Torii Hunter Caps Off Strong Spring With A Big Fall On The Horizon
This offseason, Notre Dame is trying to figure out how to replace the 62 receptions, 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns that Will Fuller provided to the 2015 receiving corps.
Increasingly, it looks like Torii Hunter is ready to blossom into that dependable role for the Irish offense.
Hunter’s 50-yard one-handed grab in the Blue-Gold Game demonstrated the skills of a two-sport athlete, with the receiver also playing on the school’s baseball team as an outfielder.
That, however, has not held him back in terms of production or leadership this spring.
“Look, he could have taken the easy way out here,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “He could have said, ‘Hey, I'm playing baseball, I can't make it this weekend. I've got a doubleheader. But no, he would go to practice and then he would go into a phone booth and throw on his Superman cape and head on over to the baseball field.
“It's amazing what he does in terms of the intensity in which he practices and how hard he goes, and then he does the same thing for [baseball coach Mik Aoki]. He's a unique young man in that he can focus and give that kind of intensity to both sports.”
As the son of a longtime Major League Baseball star, Hunter learned early on about the benefits of effort and determination while taking advantage of as many opportunities as possible.
“Over the last couple of days, actually, I’ve had a couple guys come up to me and say ‘you had a game yesterday? I don’t know how you do it; that’s awesome. I appreciate that, and you coming out here and giving it your all, especially when you just had a game yesterday,’” Hunter said. “It makes me feel good about myself. It really shows that they really look up to me and appreciate the fact that I try to give my all with both teams.”
Hunter has served a jack-of-all-trades role for the Irish since arriving in 2013. As a freshman he practiced at all three receiver positions and even though most of his playing time has been at the slot, he could thrive in any role for Notre Dame’s offense in 2016.
“Wherever they need to move me, I’ll be able to do that,” he said. “I played a couple snaps on Z today just because the situation called for it. [I’ll play] where they need me to be, I’ll make sure I know what I have to do, and whatever the situation calls for, I’ll be there.”
Even with a highlight reel catch, Hunter didn’t see his Blue-Gold Game performance as anything special and instead wanted to discuss the up-and-comers at the receiving position like early enrollee Kevin Stepherson.
“[My performance] was ok,” he said. “I definitely could have done a couple of things better. For the most part, I just tried to go out there and make plays, make the catches that I needed to make. I probably could’ve made one play on the sideline. It will all present itself on the film.”
“Kevin Stepherson has made great strides. When he first got here, though, he was out there making plays, great releases off the line, and he’s just been a great player for us this spring. He’s got a lot of development to do as far as knowing the offense and the ins and outs. Whenever it starts to click for him, he’s going to be a dangerous player for sure.”
If the spring is any indication, everything is clicking for Hunter right now in every facet of his athletic life.