Jaylon Smith Has Torn ACL, MCL

Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, arguably the best linebacker in college football, suffered an ACL and MCL tear in his left knee last week in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.

In addition to the ligament damage, Smith could have nerve damage in his left knee, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported.

Citing unnamed sources, ESPN reported Smith elected for surgery to fix his knee and still plans to enter the NFL Draft. He led Notre Dame’s defense this season with 114 tackles, five pass deflections, one sack and one forced fumble.

Smith, who has not announced if he’ll declare for the NFL Draft, was projected to be a top-10 or top-15 pick plenty of mock drafts prior to his injury. Or he may decide to roll the dice on the draft, hoping his fall isn’t as big as expected and the insurance payout covers most of it. It’s a fascinating decision, though we’re dismayed on Smith’s behalf that he has to make it in the first place. After tearing his ACL in a November 2014 game, he still went into the draft after his junior year. Before the Fiesta Bowl, Smith said he had been told by the NFL Draft Advisory Board that he had been graded as a unanimous first-rounder. Since Smith hurt his knee in his last collegiate game, his timetable for return will be delayed. The junior had been projected as a possible top ten pick before the injury.