Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert will have plenty on his plate in his senior season.
The 6-6, 251-pounder will be counted on to replace the production of the most prolific receiver in Notre Dame history — Michael Floyd. He graduated as the Irish’s leader in receptions (271), receiving yards (3,686), receiving yards per game (85.7), 100-yard receiving games (17) and touchdown receptions (37).
Coach Brian Kelly plans to move Eifert around the offense to give the tight end plenty of opportunities to increase the 63 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns he had last season.
“He’s a guy that has to replace the production loss of Michael Floyd,” Kelly said of Eifert. “To do that, we have to be able to get him into some favorable positions. Obviously, he’s not going to lock down just at the tight end position.
“He’s a guy that can play at wide receiver; heck, he could play running back if we need him to. He’s an incredible athlete and a versatile player, so we’ll take advantage of that skill.”
Eifert had a taste of moving around the formations as a sophomore when he took over as the starting tight end when the Irish lost Kyle Rudolph to a shoulder injury in 2010. Eifert started the last six games and was constantly put in motion, even playing H-back.
Eifert considered leaving early for the NFL Draft, but the promise of an increased role and numerous new duties in the offense brought him back to Notre Dame.
“It’s been everything they said they (would) do, moving me around and stuff like that,” Eifert said. “It’s nice. I think it will be good for our offense.”
Eifert’s versatility also allows Notre Dame to take advantage of its talented pool of tight ends and keep defenses guessing.
Junior Alex Welch and sophomore Ben Koyack saw action as backups last season, and the Irish shifted linebacker Troy Niklas to tight end to add another blocker at the position. Senior Jake Golic also returns to the tight end group.
Offensive coordinator Chuck Martin likes the versatility.
“It’s one thing if this guy’s a blocker and this guy’s a catcher,” he said.
“But if they can both block and catch, which I think we have the ability to do that, then it causes major issues for the defense, because they don’t know what personnel we’re in.”