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

[Brooklyn]

Big fan of his already. Lifelong fan getting his shot at being on his favorite team. I love it.

 

[Booslum31]

 

[FearTheBeard]

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

This is what I'm curious about our offense from here on out. Obviously got some big linemen coming in and with Golson having a year under his belt do you guys think they try to open up the spread and air it out or focus more on a ground and pound type of offense?

 

[Brown]

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.

In this case -- i don't think it's so much about the position as it is about having a 6'5 230 lb athlete that might fit at a variety of "big skill" positions (DE, TE, OLB, etc.)

Every scouting report on this kid is that he's extremely versatile.

 

[Emcee77]

In this case -- i don't think it's so much about the position as it is about having a 6'5 230 lb athlete that might fit at a variety of "big skill" positions (DE, TE, OLB, etc.)

Every scouting report on this kid is that he's extremely versatile.

Where are you reading this? BGI has been saying exactly the opposite for weeks -- that Smythe is a "TE only" prospect. In fact they didn't think we had serious interest in him at first because they didn't yet know that the staff had changed its mind about recruiting a second TE and didn't think Smythe could play other positions. After watching his tape today, I don't see him playing anywhere besides TE either. Great hands.

 

[Luckylucci]

Only thing I've read is what emcee said.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Welcome to the U, TE U!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Where are you reading this? BGI has been saying exactly the opposite for weeks -- that Smythe is a "TE only" prospect. In fact they didn't think we had serious interest in him at first because they didn't yet know that the staff had changed its mind about recruiting a second TE and didn't think Smythe could play other positions. After watching his tape today, I don't see him playing anywhere besides TE either. Great hands.

Before he is done, he will be able to line up at any receiver position. He has hands. I don't know his footspeed. He seems to get seperation. He seems to be able to outrun people. Does anyone know what level his team plays at in TX?

 

[BGIF]

Where are you reading this? BGI has been saying exactly the opposite for weeks -- that Smythe is a "TE only" prospect. In fact they didn't think we had serious interest in him at first because they didn't yet know that the staff had changed its mind about recruiting a second TE and didn't think Smythe could play other positions. After watching his tape today, I don't see him playing anywhere besides TE either. Great hands.

ESPN

ESPN Analyst
Updated 01/27/2013

Smythe possesses excellent height, solid bulk and though he will need to add more size, he should be able to add plenty of good mass to his long frame. He will align flexed out as well as from an inline position and can likely offer some versatility in how aligned ... for full access to RecruitingNation become an Insider.

ESPN list Hands and Versatility in his profile Traits.

 

[PANDFAN]

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.

he is different from Mike....mike is the flexed out TE more along the lines of what Eifert was in 2011 when he had his breakout year.....Durham is more of a blocking BIG body TE that luckily for us is VERSATILE in that he is able to catch the ball very well and can stretch the field

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

he is different from Mike....mike is the flexed out TE more along the lines of what Eifert was in 2011 when he had his breakout year.....Durham is more of a blocking BIG body TE that luckily for us is VERSATILE in that he is able to catch the ball very well and can stretch the field

Actually think it is the opposite. From what I have read, Durham is a much better pass catcher than blocker and is better flexed out in space. Not very fat but always finds the hole in the defense and fights for the extra yards. Mike on the other hand is known for getting after it blocking and loves to hit people.

 

[PANDFAN]

Actually think it is the opposite. From what I have read, Durham is a much better pass catcher than blocker and is better flexed out in space. Not very fat but always finds the hole in the defense and fights for the extra yards. Mike on the other hand is known for getting after it blocking and loves to hit people.

Yes mike is good at blocking on his highlight film but body type wise....mike is a flex te ...

MH- 6'4 210 and looks very long and lanky
DS 6'6 230 he reminds me of KR...big, soft hands and can get in between that spot over LB and in front of safeties

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Yes mike is good at blocking on his highlight film but body type wise....mike is a flex te ...

No question body wise.

 

[dublinirish]

Hopefully smyth can be a Troy/Gronk type, would love to see Mike become a Aaron Hernandez type.

 

[ThePiombino]

I think the beauty here is either one can take on any assignment. Thing about the possibilities of lining up in a TWO TE set: both inline, both flexed out, or one and one. Talk about hand picking your mismatch! And this isn't even including the WRs or RB/WRs This is gonna so much fun lol. Transformers offense.

