Tyler Eifert Heading To NFL Draft

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - After Monday's BCS National Championship game Tyler Eifert finalized his plans for the future, as the Bishop Dwenger grad declared he would enter the 2013 NFL draft.

Eifert would have had one year of eligibility left at Notre Dame had he applied for a fifth season. Eifert played sparingly his first year on campus and had back surgery during the season. Notre Dame doesn't use a "redshirt program" like most schools, so Eifert would have had to apply for what would amount to a redshirt season based on 2009. Former Dwenger standout and Notre Dame teammate John Goodman applied and was granted a fifth season by the NCAA in order to play this past year.

Eifert leaves Notre Dame as the school's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.

He also leaves South Bend with a degree in managerial entrepreneurship. He earned his degree in three and a half years after passing his classes this past semester.

Eifert is considered the best tight end prospect in this April's NFL draft. Many scouts believe he will be selected in the first or second round.