Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/75050
do some things out of the comfort zone," he said. "Just being able to do that also cre- ates a better player out of myself and also my teammates." rent sophomores who is a surefire starter on offense or defense when the Irish take the field against Navy on Sept. 1. However, many others will be called upon for significant comple- mentary roles. Senior tight end Eifert returns Tuitt is the lone member among the cur- POTENTIAL 2012 IMPACT as a first-team All-American, but sophomores Ben Koyack and con- verted outside linebacker Troy Niklas, both of who played last year, are grooming to be poten- tially one of the more dynamic future tandems in the nation. Koyack snared four passes for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Blue-Gold Game, but with Eifert often flexed out as a receiver his role in 2012 is about in-line block- ing. Niklas also was shifted there to provide a more physical pres- ence. Ben Koyack is another in a long line of excellent tight end recruits JUNE/JULY 2012 at Notre Dame, but his first job in 2012 will be as an in-line blocker. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA 56 "Ben Koyack has not gotten his game to the level as an in-line blocker to where he's going to be a consistent player," Kelly said halfway through spring. "[Junior] Alex Welch is the same. Both are accomplished pass catchers of the football — that's not going to be them [this year]. It's going to be Tyler Eifert. So the battle at tight end is who's going to control the edge and the line of scrimmage. "We've clearly defined their role. If you can catch it, that's fine. You better in-line block, and you better control the edge of this defense.