#85 Troy Niklas 2012-13 Football Roster

NiklaS[apos] HONORS & AWARDS

• 2013 Mackey Award Watch List

niklas[apos] career highs

Points scored: 6, at Boston College, Nov. 10, 2012

Touchdowns: 1, at Boston College, Nov. 10, 2012

Receptions: 1, 5 times

Receiving yards: 30, Purdue, Sept. 8, 2012 (1 receptions)

Receiving TDs: 1, at Boston College, Nov. 10, 2012

Long reception: 30, Purdue, Sept. 8, 2012

All-purpose yards: 30, Purdue, Sept. 8, 2012

Tackles: 4, Boston College, Nov. 19, 2011 (0-4)

Fumbles recovered: 1, Navy, Oct. 29, 2011

JUNIOR SEASON (2013): Started all 13 games, one of just four Notre Dame players to start every game … caught 32 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns, ranking third on the Irish in all three categories … the five touchdown catches were one shy of the seasonal Notre Dame tight end record of six set by Ken MacAfee in 1977 … registered eight receptions of at least 20 yards … averaged 15.6 yards per reception, which is the highest per catch average over at least 10 grabs since Jabari Holloway in 1999 (12 for 189, 15.8 ypc) … made four catches for 76 yards in the victory over Rutgers (Dec. 28) in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl … collected a pair of passes for 24 yards at Stanford (Nov. 30) … had two catches against both of the service academies Notre Dame faced, Air Force (Oct. 26) and Navy (Nov. 2) … scored a touchdown on one of his four catches against USC (Oct. 19), gaining 58 yards on the night … had three catches, including a touchdown, good for 49 yards against Arizona State (Oct. 5) … hauled in a 30-yard fourth quarter touchdown against Oklahoma (Sept. 28) as the Irish tried to rally back … had his biggest numbers of the year in one of the biggest games, catching six passes for 76 yards and a score at Michigan (Sept. 7) … made his one catch count against Temple (Aug. 31), scoring on a 66-yard touchdown.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2012): Made the transition from outside linebacker to tight end during 2012 spring practice … started seven of the team’s 13 games at tight end (started first four games and also vs. Oklahoma, Boston College and Alabama) … one of five Irish receivers to log multiple catches of 25 yards or more … recorded his first career reception for 29 yards in the win over Navy (Sept. 1) … added one catch for a season-long 30 yards against Purdue (Sept. 8) … had one reception for seven yards against Miami (Oct. 6) in the decisive 41-3 rout … scored his first career touchdown on a seven-yard reception at Boston College (Nov. 10) … became the 10th Notre Dame player, and second tight end, to find the end zone in 2012 with the score against the Eagles.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2011): Played in 12 games for the Irish as an outside linebacker, starting the game against Michigan State … tallied career-high four tackles and one-half tackle for loss in win vs. Boston College … recorded two tackles and first career fumble recovery in a win vs. Navy … registered three tackles in start against the Spartans.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Los Angeles Times lineman of the year as senior in 2010 … two-way standout as both offensive and defensive lineman at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., where he played offensive guard and defensive tackle in 2010 … helped Servite to 14-1 record in 2010, a second straight CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division title and runner-up in state playoffs … named co-lineman of the year as senior in Trinity League by Orange County Register … an offensive lineman on Los Angeles Times high school all-star football team for 2010 … first-team all-state offensive lineman by CalHiSports … rated 215th among all prospects nationally on Rivals.com 250 list … rated 11th by SuperPrep among all prospects in California, Nevada and Hawaii … all-CIF Southern Section Pac-5 as defensive lineman as senior by Orange County Register … first-team defensive lineman on Orange County Register all-county team for 2010 … two-time first-team all-Trinity League selection … played tight end on offense until switch to guard as senior in 2010 … made 14 tackles as senior in 48-8 CIF State Open Division title game loss to De La Salle … helped Servite to 2009 California state title (33-20 victory over Rocklin in Division II championship), in addition to Pac-5 and Trinity League crowns … caught 16 passes as tight end for 128 yards and three TDs in 2009 … also helped Servite to Trinity League title as sophomore in 2008 … brother, Austin, was senior linebacker at Air Force in 2012, making 128 tackles to lead team and earning honorable mention all- Mountain West Conference honors … uncle, Bruce Matthews, played at USC, was ninth overall pick in 1983 NFL Draft, earned Pro Bowl honors 14 times while playing with NFL Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983-2001 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 … from same high school as former Irish quarterback standout, NFL veteran and current CBS Sports analyst Steve Beuerlein … played for coach Troy Thomas at Servite … son of Don and Kim Niklas.

Niklas[apos]s Career Statistics