Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith’s draft stock has plummeted in recent months due to a devastating knee injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl, but there could be hope for Smith yet. According to a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Smith could wind up being drafted by the end of the NFL Draft’s third round, if not sooner than that.
Even with the catastrophic knee injury, Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith is expected to gone by end of round 3, maybe earlier, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2016
Regardless of when Smith is picked, odds are greater than none that he will sit out all of the 2016 season to rehab his injury before attempting to come back full force in 2017. Scary as his knee injury is, the young man is still probably one of the best at his position as he was drawing Top 10 consideration before getting hurt.
In three years with the Fighting Irish, Smith had 284 tackles and 10 pass breakups to go with three forced fumbles. Needless to say, the kid can play.
And with the NFL Draft set to kick off tomorrow, Smith’s name is definitely going to be one to watch. Stay tuned to Campus Sports for any further updates on this story!
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
