Jeff Samardzija attended Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana where he was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was an all-state centerfielder on the baseball team who had a .375 batting average with 5 home runs and 37 RBI as a junior and a .481 batting average with 8 home runs and 50 RBI as a senior. He played receiver and safety on the football team. As a junior he caught 55 passes for 1,197 yards and 10 touchdowns on his way to all-state honors. He was also named team MVP. As a senior he caught 50 passes for 1,044 yards and 9 touchdowns on offense. He recorded 50 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense, helping the team to a 12-2 record. He was named all-state for the third consecutive season and team MVP for the second consecutive season. He was considered to be the best receiver prospect in the state and was selected to play in the Indiana all-star game. He accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame where he would play both football and baseball. He saw action in all 11 games as a reserve receiver and special teams player as a true freshman, catching 7 passes for 53 yards on the year. As a sophomore he saw action in all 12 games as a receiver and special teams player, catching 17 passes for 274 yards on the season. His junior year would be a breakout season for Samardzija. He caught 77 passes for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns on his way to first-team all-conference and all-America honors. His 1,249 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions were both Notre Dame single-season records. He shared team MVP honors with quarterback Brady Quinn. Samardzija was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the baseball draft and he signed a 7.25 million dollar contract with them prior to his senior season.

Jeff Samardzija has been a big-time receiver for the Fighting Irish over the past two seasons. During that time he has proven to be a very durable player who simply doesn't miss time due to injury. He has an incredible combination of size and athleticism for a receiver. He is a big, physical receiver who can go up and get the ball against just about anyone who lines up across from him. He is an instinctive receiver with good agility and body control. He runs precise routes and has excellent hands. He lacks elite speed, but he is a good runner who does a good job of getting yards after the catch. Samardzija lacks ideal strength and straight line speed. He will need to increase his strength and improve his blocking to become a more complete receiver at the next level. Another issue with Samardzija is baseball. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of last years baseball draft and he signed a 7.25 million dollar contract with them. He will have to show that he is committed to football before a team will spend a high draft pick on him. Jeff Samardzija is the best senior receiver in the draft this year. He has only been starting for two years and he still has some upside. Jeff has announced he will put football on hold to pursue a Major League Baseball career. This will have a dramatic effect on his draft stock. He will now be a second day pick by a team that will retain his rights in case he decides to return to football, much like the Texans did when they selected Drew Henson in the 6th round.