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    Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7.
    Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
    Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7.
    Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
    College Football

    Former Notre Dame Linebacker Jaylon Smith Earns Shot With Las Vegas Raiders After Refusing To Quit

    The Las Vegas Raiders signed free agent linebacker Jaylon Smith to a contract on Sunday, news first broke by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This will mark Smith’s first time playing in the NFL since the 2023 season, when he suited up for one game with the Raiders.

    Smith also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants throughout his career. While many players would quit after not seeing the NFL field, Smith isn’t like most players. His perseverance has now gotten him to his next destination, a return to the Raiders.

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    Ex-Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith Signs With Raiders After Beating the Odds

    Smith impressed at a tryout with the Raiders, earning a spot despite limited play since 2021. Schefter reported that Smith participated in Las Vegas’ minicamp on a tryout basis.
    It seemed like former Notre Dame star linebacker Smith’s NFL career was over after he sat out this past season, his last season in 2023 spanning just one game. However, now he finds his next home in a return to Las Vegas.

    The Cowboys initially selected the 29-year-old with a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Smith developed into a key starter on the Cowboys’ defense, leading the team in tackles in both 2019 and 2020. Smith earned Pro Bowl recognition for his 2019 campaign.
    Smith played for three teams during the 2021 season before sticking with the Giants in 2022, starting in 11 games. He briefly appeared with Las Vegas the following season, and saw the field 25 times in a Week 9 victory over the Giants.

    However, Smith was later waived and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad in December 2023. He didn’t see any regular-season action, though.
    In 88 games at the NFL level, Smith has racked up 626 tackles, 24 of which were for a loss. He also accrued 21 passes defended and six forced fumbles. Now, he looks to improve on those numbers as he finds his next home, a return to Las Vegas.
    Smith isn’t a stranger to this Raiders team. He played for the current Vegas defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, when he was a member of the Giants coaching staff in 2021.

    Smith will be looking to carve out a permanent role on the Raiders’ defense as they look to bounce back from an abysmal 2024 season. The Raiders finished with a four-win and 13-loss record, and now found their new head coach, Pete Carroll.

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    Article written by Scott Mitchell
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