Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, considered by some observers the best player eligible for the 2016 NFL draft, had to be helped off the field after suffering a knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl today against Ohio State.
Smith was knocked to the ground hard and his foot appeared to catch in the playing surface at University of Phoenix Stadium. He went down in pain, grabbing his knee, was attended to on the field for a couple minutes, and then had to be helped to the sideline.
A versatile linebacker who can play both inside and outside, Smith is a junior who was expected to enter the draft this year. An injury likely wouldn’t change those plans, but could affect his draft stock.
Smith won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football this year.