Durham Smythe Anxious To Display Every-Down Ability

To Irish senior Durham Smythe, it seems like he was just in his first year with the program and learning under more experienced tight ends Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack in 2013. Now, the role of positional elder is his.

In week two of the 2015 season, Smythe suffered shoulder and knee injuries that would keep him out of action until the final game of the season — a 44-28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 1. Now, he’s healthy and hoping to prove he can be relied on by the Irish coaches on every down.

“My goal has always been to be an all-around guy,” he said. “Be a complete tight end. For me, back when I was a freshman I was more of a receiver so I built up so I was trying to be even. Now for me, it’s trying to elevate both aspects of the offense and trying to be reliable in both aspects of the offense. Somebody that can be trusted.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to work on. Even from the beginning of last year, it’s something I tried to focus on — being a reliable target and blocker. Unfortunately the injury happened, but it’s ultimately my goal.”

Even with the move of former defensive lineman Jacob Matuska to tight end, Notre Dame is carrying only four players at the position on its 2016 roster, including Smythe. The other two — sophomores Nic Weishar and Alizé Jones — registered 286 and 239 snaps, respectively, last fall. The duo was counted on for more than what was originally expected due to Smythe’s injury.

“They made huge strides over the last year and it was accelerated because we had so many injuries off and on,” Smythe said. “Their learning curve was accelerated last year and I think they did a great job. Their production might have not been as good as it was in the past, but if you broke down the film on a week-to-week basis like we did, they did a great job.

“It was exciting last year to watch them grow on a week-to-week basis and being out there with them it was exciting to watch them grow.”

In 2015, Notre Dame’s tight ends compiled 20 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown, which came on a trick play to Smythe in the 34-27 win at Virginia Sept. 12. Rarely were they a go-to option in the prolific Irish offense.

“We’re always in their ear,” Smythe said of the quarterbacks. “In our locker room, it’s quarterbacks and tight ends right across, so we try to make that pretty clear. With all the injuries at quarterback and other positions, maybe we did get away from it to an extent.

“We had an All-American receiver, so that helped too. I think it comes down to us being reliable targets, being guys who can get open and catch the ball and I think you’ll see the production rise.”

Now Smythe is healthy and Jones and Weishar have the benefit of extensive 2015 experience. The unit is now hoping it all comes together for a more productive 2016.

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