May 2, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former University of Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack was selected with the 229th overall pick (12th choice of round seven) in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Koyack was the first Fighting Irish player taken in this year’s draft.
Koyack is the sixth-straight Notre Dame starting tight end and 28th overall to get selected in the NFL Draft.
Koyack started in 21 of his 50 career games for the Irish. He registered 44 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns.
Koyack ranked fourth on Notre Dame in receptions (30), fifth in receiving yards (317) and fourth in touchdown catches (two) in 2014. He was one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award — an award given to the nation’s best tight end. Koyack’s top individual moment came in the thrilling victory over No. 14 Stanford when he hauled in a 23-yard TD grab on a fourth-down play with 1:01 left to give the Irish a 17-14 win.
Koyack becomes the fourth Notre Dame player ever drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and first since Derek Landri in the fifth round of the 2007 draft.
Koyack is the 486th NFL Draft pick in school history — the second most of any school behind USC’s 489. His selection also extended Notre Dame’s record streak of 78 straight years with an NFL draft pick (when including the supplemental draft).
KOYACK’S HONORS AND AWARDS
· Senior Bowl Participant (2015)
· Mackey Award Semifinalist (2014)
· Mackey Award Midseason Watch List (2014)
· Notre Dame Tire Rack Play of the Year
· Mackey Award Watch List (2013, 2014)
· Phil Steele 2014 Preseason Third Team All-American
· Athlon 2014 Sports Preseason Fourth Team All-American
· College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End of the Week (10.6.2014)
· John Mackey Tight End of the Week Honorable Mention (10.8.2014)
· College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (11.10.13)
KOYACK’S CAREER HIGHS
Points scored: 6, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
TDs: 1, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
Receptions: 5, vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014; vs. Purdue, Sept. 13, 2014
Receiving yards: 76, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013 (4 receptions)
Receiving TDs: 1, five times, last vs. Navy, Nov. 1, 2014
Long reception: 38, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013
All-purpose yards: 76, at Pittsburgh, Nov. 9, 2013
Kick returns: 1, North Carolina, Oct. 11, 2014
Kick return yards: -3, North Carolina, Oct. 11, 2014 (1 return)
Tackles: 1, at USC, Nov. 29, 2014 (0-1); at Florida State, Oct. 18, 2014 (1-0)
Year       Round      Pick            Name                               Team
2015     7                   229             Ben Koyack                    Jacksonville Jaguars
2014     2                   52                Troy Niklas                    Arizona Cardinals
2013     1                   21                Tyler Eifert                    Cincinnati Bengals
2011     2                   43                Kyle Rudolph               Minnesota Vikings
2008     2                   38                John Carlson                 Seattle Seahawks
2006     2                   53                Anthony Fasano          Dallas Cowboys
2005     5                   144             Jerome Collins             St. Louis Rams
2002     5                   138             John Owens                  Detroit Lions
2001     4                   119             Jabari Holloway          New England Patriots
2001     6                   195             Dan O’Leary                  Buffalo Bills
1997     5                   135             Pete Chryplewicz      Detroit Lions
1993     1                   20                Irv Smith                         New Orleans Saints
1992     1                   14                Derek Brown                New York Giants
1987     8                   210             Joel Williams                Miami Dolphins
1985     4                   100             Mark Bavaro                 New York Giants
1983     1                   12                Tony Hunter                 Buffalo Bills
1981     7                   189             Pete Holohan               San Diego Chargers
1978     1                   7                   Ken MacAfee                 San Francisco 49ers
1975     16                408             Tom Fine                        Buffalo Bills
1974     2                   45                Dave Casper                 Oakland Raiders
1972     5                   107             Thom Gatewood         New York Giants
1969     5                   119             Jim Winegardner       Chicago Bears
1965     14                185             Dave Pivec                     Chicago Bears
1964     2                   28                Jim Kelly                         Pittsburgh Steelers
1964     4                   55                Paul Costa                      Green Bay Packers
1962     9                   117             John Powers                 Pittsburgh Steelers
1961     10                131             Red Mack                        Pittsburgh Steelers
1960     1                   11                Monty Stickles              San Francisco 49ers