Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is at No. 4 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s first big board since the college football season ended.

Hamilton, who missed the second half of Notre Dame’s 2021 season due to an injury, has been one of the top players at his position during his collegiate career.

Hamilton is behind Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alabama’s Evan Neal.

Here’s Kiper’s analysis on Hamilton and his placement in this big board:

“Hamilton played in only seven games in 2021, as he injured his right knee against USC in late October and didn’t return. He should be good to go for the combine in March. There aren’t many safeties with Hamilton’s size and speed, and he was one of the most versatile defenders in the country in college. He had two interceptions against Florida State and added another in the win over Purdue. He had eight total in his career. Hamilton has the size to move up to the line of scrimmage and help in the running game and the speed and range to cover pass-catchers out of the slot. He’s exactly what NFL teams want in their first-round safeties.”

Hamilton finished his Notre Dame career with 8 interceptions, 16 pass deflections and 138 total tackles.

Notre Dame has not had a top-5 pick since quarterback Rick Mirer was selected No. 2 overall in the 1993 NFL Draft. Both Quenton Nelson (2018) and Ronnie Staley (2016) were selected at No. 6 overall.

The Irish have produced 18 top-5 picks in their illustrious history.

The 2022 NFL Draft will be held from April 28-30.