(Photo: Icon Sportswire)
In 2009 a 6-foot 6 pass catching athlete from just down the road from South Bend in Fort Wayne, Indiana made the choice to attend Notre Dame. Tyler Eifert, out of Bishop Dwenger High School was rated as a 3-star prospect at tight end. He was viewed as something of an afterthought by most recruiting services in head coach Charlie Weis’s last Notre Dame recruiting class.
That “afterthought” went on to redefine the tight end position at Notre Dame.
During his freshman year his career looked to be over due to a back injury, but he underwent successful surgery and got his career back on track. He worked his way up the depth chart on Brian Kelly’s first team. He then emerged when star tight end Kyle Rudolph suffered a season ending injury.
Eifert stepped right in and started the last 7 games of his sophomore year. He piled up 27 receptions good for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As a full-time starter he went on to huge seasons his next two years. 67 catches for 803 yards and 5 TDs his junior season and 50 catches for 685 yards and 4 TDs his senior year.
Eifert earned All-American accolades both seasons and was presented the Mackey Award as the nation’s outstanding tight end in 2012.
Tyler Eifert redefined the tight end position at Notre Dame because of his versatility. He could play attached or unattached and when a passed ball got anywhere close to him he displayed viselike hands and a huge catch radius.
Eifert was an 1st round (21st overall) pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2013 draft. His eight year pro career was limited by injuries, but when playing he enjoyed great success, including a 615-yard, 13 touchdown effort in 2015 that earned him All-Pro honors.
Tyler Eifert, another Fighting Irish Preview, ALL-TIME IRISH HERO.