Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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second in rushing with 555 rushing yards and three scores on 93 carries, but fell behind fellow junior Cam Mc- Daniel and freshman Tarean Folston on the depth chart during the final month of the regular season. Another freshman, Greg Bryant, is expected to aid the backfield after having re- covered from knee problems, as will junior Amir Carlisle. Kelly suspended Atkinson for the Dec. 28 Pinstripe Bowl for violating team rules. Atkinson said he was pun- ished for sending text messages to friends and family during a team meal in the week leading up to the game. Atkinson's father said the family was considering a jump to the pros before the suspension occurred. "It was nothing other than a con- scious decision based on opportunity," Atkinson's father said. "He feels he's ready for it." The elder Atkinson said his son re- ceived a late-round grade in his league evaluation. The running back plans to get ready for combines and pro day events in his home state of California and wants to return to school to finish his degree later. Atkinson's twin brother, Josh, plans to remain at Notre Dame for his senior season. THE BATTLE OF TROY While the departure of Tuitt was somewhat expected, and the prover- bial writing on the wall was there for Atkinson's exit, Niklas' decision had more of a jolting effect on Kelly. When Kyle Rudolph was the top tight end on the NFL board after his junior season in 2010, Kelly under- stood the decision to turn pro. This year, with a bevy of tight ends in the draft, Kelly thought Niklas — report- edly projected as high as the second round but possibly the fourth — could have developed into the best in the country at his position in 2014. "I feel like when you come to Notre Dame, you don't leave your degree on the table," Kelly told 247Sports' "On Campus" host Bill King on Sirius Radio Jan. 14. "I just feel like it is the best 401K that is out there, the best insurance policy. You then are playing with the house money, so to speak, relative to your NFL career. You don't have any concerns because you have that degree. "I also felt like the way the draft was unfolding with all the juniors coming out, that he could have been the top guy [in 2015]. But Troy felt like he was ready. We wish him the very best and hope that it turns out to be a good business decision." In December, Niklas said unless "there is a really good reason," he wasn't planning to turn pro early. "It's really just kind of a learning ex- perience," Niklas said back then. "I'm pretty sure I'm coming back." The 6-6, 270-pound tight end caught 32 passes for 498 yards and five touch- downs in his second year at the posi- tion. Niklas played outside linebacker as a true freshman and came into his own as a blocking tight end during the last two years. "I have made the very difficult deci- sion to pursue my childhood dream and will enter the 2014 NFL Draft," Niklas said in a released statement. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my Notre