Aug. 7, 2014
CULVER, Ind. – The final full day at Culver Academies was a versatile and productive one for the Notre Dame football team. Thursday saw the team’s fourth practice of the fall and its last before NCAA bylaws allow teams to don full pads.
The team held a spirited two-hour practice in the morning on both Culver’s Oliver Field and the adjacent practice field. After lunch, the team split up, many enjoying the Culver Challenge Course while others took up archery, fishing and horseback riding. The Irish spent the afternoon in the weight room with director of football strength and conditioning Paul Longo and his staff. After a salmon dinner, the team enjoyed either some down time or a showing of “Bad Words” in Culver’s Eileen Dicke Theatre.
The team will hold its first padded practice of camp on Friday morning at Culver before returning to South Bend for the remainder of fall camp building up to the August 30th opener against defending Conference USA champion Rice.
MEANS TO AN END: Elite high school football players dream of making the NFL and, if your position is tight end, Notre Dame should be high on your list. Each of the last five starting tight ends for the Irish have been taken in the NFL Draft’s second round or higher.
“Everyone knows about them,” said Ben Koyack who aims to continue this trend. “I still talk to Troy (Niklas) a lot. All of those guys support each other. We all came from Notre Dame and it’s something we’re all proud of.”
Part of what properly prepared Notre Dame tight ends for success is the guidance of tight ends coach Scott Booker and the offensive system put in place by head coach Brian Kelly.
“You’ve got to be able to do everything,” Koyack said of what it takes to be a successful Notre Dame tight end. “When you line up 70 plays, you’ve got to be able to block. You’ve got to be able to catch. You can’t get away with just being able to do one of those or you’re going to be exposed. You’ve got to come to work every single day to be a better player.”
STRONG AND TRUE UPDATE: Jess Atkinson of 3 Penny Films is once again documenting Notre Dame’s preseason camp for a Strong and True program that will air on the NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 25. On Thursday, Atkinson shot Notre Dame’s stable of running backs in Culver’s remarkable, $19-million Vaughn Equestrian Center. Senior Cam McDaniel, sophomore Greg Bryant and sophomore Tarean Folston all took their respective turns riding one of the stable’s 90 horses.
Just take it Day by day~
– Jaylon Smith (@JaeeSmiff9ENT) August 8, 2014
KeiVarae Russell may hold key to #NotreDame defense, via @ChristopherHine. http://t.co/FdPzKoNB4W pic.twitter.com/2qxqFtassZ
– ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) August 8, 2014
Thanks to first rounder Zack Martin of ND, perhaps? RT @Alex_Flanagan: Heard from many inside organization that Oline is dallas’ strength.
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 8, 2014
ESPN Insider @TravHaneyESPN‘s Top 50 Breakout Players:1. Jake Coker2. Leonard Fournette3. Jalen RamseyTop 50: http://t.co/jYOskLQOnS
– College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 7, 2014
Former @NDFootball WR RT@NFLRT: #Lions WR Golden Tate has dropped 5 of 149 catchable passes in last 3 years; lowest rate of any WR in NFL.
– Aaron Horvath (@NDSportsBlogger) August 8, 2014
Just finished staff meeting and this is our view #CampCulver pic.twitter.com/q10ThfOK0Q
– Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) August 8, 2014
.@NDJackNolan spoke with one of the stars of the famed Tight End U @koymonster in our daily interview segment http://t.co/wS94FGtCtf
– WatchND by @stjoemed (@WatchND) August 8, 2014
Ben Koyack is the heir at Tight End U. and primed to become another coveted NFL prospect.http://t.co/sAplELMjhE
– Lou Somogyi (@BGI_LouSomogyi) August 8, 2014
#23Days RT @mattcashore ND Stadium sunrise pic.twitter.com/0dYsHnmcuu
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Locked in with Paul Longo #CampCulver pic.twitter.com/eMk4XYqS0d
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Today’s practice report/position profile takes an in-depth look the famed Tight End U & it’s mastermind @CoachSBooker http://t.co/mCT8wX1ANg
– WatchND by @stjoemed (@WatchND) August 8, 2014
Plenty of different activities at #CampCulver. Greg Bryant can no longer say he’s never ridden a horse. https://t.co/apn5Oi9tDl
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Great to have the ladies of @NDFootball all here for practice and lunch at #CampCulver (photo by @CoachTonyAlford) pic.twitter.com/pN7vsaDdp2
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Notre Dame’s 21 wins the past two years is the most in back-to-back season since ’92-93, when Lou Holtz’s team went 21-2-1. #23DaysToGameDay
– College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 7, 2014
Can’t go wrong with a make your own fajita lunch after a hard practice! pic.twitter.com/nXVO1OqOGH
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Who says you can’t teach football anywhere? @NDFootball on Batten quad in front of Eppley auditorium #CampCulver pic.twitter.com/3ZUt5GVJvY
– Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) August 7, 2014
The Irish have sent several TEs to the NFL lately. Hear about @CoachSBooker‘s 2014 unit tonight at @WatchND pic.twitter.com/IkH2odk3uE
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Time to go to work. #theelitewillrise pic.twitter.com/EUcVJPP2QU
– Dave Peloquin (@dpeloqu1) August 7, 2014
#CampCulver practice four… Let’s go! https://t.co/q8NRRSCU9Q
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
Our last five starting TEs have been at least second round NFL picks. Hear about the next ones later today … https://t.co/2vLHUJIJOq
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014
On my way out to practice. Cool letter from Coach Faust on @NDFootball alum John Mosley. pic.twitter.com/SYt2gAbTyI
– Dave Peloquin (@dpeloqu1) August 7, 2014
Heading to Oliver Field for practice. 23 days to game day. Getting better every one of them. #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/EeP190MrDP
– Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 7, 2014