Golden Tate, WR

A two-sport standout at Notre Dame, Tate was one of the consistent bright spots for the Fighting Irish.

Tate and quarterback Jimmy Clausen, the team's co-MVPs last season, decided to forego their senior seasons after Irish head coach Charlie Weis was relieved of his duties. All three will vie their wares in the National Football League in 2009.

Before Tate and Clausen bolted, they helped rewrite the school record books. Tate hopes to hear his name called much earlier than his father did during the 1984 draft. Also named Golden, the elder Tate was a standout receiver at Tennessee State and was selected in the fifth round of that draft (120th overall selection) by the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite playing just three seasons for the Irish, Golden Tate III had 15 100-yard receiving games to set the school career record. His nine 100-yard receiving games in 2009 established a Notre Dame single-season record. Additionally, he established new records for most receiving yards in a career (2,707) and season (1,496 in 2009). One of just five players in Irish history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in a season, he joined Jeff Samardzija as the only two to accomplish that feat twice.

Tate's 157 receptions rank third in Notre Dame history, and he established the team's season-record with 93 receptions during his final campaign. He placed eighth on the Irish all-time record list with 909 yards via kickoff returns and ranks second with 4,130 all-purpose yards, as his 1,915 yards in 2009 was the second-highest season total by an Irish player.

Much like Samardzija, Tate excelled on the baseball diamond at Notre Dame. The speedy centerfielder juggled baseball duties with football spring drills, but proved to be a very capable performer. In 2009, he finished third on the team with a .329 batting average, collecting 73 hits that included eight doubles and four triples. He scored 45 runs in 222 at-bats, stealing 13 bases on 14 attempts. In 2007, he was drafted in the 42nd round of the major league baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

At Pope John Paul II High School, Tate was an All-American second-team selection (defense) by USA Today. ESPN rated him the 11th-best overall prospect in the country, and he was named to the Super Southern 100 team by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006. He was one of eleven players from Tennessee selected to the All-Southern team by the Orlando Sentinel and was rated one of top 250 players nationally by Rivals.com, including second among Tennessee prospects and seventh nationally among players in athlete category.

Tate was named American General Tennessee Mr. Football Back of the Year in the Division II A/AA class as both a junior and senior. He was the Charles Greenhill Award winner as top prep player in Tennessee and Middle Tennessee High School Football Player of the Year for 2006 by the Lawrenceburg (Tenn.) Quarterback Club. The Tennessee Division II first-team All-State pick by Tennessee Sports Writers Association and Tennessee Football Coaches Association, he added named Sumner County Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

That season, Tate excelled as a running back and defensive back. He rushed 140 times for 1,413 yards and 23 touchdowns, as he also had 28 receptions for 510 yards and six scores. He registered three interceptions on defense, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and was the Knights' punter (long of 62 yards among his 19 kicks) for a team that finished with a 7-3 record.

An All-State selection as a junior, Tate was named to the Nashville Tennessean Dream Team and All-Midstate squad (chosen Midstate Player of the Year by The Tennessean). That season, he rushed for 1,041 yards on 137 carries with 14 touchdowns and gained 812 receiving yards on 38 catches with 11 scores. He returned 17 punts for 231 yards and 19 kickoffs for 426 yards, as three of those kicks resulted in touchdowns.

Tate was one of the most coveted recruits in the country and his arrival at Notre Dame coincided with the re-emergence of the passing game. Before he departed the team, he would go down as one of the most prolific receivers in Notre Dame history. However, he had to patiently bide his time as a freshman.

Even though he played in 12 games, Tate was generally relegated to return duties. He made six catches for 131 yards (21.83-yard average) and a touchdown in two late season starts, giving Irish fans a glimpse at the future. He also averaged 21.73 yards on 15 kickoff returns.

Tate started eight of the 13 games in which he played in at the "X" receiver (split end) position in 2008. He became the fifth player in school history to reach over 1,000 yards receiving, pacing the Irish with 58 receptions for 1,080 yards (18.62-yard average), as his ten touchdowns were the seventh-best season total in school annals.

