Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MAY 2023 9 UNDER THE DOME Added Hartman: "I don't know if it's like destiny or whatever." Among the reasons Smith chose Notre Dame over UCLA before Hartman's ar- rival was now-offensive coordinator and then-tight ends coach Gerad Parker, who initiated contact and conducted a 90-minute in-home visit with Smith. To Smith, Parker wasn't just another coach in the torrent of messages he received as a transfer. He was a memorable name from Virginia Tech's 2021 loss to West Virginia. The Mountaineers, with an offense co- coordinated by Parker, beat the Hokies 27-21. The loss spoiled Smith's 6-catch, 58-yard day. "I had my career-high game in re- ceptions, but we still ended up losing, because the West Virginia offense was heavy, heavy throwing the ball," Smith said. "Knowing that he's coming now, that's going to benefit a receiver." West Virginia ran the ball more often than it passed that game — the same ap- proach Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman wants for the Irish. But what matters is the impression the passes it did throw made on Smith, who understands Parker can bring a receiver-friendly ap- proach even in an offense that runs the ball a lot. Two-plus months later, a friendly face on Virginia Tech's 2022 coaching staff found his way to South Bend. Joe Rudolph did not work directly with Smith, but the former Hokies and newly hired Irish of- fensive line coach was popular beyond his position group because of his affable demeanor off the field. "He's the guy that I had the most re- spect for walking around the Virginia Tech facilities, because he was probably the nicest person you would talk to unless you're on the football field," Smith said. "When you're on the football field, he's the real deal, and he commanded respect from the offensive linemen that I've never seen before. "As an outsider looking into their room, I'm like, 'Man, he's being pretty tough on them,' but they loved him to death." All the old friends and familiar faces amount to a comfort level Smith didn't envision when he committed to Notre Dame, though not because he would have been unhappy otherwise. Smith saw enough on his visit to si- lently commit on the spot. He's about a five-hour drive from his fiancée, who lives in Pittsburgh. He has his dogs with him. He liked receivers coach Chansi Stuckey and Tommy Rees' offense. He was content to catch passes from Tyler Buchner, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey or whatever other transfer the Irish im- ported. "Coming up here and just seeing all the tradition, being in the stadium, it hit me, and I committed on the spot," Smith said. "Ever since I committed and got here, it's just been a blessing, an amazing journey." One enriched by unforeseen twists. ✦ Smith (left) and Hartman (right) once planned to be roommates at Wake Forest. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS BE ARING BE ARING DOWN DOWN Irish notch 6 sacks — including 2 by senior Jacob Lacey Irish notch 6 sacks — including 2 by senior Jacob Lacey — and survive wild finish to top Cal 24-17, — and survive wild finish to top Cal 24-17, giving Marcus Freeman his first win as head coach giving Marcus Freeman his first win as head coach SEPT. 24, 2022 • $4.00 SEPT. 24, 2022 • $4.00 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 3 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 3 WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM EST. 1981 EST. 1981 HOLY HOLY TOLEDO! TOLEDO! Freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner Freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner helps spark Notre Dame to a 32-29 helps spark Notre Dame to a 32-29 victory over the upset-minded Rockets victory over the upset-minded Rockets SEPT. 18, 2021 • $4.00 SEPT. 18, 2021 • $4.00 VOLUME 41 • ISSUE 2 • EST. 1981 VOLUME 41 • ISSUE 2 • EST. 1981 WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM JANUARY 2023 • $4.00 JANUARY 2023 • $4.00 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 13 • EST. 1981 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 13 • EST. 1981 WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM WWW.BLUEANDGOLD.COM MVP MVP NFL-bound tight end NFL-bound tight end Michael Mayer caps Michael Mayer caps his Fighting Irish career his Fighting Irish career with a record-setting with a record-setting campaign in 2022 campaign in 2022 INSIDE: PREVIEW INSIDE: PREVIEW OF THE GATOR BOWL OF THE GATOR BOWL TWO EASY WAYS TO ORDER: CALL: 800-421-7751 10:00-4:00 ET, Mon.-Fri. Or call 919-688-0218 if outside the U.S. ONLINE: www.BlueGoldOnline.com Order 24 hours a day from our online store! 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