SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame junior tight end Kyle Rudolph said Wednesday he will give up his final season of college eligibility and make himself available for the 2011 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Rudolph leaves the Irish as No. 4 among Notre Dame tight ends in career receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,032).
Rudolph, who has eight career touchdowns, started in 28 of the 29 career games he played at Notre Dame. He ranks in the top 10 in single-season receptions by a tight end in school history, catching 29 passes as a freshman, 33 as a sophomore and 28 in 2010 despite missing the past seven games with a hamstring injury.
Rudolph had a career-best 164 receiving yards on eight receptions against Michigan this past season.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