Tate added 37 yards on five carries and returned 26 kicks for 521 yards (20.04-yard average) that year. He also gained 116 yards on 14 punt returns and produced 1,754 all-purpose yards, the fourth-best season total by an Irish player.

The 2009 season ended on a sour note for Notre Dame, as they failed to earn a major bowl berth and dismissed head coach Charlie Weis. But, Tate filled up the trophy case at home, as he was named to virtually every All-American first-team. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, given to college football's premier wide receiver.

Tate started all 12 games, setting school single-season records for receptions (93), yards receiving (1,496), yards receiving per game (124.67) and tied the Irish mark with 15 touchdown grabs. Proving to be a dangerous threat any time he touched the ball, he rushed 25 times for 186 yards (7.44 -yard average) and a pair of scores. He added 171 yards with a touchdown on 12 punt returns and had three kickoff returns for 62 yards, as his 1,915 all-purpose yards rank second on the Notre Dame season-record chart.

Soon after the 2009 season ended, Tate decided that he would leave Notre Dame for the National Football League.

"Golden obviously has a unique personality," Weis said. "He's somebody that you could see wanting to hang out with for the night just to watch him. I think it would be humorous just to be a fly on the wall for a night and just to watch him, because he probably puts on a performance."

Analysis

Release: Has adequate quickness off the line, but takes time to get to top speed. Most corners play off because he is the team's deep threat. Separates using hesitation move and pure speed once past the five-yard zone. Must be more effective using his hands to fight off the jam.

Hands: Fights for the ball in the air, usually winning with outstanding vertical and want-to despite giving up size. Makes difficult catches in traffic or when being interfered with. Adjusts well to high and low throws, displaying strong hands on high throws. Tracks the ball over either shoulder, good concentration to win in deep balls. Did drop some balls in crucial situations in 2009, and traps the ball against his chest when facing the passer.

Route running: Coached well in this aspect, and is a threat to run any route in the tree. Drops his hips and gets separation on out routes. Sells routes with head fake, getting between defenders down the seam in a hurry. Excellent awareness of the sideline, tapping feet to stay in-bounds. Extends his arms to create space downfield. Makes himself available to scrambling quarterbacks.

After the catch: Runs like a tailback after the catch or when taking the snap in a Wildcat formation, and could be used in both those duties at the next level. Elusive after the catch, displaying excellent vision and balance in the open field. Tough runner for his size due to strong lower-body build; able to push away would-be tacklers and usually pushes forward for additional yardage instead of heading to the sideline. Doesn't have elite acceleration after stopping his route or being hit, and will be caught from behind when defenders have a fair angle. Needs to put the ball in his outside hand to prevent turnovers. Uses his strength, hands and vision to get into the open on punt returns and is tough to track down once free.

Blocking: When reaching his man, Tate uses his aggressive nature to latch on and sustain. Willing to drive his man downfield if needed. Doesn't always get to his target, however; must get more involved on the edge.

Intangibles: Tough player who does anything necessary to score or get the first down. Big personality in a small package, likes to talk on and off the field. No major character concerns.

Release: Has adequate quickness off the line, but takes time to get to top speed. Most corners play off because he is the team's deep threat. Separates using hesitation move and pure speed once past the five-yard zone. Must be more effective using his hands to fight off the jam.

Hands: Fights for the ball in the air, usually winning with outstanding vertical and want-to despite giving up size. Makes difficult catches in traffic or when being interfered with. Adjusts well to high and low throws, displaying strong hands on high throws. Tracks the ball over either shoulder, good concentration to win in deep balls. Did drop some balls in crucial situations in 2009, and traps the ball against his chest when facing the passer.

Route running: Coached well in this aspect, and is a threat to run any route in the tree. Drops his hips and gets separation on out routes. Sells routes with head fake, getting between defenders down the seam in a hurry. Excellent awareness of the sideline, tapping feet to stay in-bounds. Extends his arms to create space downfield. Makes himself available to scrambling quarterbacks.

