Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome of the defense by his coaches. He told teammates, though, that he wouldn't attempt to make another comeback if the injury occurred again. "Spond is a really good friend of mine. It's obviously a really sad thing for all of us to hear he's not going to be playing football anymore," classmate and safety Austin Collinsworth said. "I'm glad he decided he's going to be around." The Littleton, Colo., native will stay with the team and help coach his replacements at line- Life's Short... Eat Well backer — five-star freshman Jaylon Smith and junior Ben Councell. Smith, the No. 1-rated linebacker prospect in the country last year, took the majority of reps with the first-team defense during practices open to the media. Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco called Councell the most improved player on the defense at the conclusion of spring practice in April. "They see in one sense they're not going to have a teammate, but they're going to have somebody that's going to be with Find Us In The Best Book "Head East!" Award Winning Desserts Award Winning Full-Service Restaurant Private Rooms Available Hand-Cut All Natural Meats Scrumptious Homemade Desserts The Freshest Seafood Reservations Encouraged Lunch: Saturday 11a-4p Dinner: Mon-Thur 4p-9:30p Fri & Sat 4p-10:30p 12594 SR 23 Granger, IN www.yesterdays-granger.com © 2008 Studio A Advertising Give us a thumbs up on facebook! YesterdaY's fine food and spirits text YesterdaYs at: 72727 for special offers them every day," Kelly said. "He loves his teammates, but what's most important is he did what is in his best interest for his future. He's got a bright future, and his immediate [future] is he wants to be with the team." Spond's departure will test the growing depth of Notre Dame's roster this fall. The outside linebacker group was one of the best stocked on the defense. Sophomores Romeo Okwara (Cat linebacker) and John Turner (safety) are also expected to help fill out the position in practice. Notre Dame's depth is also being put to use at the safety position, where sophomore Nicky Baratti will miss the 2013 season with a shoulder injury, and along both the offensive and defensive lines. Junior defensive lineman Tony Springmann will miss at least the season opener because of a knee injury. Junior offensive guard Conor Hanratty, a projected starter this summer, has not practiced with the team since it returned to campus due to a neck strain.