Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome Point ✦ Counterpoint: Which Incoming Freshman Will Make The Biggest Impact In 2013? A Dog Too Good To Sit And Stay Look Out For Rookie Running Backs By Dan Murphy By Wes Morgan The last time Notre Dame welcomed a high Running back Theo Riddick ran out of eligibility school Butkus Award winner and the top line- after the 2012 season and will make a run at the backer in the country to South Bend was future NFL Draft this spring after participating in the All-American Manti Te'o in NFL Scouting Combine later 2009. The program-changthis month. Fellow running ing Te'o played in his first back Cierre Wood, also college game as well as evinvited to the Combine, ery one after that. Expect a decided it's time he gets similar showing from Jaylon paid for his work instead of Smith. coming back for a fifth year Smith, a lanky 6-3, at Notre Dame. The two 225-pound linebacker, has combined for 1,659 yards the physical skills to start and nine touchdowns this on the Irish defense durpast year and helped the ing his freshman season. Fighting Irish average 189.4 He is lauded for his explorushing yards per game — sive first step, his ability to Running back Greg Bryant is an ideal can- the highest output since cover receivers like a safety didate for extesnive action as a freshman 2000 (213.5). and most of all for his level- because of the graduation of the Irish's George Atkinson III, who headed leadership. He is a top two rushers, Theo Riddick and Cierre will be a junior in 2013, cookie-cutter fit for Notre Wood. added 361 yards and five photo courtesy U.S. Army All-American Bowl Dame's Dog linebacker who scores on 51 carries, but has to be athletic enough to play in space and he'll need a partner in crime to fill such a massive strong enough to defeat a block along the line. void. Four-star Florida product Greg Bryant (5-11, The difference between Te'o and Smith is that 195), the nation's No. 10 overall player at that Smith plays at a position where it's easier to be a position per 247Sports, seems to fit the bill with game-changer early in his career. Along with his power to accompany Atkinson's blazing speed. Felpotential spot at Dog, he could easily be used as a low class of 2013 RB and Floridian Tarean Folston rush end in passing situations where his flexibility might have something to say about that. Though and speed can overwhelm an offensive lineman. lighter at 185 pounds, the 5-10 four-star talent Te'o was a starter in the middle of Notre Dame's and the nation's No. 9 tailback has a good blend defense for four years, but he didn't really start of power and quickness. dramatically affecting games until he was an up"The running back position would be one where perclassman. With Smith's ability to get after the there should be some young players competing quarterback and attack the backfield, he could there," Irish head coach Brian Kelly said on Namake a difference starting in September. tional Signing Day.