After the catch: Runs like a tailback after the catch or when taking the snap in a Wildcat formation, and could be used in both those duties at the next level. Elusive after the catch, displaying excellent vision and balance in the open field. Tough runner for his size due to strong lower-body build; able to push away would-be tacklers and usually pushes forward for additional yardage instead of heading to the sideline. Doesn't have elite acceleration after stopping his route or being hit, and will be caught from behind when defenders have a fair angle. Needs to put the ball in his outside hand to prevent turnovers. Uses his strength, hands and vision to get into the open on punt returns and is tough to track down once free.

Blocking: When reaching his man, Tate uses his aggressive nature to latch on and sustain. Willing to drive his man downfield if needed. Doesn't always get to his target, however; must get more involved on the edge.

Intangibles: Tough player who does anything necessary to score or get the first down. Big personality in a small package, likes to talk on and off the field. No major character concerns.

In 37 games at Notre Dame, Tate started 22 contests, catching 157 passes for 2,707 yards (17.24-yard average) and 26 touchdowns … Carried 31 times for 227 yards (7.32-yard average) and three touchdowns, adding 909 yards on 44 kickoff returns and 287 yards with a touchdown on 26 punt returns (11.04-yard average) … Scored 180 points, recorded two solo tackles and touched the ball 258 times for 4,130 yards, averaging 16.01 yards per attempt and 111.62 yards per game … Tate's 157 receptions tied Tom Gatewood (1969-71) for third on the school career-record list, topped by Jeff Samardzija (179, 2003-06) and Rhema McKnight (170, 2002-06) … His 93 receptions in 2009 shattered the previous Irish season-record of 89 by Samardzija in 2006 and his 58 grabs in 2008 placed eighth on the school annual record chart … His 11 catches vs. Boston College in 2009 tied Jim Kelly (vs. Pittsburgh in 1962) for the fifth-best game performance by an Irish player … Set the Notre Dame all-time record with 2,707 yards receiving, surpassing the old mark of 2,593 yards by Jeff Samardzija (2003-06) … Joined Samardzija as the only two of the five Irish players to gain over 1,000 yards in a season to accomplish that feat twice … Tate's 1,496 receiving yards in 2009 broke the old school season-record of 1,249 yards by Samardzija in 2005 … Tate's 1,080 receiving yards in 2008 rank sixth on that annual list … Is the only player in school history to produce two 200-yard receiving performances, accomplishing that feat vs. Washington (244) and Stanford (201) in 2009 … Only Jim Seymour (276 vs. Purdue in 1966) gained more yards receiving in a game that Tate's 244 in the 2009 Washington clash … His 201 yards vs. Stanford placed seventh on that chart … His average of 124.67 yards receiving in 2009 topped the previous Irish season-record of 123.1 yards by Jim Seymour (1966) … In the 2008 Michigan game, Tate averaged 31.8 yards per reception, the third-best game average by an Irish receiver … Holds the school career-record with fifteen 100-yard receiving performances, topping Tom Gatewood's old mark of 14 (1969-71) … His nine 100-yard receiving performances in 2009 broke Gatewood's previous Irish season-record of eight in 1970 … Had 26 touchdown catches for Notre Dame, surpassed by only Jeff Samardzija (27, 2003-06) on the school career-record list … His 15 touchdown grabs in 2009 tied the school season-record that he shares with Rhema McKnight (2006) and Samardzija (2005) … Had three touchdowns vs. Stanford in 2009 and vs. Hawaii in 2008, as only Maurice Stovall (four vs. Brigham Young in 2005) was ahead of Tate on the Irish game-record list … Ranks eighth in school history with 909 yards gained via kickoff returns … His 521 kickoff return yards in 2008 rank eighth on the Notre Dame season-record chart … His combined kick return yards (punts/kickoffs) of 637 in 2008 rank eighth on the school annual record list and his combined 1,196 return yards placed seventh on the school career-record chart … His 87-yarder vs. Pittsburgh in 2009 was the sixth-longest punt return in school history and the longest by an Irish player since Ricky Waters set the Irish record with a 97-yard return vs. Southern Methodist in 1989 … Tate's 4,130 all-purpose yards rank seventh on the Irish career-record chart … His 1,754 all-purpose yards in 2008 placed fourth and his 1,915 yards in 2009 rank second on the school career-record chart behind Tim Brown (1,937 yards in 1986 and 1,847 in 1987) … Had 42 receptions that gained at least 20 yards during his career, including 20 in 2009, as 29 of his grabs went for distances of 30 yards or longer … In 2009, Tate scored a touchdown, by either rushing, receiving or punt return, in ten consecutive games, matching the longest streak in school history that was set by Autry Denson in 1998 … Tate had a string of eight straight games with at least one touch-down reception in 2009 (each of his final eight contests), tying the school record that was first set by Jeff Samardzija in 2005.

