We Are ND Nation Top 9 Notre Dame Players Since 2000: #8WR Golden Tate

If there was ever a player who could turn an ordinary play into a highlight-reel touchdown, it was Golden Tate.
One of the most electrifying athletes to wear the Blue and Gold, Tate combined elite speed, incredible balance, and fearless playmaking ability to become one of the greatest wide receivers in Notre Dame history. Every time he touched the football, fans expected something special.
His unforgettable 2009 season remains one of the best ever by an Irish receiver. Tate hauled in 93 receptions for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns, setting Notre Dame single-season records for catches and receiving yards while tying the school record for touchdown receptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns and a punt-return score, making him one of the nation's most dangerous all-around offensive weapons.
Those accomplishments earned Tate the 2009 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver, making him the first Notre Dame player ever to win the award. He was also a Consensus First-Team All-American, capping off one of the finest individual seasons in school history.
By the time he left South Bend, Tate had rewritten much of the Notre Dame record book, finishing with 157 receptions, 2,707 receiving yards, and 26 touchdown catches. He departed as the school's career leader in receiving yards while ranking among the program's all-time leaders in receptions and touchdown catches.
Why He's #8: Golden Tate wasn't just a great receiver—he was one of the most explosive playmakers Notre Dame has seen since 2000. Whether it was making impossible catches, breaking tackles, or taking a short pass the distance, Tate had a knack for changing games in an instant. His 2009 campaign remains one of the gold standards for wide receiver play in Notre Dame football history.