Notre Dame DL Chris Smith Adjusted Quickly, Ready for Larger Role

Notre Dame landed two graduate transfers from Harvard in the spring and both have cemented critical roles for the Fighting Irish over the last four months. 

Punter Jon Sot is now a Ray Guy Award nominee as he's No. 5 in the country in yards per punt at 46.6. 

Defensive tackle Chris Smith was a significant body to get as the Irish needed depth along the interior of the defensive line, but with Jacob Lacey's transfer, the 6-foot-1, 310-pounder becomes even more important to the defense. 

Smith didn't enroll in the spring, so he hit the ground running in June and he admits it did take time to adjust to the jump in competition. 

"I'm feeling great," stated Smith. "The game is definitely slowing down more for me here. That fall camp and those first couple weeks were definitely good for me in terms of getting adjusted to the speed. I'm feeling more confident. 

"I think Coach (Al) Washington is feeling a lot more confident in me on the field and trusting me more. Just trying to continue to show that in practice every day. It's been awesome so far." 

Smith is also quick to point out that his age and experience have helped with the transition. 

"The speed is a little faster," Smith said. "Obviously, the linemen are a little bigger, a little more experienced. It hasn't been too crazy of a jump as I thought it would be. 

"I still am 22, I guess. I'm about to turn 23, so I've played a good amount of football. It's a different adjustment in terms of I'm going up a level, but it's nothing I think I wasn't prepared to handle." 

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has also been impressed with Smith's ability to pick up the defense and techniques. 

"It's never easy when guys transfer in," Golden explained. "They're learning all new techniques and new nomenclature. I really feel like he's settling in right now. So I'm excited about the direction that he's going. He's really a strong inside presence.

"He's a big, physical presence. He can anchor in and it takes two to get him off the ball a lot." 

The Michigan native will be counted on for more snaps and to help the Irish defensive line continue its progression in short-yardage situations. 

And short-yardage is an area Smith feels he can make a difference. 

"There's definitely a lot of pride in that, especially because in those situations, you really can't give up an inch at all," explained Smith. "Part of our defense is making sure those inside guys don't give up an inch.

“I know me and the other D-tackles definitely pride ourselves in being able to get that done so that the other people, whether it's the linebackers or the D-ends or whoever it may be making the play, can do their job as well." 

Smith will leave Notre Dame with a master's in science business management and gives credit to his mother for steering him in the right direction, including South Bend. 

"She's raised me as a single mom, basically my whole life," said Smith. "It's kind of been me and her throughout a lot of things in my life. 

"She's obviously special to me in terms of making my decisions. It was us making decisions together and where I see my future. She always has the best interest in me. She's the best." 

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