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2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylon Smith, LB Notre Dame

By Rodney Stokes Jr

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Jaylon Smith is arguably the best college football player in the country. If you’ve watched even just five minutes of Notre Dame on defense you’re sure to notice #9 flying up and down the field causing disruptions and laying out the opposition. As a freshman Smith played outside linebacker and recorded 67 tackles, last season he was moved to the inside where he had 112 tackles. In 2015 Smith has accounted for 114 tackles, nine for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in a season where he’s had six games of 10 or more tackles. The fact that he has played every linebacker position shows you his versatility while his stats alone tell you the motor that he possesses.

Being able to watch Smith live really shows you the amount of football knowledge he has as an individual. There are players who fill the stat sheets and vault themselves up draft boards like Vernon Gholston and then there are guys who end up having great careers purely from their football IQ like London Fletcher. Smith is a guy who possesses both and with the draft inching closer by the day I don’t see why he won’t be the first linebacker taken off the board.

What to like..

When Jaylon Smith is on the attack he’s hard to beat, he’s lightning quick and is one of the best form tacklers I’ve seen this year. That’s not to say he can’t bring the hammer either take a look at this hit by a missile seeker

That’s a 6’5 245 pound Quarterback that Smith stopped in his tracks, good luck getting anything past this guy. Smith isn’t subject to one position although I feel with his ability to stop the run as well as cover he’s best suited for the middle linebacker position but he can run well in just about any scheme. The point for his next coach is to make sure this kid is on the field in any way, shape or form. He’s a guy who comes in without any off the field problems and if you have to question whether his school and teammates love him then just take a quick peek at what

they’ve setup for him on the Notre Dame website

. There’s few things that are concerning about Smith as a prospect and he doesn’t have any qualities that stand out in a negative way as most players do, however there are always things that can use improvement.

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Areas to be improved..

When Jaylon Smith is on the attack he’s hard to beat. If you’re reading that phrase and you’ve remembered it from earlier than well done, you’re paying attention. The linebacker position is one that is constantly on the attack, however on run plays and designed screens it’s the linebackers who have to fend off the opposing blockers to get towards the ball carrier. While it’s not a major issue of Smith’s it has been something that I’ve noticed in watching film on him. He’s lighter than most linebackers that play in the middle as he’s only 235 pounds. That weight and only being 6’2 means that if a lineman gets his hands on him and starts driving he’s at their mercy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on a weight program to add another 10 pounds or so to his frame.

Future Outlook

Jaylon Smith will be the first linebacker taken off the board barring any significant injury or character issue that arises. He’s the complete package and has the versatility to play all over the field. He’s a head hunter when he’s blitzing the line and has great instincts when covering the pass.

If you had to ask me he’s reminiscent of a young Derrick Johnson (Chiefs) who was drafted 15th overall in 2005. Eleven years later and we just might have another potential top 15 pick in Smith. Of course it’s hard to say how any prospect will end up in the NFL but if I had to place a safe bet on anyone it would be Jaylon Smith.

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