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The thrill and excitement of high school American football will return to Ireland.
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Official tickets of the College Football Classic.
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April 22nd 2026
Every year at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, fans are treated to a show from some of the finest players of College Football as they face off in the Week 0 opener at the Aviva Stadium. With six different games in the series to date, Ireland has welcomed some premier programs, including Notre Dame, FSU, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, and many more! With these big programs come talented players, many of whom take the next step and pursue careers in the NFL.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look back at some of the highest ever drafted picks from players who have competed at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic over the years.
5. Azareyeh Thomas
A star from the start, Azareyeh Thomas was brought into FSU as a 4-star recruit from high school and immediately saw the field as a freshman in College. The 6 '2 DB totalled over 100 tackles, double-digit pass breakups and many turnovers, all while becoming more of a team leader every year. Thomas started his final season with the Seminoles in Dublin, Ireland, at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic as FSU faced ACC rivals Georgia Tech. Whilst a walk-off field goal got the job done for Georgia Tech, Thomas impressed again on the day and carried it through his final season, catching the eye of many NFL scouts along the way.
Those performances earned Azareyeh a spot on the New York Jets roster as they drafted him in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
4. Blake Fisher
Standing at 6’6” and over 310 pounds, Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher was always destined to make it to the NFL as soon as he stepped onto the field in South Bend. Fisher began playing at Left Tackle in his Freshman season for the Irish, but an early injury took him off the field. With an impressive show of skill, Fisher was then switched to Right Tackle when he returned the next season and never looked back. After 3 good years at the college level, Blake began his final season at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic as Notre Dame took on Navy in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in a historic matchup that saw more than 45,000 Americans travel to the Emerald Isle for the Week 0 opener. A 42-3 win kicked off the season the right way, and it was none other than Fisher who lifted the Keough-Naughton trophy that day!
3. Benjamin Morrison
Few defensive backs in recent college football have made an impact as quickly as Benjamin Morrison did at Notre Dame. From the moment he stepped on the field in 2022, it was clear he was a future NFL player. In his first season, Morrison set a Notre Dame freshman record with six interceptions, earning him Freshman All-American honors. Throughout his subsequent seasons, Benjamin established himself as the top cornerback in college football, ultimately securing a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster during the 2023 NFL Draft.
2. Peter Skoronoski
After stepping into a starting role as a freshman in 2020, Skoronski became a cornerstone of Northwestern's offensive line, starting every game for the next three seasons. His skill set was clear for everyone to see and word quickly spread about the effectiveness of his game. By 2022, he had developed into one of the top linemen in the country, earning First-Team All-American honors and solidifying his reputation as an elite pass protector. Fans who attended the 2022 Aer Lingus College Football Classic would have had the opportunity to witness Skoronski live as he helped his Northwestern team to a 31-28 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
1. Joe Alt
Coming in at number one on our list of the highest ever Aer Lingus College Football Classic Alumni drafted is none other than Notre Dame’s own, Joe Alt. Standing at 6’8” tall and possessing rare athleticism Joe Alt wasn't just one of Notre Dame’s top players, he was one of the most elite players in all of college football. His outstanding performances earned him consensus All-American honors and recognition as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. More importantly, he consistently excelled against top competition, demonstrating the polish and composure that NFL teams seek in franchise tackles. Alt also impressed when Notre Dame beat Navy in the 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic where he allowed very little pressure on his quarterback Sam Hartman.
With the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic making a return to Dublin on August 29th at the Aviva Stadium, fans can get a closer look at the current stars that both TCU & UNC have on their roster.
Tickets for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic are on sale now - HERE
