2016 NFL Draft: Biggest Defensive Sleepers By Position
By Erik Lambert
Joe Schmidt (ILB, Notre Dame)
Oct 4, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Joe Schmidt (38) reacts after Notre Dame defeated the Stanford Cardinal 17-14 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylon Smith is bound to get all the attention leading up to the draft because he’s a terrific athlete who can do just about anything he wants on the field. That will make it so easy to overlook what fellow linebacker Joe Schmidt has meant to the Irish defense. While he may not have Smith’s pure ability, he makes up for it with intelligence, instinct, play speed and toughness.
The guy always seems to be around the football. He knows where it’s going, finds it, and gets the offensive player on the ground. What really sets him apart though is his intensity and his leadership. Players follow his lead because of what he says and what he backs up on the field. If teams are looking to add a voice to their defense, then they could do a lot worse than Schmidt.
He likely won't be a Day 1 or 2 prospect, but Notre Dame LB Joe Schmidt is my favorite player in college football. So intense, so smart.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 29, 2015
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