IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS
S
pend a few minutes watching
Jaylon Smith in the center of
Notre Dame's defense and you'll
quickly realize just how critical he is
to the entire unit. Even though he just
began his second year on campus and
even though he spent last spring learn‑
ing a new position, Smith is the glue
that holds the Irish defense together.
And he should be a Notre Dame
captain in 2014.
Some will dismiss the Fort Wayne,
Ind., native as a realistic candidate be‑
cause he's only a sophomore, but he
represents a unique situation.
After so many players departed
to the NFL from last year 's unit and
with defensive coordinator Brian
VanGorder installing an entirely new
scheme, the personnel received a fresh
slate last spring. Even with the move
to Will linebacker in his second year,
Smith has consistently stood out in
practice.
There's not much precedent for
sophomore captains at Notre Dame.
Only once — Jack Mullen in the
1897‑99 seasons — has an Irish player
filled that role three times in a career,
which Smith would figure to do as‑
suming he stays all four years.
Head coach Brian Kelly seemed
The Right Fit
On a team without a lot of obvious captain candidates, Notre Dame might want to try the unconventional
move and recognize sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith's leadership.
PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS
