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Notre Dame Football: The Best Irish Players To Wear No. 9

By Connor McJunkin

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SETPEMBER 19: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulls away from Roderick Jenrette #40 of the Michigan State Spartans on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 33-30. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Kyle Rudolph, TE, 2008 – 2010

It isn’t a secret that Notre Dame is widely known for producing great tight ends (though the numbers might say otherwise), and Kyle Rudolph was the poster boy for Notre Dame tight ends in the 2000s.

Rudolph finished his career as one of the All-Time leaders in Irish history for receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,032) by a tight end and tallied eight receiving touchdowns. He is one of five Irish tight ends to surpass the 1,000 yard receiving mark. If he hadn’t missed half the season his junior year, you could undoubtedly added a couple hundred yards and a few more touchdowns on to his career totals.

If for not being one of the best tight ends to ever play for the Irish, he will always be remembered for his game-winning touchdown catch vs. Purdue in 2009 and his 95 yard touchdown reception late in the game vs. Michigan in 2010.

Rudolph was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He is heading into his eighth season with the Vikings, where he is a two-time Pro Bowler and has 37 career receiving touchdowns to date.

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