Consensus All-American first-team selection … Recipient of the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's premier wide receiver … Shared team Most Valuable player honors with quarterback Jimmy Clausen … Earned AT&T/ESPN All-America Player of the Week honors vs. Washington and CFPA Punt Return Performer of the Week accolades vs. Pittsburgh …

Semi-finalist for the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award … Started all twelve games at the "X" receiver (split end) position, setting school season-records with 93 receptions for 1,496 yards (16.09-yard average), as his 15 touchdown catches tied another Irish annual mark … Ranked third in the nation and set another Notre Dame record with an average of 124.67 yards per game receiving … Rushed 25 times for 186 yards (7.44-yard average) and a pair of scores … Returned 12 punts for 171 yards (14.25-yard average) and a touchdown, adding 62 yards on three kickoff returns (20.67-yard average) … His 1,915 all-purpose yards rank second on the school annual record charts and his average of 159.58 all-purpose yards per game placed third in the nation … Scored 108 points, as his average of 7.75 receptions per game rank eighth in the major college ranks … Caught 69.92% of the passes targeted to him (93-of-133), as Tate converted 10-of-19 third-down passes … Made 27 of his catches inside the red zone, including 11 on goal-line plays … Had 57 receptions for at least ten yards, including 20 for 20 yards or longer (12 of those were for more than 30 yards) … Registered 28 receptions that led to Irish touchdowns and four more on possessions that resulted in Notre Dame field goals … Set the school season-record with nine 100-yard receiving performances and became the first Irish player to register two 200-yard receiving games in both a season and career (Washington and Stanford).

All-American honorable mention and All-Major Independent first-team choice by The NFL Draft report … Played in all thirteen games, starting eight contests at split end, as he came off the bench in the San Diego State, Michigan, Michigan State, Navy and Syracuse) contests … Had a banner sophomore campaign, leading the team with 58 receptions for 1,080 yards (18.62 -yard average) and 10 touchdowns … His 58 catches rank eighth on the school season-record list, as his 1,080 yards rank sixth … Just the fifth player in school history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in a season (Jeff Samardzija accomplished that feat twice) … Also led the Irish with 10 touchdown grabs, the seventh-best season total in ND annals … Gained at least 100 aerial yards in five contests, as he had 18 catches for distances of at least 20 yards, including 15 for 30 yards or longer … Returned 14 punts for 116 yards (8.29 -yard average) and had 28 kickoff returns for 521 yards (20.04-yard average), as his kick return yardage total placed eighth on the school season-record chart … Scored 66 points and also recorded a solo tackle vs. Navy … Led the team with 1,754 all-purpose yards, the fourth-best season total by an Irish player … Ranked 28th in the nation in receiving yardage average (83.08 yards per game) and placed 40th in all-purpose yardage (134.92 yards per game).

