Notre Dame Football 2012: Post-Spring Overview of Fighting Irish Receivers

The receiver position will be quite the competition during fall camp, as Michael Floyd has left behind some rather large shoes. 

The Irish don't have a proven playmaker at the position, which makes this position even more intriguing leading up to the 2012 season. 

However, there are a number of young players waiting for their chance to prove what they're capable of. 

For a closer look at the receiver position, take a look through this slideshow. 

T.J. Jones

T.J. Jones, the son of former Notre Dame great Andre Jones, has not developed into the type of star player that many expected him to be when he committed to Notre Dame in October of 2009. 

Jones' time of 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash had Irish fans salivating considering the perceived lack of speed on the roster. 

Yet that speed has not led to tremendous production from Jones. During his sophomore season, Jones hauled in 38 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Jones must improve upon those figures now that Michael Floyd has moved on to the NFL. 

He figures to be a primary target for whomever is named starting quarterback, alongside tight end Tyler Eifert.  

Robby Toma

All Robby Toma wanted was a chance to prove himself on the biggest stage. The 5'9", 185-pound Toma was told throughout his childhood that he was too small to play the game. 

Toma proved each and every one of those doubters wrong when he recorded his first career touchdown reception against Air Force last season. 

The Laie, Hawaii native now finds himself as a focal point within Brian Kelly's spread offense as the starting slot receiver. 

Toma burst onto the scene last season after filling in for Theo Riddick against Maryland. Toma racked up seven receptions for 73 yards in that contest, proving his worth as an every-down type receiver. 

Expect Toma to have an impressive senior season while also mentoring incoming freshman Davonte Neal. 

Daniel Smith

South Bend native Daniel Smith arrived on campus in the hopes of representing his hometown city on a national scale. Unfortunately, Smith has not been able to do so during his two seasons at Notre Dame. 

The 6'4", 215-pound receiver has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury for the duration of his career, but appears to be healthy at long last. 

Largely a special teams player for the past two years, Smith expects to play a large role at receiver this season, especially with the absence of Michael Floyd in the lineup. 

John Goodman

The most likely candidate to attempt to fill the massive shoes left behind by Michael Floyd is fifth-year senior John Goodman. 

The 6'3", 207-pound product from nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana has yet to live up to the expectations placed on him as he set foot on campus five years ago. 

Largely a contributor to the punt return game, Goodman will be required to exude leadership on offense this season, which means becoming a legitimate receiving threat. 

Remember that dazzling touchdown reception Goodman had from former quarterback Dayne Crist on Halloween night of 2009? Irish fans would like to see more of that in 2012. 

DaVaris Daniels

Despite the fact that he has yet to play a single down in an Irish uniform, DaVaris Daniels is already being hailed as Notre Dame's best receiver heading into the 2012 season. 

And while numbers typically don't prove anything, head coach Brian Kelly did say that Davis' numbers at Notre Dame's simulated combine were "off the charts."

Davis' time of 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard-dash is what catches the undivided attention of Notre Dame Nation. That type of blazing speed is what the Irish offense has been missing in the Kelly regime. 

Whether or not that speed translates to production on the field remains to be seen. 

The Incoming Freshmen

Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish staff reeled in three elite receivers in the 2012 recruiting class: 

• Davonte Neal
• Justin Ferguson
• Chris Brown

Neal, a highly sought after 4-star recruit, will be in the mix in the return game, as well as as a threat on offense. His ability to play both receiver and running back will keep it hard for the coaching staff to keep Neal on the bench. 

Brown may be the most athletic of the bunch, as he is vying for four state championships as a track and field athlete in South Carolina. Brown's time of 10.78 seconds in the 100-yard dash earned him first place in last week's South Carolina lower state qualifiers. 

Ferguson is considered to be a slightly underrated recruit, as Rivals.com pegged him as a 3-star recruit, as well as the 58th-best receiver nationally. 

There's no question that Neal will earn playing time immediately, but how the coaching staff will choose to use Ferguson and Brown remains a mystery.