Notre Dame is getting a lot of love from Texas in this year’s NFL Draft.
Jaylon Smith was selected in the second round (34th) by the Dallas Cowboys while Nick Martin will be joining receiver Will Fuller in Houston after being taken 50th overall by the Texans.
A Fort Wayne-native and five-star recruit out of high school, Smith was thought to be the best overall player in this year’s NFL draft before going down with an injury in the Fiesta Bowl, tearing his ACL/MCL along with some nerve damage.
Smith’s doctor believe’s he as an 80-percent chance of becoming fully healed and field ready, but it was still a risk all teams passed on with their first round picks. It was thought Smith would be drafted in place of Ronnie Stanley and Laremy Tunsil – who’s draft stock took a hit minutes before the first round began.
It is believed if fully healed, Jaylon Smith could become one of the most productive players out of the 2016 draft.
Former Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith watched his draft stock drop after being injured during the FIesta Bowl, but was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the NFL Draft. Photo/Matt Cashore
Smith made 38 starts for the Fighting Irish, tallying 284 tackles and 23.5 for losses in his collegiate career. He recorded 4.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
As a 6-foot-2, 235-pound outside linebacker, Smith could help power the Cowboys’ defense if he sees field time. He will join his brother Rod Smith and former Notre Dame player Zack Martin in Dallas.
Former Irish center Martin is also heading to Texas, but in a Houston uniform. A 6-foot-4, 298-pound offensive giant, Martin made 37 starts for the Irish and was a two-time captain.
After spending some time as a left guard in 2014, Martin moved back to the center position and helped lead an offensive line thought to be the best under head coach Brian Kelly.
Smith and Martin weren’t the only ones to find homes in the NFL on Friday.
Cornerback KeiVarae Russell was chosen in the third round (74th) by Kansas City while running back C.J. Prosise is heading to Seattle (90th).
Russell is a relatively small corner, standing at 5-foot-11, but has the agility and speed to help out a secondary in need of help. At Notre Dame, Russell tallied 125 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 12 deflections and five interceptions.
Prosise became the number two running back before the 2015 season, but following an injury to Tarean Folston in the season opener against Texas, Prosise was thrust into the lead role in the backfield.
In total, Prosise carried the ball 167 times for 12 touchdowns, averaging just shy of seven yards per carry for 1,155 total. As a receiver, he had 62 receptions for 896 yards and three touchdowns.
Prosise declared for the NFL draft following concerns that the Irish would move him back to the wideout position when Folston returns in 2016.
Following Friday, Notre Dame has had six players in total get drafted by NFL teams, with Fuller and Stanley going in the first round Thursday evening.
