Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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tight ends Preseason Analysis ★★★★ National Title Contention; ★★★ BCS Contention; ★★ Top 25 Potential; ★ Too Unproven Starter ★★ When the Notre Dame coaching staff managed to talk Tyler Eifert into returning for his senior season instead of going to the NFL in 2012, it was one of the biggest recruiting victories in head coach Brian Kelly's tenure with the program. Kelly and Co. are pretty confident with the group of players looking to replace the most prolific tight end in school history, but until it translates to major production on the field, this is still a position with plenty of question marks. Experience ★★ A number of players have contributed in a variety of ways, but none has done everything required of a high-level tight end at a school that prides itself on churning out legends at the position. Putting it all together consistently — routes, blocking and being reliable targets in critical situations — isn't something any of Notre Dame's current tight ends have been able to do (or really been given the opportunity to do) previously behind Eifert. Depth ★★½ This is a quality depth chart by any standard, with individuals that excel in different areas. The position can withstand injury hits and should be able to attack defenses with fresh bodies on a weekly basis. We'll have to wait to see if one or more of them emerge as the next great Fighting Irish tight end, but for now there's sure are a lot of good ones with seemingly limitless potential. Overall Grade ★★½ It's a guessing game right now. Throw in the fact that Notre Dame will have to modify what it does offensively to best suit a different quarterback in 2013, and it's difficult to know just how this group will perform. Kelly has a knack for quickly developing players, and that skill will once again be necessary at a key position. of Oklahoma in 2010, and the first Notre Dame tight end to be taken in the first round since Irv Smith in 1993 (20th overall by the New Orleans Saints). Eifert holds the school record for career receptions (140) and career receiving yards (1,840) by an Irish tight end. He also holds single-season school records for receptions (63) and receiving yards (803) by a Notre Dame tight end. Booker, also in charge of special teams on top of his duties overseeing the tight ends, feels as if the offense can pick up where it left off rather than picking up the pieces in the wake of Eifert's Mackey Award-winning final year and subsequent jump to the professional level. "I think that's based on Coach [Brian] Kelly's system of next man in," Booker said. "We can't worry about who we lost or anything like that. Next man in means we gotta go. We're just excited about the opportunity we have. All those guys understand there are a lot of reps that Tyler was able to take that now are up for grabs. Whoever takes it, takes it." Junior Troy Niklas, with an NFL frame (6-7, 260 pounds) is in position to do just that, or at least play a major part in a committee system once again. Last year, he studied the finer points of the position after switching from defense. Niklas is already physically capable, but he has to develop into an all-around threat not only with technique in space, but also as a pass receiver. He doesn't necessarily possess the natural tight end skills, but he was a reliable blocker in 2012. It seemed like a strange move in the spring of 2012 that Niklas shifted from Dog linebacker/defensive end to offense with four-star recruits Alex Welch and Ben Koyack being groomed to become the next tight end stars. With the need to utilize Eifert at several positions, including split out as a receiver, the Irish required a body type and mentality like Niklas' to add physicality up front. Niklas, who appeared in all 13 games last year and caught five passes for 75 yards, was more than ready for the challenge and thrived in the role, which led to seven starts. Many of the finer points of the position still need to be sharpened, development that will come with more experience and increased responsibilities. "If you would see the Troy in the Michigan game and the Troy in the USC game, it's really not the same guy," Booker said. "And to see the progress again from the end of last season to the spring, I just enjoy those guys really maturing and getting confidence." Niklas showed in the Blue-Gold Game (eye-popping grabs for 24 and 22 yards) that he's not a one-trick pony, and he's obsessed with being a complete player. "Football means a lot to Troy," Booker added. "He really studies his craft and is a perfectionist. He wants to be the best. … As quirky as he sometimes may come off, he is one of the hardest-working guys on the team." "Is he going to become the next Eifert? No," offensive coordinator Chuck Martin said. "But you'd like to think he's more responsible in the passing game and more dependable in the passing game, and we're already seeing that." Classmate Koyack (6-5, 253) contributed in 12 contests, making three catches for 39 yards while helping stave off defenders at the line of scrimmage. Both hope to make even bigger strides heading into their junior seasons. Alex Welch — who did not play as a freshman, worked primarily on special teams as a sophomore and missed his junior campaign with a knee injury — has the all-around skills to make an impact in 2013. photo by bill panzica Notre Dame's tight end receiving stats Year Rec.Yds. TD 200334324 2 200448849 5 200554632 3 200656732 6 200746409 3 Year Rec.Yds. TD 200832346 2 200941434 3 201058712 3 201166826 5 201258799 5 Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 65 64-67.TEs.indd 65 6/25/13 1:01 PM