Humble Eifert has made huge strides

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The confidence Tyler Eifert has in his biggest decision, when he bypassed the NFL draft and returned to school to improve his skillset, is evident as he discusses his all-around game.
A lot of time, sweat and study have been poured into developing the Notre Dame tight ends blocking and route running this season.
Already an elite pass catcher before 2012, the humble senior wont try and quantify just how much his entire game has improved.
But he doesnt need to, as his coaches and teammates are more than willing to douse you with a long list of superlatives about Eiferts play. And then of course theres Eiferts 2012 Mackey Award trophy, awarded annually to the nations top tight end.
While Eifert wont say how much he has improved, he does admit he sees the difference whenever coaches pop in game film from previous seasons.
When I go back and watch (2011 tape) its just like, Yeah, what are you doing out there right now?Eifert said earlier this week as Notre Dame ramped up its preparation for its Jan. 7 meeting with Alabama in the BCS Championship Game in Miami. When we watch film on other teams, we see ourselves with teams weve already played, like Boston College, and you see yourself out there. Ive definitely gotten better every year.
Eiferts play in 2011, when he set a school record for tight ends with 63 catches and 803 receiving yards, made him aware success in the NFL isnt a far-fetched dream.
He already has been evaluated as a potential third-round draft pick in last Aprils draft. But with two years of eligibility left, the Fort Wayne, Ind.-product returned to campus in hopes of refining his game.
Tight end coach Scott Booker has no doubt Eifert made the right choice. Booker said Eifert has been determined since then to better understand his role as a blocker, to improve his blocking technique and how to improve his receiving routes.
Right off the get-go he did a great job of understanding where he wanted to improve, Booker said. Hes able to stay in there and block anybody in the country now and (you see) his ability to be able to separate from cornerbacks when hes out there one-on-one or inside getting separation from second-level defenders.
Said Eifert: I try to get better every week, try to watch the film and see what I did wrong and try to fix that stuff.
While Eiferts overall repertoire has clearly improved, it appeared earlier this season to come at the cost of his own offensive production. With the team in the middle of a quarterback transition from junior Tommy Rees to freshman Everett Golson, the opportunity for Eifert to make plays hasnt been as plentiful.
Eiferts production has picked up of late, but through the teams first five games he had only 11 catches and also saw his 22-game catch streak -- the longest among FBS tight ends -- snapped on Sept. 15 against Michigan State.
But through it all, if ever there was frustration on Eiferts end, wide receiver Robby Toma admits hes impressed because he has never heard a peep from the tight end.
'Eif' is one of the great examples of being selfless, Toma said. The first couple games I had more catches than 'Eif,' and he had a chance to go to the NFL. For him to come back and not complain about not catching enough balls, not getting enough touchdowns just spoke volumes to Eifs character.
Eifert has had little to complain about down the stretch. Twenty-two of his 44 grabs this season have come over Notre Dames last four games. Eifert also has the comfort knowing that 32 of his 44 grabs have resulted in either a touchdown or a first down.
Everett has done a great job of finding him and putting the ball where it needs to be placed and Tyler has done a good job of getting into position to make the plays, Booker said.
Despite it all, the gains he has made on the field and in the locker room, where Toma identified him as a leader because of his character, Eifert wont budge on just how much he has developed.
I dont know how much better Ive gotten, Eifert said.
Booker isnt as humble. He believes Eifert has a successful road ahead of him.
The sky is the limit for him, Booker said. You see a lot of guys in the NFL with the same skillset being very productive for a lot of different teams and a lot of different type of offenses.

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