Notre Dame redshirt freshman wide receiver KK Smith will be unavailable for Saturday’s game due to a clavicle injury, as confirmed by the latest injury report from the Fighting Irish. The injury occurred during practice, and sources suggest that Smith could be out for several weeks. This setback comes after a promising start to his 2024 season.
Smith, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 178 pounds, has played in six games this season, recording three receptions for 38 yards. His best performance came in a game against Stanford, where he caught one pass for 25 yards. Smith also had two receptions for 13 yards against Purdue. Despite his limited catches, he has been an important part of the receiving corps for Notre Dame ths year.
The redshirt freshman has participated in 90 snaps so far this season, which is a notable achievement after undergoing shoulder surgery last fall. While his injury is a blow to Notre Dame’s depth at wide receiver, it presents an opportunity for other players to step up. Freshman Logan Saldate, who has been improving steadily over the past couple of months, could see more playing time in Smith’s absence. Saldate has been working behind Jaden Greathouse and Jayden Harrison in the slot, making him a likely candidate to take on a larger role.
Smith, originally from Frisco, Texas, was a highly regarded recruit out of high school, earning a three-star rating from ISD’s Jamie Uyeyama. Uyeyama has praised Smith’s speed, noting that it is one of his standout traits. According to Uyeyama, Smith’s quickness could make him a significant playmaking threat for Notre Dame in the future, particularly as he continues to develop in the program.
While Smith will likely need more time to reach his full potential at Notre Dame, his future looks promising. Uyeyama has compared him to successful players from Baylor in recent years, suggesting that Smith could eventually become an explosive playmaker for the Irish. Although the current injury is a setback, it does not diminish Smith’s long-term potential as a valuable asset to the team.
