IRISH SIZE: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd, a possible Jets first-round draft pick, stiff-arms South Florida’s Jon Lejiste last season. (Getty Images)
Here are a few analysts’ evaluations on Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, who is being eyed as a first-round draft pick by the Jets, among several other NFL teams:
“A polished receiver who shows a burst off the line of scrimmage.”
“Confident hands-catcher with good leaping ability and excellent body control to attack the ball in the air and take it away from defenders.”
“Look out because he possesses the kind of athletic and physical skill set needed to consistently win on the outside.”
So we asked Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly of which NFL player — past or present — Floyd reminds him.
“Brian Urlacher,’’ Kelly said.
Brian Urlacher, the linebacker with the mean streak?
“[Floyd] plays with the same passion, the same toughness, the same spirit,’’ Kelly told The Post. “He just loves to play the game.’’
“Whether you’re watching him in practice on a Monday, or in two-a-days, or in spring when he’s in pads, he’s always just so passionate,’’ added Kelly. “I’ve never been around a player so passionate that has the level of skill set that he does.’’
Wow.
Does this not sound like a Rex Ryan-type player?
At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Floyd is a big, tough, fearless receiver. He will not be the fastest player on the field but don’t mistake that for Floyd being slow.
He gets up on defensive backs quickly and he attacks the football as if a five-carat diamond is tucked inside.
He could be a perfect complement to Santonio Holmes.
So why isn’t Floyd a Top 15 lock? Why can Jets fans hold out hope that Floyd, the Fighting Irish’s MVP his junior and senior seasons, will still be on the board when general manager Mike Tannenbaum makes the call with the 16th pick?
Some still point to Floyd’s lack of blazing speed. He ran the 40 in 4.47 seconds at the combine, which is certainly respectable.
Floyd’s off-field issues might be what have some talent evaluators hedging. He was involved in three alcohol-related incidents at Notre Dame — two underage drinking citations and one DUI — which almost got him thrown out of the university.
“I think it’s strength,’’ Kelly said. “He’s gone through some adversity and he’s shown he can make life decisions and change his behavior.
“Notre Dame is the best university in the nation but let’s be honest, when you screw up here, everyone’s going to know about it,’’ Kelly added. “That’s the deal. He lived with NFL-type scrutiny last year.’’
Floyd is accustomed to the spotlight. Before Notre Dame, he was Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons in high school. Playing in New York shouldn’t be an issue.
There’s a lot to like about Floyd. Especially if he can channel his inner Brian Urlacher at the next level.