National Football Foundation

Considered one of the nation's best tight ends, Notre Dame's John Carlson has earned the respect of many for his unparalleled dedication to both athletics and academics. 

A participant in Notre Dame's Academic Honors Program, Carlson was named the 2006 Westwood One/State Farm Student-Athlete of the Year. The History major, with minors in Business and Technology, also earned ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-Academic First Team honors last season and hopes to attend law school. 

Ranking third all-time for the Fighting Irish in receptions by a tight end, Carlson is a three-year starter for Notre Dame and finished 2006 as a Sports Illustrated.com Second Team All-America pick. The team captain was also named one of three finalists for the 2006 Mackey Award given to the top tight end in the country. This season, Carlson leads the Fighting Irish receiving tandem with 26 catches for 188 yards and one touchdown. 

A Litchfield, Minn. native, he has been involved with the Tackle the Arts program, which is designed to educate and motivate children from low socioeconomic areas of South Bend, Ind., for four years. Carlson also speaks at Ryan's Place for families who have lost loved ones and is a four-year participant in the Hematology and Oncology Christmas Party for children with cancer. 

Tim Ruddy (1993) was the last Notre Dame player named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Carlson is the 14th winner in school history. He was selected in the second round (38th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and started 38 games for the Seahawks from 2008-10, catching 137 passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. Carlson was named to the Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team.

Carlson signed with the Minnesota Vikings for the 2012 season and caught 40 passes for 387 yards and a touchdown in two seasons with the Vikings. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals after the 2012 season and caught 33 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown in 2014. Carlson retired from the NFL following the 2014 season, tallying 210 passes for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns in his seven-year career. He is currently the president at Christian Brothers Automotive in Scottsdale, AZ.