Notre Dame’s run to the NFL continues, with Troy Niklas opting to test the NFL’s waters. The junior tight end has decided to leave Notre Dame early and enter the draft, where the 6-foot-7, 260-pound tight end should tempt plenty of teams with his unique blend of power and athleticism.
Niklas had 32 catches for 498 yards and five touchdowns this season and was a Mackey Award semifinalist. After receiving a second round draft grade, Niklas admitted to mulling the decision before ultimately telling media that he was pretty sure he would return to South Bend and play next season. That won’t happen, with Niklas leaving South Bend with two semesters to go on his degree.
Pete Sampson at Irish Illustrated caught up with Don Niklas, Troy’s father, to discuss the decision. He talked about the factors that weighed into the decision.
“He feels that physically he was ready and physically your time is limited as a football player,” Don Niklas told Irish Illustrated. “The mental side of it, he feels he’s ready for that as well. The hardest choice was leaving his friends at Notre Dame.”
That physical limitations were brought up is interesting, considering the struggles Niklas had earlier in his career, with a migraine/concussion situation bringing a scare. Also worth noting is the tight end many think Niklas resembles, the Patriot’s Rob Gronkowski, who signed a big-money extension before injuries have robbed him of the better part of the past two seasons.
Niklas’ departure comes after Alex Welch already announced his plan to head to Miami (Ohio) to play for Chuck Martin. That leaves veteran Ben Koyack to anchor the unit with rising sophomores Mike Heuerman and Durham Smythe getting their first taste of college football, and incoming freshman Nic Weishar and Tyler Luatua picking up the slack. You’ve also got to wonder if the Irish will take another tight end in this recruiting cycle, with Utah’s Dalton Schultz still an option.
Niklas hasn’t selected an agent yet. He’ll likely begin training right away for the NFL Scouting Combine, where he’ll surely open some eyes.
“I have made the very difficult decision to pursue my childhood dream and will enter the 2014 NFL Draft,” Niklas said in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my Notre Dame experience and want to thank the University, coach Kelly, my teammates, the football staff, administration, and my teachers, as well as all of my friends and the entire Notre Dame community for providing this Southern California native with the experience of a lifetime. While I will miss being part of the team next year, I will always be part of the Notre Dame family and look forward to returning to earn my degree from the greatest university in the country. Go Irish.”