Former Notre Dame star linebacker and NFL Draft prospect Jaylon Smith is expected to redshirt the 2016 season as he recovers from the serious knee injury he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
#ND LB Jaylon Smith, who was a top 5 pick before the injury, is expected to sit out 2016. Many teams believe he'll be back to form in 2017.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2016
Smith tore his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl, and medical tests during and after the NFL Scouting Combine have raised enough red flags that there have been doubts regarding his ability to play in 2016. Thus, best for him to sit out 2016 and get ready to step back on the field and wow everyone in 2017.
Given how Smith left Notre Dame with 284 tackles (23.5 for a loss), 4.5 sacks and 10 pass breakups to go with three forced fumbles, here’s hoping he can take his redshirt season to get fully healthy so he can get back on the field at full force, be it as a late first-round pick, seventh-rounder or even an undrafted free agent.
Stay tuned to Campus Sports for further updates on Smith’s recovery!
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
