Notre Dame lost what could have been its best 2020 offensive weapon when junior tight end Cole Kmet declared for the NFL draft on Thursday. Kmet received a second-round draft evaluation from the NFL, making it logical to forgo not only his final season of football eligibility but also baseball this spring, where he worked as a relief pitcher.
Kmet caught 43 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns this season, even though he missed the first two games with a broken collarbone. Upon his return, the Irish targeted him quickly and often, including three of their first four offensive snaps at Georgia.