The Notre Dame football program has a couple benchmark goals: Compete for National Championships and graduate its student-athletes. Jaylon Smith is a perfect example of the latter. Before leaving a year early for the NFL Draft, Smith promised his mother that he would finish his degree. He kept that promise.
This weekend, former Notre Dame football linebacker Jaylon Smith was in South Bend to receive his degree from Notre Dame, three years after leaving Notre Dame for the NFL. In receiving his degree, Smith realized a lifelong dream and set an example for anyone who took notice of his achievement.