Report Card: Notre Dame’s Wide Receiver’s

Oct. 13, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver TJ Jones (7) celebrates after a touchdown catch in overtime against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

Notre Dame lost one of its best Wide Receiver’s in history in Michael Floyd. Floyd was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. The biggest question was: who would step up and fill the void left by Floyd? The answer did not come from one person but from a collective group of players.

T.J. Jones

Critics questioned Jones’ intensity in his first two seasons at Notre Dame. In his Freshman campaign, Jones caught 23 passes for 306 yards. He was expected to make strides in his Sophomore campaign that did not occur. Jones snagged 38 passes for 366 yards. Thus, many were doubting what Jones could do this season since he did not show a significant amount of progress in his Sophomore season. However, Jones proved everyone wrong this season. Jones hauled in 43 balls for 559 yards and 4 touchdowns. His biggest area of improvement has been yards after catch. He tends not to be taken down by the first defender and is a little shiftier in the open field. Jones was a key to Notre Dame having any success in the passing game this season.

Overall Grade: A

DaVaris Daniels

When Notre Dame lost Michael Floyd to the NFL Draft, Daniels was expected to fill that void with his tremendous talent. Daniels appeared on his way to developing into this type of receiver when he broke his collarbone against Boston College. Daniels could return for the National Title game but his progress has been hampered. Daniels caught 25 passes for 375 yards in 10 games. This total helped him finish 3rd on the team behind Eifert and Jones. Daniels showed flashes of how good he could be. For example, he had excellent statistical games against Purdue and Pittsburgh. Daniels gained 70 and 86 receiving yards respectively in those games. Daniels may have been expected to do more this season. However, he had some big catches. He may have been on the verge of breaking out after the Pittsburgh game. But, now, fans will wait to see if Daniels is a Floyd-type of player.

Overall Grade: B-

John Goodman

Goodman was not expected to be invited back as a 5th year player but to the surprise of many he was. Initially in Spring Camp, it looked as if Goodman would be one of go to receivers. However, this did not come true in Goodman’s last year. He was on the receiving end of several touchdown passes. He was one short of the team high in touchdown receptions. Despite not having fantastic statistics, this was the best season of his career. Goodman collected 159 yards on 7 receptions with 3 touchdowns. His 3 touchdowns came from deep passes by Everett Golson against Michigan State, Boston College and Wake Forest. Goodman probably did not live up to his own expectations or potential but he was critical in this year’s Offense. It was good that Goodman came back for a 5th year.

Overall Grade: B