 

[irishff1014]

I think the beauty here is either one can take on any assignment. Thing about the possibilities of lining up in a TWO TE set: both inline, both flexed out, or one and one. Talk about hand picking your mismatch! And this isn't even including the WRs or RB/WRs This is gonna so much fun lol. Transformers offense.

I agree with this. Not to mention he can block pretty good. I don't think many will regret having this kid.

 

[Emcee77]

I think the beauty here is either one can take on any assignment. Thing about the possibilities of lining up in a TWO TE set: both inline, both flexed out, or one and one. Talk about hand picking your mismatch! And this isn't even including the WRs or RB/WRs This is gonna so much fun lol. Transformers offense.

This is an interesting debate. I agree with Panda that when you watch their highlight tapes, Mike looks like the flex TE and Smythe the inline TE. Smythe has a bigger body and makes a lot of great catches in the seam in the middle of the field. Mike makes a lot of nice plays out toward the sidelines and looks faster after the catch (no idea if he is measurably faster). He looked like a better route-runner/YAC TE ... Smythe looked like more of a big-body/tough-catch-over-the-middle in traffic TE.

But that's based on a couple of 2 minute highlight tapes, and from what I've read and what recruitniks seem to be saying, I think Piombino is right here. The idea is for Mike and Smythe to be interchangeable as TEs BOTH of whom can BOTH line up in the slot and in-line.

 

[connect the dots]

Before he is done, he will be able to line up at any receiver position. He has hands. I don't know his footspeed. He seems to get seperation. He seems to be able to outrun people. Does anyone know what level his team plays at in TX?

Class 5A DivII Competition Temple, Midway(waco), Killeen. Couple years ago, Belton played Abilene for 5A. David Ash was Belton's quarterback.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Welcome to Notre Dame Durham!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Class 5A DivII Competition Temple, Midway(waco), Killeen. Couple years ago, Belton played Abilene for 5A. David Ash was Belton's quarterback.

Then he is ripping up with routes against, "as good as it gets!"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Emcee77
Where are you reading this? BGI has been saying exactly the opposite for weeks -- that Smythe is a "TE only" prospect. In fact they didn't think we had serious interest in him at first because they didn't yet know that the staff had changed its mind about recruiting a second TE and didn't think Smythe could play other positions. After watching his tape today, I don't see him playing anywhere besides TE either. Great hands.

ESPN

ESPN Analyst
Updated 01/27/2013

Quote:
Smythe possesses excellent height, solid bulk and though he will need to add more size, he should be able to add plenty of good mass to his long frame. He will align flexed out as well as from an inline position and can likely offer some versatility in how aligned ... for full access to RecruitingNation become an Insider.

ESPN list Hands and Versatility in his profile Traits.

I loved the days when there were just, linebackers(2) and tight ends(1). I never thought I would say it. Now with all the sophisticated things pro teams are doing, and with the 10,000,000 talking heads, of which 9,900,050 can find comforable employment, every fan thinks he needs to be an expert on all these subtlties and nuances. I can guarantee, when it comes to the Irish, sometime when the grass is green and the weather hot, a ND coach is going to give these young men assignments to run a specific route, which will require running, escapability, turning, precision, blocking, and catching. That comes way first. Can these guys do that. I was earlier trying to say that I see unbelievable gifts under the surface with our second tight end recruit, to match our first, this year. It is up to them to develop their skills, but the ceiling with these guys and other new receivers like, Corey, and James is way up near Eifert and Floyd, more than down around Skinny J. Slipshitzinsky's.

 

[irishog77]

This is what I'm curious about our offense from here on out. Obviously got some big linemen coming in and with Golson having a year under his belt do you guys think they try to open up the spread and air it out or focus more on a ground and pound type of offense?

Maybe. I don't think getting him and MH this cycle has as much to say about ND's future offense as it does about depth and roster management. Ahead of MH at the TE position are 3 guys, all of whom exhaust their eligibility the same year (Welch could even be gone after this year, if he doesn't get a 5th year...and I guess there's the possibility that if one of these guys kills it this year, he could leave a year early), and all have some questions about being the next "awesome TE at ND"- performance and/or injuries. Part of me hopes MH plays this year (being an EE) and that Smythe redshirts, but that's just for roster management purposes. Picking up Smythe this year makes TE a non-panic, must-get next cycle (at least as far as signing 2). Now, the staff can ease Welch back in (if he needs to be due to his injury), still use multiple TE sets if they'd like, and make honest, genuine evaluations of the players and the position going forward. The staff won't really be forced to do things at the TE position, on the field or on the road recruiting, because they've more or less "solidified" the position in the short term and long term.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Then he is ripping up with routes against, "as good as it gets!"



