Earlier this week MaxPreps came out with their All-Decade High School Football Team, consisting of the best prep players from 2010-2019. They honored 100 players in their list, with former Irish star LB Jaylon Smith being named to the first team.
Zach Poff, MaxPreps National Football Editor, who compiled the list, wrote that Smith “was the top-rated linebacker in his class and helped the Knights to four consecutive state titles. Named Mr. Football in Indiana as a senior and was a three-time all-state first-team selection.” The production by Smith in high school led to a 5-Star ranking by all services and finished his career by playing in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Smith then made an impact early and often in his career in South Bend, totaling 292 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception. The three-year starter was a second-team All-American his sophomore season before winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker his junior year. Smith’s final year saw him become a consensus All-American and unfortunately during his final game in the Blue and Gold, he tore his ACL and LCL.
This clearly hurt his draft stock, as prior to Smith’s injury he was viewed as a clear-cut first round pick. The Dallas Cowboys selected Smith in the second round with the 34th overall selection but did not play his “rookie” year due to rehabbing the injury. When Smith finally returned to the field, his talent’s shined once again, as he has totaled 344 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception, 6 forced fumbles and a touchdown. His efforts impressed Dallas as they extended him through 2024 for $64 million. Smith has been a star at every stop he’s had in his football career. He has made Notre Dame extremely proud to call him an alumnus.