He was a giant. Even back then, walking across the South Bend campus in the winter slush, everyone knew Cole Kmet was just different. You see a kid who is 6'6" and 250 pounds, and you assume he’s just another body for the offensive line, but Kmet had this weird, fluid athleticism that didn’t make sense for his size. It’s why he wasn't just a football player.
People forget that.
During his time at Notre Dame, Cole Kmet wasn't just hauling in touchdowns from Ian Book; he was actually throwing heat for the Irish baseball team. It’s honestly wild when you think about the physical toll that takes. Most guys at an elite program like Notre Dame struggle to keep their grades up while playing one sport. Kmet was out here pitching in the spring and catching seam-splitting passes in the fall. He lived a double life that basically prepared him for the grind of the NFL before he even stepped foot in a professional locker room.
The Dual-Sport Reality of Cole Kmet Notre Dame Years
If you look back at the 2017 recruiting cycle, Kmet was a big deal coming out of St. Viator in Illinois. He was a four-star recruit, sure, but he was also a top-tier baseball prospect. A lot of schools try to talk kids out of playing two sports because, let's face it, coaches are selfish. They want you in the weight room, not the dugout. But Notre Dame leaned into it.
Brian Kelly knew what he had.
Kmet’s freshman year was mostly about learning the ropes behind guys like Alizé Mack and Durham Smythe. He only had two catches that year. Two. It’s funny how we look at him now as this immovable force for the Chicago Bears, but back in 2017, he was just a lanky kid trying to figure out how to block a defensive end who was three years older than him.
Then came the baseball season. As a left-handed pitcher, Kmet appeared in 26 games as a freshman. He had a 3.05 ERA. That’s not just "playing for fun." That’s being a legitimate contributor on a high-level ACC team. He struck out 39 batters in about 44 innings. Think about the grip strength and the hand-eye coordination required to do that and then go back to smashing into linebackers. It’s a rare overlap. Usually, the two-sport guys are wide receivers who run track. Tight ends who pitch? That’s some 1950s throwback stuff, honestly.
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Why 2019 Changed Everything for Kmet
The 2018 season was a bit of a bridge. Kmet started to get more looks in the passing game, finishing with 15 catches. But 2019 was the explosion. It started with a massive setback, though. He broke his collarbone in fall camp. For most guys, that’s a season-killer or at least a major rhythm-breaker. Kmet missed the first few games, but when he came back against Georgia? Man, he was a monster.
That Georgia game in Athens is basically the "Cole Kmet Notre Dame" highlight reel condensed into 60 minutes. He caught nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. In a hostile environment against a defense loaded with future NFL first-rounders, he was the best player on the field for the Irish.
He ended that 2019 season with 43 receptions, 515 yards, and six touchdowns. He wasn't just a safety valve anymore. He was the primary target. Ian Book looked for him whenever things got messy. Whether it was a seam route or a simple stick-out, Kmet used his frame to box out defenders like a power forward. It’s that basketball-style rebounding athleticism that tight ends love to talk about, but Kmet actually lived it through his multi-sport background.
The "Baby Gronk" Label and the Reality of His Game
People started calling him "Baby Gronk" around this time. It was a lazy comparison, honestly. Rob Gronkowski was a vertical threat who ran through people's faces. Kmet was always a more technical, dependable type of player. He was a better blocker at Notre Dame than people gave him credit for.
Tight End U isn't just a nickname for Notre Dame; it's a standard. When you play that position in South Bend, you are expected to be an extension of the offensive line. Kmet took pride in that. He wasn't one of those "finesse" tight ends who refused to put their hand in the dirt.
But there’s a nuance here most fans miss. Kmet’s value wasn't just in the stats. It was in the versatility. Because he was a pitcher, he understood angles and leverage in a way that’s hard to teach. If you’ve ever watched him find a soft spot in a zone defense, you’re seeing that baseball IQ. He’s calculating the trajectory. He’s timing the window.
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Transitioning to the NFL: The Chicago Connection
When Kmet decided to leave Notre Dame early after his junior year, it ruffled some feathers. People wanted one more year. They wanted to see if he could put up 800 yards and double-digit scores. But Kmet knew his stock was at an all-time high.
The Chicago Bears took him with the 43rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. It was a homecoming. Kmet grew up in Lake Barrington, Illinois. He was a Bears fan. His dad, Frank Kmet, was actually drafted by the Bills in the 90s. Football was the family business.
The jump from the college game to the pros is usually a nightmare for tight ends. It’s the hardest position to learn besides quarterback because you have to know every run blocking scheme and every pass protection, plus all the routes. Kmet’s Notre Dame education served him well here. He didn't look lost. While other rookies were struggling to find the line of scrimmage, Kmet was already carving out a role behind Jimmy Graham.
By his second year in the league, he was the guy. He’s since become one of the most consistent targets for whoever is under center in Chicago—whether it was Justin Fields or the transition to Caleb Williams. He’s a security blanket.
Misconceptions About His Notre Dame Tenure
A common myth is that Kmet was a "pure" receiving tight end at Notre Dame. If you go back and watch the tape against teams like Stanford or Michigan, you’ll see him absolutely washing out defensive ends. He was a cornerstone of the run game that allowed Kyren Williams to emerge.
Another thing people get wrong? They think he quit baseball because he wasn't good enough. That’s just wrong. He had a real shot at being a pro baseball player. He walked away from the mound because he realized his ceiling was higher on the gridiron. It was a business decision, not a talent one.
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He finished his Notre Dame career with 60 catches and nearly 700 yards. Those aren't "video game" numbers, but in the context of a run-heavy Notre Dame offense that spread the ball around, they were elite. He was the first tight end taken in his draft class for a reason.
What You Can Learn From Kmet’s Path
If you’re a young athlete or a fan of the game, Kmet’s story is a masterclass in "unspecializing." Nowadays, parents force kids to play one sport year-round. They think it’s the only way to get a scholarship. Kmet is living proof that playing multiple sports makes you a better overall athlete.
The coordination he gained on the pitcher's mound made him a better pass catcher. The footwork he needed in the outfield made him a better route runner.
If you're tracking his career now, you have to look at the foundations. Everything he does for the Bears—the toughness, the hands, the ability to play through pain—was forged in those cold spring afternoons in South Bend when he was shuffling between the batting cages and the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Athletes
- Study the "Georgia Tape": If you want to see what a pro-ready tight end looks like in college, watch the 2019 Notre Dame vs. Georgia game. Pay attention to how Kmet uses his body to shield the ball.
- Value the Multi-Sport Approach: If you’re an aspiring athlete, don't drop your second sport too early. The lateral skills often translate in ways scouts love.
- Follow the Notre Dame Pipeline: Kmet is part of a lineage that includes Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph, and Michael Mayer. If you want to understand how the NFL uses tight ends, watching how Notre Dame develops them is the best starting point.
- Watch the Footwork: Next time Kmet is on TV, ignore the ball for a second. Look at his feet during his breaks. That’s the "baseball footwork" that allows a 260-pound man to move like a 220-pounder.
Cole Kmet's time at Notre Dame wasn't just a pit stop. It was the laboratory where he figured out how to use his massive frame without losing his agility. He left South Bend as one of the most polished tight ends in recent memory, and he’s lived up to that billing every Sunday since.