Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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THE HARD HAT ZONE I Rising sophomores complement All-American Tyler Eifert at tight end BY LOU SOMOGYI draft picks in Anthony Fasano (2003-05), John Carlson (2006-07) and Kyle Rudolph (2008-10). They currently have a fourth senior on a similar path, if not higher, in 2011 Walter Camp first-team All-American Tyler Eifert. However, tight end still will be a "construction area" in at least three ways in 2012. First, although Eifert is the front-runner for the John f there is one position at Notre Dame the past decade that hasn't needed major reconstruction, it's tight end. The Irish have started three straight second-round Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation's top tight end at the end of the season, his 2012 role might be more like wide receiver Michael Floyd's in 2011. The first- round pick last year was aligned wide, by the boundary or in the slot to create potential matchup problems and not pigeonhole him at one spot. The 6-6, 251-pound Eifert might not catch the single- season school-record 100 passes Floyd did last year — al- though Eifert's 62 at tight end also set an Irish standard at the position — but his fluidity and hands make him the aircraft carrier of this year's offense where other deriva- tives of the passing game might open up. Head coach Brian Kelly is not a huge fan of employing a "Wild Cat" scheme, but Eifert is a wild card. "I don't really know what I would categorize myself backer Troy Niklas represent Notre Dame's future streak of excellence at the position, they must first enter the "hard hat area" as in-line blockers. They might be thrown a pass here and there — Koyack caught four for 38 yards, highlighted by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Everett Golson, in the Blue-Gold Game — but their foremost job description will be to be consistent, productive blockers. Koyack, 6-5 and 253 pounds, was deemed in many ing ACL injury in an Aug. 8 scrimmage, the Irish depth took a hit. Welch had started as the in-line blocker at tight end in the Blue-Gold Game while Eifert was split wide. Third, while Ben Koyack and converted outside line- circles the nation's premier tight end recruit in 2011, ar- riving with much more fanfare than the three-star recruit Eifert did in 2009. Meanwhile, the now 6-7, 260-pound Niklas was the as," Eifert responded on whether he is more tight end or wideout. "I've moved around quite a bit. I'd say primarily a tight end, but I don't really know." Second, with junior Alex Welch incurring a season-end- Physically imposing sophomore Troy Niklas (6-7, 260) has the ability to be a devastating blocker, but first must harness his aggression. like Alex and to have three tight ends — and [senior] Jake Golic's getting a lot more work too. We feel good that we have depth at that position that will get the job done. That's not going to stop us from winning." A prolific pass catcher at Oil City (Pa.) Senior High (152 "We're lucky," Kelly said. "To lose a really good player PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND SEASON KICKOFF: TIGHT ENDS career receptions for 2,591 yards and 28 touchdowns), Koyack has a pass-catching background similar to Eifert, although he is more physically developed at the same stage of their careers. He earned a monogram as a fresh- man while mainly working as a motion tight end. "We feel pretty good about him," Kelly said of Koyack. "He needs to continue to get better at the point of attack. He's committed to doing that. He's been really good in space for us." His primary concentration has been to hone his physi- consummate "Big Skill" recruit, with Stanford coveting him as a tight end, USC at left offensive tackle and oth- ers at defensive end. Yet he was nimble enough to excel on special teams and outside linebacker (starting at Dog linebacker against Michigan State) as a freshman while recording 20 tackles. 52 PRESEASON 2012 cality and blocking technique without overanalyzing, thereby inhibiting his aggression. "There's definitely a mental thing," said Koyack, a highly talented musician who can play piano, trombone and euphonium. "When it's a kick-out block you've got to run into somebody; it's like running into a brick wall pretty much — especially with some of the guys we've got. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED