Last Friday, D2Football.com released its Elite 100 Watch List heading into the 2023 season. The list includes a First Team, a Second Team and a Squad list. Notre Dame College's tight end CJ Kiss was named among the top players in all of NCAA Division II football. (Release)
 
Last season, the native of Gahanna, Ohio was named All-Mountain East Conference First Team, College Sports Communicators Academic All-Region and All-America Honorable Mention by the Don Hansen Football Committee. He is now a two-time All-MEC honoree.
 
In 2022, Kiss caught 20 passes for 198 yards and was tied for the team lead with four touchdown receptions. Against Fairmont State, on Oct. 29, he tallied 55 receiving yards and five receptions, both season-highs. He also caught a touchdown in a playoff game versus Ashland.
 
Kiss is one of two players from the MEC recognized by D2Football, joined by Brandon Penn, of Glenville State.
 
The Falcons kick off the season at home against Ohio Dominican University, on September 2 at 12 p.m.