(670 The Score) The phone call that Cole Kmet had waited his whole life for dropped off the line. Then a follow-up attempt on the iPhone's FaceTime feature also dropped.
Finally, the Notre Dame tight end prospect Kmet had the sustained phone signal that he needed and took a memorable call. It was Bears coach Matt Nagy telling the Chicago-area prospect that he was being drafted by his favorite team.
The Bears selected Kmet at No. 43 overall in the second round Friday evening, adding a player they hope can solidify the tight end position for their future. For Kmet, it marked the fulfilling of his goal.
"This is amazing," "Kmet said. "It's a dream come true."
Cole Kmet said his initial phone call from the Bears dropped, then his FaceTime call dropped.Then Kmet connected with Matt Nagy on a call he'll never forget. pic.twitter.com/4Zz0yuvye9 (via @NDFootball)
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 25, 2020A native of Lake Barrington, Kmet declared for the NFL Draft after a junior season in which he had 43 catches and six touchdowns in 10 games. Kmet missed the first two games of the season while recovering from a broken collarbone.
The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Kmet gives the Bears the long-term fit they've been seeking at the tight end position. With Kmet, the Bears now have 10 tight ends on their roster. The team will have cuts to make at that position, and they could follow soon after the draft.
"I know they've been looking for a tight end to fit in the room," Kmet said. "And I know they just signed Jimmy (Graham), and I think I'm a little different type of player than Jimmy in terms of how I play and how I can be used.
"Coach Nagy likes to use tight ends in his offense, and he's looking for tight ends that can go in and compete and be able to execute his offense. I know it was a need, and I'm really excited to get in there and get going."
Kmet was a standout at St. Viator High School and arrived at Notre Dame as a two-sport star. He was also a standout pitcher on the Fighting Irish baseball team and was once scouted by the White Sox. Kmet dropped baseball last spring to devote his attention fully to football.
Despite the collarbone fracture in summer camp, Kmet returned in late September, posting nine receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown against Georgia. By the end of the season, Kmet had emerged as a top tight end prospect in this class.
The Bears then made a local product the top tight end taken in this draft.
"It's just pretty amazing to know I'm now going to be suiting up for my hometown team," Kmet said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
