Emerging Star for Notre Dame

Notre Dame has an emerging star, and “He's a cross between maybe a Troy Niklas and Tyler Eifert” Brian Kelly said. Notre Dame has a long history of NFL caliber tight ends. It really started to take shape in the 2006 NFL draft, when the Dallas Cowboys selected TE Anthony Fasano in the second round. This was the highest draft position of a Notre Dame tight end since Irv Smith back in 1993 who was selected 20^th overall. John Carlson in the second round of 2008, Kyle Rudolph in the second round of 2011, Eifert in the first round of 2013 and finally Niklas in the second round of 2014 all followed Fasano’s footsteps. Since the 2014 season, it has been in a bit of a lull. Ben Koyack and Alize Mack were both selected in the seventh round of their respective drafts.

TIGHT END U

Cue in junior tight end Cole Kmet. Kmet busted onto the scene this year with a monster performance against #3 Georgia. It was a performance well enough to earn him the John Mackey TE of the week award. Nine receptions for 108 yards and his first career touchdown.

108-Yards First Career Touchdown 9 Receptions@ColeKmet has been named the @JohnMackeyAward TE of the week! #GoIrish ☘️ #BeatCavaliers pic.twitter.com/QAuABIUSmk

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 24, 2019

Kelly did finish his statement to disclaim that

“Cole has only had six real starts. He's emerging and getting better. He hasn't had a ton of playing time. He's gaining a better sense of where to be, how to find the soft spots in zones and things of that nature. He's certainly not a Tyler Eifert in terms of the savviness after three years of experience, but he's making good progress in a very short period of time.”

A FAMILIAR FACE

Kmet came to Notre Dame dual sport athlete on football scholarship, moonlighting as a relief pitcher for the baseball team. He is an Arlington Heights, IL native and was a star pitcher, defensive end, tight end and slot receiver for St. Viator. While the hefty lefty is expected to forego baseball to focus on football he, draws close comparison to Jeff Samardzija. On the other hand, Samardzija, opted to follow his baseball dreams. Kmet has other plans. He has a major opportunity to be an impact player on this football team.

X-FACTOR

Most importantly, we have a rush offense that is non-existent, a receiver core that is the weakest it has been since I can remember, Kmet will be the x-factor for this weekend and in just about every game from here on out. The Fighting Irish just do not have a ton of weapons offensively. So, if Kmet can remain healthy, I think he is in for a big year by volume alone. Quarterback Ian Book has already targeted him on his first three attempts against Georgia, and most of his work was done in the first half where he caught seven of his nine passes. Only senior wide receiver Chase Claypool garnered more targets that Kmet.

THE DECISION

In short, Irish fans have one big question.  Will he stay for his senior season or declare for the draft? Since Notre Dame now has an emerging star, I would expect he sticks around and finishes what he started. Kmet would easily be a second round talent if he strings together two solid seasons. Moreover, if he rolls the dice and declares I can only see him as an unproven late round flier. Right now, all we know is that Notre Dame as a team has some unfinished business.