Notre Dame junior linebacker Jaylon Smith was named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated on Thursday, two days after the Fort Wayne, Ind. native won the 2015 Butkus Award.
Smith, who also was one of Notre Dame's five team captains this year, racked up 113 tackles and nine tackles for a loss during 12 regular season games. He joined Oklahoma's Eric Striker, Alabama's Reggie Ragland and Mizzou's Kentrell Brothers as SI first-team All-American linebackers.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Smith No. 2 on his latest NFL Draft big board, slotting him only behind Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.
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Notre Dame junior wide receiver Will Fuller and redshirt junior left tackle Ronnie Stanley were named second-team All-Americans by SI, while redshirt junior running back C.J. Prosise, graduate student center Nick Martin and senior defensive tackle Sheldon Day were honorable mentions.
Smith, Stanley, Fuller, Prosise and senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell submitted requests for evaluations from the NFL Draft advisory board this month. None have officially declared their intentions to remain at Notre Dame or turn pro, though Fuller said in November he's planning on returning for his senior season while Stanley and Smith appear likely to head to the NFL.