Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2016 45 PREP PROFILES Even before taking an official visit to South Bend, four-star offensive lineman Trey Smith of University School in Jackson, Tenn., held Notre Dame in high regard. The 6-5, 305-pounder said Notre Dame sticks out from other college programs, and that's why he chose to use one of his five NCAA-allowed official visits on a trip to South Bend Nov. 19 for the game versus Virginia Tech. "You can't beat the football tradi- tion of Notre Dame and South Bend," Smith said. "It's unlike any other in college football." Also attracting Smith, the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 91 overall player in the country according to Ri- vals, to Notre Dame is Irish offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. "We have a great relationship," Smith stated. "We sort of understand each other. He knows the goals I want to accomplish, and he knows he can take me there easily." Smith added that he's taken notice of the success and NFL Draft hype surrounding current Hiestand pupils Mike McGlinchey, a senior tackle, and Quenton Nelson, a junior guard. "Those guys are special players," Smith said. "The things they've done to make themselves better proves that Hiestand is a great coach. "If you put in the work and work your butt off every day, you'll be good." Smith is certainly putting in the work, and big-time programs have taken notice. He held 18 offers head- ing into November, and said he plans on using all five of his official visits. In addition to going to Notre Dame, Smith will take trips to Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Ohio State. Tennessee — which hired Smith's older sister, Ashley Smith, to work in the recruiting office and interact with the football staff on a daily basis — and his childhood favorite Alabama are considered the frontrunners to land Smith, but Notre Dame cannot be counted out. Smith said he could see himself suiting up for the Fight- ing Irish in the future. "Any team in my top six is in good standing," Smith explained. "Any team that made my top six has, in my mind, been to the point where I can imagine and envision myself go- ing to that school, so they're in good standing." — David McKinney JT Daniels started 12 games at quar- terback for perennial power Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei as a freshman, and threw for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. The 6-1, 190-pounder has continued that success as a sophomore in 2016, leading Mater Dei to a 9-0 record and a No. 3 national ranking by USA Today, while throwing for 3,102 yards and 47 touchdowns. It's early in his recruitment process, but Daniels already holds 10 offers, including one from Notre Dame, and said he has a lot of early interest in the Irish. "I love Notre Dame," Daniels said. "Coach [Brian] Kelly and Coach [Mike] Sanford are awesome, and the campus and school are top notch. The program and traditions of the school [are attrac- tive]." Daniels said that he doesn't have a current leader, but mentioned he was excited to receive a Notre Dame offer in January. "Notre Dame was a massive offer and a true honor," Daniels said. "I've always loved Notre Dame, and I'm very interested in the school." Five months after receiving the offer, Daniels made his way to South Bend to take place in the Irish Invasion camp, where he was a standout. Daniels said the visit went about as well as it could have. "Coach Sanford and I had a great time," Daniels said. "I loved the cam- pus and camp itself. It was a great ex- perience, honestly." After visiting, Daniels said he could envision himself fitting in with the Irish well. "I could see myself playing in Notre Dame's system," Daniels said. "It's similar to the one I play in now." Off the field, Daniels said academ- ics will play an important role in his decision. "The school is very important to me," Daniels said. "That's why Notre Dame is high on my priority list. "If I can get along with the program and coaches, I'll like the football pro- gram, too. I go by the feeling I get when I'm at the school." Often times in recruiting, a school has to sell themselves to a prospect in order to make a push. Daniels said that for Notre Dame, no such approach is necessary. "I can't really tell if there was much of a pitch," Daniels said. "They just let the results and the prestige of the school do the talking. Notre Dame doesn't need much of a pitch." — David McKinney Tennessee Tackle Sees Special Opportunity At Notre Dame Talented 2019 Quarterback Has Early Interest In Irish TREY SMITH ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ University School Jackson, Tenn. Status: Offered Class: 2017 Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 305 Rivals Rankings: No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 91 overall player in the nation JT DANIELS No star rating yet Mater Dei Santa Ana, Calif. Status: Offered Class: 2019 Position: Quarterback Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 190 Rivals Rankings: Currently Unrated "YOU CAN'T BEAT THE FOOTBALL TRADITION OF NOTRE DAME AND SOUTH BEND. IT'S UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL." SMITH "I'VE ALWAYS LOVED NOTRE DAME, AND I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THE SCHOOL." DANIELS