Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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138 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW OWENS I t seems like decades ago that former Irish safety Harrison Smith intercepted three passes in the 2010 Sun Bowl win over Miami, but it turns out that he was just getting started. The 2011 captain propelled a strong final two seasons in South Bend into a first-round draft selection in April 2012. He spent his first four seasons justifying that draft pick before earning a $51.25-million contract extension in June. Now, rather than resting on his status as arguably the top NFL safety, he feels like this lucrative deal just provides more reason to improve. "This, to me, is motivating," he told re- porters after signing the extension. "[General manager Rick Spielman] took me at the end of the first round in 2012, and at the time, that might have been a bit of a reach [based on] what people thought. … I always wanted to make him right, and I think I'll look at this the same way going forward." The Pro Bowler was named the top NFL safety in 2015 by Pro Football Focus, and he will now be paid accordingly. This contract provides long-term stability in a sport where teams can be fickle. "You always want to be recognized as one of the top guys at your position. I think if you're a competitor you always see your- self like that," Smith said. "There's a lot of mutual respect between myself and the organization." In 2015, Smith recorded 66 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two intercep- tions, while starring on a defense that led Minnesota to a division title and playoff appearance. The Vikings have consistently employed the most former Notre Dame players in the NFL on their roster, with Smith, tight end Kyle Rudolph, center John Sullivan and de- fensive back Robert Blanton (now with the Buffalo Bills) in recent seasons. The Arizona Cardinals, however, now own that distinction with five former Irish athletes after signing receiver Amir Carlisle and defensive back Matthias Farley as undrafted free agents this offseason. "They joke with us about it," Smith told Blue & Gold Illustrated a couple years ago of his teammates' reaction to having so many Notre Dame connections. "Even our team said they don't know if they can draft any more ND guys. We're kind of at our quota. There's a knowledge that we have [a lot of] Notre Dame guys, so we talk about it." These days, it's Smith that seemingly ev- eryone around the league is talking about. Vikings safety Harrison Smith was rewarded with a $51-million contract extension this offseason. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA VIKINGS HARRISON SMITH IS AT THE TOP OF HIS CRAFT IRISH IN THE NFL