I am thinking that most guys that come into college football, even if they have been kings of the high school scene, have to decide if they are going to make it as a college player, especially at Notre Dame.
I see the process as follows: get up to speed in the classroom; get your body in order (wide range in time-frame); learn the mental (intellectual) side of the game; and finally master the mental emotional (toughness) side of the game. Of course there is overlap.
Examples: Kappy was a physical work in progress his whole five years at ND; Troy Niklas came in with the physical locked down, but we could see what it took for him to change positions; Theo was a great player his first three years, but he made that leap of mental toughness his senior year, I don't think anyone sees him less than a man transformed.
Comments about how Jaylon Smith will jump right in, or how because Jarron Jones didn't, he has some kind of ceiling limitation are just not on target. Same with Tony Springman; he can play side line to side line. Greg Bryant like all these kids need to grow up. Sometimes the team's needs don't allow that, (KRussel), but most guys go through major growth each year and end their careers as substantially better players.
An example of someone a friend of I were talking about that could be a late bloomer is Ben Koyack, Alex Welch also, for that matter. If these guys grow up, (Troy will be the most improved player) we could have one of our strongest showings across the board at tight end, ever, just for instance.