The Notre Dame Fighting Irish picked up their 23rd commitment of the 2013 class on Sunday when Belton (Texas) tight end Durham Smythe committed on an official visit, canceling in the process his plans to visit Michigan next week.
What Durham Smythe will bring to Notre Dame
In an age where many future tight ends play mostly at wide receiver in high school, the new Notre Dame commit can both block and catch.
The 6-5, 235-pound former Texas commit is a consensus four-star prospect ranked among the top 10 players at his position in the country because of his versatile skill set.
Though Smythe spends some of his time flexed out as a wide receiver for Belton, he spends most of the time with his hand on the ground as an in-line blocker. He needs to add some bulk to his frame to hold his own at the next level against opposing defensive ends, but he has the frame to eventually reach 250 pounds or more. The willingness to do the dirty work as a blocker and keep his legs moving on contact with a solid punch gives him some upside as a blocker.
In the passing game, Smythe looks like a natural receiver, catching the ball easily and consistently away from his body. A solid route runner, he has adequate speed, though he’s not among the elite at his position in terms of straight-line speed and likely won’t be able to simply outrun most linebackers in college.
It’s becoming harder and harder to find tight ends who can be equally effective in the running and passing games, as most prospects come out of high school only capable in one of those areas.
The Irish are getting a prospect who has the potential to be a true dual-threat for the tight end position moving forward.
