Posted by Tom Fornelli

The 2011 Notre Dame season has come to an end much the same way the 2010 season did, in that Brian Kelly isn't sure who his starting quarterback will be next season. The good news for Kelly is that while he may not know who he'll have taking the snaps next season, whoever it is will still have tight end Tyler Eifert around to throw the ball to.

According to Irish Illustrated, Eifert informed the Notre Dame coaching staff of his decision on Friday.

"He's really come around and wants to come back," said Tyler's father Greg Eifert. "He wants to come back, get bigger, get stronger and get to a BCS bowl next year."

This is very good news for a Notre Dame offense that is already losing its biggest playmaker in Michael Floyd to the NFL, as Eifert finished the 2011 season second on the team in receptions (63), yards (803) and touchdowns (5). Eifert had submitted his NFL paperwork and was told that he was a third round pick, which was the same grade Michael Floyd heard from the NFL last season before deciding to return to South Bend. Floyd is now a consensus first round pick.

Get caught up on the early-entry announcements HERE, and all the latest rankings, mock drafts, and breaking news check out the NFL Draft Home.  

Keep up with the latest college football news from around the country. From the regular season all the way through the bowl games, CBSSports.com has you covered with this daily newsletter. View a preview. Like us? Tell our Facebook page.

Posted by Tom Fornelli

While Notre Dame fans have spent the last four days waiting for stud wide receiver Michael Floyd to announce his intentions for next season, one of the other bigger threats in the Irish passing attack has reportedly made his decision.  According to a few reports, tight end Kyle Rudolph has decided to forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Rudolph started the year as a pre-season All-American, but injured his hamstring in a game against Pitt earlier this season, and missed Notre Dame's last seven games of the season after having surgery.  It's the second season in a row that Rudolph battled injuries, though when he was on the field, the 6-6, 265-pound tight end was rather productive.

He caught 90 passes for 1,032 yards and 8 touchdowns over three seasons, and many believe he'll be the best tight end in the draft, which likely played a large part in his decision.

The good news for Notre Dame is that Tyler Eifert proved to be a capable replacement for Rudolph after he went down to injury.  Of course, if Michael Floyd decides to enter the draft, and most think he will, that will leave the Irish with two big play-making targets to replace next season.

Update: Notre Dame director of football media relations, Brian Hardin, confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.