What if Jaylon is 100%

What if? Then the years of joy that I shed on draft day will ALL be worth it (huge ND fan)

If he is healthy and no worries about injury, the sky is the limit. Pro bowler

Would change/improve the defensive outlook immediately
 
Being that I think he played more than he should have last year, it may have been a good thing. It gave him game time experience and got that contact he hasn’t been used to in a few years. If this kid is 100% then I believe he will be much improved. His instincts will be improved and his movement and speed will be improved and the snaps he got last year will help get into the groove faster.
 
Let's just say he is 100%....what is he? a Mike, a Will, or does he slide over to Sam?
 
I don't know that he will ever be 100%. That said I expect him to be in the 95% range which is pretty damn good.

Given a full offseason without injury including OTA's and training camp, I suspect there are going to be a few surprised fans when Jaylon gets a chance to play this year. He is going to be pretty good.
 
IF, and it's a big if, he's 100% I would expect a vastly superior performance than last years.
 
If he can return to ND form, that would not only be huge but validation for Booger pulling the trigger on more risks and why not if this one pays off?

He was originally, before that bowl game, slated in the top 6 and several had him as the best pick in the draft as he could play the run, rush the passer, cover WRs and play sideline to sideline, he was a legitimate stud LB. He was a special player and good kid.

I was happy they drafted him and if it doesn't work out with him returning to form, that's OK. That doesn't mean he can't play LB in the NFL
 
Imagine Jaylon Smith was a rookie last year. That he was not coming off a horrible injury. Imagine that he was a rookie 2nd rounder last year. You would be pretty psyched about this season because he did some things last year that very few 240 pound guys can do. Personally I think he is a monster in waiting.
 
Him at 85% of what he was pre-injury would make him an above average starter. There were a lot of factors in his struggles last season. Almost two years without playing. Getting used to playing with the brace, the mental issues that come with coming back from a bad injury, just learning to trust what he sees, and just the usual adjustment a rookie has to NFL speed.
 
CouchCoach said:
If he can return to ND form, that would not only be huge but validation for Booger pulling the trigger on more risks and why not if this one pays off?

He was originally, before that bowl game, slated in the top 6 and several had him as the best pick in the draft as he could play the run, rush the passer, cover WRs and play sideline to sideline, he was a legitimate stud LB. He was a special player and good kid.

I was happy they drafted him and if it doesn't work out with him returning to form, that's OK. That doesn't mean he can't play LB in the NFL
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He can play LB. I want to see him play it better, and I believe just that year of experience will help. He seemed to over pursue last year and that’s likely lack of experience.
 
Hardline said:
He's basically coming off his rookie season. I expect a considerable improvement not from a physical standpoint which he was near 100% at the end of last year to a much improved mental standpoint.
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He was an elite talent at ND, he would have been at least a top five pick. Dallas had Zeke rated as the top player in the draft and they were likely right. If Jaylon really does get back to 100% and Dak reverts to his rookie season form, we could end up with 3 of the top ten players in that draft.
 
Considering the extensive damage that accompanied his knee injury, It wasn't in the cards for his rehabilitation to be expedient. I'm hopeful as many of us are that he'll recover somewhat reminiscent of what he was at Notre Dame. If not, it'd be a shame but I'd gladly take 90% of what he was back then. Sometimes, things don't work out in fairy tale fashion but if it's better than good enough, who could ask for more? :)
 
Idgit said:
I’m not sure his primary limitations are physical anyway at this point.
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His injury was about as bad as one can have to their knee so I agree with you, some of this in mental and trusting that knee, especially with the drop foot issue.

Anyone overcoming an injury like that is a challenge but moving in traffic around men that size at that speed has got to play a little mind game. I do expect him to be improved this season but returning to ND form is dependent on the physical part.

I read several years back about players overcoming injuries and the non-contact ones are the most difficult. Kevin Smith was on his way to becoming a great CB and that Achilles wrecked him. He was never able to put the trust in that as he needed to play that position.

Some will put this in the same bag as the other risks Booger has taken but I don't. They had the doc that performed the surgery and his prognosis to go on so this was more calculated. And wouldn't it be something if both Smith and Ganjory make contributions this season? Hell, we'll all be picking out best risk players in the 2019 draft and getting pissed at Booger for not taking them.
 
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