Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 30, 2019 51 IRISH IN THE PROS BY ANDREW MENTOCK A fter suffering a devastating torn ACL and MCL in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, Jaylon Smith's football future appeared uncertain. However, he entered the NFL Draft that spring and was taken in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys. Before the injury, he was expected to be a top-10 pick. "I had to go through a lot, but it was something that I had prepared myself for even prior to getting injured," Smith said on a recent edition of NFL Films. In a day and age where top-tier se- lections in the NFL Draft often forgo their final bowl game to avoid such a catastrophic injury, Smith has said many times — including recently on the Brian Kelly radio show — that he doesn't regret his decision. "I lost out on a lot of money for playing in that last game," Smith said. "And I would do it again because I love the Irish. I was a captain at Notre Dame. I wanted to go out the right way with my brothers." He sat out his first NFL season, and ever since he has been getting back to full strength and progressing in his career. During the 2017 campaign, he started all 16 games for the Cowboys. In 2018, he again started every game and finished tied for 13th in the NFL in tackles. After the first 11 weeks this NFL sea- son, he was tied for fifth in the league among all linebackers — and tied for sixth overall — with 90 tackles. Smith, who started each of Dallas' first 10 con- tests, also notched 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections. His play thus far in his career, even after starting it on the bench due to his injury, led him to sign a major deal at the beginning of the season. Smith inked a five-year, $64 million extension, with $35.5 million guaranteed. This wasn't his lone significant ac- complishment during this calendar year. During the winter and spring, Smith returned to Notre Dame's campus to finish his degree while he trained for the next NFL season. "There is nothing like walking across the stage and everyone knows the whole story about the last college game for Notre Dame, injury in Fiesta Bowl and then I declare [for the NFL Draft]," he said. "Well, I made it a pact. I made a pact with my parents, and I told them I will go back and finish." He did so by taking 21 credit hours and earning a degree in film and televi- sion. In addition to graduating, he also launched his non-profit organization. "I started with the minority on Jaylon Smith Minority Entrepreneurship Insti- tute in an effort to close the economic and educational gap," he said. "It's a passion for me. It's my purpose beyond athletics. "We had an Indiana showcase for the first year this July and we had over 70 applicants." Those applicants were then nar- rowed down to five finalists, who then were presented at the Tin Caps Sta- dium in Fort Wayne, Ind. From there, he picked three winners. "Those three winners were able to split over $200,000 for financial fund- ing and mentorship, and then strategic planning," Smith said. "We're helping these black, brown, Latino people be successful." Now in the full swing of football season, Smith is hoping his improved production will lead to his first trip to the Pro Bowl after missing out on the honor last season. He's currently on the ballot for the NFC under the inside linebacker category. "To have an organization have faith in you and take a chance on you, it feels so great knowing that Jerry [Jones] and the Cowboys organization are getting their return on the investment," Smith told NFL Films. ✦ Jaylon Smith Continues Football Ascent After Injury After the first 11 weeks of the NFL season, Smith was tied for fifth in the league among all line- backers — and tied for sixth overall — with 90 tackles. PHOTO COURTESY JAMES D. SMITH NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: WEEK 11 HIGHLIGHTS • Quenton Nelson (Played at Notre Dame from 2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Started for the 6-4 Colts in their 33-13 win over the 4-6 Jacksonville Jaguars and had one carry for no yards (and a touchdown celebration that went viral, but the replay ruled him down before he crossed the goal line) … According to PFF, he had a 90.3 overall grade and made its Week 11 Team of the Week. • Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Hauled in five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in the 8-3 Vikings' 27-23 home win over the 3-7 Denver Broncos … For the season, he has 29 receptions for 251 yards and five touchdowns. • Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Notched nine tackles (all solo) in the 6-4 Cowboys' 35-27 road win versus the 3-6-1 Detroit Lions … Has 90 tackles 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his first 10 contests … Tied for sixth in the NFL in total tackles. 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