I loved the days when there were just, linebackers(2) and tight ends(1). I never thought I would say it. Now with all the sophisticated things pro teams are doing, and with the 10,000,000 talking heads, of which 9,900,050 can find comforable employment, every fan thinks he needs to be an expert on all these subtlties and nuances. I can guarantee, when it comes to the Irish, sometime when the grass is green and the weather hot, a ND coach is going to give these young men assignments to run a specific route, which will require running, escapability, turning, precision, blocking, and catching. That comes way first. Can these guys do that. I was earlier trying to say that I see unbelievable gifts under the surface with our second tight end recruit, to match our first, this year. It is up to them to develop their skills, but the ceiling with these guys and other new receivers like, Corey, and James is way up near Eifert and Floyd, more than down around Skinny J. Slipshitzinsky's.

I don't recall his recruitment. Was it a NSD nail biter?

 

[Me2SouthBend]

From Keith

Big recruiting weekend nets Irish Durham Smythe | Inside the Irish

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I don't recall his recruitment. Was it a NSD nail biter?

Yeah, things got reall shiity, fast!

 

[Cackalacky]

I obviously missed where Matuska was switched from TE to DL. He was a TE when he committed right? Or am I just dumb. I am definitely too lazy to go back and check his thread. Is that the coaching staff's intended plan? Or does it even matter. I was surprised to get what I thought was another TE.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

From Keith

Big recruiting weekend nets Irish Durham Smythe | Inside the Irish

I really like that Keith's writing; but some of those comments. One guy figures that if a defensive end goes down they will move Troy Niklas to defensive end? Open head, insert brain.

Keith on the other hand must be a fukkin' genius. Right away he, like me talked about how Durham could play split wide so well. Brilliant minds think alike.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I obviously missed where Matuska was switched from TE to DL. He was a TE when he committed right? Or am I just dumb. I am definitely too lazy to go back and check his thread. Is that the coaching staff's intended plan? Or does it even matter. I was surprised to get what I thought was another TE.

Matuska was recruited as a DE, but the possibility of him switching to TE has been mentioned frequently. With Smythe's verbal, that seems much less likely now.

 

[Cackalacky]

Matuska was recruited as a DE, but the possibility of him switching to TE has been mentioned frequently. With Smythe's verbal, that seems much less likely now.

As always sir your info is most kindly appreciated.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I obviously missed where Matuska was switched from TE to DL.(A) He was a TE when he committed right? Or am I just dumb.(B) I am definitely too lazy to go back and check his thread. Is that the coaching staff's intended plan? Or does it even matter.(C) I was surprised to get what I thought was another TE.

(A) You never missed it because it never happened. He was only offered at DE by ND. Some of the people on the site that are a lot smarter than me, (and the coaching staff for that matter), talked about O vs., D, but that is all.

(B) You are not dumb in the least. In fact you are way above average. You are the kind of guy who doesn't worry about being the fastest around alligators; you just make sure you are no less than the second slowest! Now send me a million vbucks.

(C) If you remember, it took a couple extra days for him to commit, because he had to mill over playing on defense. Then in his verbal statement, he said where wasn't as important as playing. Kid is strong and has an explosive first step. Nicely violent.

Oh Cack, it matters, it really does!

 

[Cackalacky]

(A) You never missed it because it never happened. He was only offered at DE by ND. Some of the people on the site that are a lot smarter than me, (and the coaching staff for that matter), talked about O vs., D, but that is all.

(B) You are not dumb in the least. In fact you are way above average. You are the kind of guy who doesn't worry about being the fastest around alligators; you just make sure you are no less than the second slowest! Now send me a million vbucks.

(C) If you remember, it took a couple extra days for him to commit, because he had to mill over playing on defense. Then in his verbal statement, he said where wasn't as important as playing. Kid is strong and has an explosive first step. Nicely violent.

Oh Cack, it matters, it really does!

A) I did not know that. I though he was coming in as a TE and then I got lost in all the other commits.Thanks.
B) Some would argue otherwise. If you remember I do swim in alligator infested areas and we do have watch outs. I aint been caught yet though.
C) I do not recall that but if that is the case, me likey. You can have the roughly $11970 vbucks in my vault, but the weight of reps should suffice.....