Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME edge pass rush potential than he's been able to show in his college days. Playing him at inside line- backer, he was a little mis- cast in that role. As good as he is, he might even end up being a better pro than college player." Smith had not yet an- nounced his NFL Draft intentions when the Irish and Buckeyes faced off in the Fiesta Bowl. With Smith projected to be a top-10 selection in virtually every mock draft, it might be a case where an argument for him to remain in school is difficult to produce. "I still think in those situations we want to present them with all of that information," head coach Brian Kelly said in December. "Our opin- ions are going to be based upon what's in their best interests, and I would tell him and [senior left tackle] Ronnie Stanley if you're going to be the first tackle or first one taken at your position, you've got to seriously consider what your future looks like. It's not probably go- ing to get much better. "We're pretty hon- est and upfront with our evaluations on both sides of it. If we think a kid is going to drop into the third or fourth round and they can do better for themselves in the future with a degree and maybe getting a better opportu- nity, then we'll tell them that. "You have to be fair on both sides. I don't think you can paint just one picture that everything's better if you stay. There are going to be certain situations like a Jaylon Smith or a Ronnie Stanley that it's better for them if they do go to the NFL." Stanley, who is also a projected top-10 pick, re- turned to Notre Dame for his senior season in 2015. While he has a year of eligibility remaining, he announced the expected news in December that he would enter the 2016 NFL Draft. "I knew if I came back, this would be the last year," Stanley said. Wright believes Stan- ley considerably boosted his stock by returning to school in 2015. "Another year of ex- perience not only as a player, but physically. I was never quite as high on him or saw him as a top-10, top-15 overall pick GO IRISH ONWARD TO VICTORY FIESTA BOWL 2016