Ironman8
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'13 IN ATH Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame Man & Graduate)
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rtrn2glory
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basing those mostly off stats most likely.
let's face it. jaylon's not in a position on our defense where he creates a lot of negative plays that fill up stat sheets. he's making the plays like setting the edge in the run game and carrying slots and TE's down the hash in the passing game and you won't see that on the stat sheet.
when you see the kid play though imo you're hard pressed to find a better freshman linebacker in the country.
rocket66
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He finished 3rd in tackles on the team as a true frosh on a team that was top 30 in overall defense vs. a top 10 schedule. I could definitely make a case for him.
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Bogtrotter07
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Exactly! His freshman competition did what and covered who?
palinurus
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What's odd is that there is no overlap between this list and the Sporting News list. Seven different guys named between the two teams.
Wild Bill
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ulukinatme
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You know, a year ago when people were drooling over all the freshmen we had coming in, I was slightly reserved on the impact any of them would make given all the hype surrounding the class. There was also the fact we had the majority of a pretty good defense coming back in 2013. Certainly we had a lot of great freshmen last year, and I think a lot of people hyped the class quite a bit, but Jaylon is probably the only player that lived up to that hype and then some. I knew he would see playing time last year, especially after Spond was lost for the season, but I was pleasantly surprised how awesome he really was as a first year starter. He certainly has a few things he can work on, but there is absolutely no other player I would want out there. Jaylon and Russell are the MVPs of this defense right now.
Now that we've had a year to digest Jaylon's play, his playing speed is such a stark contrast to others around him, it's beautiful. I love his instincts, he just seems to have a feel for where he needs to be. His open field tackling is superb, as seen by the video. He was absolutely clutch in late games like MSU and Navy, not to mention stopping what could have been a sure TD there against ASU if he didn't double back after the fake hand off. Finally, he probably gets off blockers better than any of our other LBs.
If theres one thing I'd like to see more of, I'd like to see him bring the wood when he tackles. He seems to have a tendency to wrap up ball carriers, which is good, but he generally seems to twist them to the ground instead of driving through them. He's such a freak he tends to make the tackle 9/10 anyway, but against bigger targets he wasn't always as successful in bringing them down. I think someone pointed out earlier this year that he struggled against TEs, not that smaller LBs aren't going to anyway.
Overall the kid is just phenomenal. I think a lot of people were disappointed that guys like Bryant and Redfield didn't end up starting the season, and I never expected the freshmen to make an impact like that. I'm glad Jaylon lived up to the hype though, because he exceeded expectations in my opinion.
Now that we've had a year to digest Jaylon's play, his playing speed is such a stark contrast to others around him, it's beautiful. I love his instincts, he just seems to have a feel for where he needs to be. His open field tackling is superb, as seen by the video. He was absolutely clutch in late games like MSU and Navy, not to mention stopping what could have been a sure TD there against ASU if he didn't double back after the fake hand off. Finally, he probably gets off blockers better than any of our other LBs.
If theres one thing I'd like to see more of, I'd like to see him bring the wood when he tackles. He seems to have a tendency to wrap up ball carriers, which is good, but he generally seems to twist them to the ground instead of driving through them. He's such a freak he tends to make the tackle 9/10 anyway, but against bigger targets he wasn't always as successful in bringing them down. I think someone pointed out earlier this year that he struggled against TEs, not that smaller LBs aren't going to anyway.
Overall the kid is just phenomenal. I think a lot of people were disappointed that guys like Bryant and Redfield didn't end up starting the season, and I never expected the freshmen to make an impact like that. I'm glad Jaylon lived up to the hype though, because he exceeded expectations in my opinion.
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He's so good already.
CanadalovesND
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Just think what he'll be like in 2 years....
ulukinatme
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Just think what he'll be like in 2 years....
He's gone after next year
No, honestly I think he'll get his degree first. Maybe he graduates early to accomplish that, but he seems high on academics. At the very least he comes back to complete it.
