Not only will the new Notre Dame head coach be without one of the top quarterbacks in the country next season, he’ll also be without its leading receiver as well.
Wide receiver Golden Tate, along with quarterback Jimmy Clausen, announced at a press conference -- attended by current TMZ reporter former Irish coach Charlie Weis -- this afternoon that he will forego his final season of eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL draft.
“This was a tough decision for me,” Tate said. “The coaching I have received in football and baseball has been the best. But after talking with my family and (coach Charlie) Weis, I’m going to pursue my dream and enter next year’s NFL draft.”
Tate was far and away the Irish’s leading receiver, topping the team with 93 catches for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns. The junior also carried the ball 25 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Tate finished his sterling career in South Bend with 157 catches, 2,707 yards and 26 touchdowns.