Played in all 12 games as a true freshman, earning starting assignments vs. UCLA and Southern California … Managed just 131 yards on six receptions (21.83-yard average) with a touchdown, but added 4 yards on a reverse and 326 yards on 15 kickoff returns (21.73-yard average), as he also recorded a solo tackle vs. Penn State.

No major injuries reported.

Campus: 4.42 in the 40-yard dash … 1.49 10-yard dash … 2.56 20-yard dash … 4.12 20-yard shuttle … 10.94 60-yard shuttle … 6.68 three-cone drill … 35-inch vertical jump … 9'8" broad jump … 295-pound bench press … 470-pound squad … 6.4 in the 60-meters.

Tate was drafted out of high school by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 42nd round of the 2007 amateur draft, but did not sign with the Diamondbacks and instead played baseball for the University of Notre Dame … He lettered with the team as a sophomore, but spent his freshman (2007) campaign with the football team in spring camp before returning to the baseball diamond the following season … The Diamondbacks' scouting report on Tate read; a left-handed batter and thrower considered to have "plus" tools in areas of outfield defense and all around speed, with raw and developing bating ability but good hand-eye coordination … Has tremendous speed down the base path out of the left-handed batters box … Consistently timed at 6.4 or 6.5 seconds over 60 meters … Has good bat control to execute bunts and slap hits but also has the hand strength to drive doubles in the gap.

2009: Played both centerfield and left field for the Irish (wore jersey #32), seeing action in 55 games, as he batted .329 and ranked third on the team with 45 runs scored … Successful on 13-of-14 stolen base attempts … Had 73 hits in 222 at-bats that included eight doubles, four triples, one home run and 21 runs batted in.

2008: Played in 18 games, finishing with a .262 batting average … Had three doubles, three stolen bases and 11 hits in 42 at-bats.

Attended Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville, Tenn.) High School, where he was an All-American second-team selection (defense) by USA Today … ESPN rated him the 11th-best overall prospect in the country, and he was named to the Super Southern 100 team by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006 … One of eleven players from Tennessee selected to the All-Southern team by the Orlando Sentinel and was rated one of top 250 players nationally by Rivals.com, including second among Tennessee prospects and seventh nationally among players in athlete category … Named American General Tennessee Mr. Football Back of the Year in the Division II A/AA class as both a junior and senior … The Charles Greenhill Award winner as top prep player in Tennessee and Middle Tennessee High School Football Player of the Year for 2006 by the Lawrenceburg (Tenn.) Quarterback Club … The Tennessee Division II first-team All-State pick by Tennessee Sports Writers Association and Tennessee Football Coaches Association, he added named Sumner County Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … That season, Tate excelled as a running back and defensive back … Rushed 140 times for 1,413 yards and 23 touchdowns, as he also had 28 receptions for 510 yards and six scores … Registered three interceptions on defense, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and was the Knights' punter (long of 62 yards among his 19 kicks) for a team that finished with a 7-3 record … An All-State selection as a junior, Tate was named to the Nashville Tennessean Dream Team and All-Midstate squad (chosen Midstate Player of the Year by The Tennessean) … That season, he rushed for 1,041 yards on 137 carries with 14 touchdowns and gained 812 receiving yards on 38 catches with eleven more scores … Returned 17 punts for 231 yards and 19 kickoffs for 426 yards, as three of those kicks resulted in touchdowns … During his junior-year baseball season in 2006, he earned All-Region, All-State and All-County honors as a centerfielder while being named to TBCA Region Showcase Team (at Middle Tennessee) and Team Tennessee squad that competed at Sunbelt Classic (in Oklahoma) … Played 2006 summer ball with Columbia Post 19.

Sociology major, enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters … Was drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks' scout and former Notre Dame player Matt Haas (who picked Tate in the 42nd round of the 2007 major league baseball draft) … Father, Golden Tate, Jr., played wide receiver at Tennessee State and was fifth-round pick of Indianapolis Colts in 1984 NFL draft as the 120th overall selection … Born Golden H. Tate III on 8/02/88 in Hendersonville, Tennessee.