page_title: Jaylon Smith
section_title: College career
hierarchical_section_title: Jaylon Smith / College career
caption_attribution_description: English: The U.S. Army All-American Bowl was held at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Jan. 5, 2013. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is sponsored by the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Pfc. Victor Blanco, 205th Public Affairs Operations Center)
context_page_description: Jaylon Smith is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 34th overall by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
context_section_description: In 2013, Smith won the starting DOG linebacker position beating out Ben Councell, after incumbent starter Danny Spond had to retire due to migraine issues. Starting all 13 games, he recorded 67 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, one forced fumble, three pass break ups and one interception. His best game came in a 34–30 victory against Arizona State, where he recorded nine tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He notched his first career interception against USC on a pass thrown by Cody Kessler.
  With the arrival of new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, he was moved to an inside linebacker position in 2014. He was one of three players to start all 13 games on defense, recording 112 tackles, including nine for loss, and 3.5 sacks, adding two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was named the FBS Independent Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with teammate Joe Schmidt IV and was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
  During his junior year in 2015, Smith played in all 13 games with 115 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. He won the Butkus Award, given annually to college football's top linebacker. During the Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State, Smith suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and left the game. It was confirmed that the knee was diagnosed with tears to the ACL and LCL. He underwent successful knee surgery on both ligaments on January 7, 2016.  On January 11, 2016, Smith announced he would forego his remaining eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL draft.
caption: Smith in 2013,
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