Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/276022
on staying low, so hopefully my knee stays good like it is now." TROY NIKLAS DISCUSSES DECISION TO LEAVE EARLY As part of a "stacked" tight end class that includes Eric Ebron (North Caro- lina), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Wash- ington) and Jace Amaro (Texas Tech), Troy Niklas knows he's among elite company. But he's eager to show NFL executives why he's as talented as any of the other players at the position. "There are a lot of very good tight ends coming out in this class," he said. "It will be competitive and I'm looking forward to it. You've just got to play to your strengths and let the team do the judging." Niklas was a sur- prise addition to the 2014 NFL Draft class after he received a sec- ond- to fourth-round grade from the Draft Advisory Board. Most expected the 6-6½, 270-pound athlete to hone his skills at "Tight End U." next year, but he shocked team- mates, coaches and fans when he an- nounced his decision to declare early for the NFL Draft. "A lot of things led to it," said Niklas, who is cousins with Texas A&M offen- sive lineman and possible top-five pick Jake Matthews. "The biggest thing was just kind of going back to my child- hood. This is what I've always wanted to do, play in the NFL. "Growing up watching my uncle [Bruce Matthews] play for the Hous- ton Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and seeing him inducted into the Hall of Fame, [this] was something I've always wanted to do." Following his childhood dream was the easy part. Informing head coach Brian Kelly was a bit more difficult. "It definitely wasn't one of the more fun conversations I've had in my entire life," Niklas said. "He was a little disappointed I didn't come back and wasn't happy about it. At the same time, it made me feel good that he was kind of mad that I left be- cause it means I was worth something I guess." Because of Niklas' build and inexperi- ence as a pass catcher — he played outside linebacker as a fresh- man in 2011 and served as a backup to Eifert in 2012 before starting last year — many scouts see him as most valuable as an in-line blocker. "That's good because it differentiates me a little bit from [the other elite tight ends]," Niklas said. "I can block a little bit and I enjoy blocking. It's something I can use to my advantage. ZACK MARTIN STRESSES HIS VALUE AT TACKLE Zack Martin returned to his home- Tight end Troy Niklas could not participate in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine due to a core muscle strain, but he hoped to run it at Notre Dame's Pro Day March 20. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA