates Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price and Aamil Wager — three Notre Dame players who also had collegiate eligibility remaining.
Nevertheless, his proclamation came via an Instagram post on Dec. 26.
"At this time, I have decided to take the next step in my football journey and declare for the 2026 NFL Draft," Schrauth wrote. "I am confident that the valuable skills and experience I've gained during my time at Notre Dame will allow me to succeed at the next level."
The news wasn't shocking. Irish Illustrated had reported on the Insider podcast that the team captain would likely declare for the upcoming NFL Draft. However, Notre Dame fans still had reasons to be hopeful until the release of his official announcement.
Over the last two seasons, the offensive guard had missed nine games due to injury, including the final five of his senior campaign. The latest alignment, a sprained MCL, occurred in Notre Dame's 34-24 win over USC on Oct. 18.
Schrauth dominated the Trojans' front — to the point the NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah called his tap from that game "excellent" — despite suffering the injury early in the victory.
"Late in the first quarter, I kind of got rolled up," Schrauth said. "I knew I had to be out there with the guys. Love playing with those guys. Don't take any opportunity for granted. And yeah, it wasn't an option to not go back there. When I knew I could walk, I knew I could go out there and play."
By game's end, Schrauth played 66 out of 71 possible snaps. In hindsight, those were the last reps in a Notre Dame uniform.
His performance proved to be a microcosm of the former blue-chipper's career — a demonstration of his tantalizing potential that he never consistently reached at Notre Dame.
That's why, before his announcement, it seemed possible he might return for a fifth year. Maybe another year on campus might develop him into the high-end interior offensive line prospect everyone has been waiting to see?
Instead, he bet on himself a year earlier than necessary after speaking with those closest to him over the holiday season.
"I feel ready," Schrauth said on Saturday at the NFL Combine. "I know I'm ready. I love the game. It's my dream. It's another step in the right direction of where I want to be."
Did his recent injury history also play a part in his decision, encouraging him to forgo a potential long-term decision rather than risk physical setback in 2026?
"I wouldn't say that," Schrauth said. "I feel prepared physically and mentally, and I think that was more it than anything."
Regardless, life without Schrauth has begun at Notre Dame during winter workouts while he goes through the pre-draft process.
On Sunday, he participated in the NFL Combine, measuring at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds. He went through the on-the-field drills, but skipped the 40-yard dash and other athletic tests.
It starts up front 💪
Billy Schrauth putting in work in Indy ☘️#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/EVw2k0k27L
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 1, 2026
He says he'll do the rest at Notre Dame's pro day in late March.
"That's the plan," Schrauth said.
Currently, he's a bit of an enigma among NFL scouts and draft experts. The official combine website has graded him as an "average backup or special-teamer."
Still, there's a good chance he gets drafted sooner than one might expect for someone who projects as a "special-teamer."
The NFL Network's Chad Reuter has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Schrauth in the second round with the No. 53 overall pick in his pre-combine mock draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. slotted Schrauth as the No. 6 interior offensive lineman on his most recent big board.
Jeremiah concurs.
"I have a grade on 'em that puts him kind of in that third, fourth-round [range]," Jeremiah said before the combine.
Perhaps, he'll improve upon that day with a strong pro day, but most likely, he'll be a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 selection, regardless of how he performs.
From there, he'll be fighting for a spot on an NFL roster. While he's no longer a member of the Notre Dame football team, the lessons he gleaned from his four years in South Bend, Ind., will help carry him through the rest of his career.
"Coming in as a young freshman, I kind of learned the ropes, but also tried to put my own little twist on things, and I was around a lot of great people," Schrauth said. "A lot of great people pushed me to bring a lot of stuff out of me that I didn't even know I needed."