The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program received some good news about the 2012 season, as junior tight end Tyler Eifert has decided to return for his senior season.

"The junior tight end will pass on entering the NFL draft," writes Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune, "his father, Greg, told the Tribune on Friday, after a methodical decision-making process that, at one point in recent days, had him leaning toward leaving school despite a third-round grade from the league's advisory committee."

In 2011, Eifert (6-foot-6, 250-poiunds) was Norte Dame's leading receiver (57 receptions), including six catches for 90 yards in the 18-14 Champs Sports Bowl loss to Florida State, and was a finalist for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's tope tight end.

For more on Eifert staying, check out the SB Nation blog One Foot Down. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft be sure to check out Mocking The Draft.