Who would have guessed a year ago with fall camp approaching that a freshman would get serious mention for playing time in Notre Dame’s tight end rotation heading into 2008?
It’s a position the Irish have recruited well since Charlie Weis’ arrival, and 5th-year senior John Carlson’s departure was the only certainty at this time last year.
However, sophomore Konrad Reuland wasn’t a good fit in South Bend and transferred during the 2007 season. His classmate Will Yeatman was involved in an alcohol-related incident and was suspended from Notre Dame’s lacrosse and football teams last semester. His absence left then-freshman Mike Ragone as the only scholarship tight end participating in spring camp.
Thus, a door was opened for Kyle Rudolph and Joseph Fauria - the two promising freshmen Weis and his staff signed in February.
“These two tight ends are two tight ends that are going to press to get involved in the mix pretty quickly in their career because they're both big and athletic,” Weis said at his signing day press conference.
It’s extremely difficult to project who will see the earliest playing time between Rudolph and Fauria, because they’re so similar in size and prep production. Rudolph is 6-foot-7, 235 pounds and Fauria stands 6-7 and weighs 250. As seniors, both caught 30-some passes, had more than 500 receiving yards and at least eight touchdowns.
But because Rudolph was offered first by the Irish coaches and was more highly touted by the media, it suggests the Cincinnati native will be the more likely of the two to see quick time.
It’s a reach to assume that either freshman will be ready to handle the complexities of opposing defensive schemes to see early playing time in blocking situations. So Rudolph’s polish as a receiver might allow him some opportunities on the field in red zone or short yardage situations. Over his final two prep seasons at Elder High School, Rudolph hauled in 69 catches for 1073 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“Kyle is all everything,” Weis continued. “This is a guy who's a dynamic type of athlete who's a First Team All-American by USA Today.”
Here’s a player that should remind a lot of Irish fans of Carlson. In addition to their obvious physical similarities, both players have extensive prep basketball backgrounds. In fact, Elder athletics director, Dave Dabbelt, told BlueandGold.com that Rudolph would have been a legitimate basketball prospect had he chosen the hardwood instead of the gridiron. He’s the second leading scorer in Elder’s history and holds the record for career rebounds. It’s that athleticism that should earn Rudolph plenty of early attention.
“One of the underrated parts of his game is his leaping ability,” Dabbelt said. “When you’re already 6-foot-7 and then you add a great vertical leap to it, it can be scary. There are some balls his QB can throw where he is the only person on the field who can possibly get to them. He is special.”
What’s A Good Season?
Despite the recent drama surrounding the tight end position for the Fighting Irish, Yeatman and Ragone should be able to lock down most of the playing time. Yeatman provides reliability as a blocker and Ragone should be the first receiving option at tight end.
But a player like Rudolph should intrigue Weis – a former tight ends coach – as a third option at the position, and he could be called on in short-yardage, goal line, or jump ball situations, if nothing else, as a decoy. A touchdown or two in 2008 isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Realistically, a season that mirrors Mike Ragone’s freshman season is more reasonable. Rudolph should be able to get his feet wet with some special teams appearances early on and then ease his way into some offensive reps by season’s end. He still has some growing to do after keeping his weight down most of his high school career for the sake of maintaining a basketball physique.
“His weight is down because of hoops,” Weis acknowledged in February. “But as soon as hoops is over we'll take care of that.”
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Thus, a door was opened for 
