Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME ceiver with fifth-year senior Amir Carlisle, Hunter began practic- ing on defense in Octo- ber and made cameos at nickel during victories at both Pitt (three snaps) Nov. 7 and Wake Forest (two snaps) the follow- ing week. Pulling double duty might even be com- ing back in vogue a little more. In 2013-14, U C L A' s M y l e s J a c k recorded 163 tackles at linebacker but also rushed for 380 yards and 10 touchdowns in a part- time role on offense. At USC, star corner- back Adoreé Jackson lines up on occasion at receiver, snaring an 83- yard touchdown against the Irish in the Trojans' 41-31 defeat Oct. 17. Another Irish foe, Pit freshman safety Jordan Whitehead, carried four times for 27 yards and two scores in the Pan- thers' 42-30 loss to Notre Dame. Hunter admitted he wasn't sure what to think when head coach Brian Kelly approached him about playing nickel back. He hadn't played defense since his senior year of high school at Prosper (Texas) High. After about six weeks of part-time practice there, the role is growing on him. "I feel just more com- fortable," Hunter said three days before the Boston College game. "I'm not exactly to where I want to be on defense, but whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it. I'm not afraid to try things out. "I'm starting to be a lot more patient. At first, I was really trying to get my hands on the re- ceiver, but I'm starting to take my time and that's helping me out. "… That's really cool [that the coaches trust me]. It's something that not a lot of people get to experience at this level." Beneficial to Hunter has been the one-on-one time he has received with defensive backs coach Todd Lyght and gradu- ate assistant Maurice Crum, both former cap- tains for the Irish. "I'm just kind of taking my coaching … he was a great player in college and the NFL," Hunter said of Lyght. "I take what he gives me and kind of just try it out. Earn 1.00% cash back, up to $500. Excludes Elevate™ program participating loans, Rate Genius loans and existing NDFCU loans. Offer may change at any time. No payments until January 2016. Interest will accrue during this time. Independent of the University.