Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Kona Schwenke (two starts last season) on defense. Smith was somewhat pigeon-holed mainly into a blocking role last year while catching seven passes. This spring, he worked extensively in the slot with converted sophomore safety C.J. Prosise and Koyack, who will also have a detached tight end role. All three provide a physical presence at slot, though Prosise and Koyack might be more explosive or bigger receiving targets. Still offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach Chuck Martin places a high value on Smith's ability to play any receiving position. "He really grew up as a junior and we trust him to do a lot of jobs in key situations, that he was going to be there and he was going to fight for us," Martin said. "Maybe talent-wise DaVaris [Daniels] might have a step on Danny, but the trust level on Danny, he's probably our second guy [behind TJ Jones]. They're a great example for the younger kids of how to do it, and the younger kids are trying to work that way." Schwenke took a step back this spring, but regained some rhythm this August. "I would tell you [fifth-year senior nose guard] Tyler Stockton had a better spring than Kona did, but Kona's come in in great shape," Kelly said. "Kona's taken reps with the twos. We expect him to continue to progress there." Quarterback Andrew Hendrix is one snap away from returning to the limelight that he briefly tasted in 2011, while inside linebacker Kendall Moore has a Steve Filer-like (2008-11) leadership role on special teams. Class Summary Although not highly heralded, this class has provided a strong complement to the graduated 2009 group that was laden with star power — Eifert, linebacker Manti Te'o, and running backs Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood, plus current fifth-year offensive linemen Zack Martin and Chris Watt — and Kelly's top-10 haul in 2011 that includes defensive end Stephon Tuitt, safety Matthias Farley, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, center Nick Martin, running backs George Atkinson III and Amir Carlisle, tight end Troy Niklas and exiled quarterback Everett Golson. If this senior group can help lead Notre Dame back to a BCS bowl this season and/or another top-10 finish, it will have appreciably exceeded expectations as a collective class. ✦ Senior Class Review Players Signed In February 2010: 23 Players Available In 2012: 18 (USA Today first-team All-American offensive tackle Matt James died in a spring break accident prior to enrolling at Notre Dame; cornerback Spencer Boyd transferred to the University of South Florida after participating in 2010 spring drills at Notre Dame as an early enrollee, was a backup safety and on special teams in 2011, and was suspended the final three games and left the program in 2012; safety Derek Roback transferred to Ohio U. in August 2010, shifted to tight end for the Bobcats and played in 20 games the past two seasons, starting eight, while catching 13 passes for 179