Expected Notre Dame wide receiver depth suddenly in question with Lorenzo Styles’ possible position move, Kaleb Smith’s retirement

A genuine part of why Notre Dame lost the 2021 Fiesta Bowl was that receiver Braden Lenzy’s legs were zapped late by running a program-record 70 routes. The Irish were down to four receivers that day, thus costing Lenzy any plays off.

Entering the 2022 season, Notre Dame’s receivers corps was once more depleted, injuries keeping Avery Davis and Joe Wilkins off the field and slowing Deion Colzie in preseason practices. Again, only four receivers were targeted, part of why the Irish offense struggled to find any groove in September.

Receiver depth was supposed to be a welcome change in 2023. Nine receivers were on hand to start spring practices, and the part-time — or perhaps full-time — move of running back Chris Tyree to receiver added a 10th. With freshman Kaleb Smith arriving in the summer, Notre Dame looked to be in a position to even endure the expected couple of injuries and still have a genuine two-deep at receiver.

Alas, the Irish may be down two receivers in the past week, though one by choice.

Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kaleb Smith announced his medical retirement on Saturday, abruptly cutting short his chance to be the big-bodied target on the sideline at Notre Dame.

“After countless hours of prayer and thought I believe my time playing this game has passed,” Smith wrote on Twitter . “What is more important to me now is my future after football and to achieve that I must focus on my mental and physical health which has taken a great toll throughout the years. As much as it hurts to say this, I have peace in this decision as I know it is what’s best for myself and my family.”

The departure of Smith could be seen as a result of the emergence of rising junior Jayden Thomas and some promise