Luatua and fifth-year senior
Chase Hounshell, a converted
defensive lineman, have been
primarily used as blockers.
Meanwhile, sophomore Nic
Weishar and freshman Alizé
Jones are exceptional receiving
threats, but need more physical
development in the blocking
realm.
"You'll see them all play, no
question," Notre Dame head
coach Brian Kelly said of a
likely committee approach at
tight end. "I don't think there is
just one guy. Durham was able
to do a lot of different things,
so now I think you'll see we'll
go deeper with the tight ends."
Entering the Georgia Tech
game, none had caught a pass
yet in his career, but Luatua
was the projected starter.
Luatua made his starting de-
but in the Music City Bowl win
over LSU and was an effective
blocker on multiple touch-
downs.
Classmate Weishar was a Pa-
rade All-American and caught
more passes than any player
in Illinois high school history.
Fellow four-star recruit Jones
had 17 snaps against Texas and
eight at Virginia, numbers that
are expected to expand sub-
stantially as the season pro-
gresses. Hounshell made a key
block, sealing off the end, on
Smythe's touchdown at Vir-
ginia.
UNDER THE DOME
Smythe caught only two passes for 13 yards and a touch-
down in two games, but he played 105 of 123 first-team
snaps, and his blocking helped the Irish average 233.5
rushing yards per contest.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