On the downside, he's already so good, how much more can he really improve? Certainly he'll fine tune some things and get stronger, but he was much better than Manti was as a freshman. It's not like he's got a huge ceiling at this point, right?
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irishff1014
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He is going to be a leader very soon.
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Quite a lot actually. Keep in mind to grade out perfectly is damn near never done. While we marvel at the highlights, he made quite a few mistakes with his assignments and reads. That's going to come from repition so I'm not worried but if your a coach and not a fan. Then placing a grade on his performance it wasn't like he's an A+. Also I'll add that he's a potential top 10 pick in the draft, IMO. Do you feel you saw that? If so, then not much upside. I don't so I'm excited to see what it looks like when he's there.
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stlnd01
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Oh, I don't know. He's still got stuff to learn. Great instincts and speed. But it takes more than instincts. He's great at chasing down a running back but he could get better in coverage, better at blitzing. He could also stand to get a little bigger before he goes and plays on Sundays. All this is me projecting why he should stay three more years.
ulukinatme
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I certainly wouldn't say he's a Top 10 pick right now if he could declare for the draft today, but he's certainly trending that way. As a freshman, I thought he played ABOVE his level. So many recruits often don't live up to the hype, while Jaylon exceeded expectations imo. I expect him to grow over the next couple years and continue to learn, but I feel like he's already very good. Expecting huge gains is like predicting him to be Superman in a few years when he's already got the strength of 10 men (figuratively speaking). I just don't think he's got a HUGE ceiling still, but he'll certainly get better. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.
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What I was getting at is I think his ceiling is a top 10 pick as an OLB ala Anthony Barr. I don think he's even close to that right now. So, he's got a lot of work to do to get there, right?
ulukinatme
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Yeah, I agree with you there then.
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Bogtrotter07
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I saw him in high school. I was not overly impressed with his upper body strength, then. It has improved.
I was actually shocked when I saw the highlight film at how many tackles he actually neutralized the ball carrier. I think what we are seeing is unbelievable closing speed and reflexes, and skill of course to not overshoot the target. So then as he is pursuing from behind or at an angle, he works up the target.
Where I freely admit JSmith is not an ILB, I would like to see how many open field tackles he had, versus other ND Players.
I also what to see his role on the team this year. I just can't wait.
I have heard that the ASU quarterback has said the he has never seen anything quite like him. That he "sucks" the field out from under you.
I was actually shocked when I saw the highlight film at how many tackles he actually neutralized the ball carrier. I think what we are seeing is unbelievable closing speed and reflexes, and skill of course to not overshoot the target. So then as he is pursuing from behind or at an angle, he works up the target.
Where I freely admit JSmith is not an ILB, I would like to see how many open field tackles he had, versus other ND Players.
I also what to see his role on the team this year. I just can't wait.
I have heard that the ASU quarterback has said the he has never seen anything quite like him. That he "sucks" the field out from under you.
GoldenToTheGrave
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Video is awesome. Music in it is a 0/10
CanadalovesND
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The first song, Successful by Drake and Trey Songz, is actually his unofficial "theme" song.
Irishokie
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We have theme songs now? His entrance better be as cool as the Undertaker's.
ulukinatme
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Kuehnja wants to see Greg Bryant come out to Shawn Michaels' entrance music:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/acD-AnO_rOA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
returnofthemack
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Yuck. At least he's not as soft as drake.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Studying ND DE Tuitt's tape and this No. 9(LB J. Smith)keeps flashing. Just a pup + needs to fill out, but man he flies around+ makes plays!</p>— Todd McShay (@McShay13) <a href="https://twitter.com/McShay13/statuses/442538323681509376">March 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Sherm Sticky
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CanadalovesND
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I'm sure most would prefer if it be 2017, not 2016 lol.
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koonja
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I hope you're wrong, because 2017 would almost guarantee a season ending injury!
Edit: NVM, I suppose the draft is technically a year after the CFB season, although I lump them together.
Sherm Sticky
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Lol I know, but be he will be a top 10 pick and needs to do what's best for him.
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