According to Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, linebacker Jaylon Smith suffered a significant knee injury against Ohio State.
All season long, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith was the life of the defense every single week. By consistently bringing passion and energy for the Fighting Irish, the star linebacker established himself as top NFL prospect.
Against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith suffered a gruesome knee injury, as his leg flattened out and proceeded to bend backwards.
Smith would be carted off the field and would leave the game. It was apparent right away that something significant had happened to him, because it doesn’t take a doctor to realize that his leg shouldn’t be bending the way that it did on the field.
He would later come back out on crutches and there was a major look of disappointment on his face. After the game his head coach, Brian Kelly, told reporters that Smith suffered a “significant knee injury” against the Buckeyes.
Brian Kelly says "significant knee injury" for LB Jaylon Smith
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) January 1, 2016
It’s not surprising news, as everyone knew at the time it was a bad injury, but it absolutely is a terrible thing to see such a young, talented player with a bright future go down on a gruesome injury like that.
He was getting ready to prepare for his life in the NFL and was a projected high pick in the draft. He will now have to focus on rehab instead and hope that his draft stock doesn’t take too big of a hit.
He was a great talent at Notre Dame and had a tremendous college career at the linebacker position. It’s a shame to see it end the way that it did.