Dec. 16, 2008

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph has been selected to Sporting News' 2008 All-Freshman Team, the magazine announced Tuesday.

Rudolph became the first freshman to start the season opener at tight end in Notre Dame history and was one of 10 Irish players who started all 12 games this year. The 6-6, 252-pounder from Cincinnati, Ohio was one of 13 true freshmen selected to the 26-member team.

Rudolph recorded 25 receptions for 262 yards with two touchdowns, shattering the previous school records for catches and yards by a freshman tight end. Ken MacAfee's record of 14 receptions as a freshman had stood since 1974 while Dean Masztak's 236 receiving yards as a freshman tight end had been the record since 1978.

Rudolph became the first Notre Dame player to be named to Sporting News' All-Freshman Team since Sam Young in 2006. Last week, Rudolph was selected to the CollegeFootballNews.com All-Freshman First Team.

SPORTING NEWS' 2008 ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSE
QB Robert Griffin, Baylor*
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State*
RB Victor Anderson, Louisville
WR A.J. Green, Georgia*
WR Julio Jones, Alabama*
TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame*
T Elvis Fisher, Missouri
G Moe Petrus, Connecticut
C Michael Brewster, Ohio State*
G Joel Foreman, Michigan State
T Andrew Datko, Florida State*
K Philip Welch, Wisconsin
KR Damaris Johnson, Tulsa*

DEFENSE
DE Brandon Harold, Kansas State*
DT Billy Winn, Boise State
DT Lawrence Guy, Arizona State*
DE Tom Keiser, Stanford
LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
LB Mychal Sisson, Colorado State
LB Jerry Franklin, Arkansas*
CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida*
CB Jordan Mabin, Northwestern
S Sean Baker, Ball State
S Earl Thomas, Texas
P Bryan Anger, California
PR T.Y. Hilton, Florida International*