Jaylon Smith addresses nerve damage, timetable before NFL Draft

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Jaylon Smith's recovery from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl hasn't sapped his confidence. 

The former Notre Dame linebacker penned a first-person story for Bleacher Report on Wednesday offering his perspective on his injury, his rehab process and reports of potential nerve damage. On the latter topic:

"Obviously, plenty of talk centers around the nerve damage. All of the team doctors know exactly what my situation is. It's going to take care of itself. I'm not hiding anything.

While my body recovers, I'm continuing to learn, study and cherish the game of football. Those are the things I'm doing right now.

At this point, the doctors still don't have a timetable. I could be ready to start the season, or I could miss the entire season. Anything more definitive is just speculation. What I do know is this: Once I'm 100 percent healthy and feeling comfortable, I'll be back on the field and dominating."

There were a few reports following Smith's injury saying he'd be ready for the 2016 NFL season which, as Smith alluded to, were unfounded. Whatever team drafts Smith may have to deal with having him miss next season.

Smith's injury, in addition to ruling him out of physical activities at the NFL Combine and Notre Dame's pro day, caused him to drop about 20 pounds -- though he estimated it could've been closer to 40 had he not continued to work out his upper body. 

The Fort Wayne, Ind. native -- and 2015 Butkus Award winner -- offered a stark declaration of confidence in his story:

"I'm the best player in the draft. I just didn't get the opportunity to show it as far as the combine and draft process. Watch the film. Any game. It speaks for itself."

On Wednesday, though, Brian VanGorder, Smith's former defensive coordinator -- who had a four-year stint as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator and also was a linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets -- explained what makes Smith such a dynamic player, if and when he returns to 100 percent. 

"His traits of explosion and speed and all the physical traits we talk about, they’re top-line," VanGorder said. "But the big thing with him is he’s a pro. He can walk in any pro locker room, any pro meeting room — he’s incredible in the meeting room — and he’ll talk better football than a lot of those guys that are already there. He’s very knowledgeable. Worked at it hard. Wanted to see the big picture of football. So he’s NFL ready the minute he walks into a meeting room. Incredible note-taker.

"He’s just — if I were still in the pros and I drafted him, I can’t imagine that I’ve ever had any rookie come in that would be where he is. He’s just so far ahead. So far ahead." 

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