B/R Exclusive: Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph Is Ready for the 2011 NFL Draft

Former Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph is chomping at the bit for his shot to play in the NFL.

Just three short weeks after being fully cleared after recovering from a hamstring injury, Rudolph impressed NFL scouts with a solid 4.78 in the 40-yard dash at the Notre Dame pro day.

But is that enough to push Rudolph into the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft?

Rudolph is predictably anxious to get his start in the National Football League. "I can't control where I'm drafted. I'm really just anxious and excited to get to my new team and start getting to work on learning the offense."

The comparisons to New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski are unavoidable.

Like Gronkowski, Rudolph has missed significant time during his college career due to a myriad of injuries. But how does he feel today?

"I'm at 80 percent right now. I'll be ready for offseason workouts, if we have them."

The "if and when" regarding the current NFL labor crisis is not lost on Rudolph or other incoming rookies.

"You know, [agents] really haven't told me much about it. I trust the guys who are in there making decisions. My job is to just be ready when the time comes."

But what about a rookie wage scale, something many agents are vehemently against?

"For the top 10 picks it makes sense. These NFL teams have to protect themselves against the busts in the early part of the first round."

While Kyle Rudolph will not hear his name called early enough to be effected by the potential rookie wage scale, he should hear his name called in the early stages of the second round on Friday night, April 29.