Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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152 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW KONA SCHWENKE • DT Kahuku, Hawaii (Kahuku) Prep Ranking: Rated as a four‑star prospect, the No. 2 talent in Hawaii, and the No. 33 defensive end and No. 267 overall player nationally by Scout … Listed as the No. 34 weakside defensive end in the country by Rivals. Career Summary: During his career, made 31 appearances and nine starts … As a fresh‑ man, was supposed to save a season of eligi‑ bility while adding needed bulk and strength, but an injury to senior nose guard Ian Wil‑ liams forced him onto the field for the final five games of the season … Notre Dame looked to restore that lost year in 2011, with him sitting the first four games of the season … A one game suspension of Stephon Tuitt forced him onto the field against Purdue … Made three appearances that season, but did not register a tackle … Backed up classmate Louis Nix in 2012, making 11 appearances and two starts … Recorded five tackles and had a stop for loss on the season … Saw his most action as a senior, when he made 12 appearances and seven starts while totaling 23 tackles and a sack. Final Review: Schwenke was one of the final prospects added to the 2010 class … He signed with Notre Dame as a 227‑pound end with a good frame and finished his career as a 303‑pound interior player … Schwenke was part of a number of talented defensive lines that kept him from emerging as a full‑ time starter. PRINCE SHEMBO • OLB Charlotte, N.C. (Ardrey Kell) Prep Ranking: Considered a four‑star recruit, the No. 7 player in North Carolina, and the No. 7 inside linebacker and the No. 238 overall player in the country by Rivals … Listed as a three‑star prospect and the No. 47 defensive end nationally by ESPN … Cho‑ sen to play in the 2009 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Career Summary: After initially being re‑ cruited as an inside linebacker, moved to outside linebacker as a freshman … Ap‑ peared in all 13 games that season, register‑ ing 15 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks … Started eight games at "Dog" line‑ backer in 2011, and recorded 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks … Emerged as a full‑time starter at "Cat" linebacker in 2012, where he would start the next two seasons … Set career highs with 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a ju‑ nior … As a senior, posted 48 stops and 5.5 sacks, and had a career‑high 17 QB hurries … Finished his career with 51 appearances and 34 starts, 145 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks and 35 QB hurries. Final Review: Shembo was one of the most productive players from the 2010 class … His sack total ranks No. 6 on Notre Dame's all‑time list since the stat was first kept in 1982 … Shembo's strong 2012 season helped Notre Dame finish No. 2 in the coun‑ try in scoring defense and No. 7 in total de‑ fense … He was chosen to play in the East‑ West Shrine Classic … Shembo was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (No. 139 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. DANIEL SMITH • WR South Bend, Ind. (Clay) Prep Ranking: Consensus three‑star prospect … Rated as the No. 8 player in Indiana and the No. 53 wide receiver in the country by Scout … Listed as the No. 7 player in Indi‑ ana and the country's No. 89 wide receiver by Rivals. Career Summary: Made 28 appearances and six starts during his Notre Dame career … As a freshman and sophomore, he played games on special teams and totaled two tack‑ les … In 2012, he earned a spot in the wide receiver rotation and made four starts, serv‑ ing primarily as a blocker in the run game … Hauled in seven passes for 47 yards … Made six appearances and two starts in 2013 before a fractured ankle cost him the final seven games of the season. Final Review: Although never a full‑time starter, Smith was able to carve out a niche role for himself at Notre Dame on special teams and as a strong run blocker … His Rivals — No. 14 247Sports — No. 16 Tom Lemming — No. 18 Scout — No. 19 ESPN — No. 21 Starters (8) TJ Jones, WR (37 starts) Prince Shembo, OLB (34) Christian Lombard, OL (31) Tommy Rees, QB (31) Louis Nix, NG (30) Bennett Jackson, WR/CB (26) Austin Collinsworth, S (13) Danny Spond, OLB (11) Reserves (9) Kona Schwenke, DT (9) Daniel Smith, WR (6) Justin Utupo, DT (3) Lo Wood, CB Kendall Moore, LB Andrew Hendrix, QB Alex Welch, TE Luke Massa, QB/WR Bruce Heggie, OL Departures (6) Chris Badger (BYU in 2013) Spencer Boyd (South Florida in 2010) Matt James (Passed away prior to enrolling) Tate Nichols (medical hardship) Derek Roback (Ohio in 2010) Cameron Roberson (medical hardship) Year-By-Year Record 2010: 8-5, Sun Bowl vs. Miami (W 33-17). Final Rank- ings: unranked. 2011: 8-5, Champs Sports Bowl vs. Florida State (L 18-14). Final Rankings: unranked. 2012: 12-1, BCS National Championship Game vs. Alabama (L 42-14). Final Rankings: No. 4 in Associated Press poll and No. 3 in USA Today coaches poll. 2013: 9-4, Pinstripe Bowl vs. Rutgers (W, 29-16). Final Rankings: No. 20 in Associated Press poll and No. 24 in USA Today coaches poll. 2014: 8-5, Music City Bowl vs. LSU (W, 31-28). Final Rankings: unranked. Five-Year Record Overall: 45-20 (.692) Versus Big Ten: 10-5 (.667) Versus ACC: 10-2 (.833) Versus USC: 3-2 (.600) Versus Michigan: 2-3 (.400) Top-20 Finishes: 2 (2012, 2013) Top-10 Finishes: 1 (2012) 2010 Recruiting Class Rankings End Kona Schwenke was part of a number of tal- ented Irish defensive lines, providing quality depth. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA