Notre Dame's Tight End Production Through The Years

With Alize Jones in the fold, it appeared as if Notre Dame’s tight end position would be making a comeback.

But when the sophomore was suspended for the season due to academic reasons the position took a hit, and the production has continued to decline.

Through nine games, Notre Dame’s tight ends — senior Durham Smythe and junior Nic Weishar — had a combined nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Smythe, the regular starter and more of a receiving threat than Weishar, had seven of those catches for 71 yards and both touchdowns.

“That rapport is definitely growing and my trust in him it through the roof,” junior quarterback DeShone Kizer said of Smythe. “So anytime we're down there, and if there's an opportunity to put the ball near him, with his size and his experience, I'm going to definitely throw the ball his way.”

Jones was Notre Dame’s leading receiver at tight end last season with 13 receptions and 190 yards. Smythe missed all but the very start and very end of last year because of injury.

This year, Notre Dame quarterbacks have thrown 278 passes intended for Irish pass catchers. Just 19 have been gone to tight ends — 14 to Smythe and five to Weishar.

In the past two games against Miami and Navy, Smythe has been looked to near the goal line. He nearly caught a game-winning touchdown against Miami before fumbling on the one-yard line. He scored from 8 yards out against Navy.

“Last year we didn't target the tight ends much in red zone, and this year we put an emphasis on getting to our veteran guys when we're down there,” Kizer said. “Durham is a guy that when I throw the ball his way, in my mind, every time it's a catch.

“So if the defense is going to give us an opportunity to put a linebacker on a guy who has been here for as many years as he has and has the experience that he has, it's my job to make sure that the ball gets to him.”

Still, the 11.1 receiving yards per game Notre Dame tight ends are averaging this season continues a slow decline at the position during head coach Brian Kelly’s tenure.

From 2010-12, Tyler Eifert was a huge part of the Irish passing game, including a career-high 803 yards in 2011 as a junior. In 2013 it was Troy Niklas tallying 498 yards, and in 2014 Ben Koyack had 317 yards. All three players are currently in the NFL.

Here’s a look at the tight end production during Kelly’s seven seasons.

2016: 11.1 yards per game

2015: 17.9

2014: 24.9

2013: 51.5

2012: 61.5

2011: 63.5

2010: 54.8

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