SOUTH BEND, Ind. _ If Torii Hunter Jr.'s fall is anything like his summer, the Notre Dame receiver could be in for a special season.
In June, his father and namesake announced his selection by the Angels in the 23rd round of baseball's amateur draft. In July, he became engaged to girlfriend Selina Bell. In August, the fifth-year senior was named one of four captains for the Irish football team.
What remains to be seen is what September, October and November have in store for Hunter, the leading returning receiver for a unit hit hard by departures.
"We're not ready to put him in the category of All-American," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "He has to prove himself. He's going to be a good receiver, but he needs help.
"So for us to say Torii Hunter's going to be our savior is fool's gold. He's going to have to make some plays for us. He has to play himself into some confidence as well. He doesn't have a big resume."
Hunter had 28 catches for 363 yards and two touchdowns last year _ and has 35 for 428 yards and three TDs in his career.
All-American Will Fuller and his big-play magic have disappeared from South Bend. He now performs for the Texans, who picked him in the first round of the NFL draft.
The undisputed leader of the group last year, Chris Brown, has departed to Texas too. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys and is nursing a broken foot. Amir Carlisle spent time with the Cardinals before he was released Tuesday.
A few months after he was elected student body president, Corey Robinson elected to stop playing football because of concussions.
That leaves a lot on Hunter's shoulder pads _ and his mind _ as the No. 10 Irish approach Sunday's season opener at Texas.
Hunter said he's taking more notes than ever during meetings, not just for himself but to help teammates such as sophomore Equanimeous St. Brown, considered the cream of the team's crop of young receivers.
Hunter simultaneously is learning to walk the walk of a contributing player and talk the talk of a leader.
"It has taken a lot of difficult conversations, or being able to step out of my comfort zone to chew guys out," Hunter said. "That's something I'm not really used to, but I have to do it. I'm the veteran in the wide receiver room. I'm stepping up to that role."
And he's doing it as the Irish plan to play musical quarterbacks, at least against Texas. Hunter said DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire are different players but added it makes little difference to him who is on the field.
"I was kind of happy they both get the opportunity to show what they can do in that first game," Hunter said. "Nobody's really getting left out."
The quarterbacks won't be the only ones with an opportunity to show what they can do.
With their help, Hunter and his receiving pals will too.
