One of the all-time great linebackers in Notre Dame history is Fort Wayne native, Jaylon Smith. The Bishop Luers graduate played for the Irish from 2013-2015, and won the Butkus Award as a junior (he also won the Butkus in high school). Smith suffered a massive knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes and went from a top five lock in the NFL Draft to being selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 34th pick overall in the second round.
Despite some good seasons with the Cowboys (including a Pro Bowl selection) Smith was released in October of 2021.