FRISCO -- Jaylon Smith had a choice. He could immerse himself in the Cowboys offseason program, soak in the sometimes profane wisdom of defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, or wrestle with Descartes.
He could dive back into his playbook or study the murals of Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros.
Smith is passionate about football. But he chose to honor a promise made to his mother, Sophia, that once his NFL career was underway he would return to Notre Dame to finish his degree. He made good on that promise a little more than two weeks ago.
The nerves he felt as he walked the stage compare to what he experiences in the moments before he takes the field for the Cowboys.