'13 TX TE Durham Smythe (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[Irish_irish]

IrishIllustrated.com - Smythe pulls the trigger

Free

I grew up a huge fan. I actually went to the Sugar Bowl when they played LSU. That was my Christmas present.”

Great to see a lifelong fan get the chance to be a part of the programme.

 

[NDohio]

Beautiful - Welcome to Irish Nation.

 

[arrowryan]

Love the pick up. I said earlier that I was a real critic of this kid but very happy we got him. The staff has really set us up to play smash mouth football and run it up the gut or we can stretch the field. Hopefully we get EV and Fitts/Hollins to cap it off

 

[NDFan4Life88]

Now it is banana dancing time!

 

[woolybug25]

I grew up a huge fan. I actually went to the Sugar Bowl when they played LSU. That was my Christmas present.”

Yikes... Notre Dame will try to make that up to you.

 

[Emcee77]

No, we likely have 2 no matter what. We could probably have up to 3 if the staff took 2 of Isaac/Prevot/Hollins/Fitts before EV made a decision. The odds of that happening though are minuscule.

Wouldn't taking three more be oversigning, unless there is a medical case that the staff knows about but hasn't announced (Nichols?), or unless we cut loose both Fox and Calabrese? Assuming Fox is back and no medicals, I count two spots left. 28 = 23 2013 commits + 2 more 2013 commits + Martin, Watt and Fox.

 

[quarterback1010]

Right on!! I didn't realize how big this kid is!! 6'6 230!! If he puts on 20 lbs, which shouldn't be a problem seeing he's only 18, we'll be looking at Tyler Eiffert!

 

[RyCo1983]

I think I'll call him "Bull".

 

[vuirish]

I think I'll call him "Bull".

Very clever. I like what you did there.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

I think I'll call him "Bull".

As in "Bull Smythe"? Yes, it has a ring to it.

 

[Grahambo]

As in "Bull Smythe"? Yes, it has a ring to it.

 

[Zwidmanio]

Very classy move by Heuerman.

He's been a class act throughout the recruiting process. For instance, when ND was recruiting that other TE (from NC I believe, can't recall his name) and the other fellow had some disparaging things to say, Heuerman took the high road and actually continued to encourage the guy to come to ND. Plenty of class and maturity on display there.

To get back on track, what a TE haul for this year. I'm looking forward to these guys doing some damage the next few years. It certainly seems that we've got some good ones.

I'm really enjoying this focus on versatile TEs as well...it seems that if you're running an offense based on finding mismatches, having a few good TEs on the field at the same time is one of the best methods for doing so.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I haven't been on all day. Love to see this! Boom!

 

[Me2SouthBend]

C'mon dude. Don't make me talk italics, or lack there of. BTW, I love this pick up. Welcome to the Irish Mr. Smythe.

 

[ohara831]

Great news! Glad to have the young man Irish!

 

[chicago51]

I am a bit curious about the pick up not negative but curious.

We already got TEs on the team and picked up one already.

Does this mean our odds of getting EV or one of the OLBs not very good?

I am a big fan of the TE position and the New England Patriots style of versatility that having a variety of talented of TEs can bring to an offense. I'm just curious if the hopes for the rest of the class should be low considering TE was not a big need.

 

[scUM Hater]

I am a bit curious about the pick up not negative curious.

We already got TEs on the team and picked up one already.
Does this mean our odds of getting EV or one of the OLBs not very good?

I am a big fan of the TE position and the New England Patriots style of versatility that having a variety of talented of TEs can bring to an offense. I'm just curious if the hopes for the rest of the class should be low considering TE was not a big need.

Maybe the coaching staff knows something we don't about the current TE situation?

 

[IrishYYC]

I've been out all day and I come back and hear the great news.

Welcome to the family Durham. This is a huge get. Two top 10 TEs in this class and the tradition of TE U continues.

Awesome!

 

[rtrn2glory]

more i watch this kid the more i LOVE the pickup...super tough across the middle, great at finding holes in zones, steps on safeties toes, can block at the point, and seems to be playing in an offense that is similar to ours so the transition shouldn't be too difficult.

great job by this staff....i'll admit i was skeptical at first, but i strongly believe we got a steal here boys.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I am a bit curious about the pick up not negative but curious.

We already got TEs on the team and picked up one already.

Does this mean our odds of getting EV or one of the OLBs not very good?

I am a big fan of the TE position and the New England Patriots style of versatility that having a variety of talented of TEs can bring to an offense. I'm just curious if the hopes for the rest of the class should be low considering TE was not a big need.

OMM posted something about this a week ago I think. I don't remember what thread, but it was long and informative.

He said something along the lines of the 2014 TE's aren't looking that great, and our depth will not be there by next year at the position, so if the staff could pick up 2 good TE's this year it would go a really long way for depth purposes.

I just smiled and nodded.

 

[Ironman8]

OMM posted something about this a week ago I think. I don't remember what thread, but it was long and informative.

He said something along the lines of the 2014 TE's aren't looking that great, and our depth will not be there by next year at the position, so if the staff could pick up 2 good TE's this year it would go a really long way for depth purposes.

I just smiled and nodded.

We are going after Jeb Blazevich and Tyler Luatua extremely hard in 2014.

I think it just shows the importance the staff is placing on the TE position going forward, where we will utilize them much more than normal teams in both the receiving and blocking games, a la Stanford.

 

[VAIrishFan]

Great Pickup!

 

[phork]

Yikes... Notre Dame will try to make that up to you.

A refund is in order.

I think the TE is an under rated position myself. How many times do you see a great TE blocking the hell out of the defense on a great run team, only to get your heart ripped out when he is running untouched down the seam.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

For all intent and purpose with Mike and Durham this year, we will have five tight ends on scholarship, with a Alex Welch in dry-dock. I think it will take a while for his knee. But Alex is tough; he played last year with an injury that most people couldn't walk with.


Edit: Note; It will be interesting to see, but these guys could turn out to be five of the ten best tight ends in the country.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Late to the party, but this looks like a great pickup. I agree that he looks a bit like Rudolph on the film. Big, physical, but quite agile for the size.

I can't wait to see this class in 2-3 years.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Maybe the coaching staff knows something we don't about the current TE situation?

i dont mean to be critical, cynical, or obtuse, but yeah, the coaching staff knows a CRAP ton more than we know. trust them.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Welcome to the family!!!!

 

[Luckylucci]

BGI, keeps saying that this is pretty telling about the kind of offense we r going to be running in the forseeable future. Two tight ends with the ability to attach and detach one or both of them

 

[Booslum31]

BGI, keeps saying that this is pretty telling about the kind of offense we r going to be running in the forseeable future. Two tight ends with the ability to attach and detach one or both of them

I like the match up of a sort DB on a big TE or a slower LB covering a fast TE. Two TE set gives us the opportunity to do that. I expect more impactful play from our WRs ths year that should open it up for the TEs.

 

[Redbar]

Welcome aboard Durham, congratulations, I know Notre Dame was a goal for you, and we are thrilled to have you.