Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109499
Nebraska. Michigan was the third program left in the hunt with plans to travel to Ann Arbor the weekend before National Signing Day Feb. 6 … Despite the Cardinal looking to be the biggest threat for his pledge post-decommitment, the Irish were able to make significant strides, led by his recruiter Kerry Cooks, heading into his official visit to campus, and he committed just two days later — canceling the visit to Michigan. Why He Chose Notre Dame: "I grew up a Notre Dame fan, mainly because it was one of the few schools that was a top-notch university while having a top-notch football program. I really like the way they use the tight end in their offense, splitting them out and letting them play with their hand on the ground, which is similar to what I do now in our offense." Jason Sapp's Scouting Report: Shows good quickness off of the line to get into his route and finds the open spot on the field … Already familiar with lining up both on the line and as a slot, so the transition to Notre Dame's scheme will be a smooth one … Determined to gain yards after the catch … Offers a good combination of a receiving and blocking tight end with his physical style of play and strength at the point of attack … Use of hands off the line, adjustment to routes, ability to go after the football and soft hands all factor in making him an easy choice as a second tight end for the 2013 class. 2013 Projection: Became a part of Notre Dame's plan to add a second tight end to the class and continue to build the offense around a strong core … He has been used in high school similarly to how the Irish utilized Tyler Eifert — he puts his hand on the ground, lines up in the slot and even gets one-on-one matchups out wide … While classmate Mike Heuerman primarily blocked his senior season in an option offense, Smythe was a primary receiving target and the two of them complement each other well for the offensive scheme.