Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/296331
Sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith … On his position change: "Watching guys like the great Manti Te'o controlling things and really just regulating things from the inside, that's something that I'm looking forward to doing. You have to take it in stride and keep getting better. We'll go back and watch film and make corrections. You just have to apply them to your football IQ." On being a potential leader on defense: "I'm very excited about it. It's going to be a great challenge, but I believe I have what it takes to help lead this defense and the team. That's something that I will do. It's going to be a great experience." Senior quarterback Everett Golson … On the offense carrying the load in 2014: "I wouldn't say, 'Carry the load.' I think the offense will complement our defense where our defense is definitely going to be aggressive. … If they're going to be aggressive and have turnovers … the downside of that is with that risk, it's going to be touchdowns. We're going to have to be aggressive as well and score points." On competition with Malik Zaire: "You're going to have to work for every- thing that you've got, and I think I've done that up to this point. What we have right now is a quarterback battle. You're definitely going to work, and I think that competition is going to push both of us. Like I said, we'll see what happens." Sophomore quarterback Malik Zaire … On his chances to be the starter in the fall: "Of course I'm not going to ever say that I don't [have a chance]. I feel confident in my abilities. I feel confident that the coaches want to put the best guy out there. I just have to keep playing well and doing what I need to do." On playing in the Blue-Gold Game: "Today felt like this is your party. That's the same way it should be in the season. Practice should be harder than the games, and when it's game time it comes easy to us. It came easy to us today." Junior cornerback KeiVarae Russell … On when he plans to jump to the NFL: "It could be next year. It could be two years. I can't really just tell you I'm staying all four years or I'm going to leave next year. I'm just throwing it up in the air. It could be next year or it could be the year after." On what it takes to be a good captain: "Can you bring guys with you? That's the biggest thing for me. Do guys trust you enough to want to follow what you're doing? Are you doing things right outside? … Can I trust when we leave this building? That's the biggest thing for a captain."