Ben Koyack is the sixth-straight Notre Dame starting tight end to be selected in the NFL Draft.

Ben Koyack Chosen in NFL Draft

May 2, 2015

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former University of Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack was selected with the 229th overall pick (12th choice of round seven) in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Koyack was the first Fighting Irish player taken in this year’s draft.

Koyack is the sixth-straight Notre Dame starting tight end and 28th overall to get selected in the NFL Draft.

Koyack started in 21 of his 50 career games for the Irish. He registered 44 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns.

Koyack ranked fourth on Notre Dame in receptions (30), fifth in receiving yards (317) and fourth in touchdown catches (two) in 2014. He was one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award — an award given to the nation’s best tight end. Koyack’s top individual moment came in the thrilling victory over No. 14 Stanford when he hauled in a 23-yard TD grab on a fourth-down play with 1:01 left to give the Irish a 17-14 win.

Koyack becomes the fourth Notre Dame player ever drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and first since Derek Landri in the fifth round of the 2007 draft.

Koyack is the 486th NFL Draft pick in school history — the second most of any school behind USC’s 489. His selection also extended Notre Dame’s record streak of 78 straight years with an NFL draft pick (when including the supplemental draft).

KOYACK’S HONORS AND AWARDS
· Senior Bowl Participant (2015)
· Mackey Award Semifinalist (2014)
· Mackey Award Midseason Watch List (2014)
· Notre Dame Tire Rack Play of the Year
· Mackey Award Watch List (2013, 2014)
· Phil Steele 2014 Preseason Third Team All-American
· Athlon 2014 Sports Preseason Fourth Team All-American
· College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End of the Week (10.6.2014)
· John Mackey Tight End of the Week Honorable Mention (10.8.2014)
· College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (11.10.13)

KOYACK’S CAREER HIGHS
Points scored: 6, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
TDs: 1, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
Receptions: 5, vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014; vs. Purdue, Sept. 13, 2014
Receiving yards: 76, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013 (4 receptions)
Receiving TDs: 1, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
Long reception: 38, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013
All-purpose yards: 76, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013
Kick returns: 1, North Carolina, Oct. 11, 2014
Kick return yards: -3, North Carolina, Oct. 11, 2014 (1 return)
Tackles: 1, at USC, Nov. 29, 2014 (0-1); at Florida State, Oct. 18, 2014 (1-0)

Year        Round       Pick             Name                                Team

2015      7                    229              Ben Koyack                     Jacksonville Jaguars

2014      2                    52                 Troy Niklas                     Arizona Cardinals

2013      1                    21                 Tyler Eifert                     Cincinnati Bengals

2011      2                    43                 Kyle Rudolph                Minnesota Vikings

2008      2                    38                 John Carlson                  Seattle Seahawks

2006      2                    53                 Anthony Fasano           Dallas Cowboys

2005      5                    144              Jerome Collins              St. Louis Rams

2002      5                    138              John Owens                   Detroit Lions

2001      4                    119              Jabari Holloway           New England Patriots

2001      6                    195              Dan O’Leary                   Buffalo Bills

1997      5                    135              Pete Chryplewicz       Detroit Lions

1993      1                    20                 Irv Smith                          New Orleans Saints

1992      1                    14                 Derek Brown                 New York Giants

1987      8                    210              Joel Williams                 Miami Dolphins

1985      4                    100              Mark Bavaro                  New York Giants

1983      1                    12                 Tony Hunter                  Buffalo Bills

1981      7                    189              Pete Holohan                San Diego Chargers

1978      1                    7                    Ken MacAfee                  San Francisco 49ers

1975      16                 408              Tom Fine                         Buffalo Bills

1974      2                    45                 Dave Casper                  Oakland Raiders

1972      5                    107              Thom Gatewood          New York Giants

1969      5                    119              Jim Winegardner        Chicago Bears

1965      14                 185              Dave Pivec                      Chicago Bears

1964      2                    28                 Jim Kelly                          Pittsburgh Steelers

1964      4                    55                 Paul Costa                       Green Bay Packers

1962      9                    117              John Powers                  Pittsburgh Steelers

1961      10                 131              Red Mack                         Pittsburgh Steelers

1960      1                    11                 Monty Stickles               San Francisco 49ers