April 28--The smile came naturally to Jaylon Smith's face Wednesday as he greeted fans and signed autographs inside the NFL Shop at Draft on Michigan Ave.
He stood behind a counter in the back of the store, one block north of where his dream was supposed to come true in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. He was so close to the Auditorium Theatre stage, across which the top draft picks will walk and hug the commissioner after they're called.
As recently as New Year's morning, Smith's name was a candidate to be first across Roger Goodell's lips on draft night. But now his path to the NFL requires a detour. A catastrophic left knee injury in Notre Dame's bowl game left him with nerve damage. He has difficulty even lifting his foot.
Visiting Chicago the day before the draft thrust Smith face-to-face with a mountain of what-ifs. The city is buzzing. The theater is ready. Everything is in place -- except for his future.
But as Smith wonders which team will pick him and when, he pushes forward without stumbling on what might have been. After all, he will be drafted by Saturday night, and that, regardless of round, was his dream.
"It's just understanding that everyone is dealt their own hand and just dealing with that," Smith said. "I don't want people to be sad for me or mad, because I'm not sad for myself. I look at it as an opportunity for growth."
That's a remarkable dose of perspective from a man who won't turn 21 until June. He went from holding pocket aces to an off-suited two and six.
Smith's instincts, fluidity and speed as a linebacker made him one of college football's top prospects. But the injury, which included a torn anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and peroneal nerve damage, will cost him the 2016 season, with more unknowns after that.
"This is a terrible situation," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. "For each team it's about their doctors and what their protocol is. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it won't surprise me if we get to Day 3 and Jaylon Smith is still on the board."
Added NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock: "My heart goes out to Jaylon Smith."
Smith appreciates the sympathy, but he seems already to have processed the disappointment.
At least the financial ramifications of his diminished draft value are mitigated by an insurance policy against injury he took out last fall. It could pay him up to $5 million, ESPN reported Tuesday.
That clears his vision toward the football side of things. For Smith, this weekend is about achieving his goal of making it to the NFL, a seed planted when he was 7 years old.
"Finally, my dreams are about to come true," he said. "I'm very happy."
His optimism stems from progress in his rehabilitation. He began running three weeks ago. He must wear a brace to help his foot while the nerve regenerates. Whether the nerve will is the great unknown. Smith has made peace with the patience required for the end result.
"This situation is out of our control," he said. "But the things that are in our control is taking care of this perfectly fine and handled. The thing for me is just waiting to hear my name called."
Instead of being in the green room when that happens, Smith will be at home in Fort Wayne, Ind., with his family, which he credited with steadying him as his football world absorbed a seismic shock.
"Somebody has to believe in me," he said. "That's what it comes down to."
Smith smiled again, sensing the reward he has in store for the team that finally calls his name.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
