With a torn ACL and MCL, Jaylon Smith faces a tough decision of whether to get healthy and try to maintain his high stock by returning to Notre Dame or to declare for the NFL Draft despite the injury.
Citing unnamed sources, ESPN reported Smith elected for surgery to repair his knee and still plans to enter the NFL Draft. Even before determining the extent of Smith's injury, suffered in the Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State, head coach Brian Kelly called it "significant."
In his redshirt junior season, Smith recorded 115 total tackles, nine of which for a loss. While he is not a pass rusher, Smith ranks as the top outside linebacker and the second player overall on Mel Kiper's first Big Board. Todd McShay and several other NFL Draft experts projected him being taken in the top 10 selections.
Smith would not be the first highly rated NFL prospect to head into the draft with a torn ACL, as Todd Gurley was drafted 10th overall last year while rehabbing from such an injury. The only difference is the timing of the injury. Since Smith hurt his knee in his last collegiate game, his timetable for return will be delayed.
Fortunately for Smith, numerous NFL evaluators speculated Smith's skill and football IQ would allow him to acclimate to the next level quickly. That was certainly the viewpoint of Urban Meyer, who had to focus on Smith when setting Ohio State's offensive game plan for the Fiesta Bowl.
"He's a monster. He's a dude," he said in his postgame press conference. "He's a guy that is going to be playing in the NFL for a long time. I wish I had the chance to shake his hand. I know his family.
"I hope he's fine."
