Former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, who was viewed as a potential first overall draft pick before suffering a severe knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl, will not play as a rookie. But there’s still hope he can be as good as ever by 2017.
That’s the word from his surgeon, Dr. Dan Cooper, who told USA Today that Smith is expected to take a “redshirt” season in 2016. But Cooper said both that Smith’s knee should become strong and stable, and that the nerve damage Smith suffered — which is a bigger concern than his torn knee ligaments — could fully heal as well.
“I also think he has a very good chance of getting his nerve recovery back,” Cooper said.
For his part, Smith said he still wants to play in 2016, although he acknowledges that would only happen if he gets 100 percent healthy. That seems unlikely, which means Smith is unlikely to be a first-round pick, and could fall all the way to the third day of the draft.
If Smith eventually gets completely healthy, some team is going to get a steal in the draft. If he never recovers completely, he could lead a lot of college football players to consider skipping their bowl games to keep themselves healthy for the NFL.