Notre Dame Football: What You Need to Know About Irish's WR Depth

weisnd.blogspot.com

Aside from the quarterback controversy brewing in South Bend, the most hotly debated topic has been the replacement of all-universe wide receiver Michael Floyd.

Floyd's absence on the roster certainly hurts, but the receiving corps remains a talented one with emerging playmakers ready to fill the gigantic shoes Floyd left behind.

For a closer look at Notre Dame's receivers, scroll through the following slides.

Enjoy.

T.J. Jones

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The word most closely associated with junior receiver T.J. Jones is potential. It's something that Jones has yet to live up to in an Irish uniform.

A heralded 4-star recruit in Brian Kelly's initial recruiting class, Jones was very much expected to become a playmaking threat as a freshman, but never truly evolved into that role, despite having locked up a starting job.

If there has ever been a time for Jones to redeem himself, it's fall camp and the weeks leading up to it. Jones will have the chance to finally assert himself as an excellent wide receiver with Michael Floyd no longer on campus.

Should he grow into that new role, he'll have ample opportunities to improve upon his 2011 season, in which the 5'11", 187-pound receiver racked up 38 receptions for 366 and three touchdowns.

Roby Toma

One of the most lovable players to have played at Notre Dame in recent years, Roby Toma has the opportunity to transition from Manti Te'o's buddy into a legitimate threat at wide receiver.

Sure, Toma stands only 5'9" and checks in at 175 pounds, but the Hawaiian native has the type of speed that Brian Kelly needs for his spread offense to run at its optimal rate.

Logistics have also helped pave the way for Toma, as Theo Riddick transitioned back to running back, and Michael Floyd graduated.

Toma will be battling incoming freshman Davonte' Neal for starting duties at slot receiver during fall camp.

John Goodman

John Gress/Getty Images

Like T.J. Jones, John Goodman has been haunted by unattained potential during his four seasons at Notre Dame.

The numbers from Goodman's bottom line says it all: 28 receptions, 315 yards and one touchdown in four full seasons.

That type of minimal production typically wouldn't be enough to earn a player an invitation to return for a fifth season, but Brian Kelly must see something in Goodman that made Kelly want to keep him around for another season.

Goodman possesses the ideal size for a possession receiver, standing at 6'3" and weighing 208 pounds.

His fifth and final season in South Bend may be enough for Goodman to prove his critics wrong and finally put up the type of numbers that the Irish will desperately need this season.

Daniel Smith

One of this season's more intriguing storylines will be whether or not South Bend native Daniel Smith emerges as a true threat at receiver.

A chronic hamstring injury has derailed Smith during his first two seasons on campus, but the South Bend Clay High graduate seems to be 100 percent healthy for the first time in his collegiate career.

Smith has tremendous size at 6'4" and 215 pounds, but the question begging to be asked is whether or not his skill will allow him to use that frame effectively on the field.

It'd certainly be a touching story to see a South Bend product become a great player at Notre Dame.

DaVaris Daniels

If you're a Notre Dame fan, you need to have Davaris Daniels' name memorized before the season starts.

Daniels, a 6'3", 190-pound Vernon Hills, Ill. native, is primed and ready to become the next big name in the Fighting Irish offense.

Daniels' recorded time of 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard-dash should have Irish fans chomping at the bit to see the redshirt freshman take the field this season.

Even more exciting is the way in which Daniels impressed the Irish coaching staff during Notre Dame's simulated combine in February. While his numbers weren't released, head coach Brian Kelly said that Daniels posted staggering figures.

Now, all he has to do is mesh that superb athletic ability with production on the field of play.

The Incoming Freshmen

Notre Dame's 2012 recruiting class featured three wide receivers, with Chris Brown, Justin Ferguson and Davonte' Neal, each of whom is currently on campus for summer workouts and classes.

All three are incredible athletes, particularly Brown, who was an All-State track and field athlete.

The matter of playing time for each hasn't been heavily discussed, but it's fair to assume that Neal has all but locked up guaranteed playing time at slot receiver.

Fall camp will bring clarity and answers to the situation.