Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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with others and speak well in front became a two-time All-American of crowds, that kind of helps. Having and Notre Dame's all-time receiving that background here will help me to leader. Now in 2013, there is a more that field after I graduate." figurative "Jaws-like sequel" in Notre Swimming among sharks this Dame's receiving corps with Jones. summer without a cage was not nearly For Jones, the football field has as unsettling as it sounds. become his haven the way the water "I had no clue what to expect," is for sharks. He is in his element Jones admitted. "They tell you you're and comfort zone, to the point where going to jump into a tank with seven he could probably run all his routes sharks, some of which are 10 feet and blindfolded. 300 pounds. You know it's going to be "There's not going to be 10 guys a thrill. You don't know how you're in the country that run better routes going to do when you get into the than TJ Jones," Notre Dame offensive water. I knew I was going to be relaxed, coordinator/quarterbacks coach but I didn't know how relaxed. When Chuck Martin said in an interview this I got in the water, it felt very … almost like I was supposed to be there, in a sense. For 35 years, former Notre Dame All-American receiver "I enjoyed every second Tom Gatewood was the lone member of the football proof it. There were a couple of gram's 150-catch club. Over the past seven seasons, in far moments where the sharks got more pass-happy attacks, four new members were added, inches away from my face and and senior TJ Jones could become the fifth in 2013. you can see their teeth, and The relatively under-the-radar Jones also should join 2012 you're kind of like, 'Oh, these first-round NFL Draft pick Michael Floyd as the only two Notre Dame players to catch at least 20 passes four conare sharks.' My thing was don't secutive years. panic. You're in the water. You Jones' 23 catches in 2010 were highlighted by becoming have every disadvantage to their advantage, so if I was to the first Irish freshman to snare a touchdown pass in each of his first two games. The reception total was upped to 38 in panic or if something was to go wrong, it's probably going to 2011, and last year it improved to 50. More significantly, his yards per catch was upgraded appreciably from 9.6 to 13.0. be over for me. I wasn't going With 111 career catches for 1,321 yards (11.9 yards per to make it out with me being underwater and me being at a reception) and 10 touchdowns, Jones is on pace to become disadvantage, regardless how I the sixth 150-catch receiver at Notre Dame. Here are the other five, including bowl games for all: was feeling or any jitters I may No. Yards Avg. TD Player (Years) have had. I just tried my best to Michael Floyd (2008-11) 271 3,686 13.6 37 keep calm." Jeff Samardzija (2003-06) 179 2,593 14.5 27 Such poise should serve Rhema McKnight (2002-06) 170 2,277 13.4 22 him well once he faces the Tom Gatewood (1969-71) 165 2,438 14.8 21 shark-like headhunters on Golden Tate (2007-09) 157 2,707 17.2 26 the football field. In 2005-06, Note: Gatewood and Tate both played only three seasons. Jeff "The Shark" Samardzija A Growing Club