Troy Niklas
 Niklas in the 2014 NFL season. | |||||||||
| No. 87 – Arizona Cardinals | |||||||||
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| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | September 18, 1992 Fullerton, California | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 270 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Notre Dame | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2014 / round: 2 / pick: 52 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Roster status: | Injured reserve | ||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2016 | |||||||||
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Troy Niklas (born September 18, 1992) is an American football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.
High school
Niklas attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He was a two-way standout as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He helped lead Servite to 14–1 record in 2010, a second straight CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division title and runner-up in state playoffs. He was named the Los Angeles Times lineman of the year as a senior in 2010.[1]
Also a standout athlete, Niklas was one of the state's top performers in the discus throw (top throw of 54.10 meters as a senior).[2]
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the 24th-best offensive tackle prospect in the nation.[3] He accepted a scholarship from Notre Dame over offers from Stanford and USC.[4]
College career
Niklas attended the University of Notre Dame from 2011 to 2013. As a freshman, he played as a linebacker, appearing in 12 games with one start against Michigan State. He was moved to tight end as a sophomore.[5] Playing behind Tyler Eifert, he caught 5 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown. As a junior, he hauled in 32 receptions for 498 yards with five touchdowns.
On January 9, 2014, Niklas announced his intentions to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.[6]
Professional career
2014 NFL Draft
Niklas was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[7]
On September 27, 2016, Niklas was placed on injured reserve.[8]
Personal life
Niklas' 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.
References
- ^ "Servite's Troy Niklas is selected The Times' lineman of the year". latimes.
- ^ "Football Talent Advisors". footballtalentadvisors.com.
- ^ "Troy Niklas". yahoo.com.
- ^ Andy Hutchins. "Troy Niklas Commits To Notre Dame Over USC On National Signing Day". SBNation.com. Vox Media.
- ^ "Chicago Sun-Times – Chicago : News : Politics : Things To Do : Sports". Chicago.
- ^ "2014 NFL draft – Troy Niklas of Notre Dame Fighting Irish forgoing final year of eligibility". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Cardinals select Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas with No. 52 pick in 2014 NFL Draft". Arizona Sports. May 10, 2014.
- ^ Urban, Darren. "Troy Niklas To IR; Cardinals Cut Canaday". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.