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Notre Dame Football: 2017 Freshman Breakdown – Cole Kmet

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 39-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 39-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football added two of the best tight ends in the country with their 2017 recruiting class.

Cole Kmet: Tight End, (Arlington Heights, IL), St. Viator

Cole Kmet is the third ranked tight end and third ranked player in the state of Illinois according to 247 and Rivals. He committed to Notre Dame on October 2, 2015.

Kmet finished his high school career with 93 receptions for 1,385 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. His senior season, Kmet caught 48 passes for 773 yards and four touchdowns.

The four-star tight end committed to Notre Dame over Michigan, Baylor, Illinois and others. He heads to South Bend with with the nation’s second-ranked tight end, Brock Wright.

Kmet comes into Notre Dame as one of the best all-around tight ends of the 2017 class. His pass-catching ability is second-to-none. At 6’6, Kmet’s height allows him to reach over almost all defenders, and with his hand size, he’s capable of securing high passes with ease.

His route running is top-notch. As a tight end, Kmet’s speed allows him to outrun most linebackers, while being able to cut and out juke corners and safeties. He may not be able to beat defensive backs in a foot race, but with his strength, he can get a strong push off of smaller backs at the line of scrimmage.

When it comes to his blocking, Kmet is one of the best. He’s a powerful outside blocker who has proven his worth in the run and pass block. His use of hands gives him the control with defenders, while he’s surprisingly able to stay low at 6’6. He’s one of the strongest players in Notre Dame’s class and can control both outside linebackers/edge rushers and defensive tackles.

Projection

With the amount of tight ends on the roster in 2017, Kmet will likely be redshirted. Head coach, Brian Kelly, is looking future with this end. With Aliz Jones returning, Durham Smythe coming back for a fifth-year, and Brock Wright joining the team, Notre Dame has a lot of quality tight ends next season.

After a season of sitting, Kmet should step into a role alongside Wright. As the dynamic duo begin creating their own “Tight End U” legacy, they’ll be used as two of the Irish’s top receivers and blockers.

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Kmet’s future is bright. As a young talent with all the physical attributes a tight end needs, he’s looking at a successful career at Notre Dame. With 2017 classmate, Wright, next to him, the Irish are set to have another pair strong playmakers to carry their reputation once again.

Check out Cole Kmet’s 247 profile, Rivals profile, and Hudl highlights here.

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