Troy Niklas
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Troy Niklas
| image = Troy Niklas.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Niklas with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014
| number = 87
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|9|18}}
| birth_place = Fullerton, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 270
| high_school = Servite (Anaheim, California)
| college = Notre Dame (2011–2013)
| draftyear = 2014
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 52
| pastteams = * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 19
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 203
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 3
| pfr = NiklTr00
}}
Troy Niklas (born September 18, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Early life
Niklas attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He was a two-way standout as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He helped lead Servite to 14–1 record in 2010, a second straight CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division title and runner-up in state playoffs. He was named the Los Angeles Times lineman of the year as a senior in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-04-la-sp-0104-troy-niklas-lineman-20110104-story.html|title=Servite's Troy Niklas is selected The Times' lineman of the year|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 10, 2014|archive-date=January 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110102828/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/04/sports/la-sp-0104-troy-niklas-lineman-20110104|url-status=live}}
Also a standout athlete, Niklas was one of the state's top performers in the discus throw (top throw of 54.10 meters as a senior).{{cite web|url=http://footballtalentadvisors.com/blog/2014/05/|title=Football Talent Advisors|work=footballtalentadvisors.com|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-date=October 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008162852/http://footballtalentadvisors.com/blog/2014/05/|url-status=usurped}}
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the 24th-best offensive tackle prospect in the nation.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Troy-Niklas-98405|title=Troy Niklas|work=yahoo.com|access-date=March 8, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094718/https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Troy-Niklas-98405|url-status=live}} He accepted a scholarship from Notre Dame over offers from Stanford and USC.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/2/2/1970213/troy-niklas-commits-to-notre-dame-over-usc-on-national-signing-day|title=Troy Niklas Commits To Notre Dame Over USC On National Signing Day|author=Andy Hutchins|publisher=Vox Media|work=SBNation.com|access-date=December 7, 2017|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612123945/https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/2/2/1970213/troy-niklas-commits-to-notre-dame-over-usc-on-national-signing-day|url-status=live}}
College career
Niklas attended the University of Notre Dame from 2011 to 2013. As a freshman, he played as a linebacker, appearing in 12 games with one start against Michigan State. He was moved to tight end as a sophomore.{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/21914772-419/notre-dames-niklas-an-lb-as-a-freshman-excited-about-chance-to-replace-te-eifert.html|title=Chicago Sun-Times – Chicago : News : Politics : Things To Do : Sports|work=Chicago}} Playing behind Tyler Eifert, he caught 5 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown. As a junior, he hauled in 32 receptions for 498 yards with five touchdowns.
On January 9, 2014, Niklas announced his intentions to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10272014/2014-nfl-draft-troy-niklas-notre-dame-fighting-irish-forgoing-final-year-eligibility|title=2014 NFL draft – Troy Niklas of Notre Dame Fighting Irish forgoing final year of eligibility|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 10, 2014|archive-date=January 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126163845/http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10272014/2014-nfl-draft-troy-niklas-notre-dame-fighting-irish-forgoing-final-year-eligibility|url-status=live}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 6
| weight = 270
| dash = 4.84
| ten split =
| twenty split =
| shuttle = 4.55
| cone drill = 7.57
| vertical = 32
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 4
| bench = 27
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 34+1/8
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web| title=NFL Draft Profile: Troy Niklas| url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/troy-niklas?id=2543628| access-date=February 26, 2018| website=NFL.com| archive-date=June 12, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612123946/https://www.nfl.com/players/troy-niklas/| url-status=live}}
}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
Niklas was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=http://arizonasports.com/40/1730883/Cardinals-select-Notre-Dame-tight-end-Troy-Niklas-with-No-52-second-pick-in-2014-NFL-Draft|title=Cardinals select Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas with No. 52 pick in 2014 NFL Draft|date=May 10, 2014|work=Arizona Sports|access-date=May 10, 2014|archive-date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223615/http://arizonasports.com/40/1730883/Cardinals-select-Notre-Dame-tight-end-Troy-Niklas-with-No-52-second-pick-in-2014-NFL-Draft|url-status=live}} He was the fourth tight end selected in 2014.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921123401/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |url-status=live }}
Niklas progress as a rookie was slowed due to his inability to participate in organized team activities after recovering from a hernia surgery in February.{{cite web| title=Hernia surgery sidelines Niklas| url=http://www.espn.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/6464?redirected=true| access-date=February 26, 2018| website=espn.com| date=May 20, 2014| archive-date=June 12, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612124001/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.2f70fb173b9000da126c79afe2098f02.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com| url-status=live}}
On September 27, 2016, Niklas was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Troy Niklas To IR; Cardinals Cut Canaday|url=http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Troy-Niklas-To-IR-Cardinals-Cut-Canaday/9b71085d-cef0-4e5b-85ca-64212901c002|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408035059/http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Troy-Niklas-To-IR-Cardinals-Cut-Canaday/9b71085d-cef0-4e5b-85ca-64212901c002|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=April 8, 2018}}
In 2017, Niklas played in 15 games with 11 starts, recording 11 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown.
=New England Patriots=
On April 4, 2018, Niklas signed with the New England Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots trade Brandin Cooks to LA Rams; Sign OL Luke Bowanko and TE Troy Niklas|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-trade-brandin-cooks-to-la-rams-sign-ol-luke-bowanko-and-te-troy--328081|website=Patriots.com|date=April 4, 2018|access-date=November 28, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612123945/https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-trade-brandin-cooks-to-la-rams-sign-ol-luke-bowanko-and-te-troy--328081|url-status=live}} On July 27, Niklas was released by the team.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign WR Paul Turner; Release TE Troy Niklas|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-wr-paul-turner-release-te-troy-niklas|website=Patriots.com|date=July 27, 2018}}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
On July 24, 2019, Niklas signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web|title=Bucs Add USF CB Mazzi Wilkins, TE Troy Niklas|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-add-usf-cb-mazzi-wilkins-te-troy-niklas-roster-move|website=Buccaneers.com|author=Smith, Scott|date=July 24, 2019|access-date=July 24, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612123945/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-add-usf-cb-mazzi-wilkins-te-troy-niklas-roster-move|url-status=live}} On July 29, Niklas was waived/injured by the Buccaneers and placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Troy Niklas: Waived with injury designation|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/troy-niklas-waived-with-injury-designation/|website=cbssports.com|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612123946/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/troy-niklas-waived-with-injury-designation/|url-status=live}} He was released on August 6.
Personal life
Niklas' uncle, Bruce Matthews, played at USC, was ninth overall pick in 1983 NFL draft, earned Pro Bowl honors 14 times while playing with NFL Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983–2001 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.{{cite news|last1=Feldman|first1=Bruce|title=The next Matthews brother is 15 and already 6-foot-4, 320 pounds|url=https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/2015-sec-media-days-texas-am-aggies-mike-matthews-little-bro-luke-071415|access-date=November 30, 2017|work=Fox Sports|date=July 14, 2015}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/troy_niklas_768112.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Arizona Cardinals 2014 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niklas, Troy}}
Category:Players of American football from Fullerton, California
Category:American football tight ends
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:New England Patriots players