'11 PA TE Ben Koyack (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Irishcop]

So with Troy leaving that would make Ben the number one TE? Is Welch transferring? Who's going to be number two?

 

[Buster Bluth]

So with Troy leaving that would make Ben the number one TE? Is Welch transferring? Who's going to be number two?

Koyack

Smythe







Heuerman/Luatua/Weishar

 

[dublinirish]

Blankenship to TE? I think you gotta take a chance on a Defensive player and see what kind of In-Line blocker they can become

 

[Buster Bluth]

Notre Dame is stacked at TE. Not that much of a need to move additional guys over.

 

[Cackalacky]

Koyack

Smythe







Heuerman/Luatua/Weishar

This kind of takes away 2 TE sets though right.... unless Weishar really has the play book down and is executing come fall ball?

 

[Old Man Mike]

My weak opinion:

A). Koyack will be great next season. Though without Niklas' behemoth strength, he seems to have better body-block-out awareness than Niklas [ Niklas didn't need it; he just was a wall unto himself; but I'll bet any QB would prefer the guy who is intentionally getting in "rebounding position" for him];

B). Smythe is a moose, he'll be able to block, but I believe that Heuerman will be more serviceable than seems generally remarked here --- he had some hockey background in h.s. and seems to be a very tough person;

C). Buster is correct that we are loaded potentially at TE with Weishar and Luatua coming in behind these guys, but even if none of them approach Niklas' Behemoth physicality, Jacob Matuska could. Matuska was a TE AND A * BBALL PLAYER in h.s. and may or may not be in our two-deep DLine next season.

That latter is just a loose thought, mainly to indicate how Coach's recruiting stacks the pantry with surprisingly talented versatile players.

Are we better with Niklas in 2014? Yes. Did the sky fall? No. Did his early leave get youngsters on the field to be exceptionally ready for 2015? You bet.

 

[Ironman8]

I posted this in the Luatua thread, but I think Mike McGlinchey could be utilized in the TE spot in formations that call for them to be an additional inline blocker. BK certainly made it seem like he had the athleticism to be a massive TE type, and it would be a great way to get him on the field seeing some experience while utilizing his talents to help the team.

 

[Emcee77]

B). Smythe is a moose, he'll be able to block, but I believe that Heuerman will be more serviceable than seems generally remarked here --- he had some hockey background in h.s. and seems to be a very tough person;

I have to admit I was skeptical of this part ... there can't be too much hockey being played in Naples, FL. But apparently it's true:

Heuerman Has The Genes

Mike's brother Jeff was a serious hockey player who moved to Michigan for a time and played hockey with Austin Watson. Mike apparently also played hockey growing up.

 

[Ironman8]

I have to admit I was skeptical of this part ... there can't be too much hockey being played in Naples, FL. But apparently it's true:

Heuerman Has The Genes

I think Heuerman absolutely has the want to - my only question is if he will be physically ready this spring to really function well as a blocker. He was undersized already coming in and then was out for a long time with that sports hernia.

 

[Emcee77]

I think Heuerman absolutely has the want to - my only question is if he will be physically ready this spring to really function well as a blocker. He was undersized already coming in and then was out for a long time with that sports hernia.

True, I think it just depends on his health. Niklas's endorsement hopefully means that Heuerman has been showing out behind the scenes.

I should clarify that the only part of OMM's post I was skeptical of was the part about Heuerman playing hockey, not the part about his toughness.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think Heuerman absolutely has the want to - my only question is if he will be physically ready this spring to really function well as a blocker. He was undersized already coming in and then was out for a long time with that sports hernia.

Niklas leaving provides all the motivation he needs to put eat and lift. Kid has a frame and he can put on 15lbs of mass before the season.

 

[Fbolt]

I really enjoy opening this thread and seeing the Oil City, PA hometown. Just calls to mind a rough kid, ala Ditka. Are there even suburbs in Oil City?

 

[#1rish]

Notre Dame: Breaking Down Where Ben Koyack Landed on 1st 2015 NFL Draft Boards | Bleacher Report

 

[Sherm Sticky]

So much potential.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Koyack needs to stay healthy and focused and he'll continue NDs tradition. (Not to mention help us win some games) Thanks for posting the article, I had no idea he was rated so highly by those outside of the program.

 

[dublinirish]

I would doubt Koyack will be a high pick, he might get a few bumps up some boards because of the guys that came before him though

 

[PANDFAN]

Third-Team Offense Phil Steele's preseason all american TE

 

[irishfan]

Third-Team Offense Phil Steele's preseason all american TE

Wonder if that's based on skill (is he the 3rd best TE in college football?) or just based on predicted stats.

 

[PANDFAN]

Wonder if that's based on skill (is he the 3rd best TE in college football?) or just based on predicted stats.

yeah i would think past production of the TE position is largely impacting the decision...hey he did turn it on late though

 

[phillyirish]

Wonder if that's based on skill (is he the 3rd best TE in college football?) or just based on predicted stats.

Probably potential.

 

[NDdomer2]

Does anyone think we target him a ton in red zone? I feel like Kelly wants to show Niklas what he missed and try turn this kid into first rounder.

 

[#1rish]

I'm a BeKoyliever

 

[wizards8507]

I'm a BeKoyliever

How about Beniyack?

Like maniac? Pretty bad but it can't be worse than BeKoyliever.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 4

 

[Johannes]

I'm a BeKoyliever

 

[Irish8248]

Does anyone think we target him a ton in red zone? I feel like Kelly wants to show Niklas what he missed and try turn this kid into first rounder.

The furthest thing from BKs mind is proving something to Troy. Absolutely no incentive

 

[NDdomer2]

The furthest thing from BKs mind is proving something to Troy. Absolutely no incentive

Wishful thinking bro wishful thinking

 

[ResLife Hero]

Kiper releases top tight ends for 2015 draft

Mel Kiper released his list of tight ends for the 2015 NFL draft, and Nick O'Leary of Florida State was his top senior and Michigan's Devin Funchess is his top underclassman. Kiper stresses that these are preliminary lists, and said he has a lot of evaluating to do before the draft. You can click here to read Kiper's comments about all 11 tight ends. It is an ESPN Insider story, so a subscription is required.
Kiper's top senior tight ends
1. Nick O'Leary, Florida State
2. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
3. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
4. Gerald Christian, Louisville
5. Clive Walford, Miami
Top underclassmen
1. Devin Funchess
2. Jay Rome, Georgia
3. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
4. Kyle Carter, Penn State
5a. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
5b. Caleb Smith, Oregon State

 

[irishfan]

Looks like a weak year for TEs....no offense to Koyack cause I could easily see him being a 2nd-4th round guy, but not many big names this year.

Also, hopefully Mike Heuerman follows in big bro's footsteps.

 

[Luckylucci]

Niklas was a high draft pick anyways but he's more than likely the #1 TE with that group and a Macky Award front runner.

 

[dublinirish]

Jeez that list is pretty poor alright. I wouldnt take any of those guys til Round 3