Tyler Gregory Eifert (born September 8, 1990) is an American football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Bengals in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame and was recognized as the top college tight end.
Early years
Eifert attended Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic School and Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He played tight end and defensive back in football and power forward in basketball. As a senior he had nine touchdowns on offense and 97 tackles and five interceptions on defense. Considered only a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he chose Notre Dame over offers from Indiana, Minnesota and Purdue.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. ... As a double-duty senior, Eifert helped lead his high school team to a 14-1 record, catching 41-for-682 with 10 TDs and adding 97 tackles with four INTs (one for a TD) ... Was a versatile performer, seeing action during his career at WR, TE, S, punter and kick returner.
College career
Eifert enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 2009 to 2012. As a freshman in 2009, Eifert played in only one game after suffering a back injury. As a sophomore in 2010 he entered the season as a backup to Kyle Rudolph, but took over as the starter after Rudolph suffered a season-ending injury. He finished the season with 27 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. In his junior season, he took over the starting position. As a starter, Eifert had 63 receptions for 803 yards and five touchdowns. He broke the school's tight end single season receptions and receiving yards record, previously held by Ken MacAfee. He was named a 2011 Mackey Award finalist, but did not win the award. As a senior, he had 50 receptions for 685 yards with 4 touchdowns. He also won the 2012 Mackey Award after being named a finalist the year before, and was also named second team All-American by the Associated Press.
After a 42-14 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, Eifert decided to forgo his final season of eligibility and declared his intentions to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
Professional career
2013 NFL Draft
He was selected 21st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
Started Games 1-15, catching 39-for-445 with two TDs ... Inactive for Game 16 due to stinger suffered in Game 15 ... In NFL debut Sept. 8 at Chicago, caught five-for-47 ... Had three receptions for 66 yards Sept. 16 vs. Pittsburgh, including a 61-yarder to set up a TD that was longest Bengals reception by a TE since 2004 (Matt Schobel, 76) ... Caught one-for-seven Sept. 22 vs. Green Bay ... Caught three-for-39 on Sept. 29 at Cleveland, including 29-yarder that was team’s longest scrimmage gain of the day ... Tied for team lead with five receptions Oct. 6 vs. New England, and his 53 receiving yards ranked second on team ... Caught three-for-45 Oct. 20 at Detroit, scoring first NFL touchdown on a 32-yard pass on which he beat tight coverage while falling to the ground in the end zone ... Caught three-for-55 Nov. 10 at Baltimore, including a 40-yard reception in which he stayed in-bounds and scampered down the sideline after catch ... Caught one-for-15 Nov. 17 vs. Cleveland ... Caught one-for-nine Dec. 1 at San Diego ... Caught three-for-20 on Dec. 8 vs. Indianapolis ... Caught three-for-33 on Dec. 15 at Pittsburgh, with one-yard TD catch on a fourth-and-goal play in fourth quarter ... Caught one-for-six Dec. 22 vs. Minnesota before leaving game in first half with a stinger.
Personal life
His father, Greg, played basketball for Purdue during the early 1980s.
Hometown is Fort Wayne, Ind. ... Finance major at Notre Dame ... Father, Greg, played basketball at Purdue, playing in 115 games under coach Gene Keady ... Last name is pronounced “IE(rhymes with ‘tie’)-fert.”
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