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Newsstand: Former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith opens ramen bar in South Bend

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•07/09/25•

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jaylon smith
Former Notre Dame and current Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jaylon Smith. (Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

Before reporting to training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders, former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith returned to South Bend to open a new Japanese ramen restaurant in the Eddy Street Commons.

JINYA Ramen Bar, located at 1145 N. Eddy Street (Suite 140), will open Wednesday at 11 a.m. Smith, who described himself as a “serial entrepreneur,” is excited to build a business down the street from his alma mater.

“Being a restaurateur is something I have always wanted to do. It goes back to my senior year of high school,” Smith said, according to WSBT 22. “I worked at Burger King after winning four state titles in a row in football. I opted to not play basketball and I got a job. This was pre-NIL and I didn’t really come from money.

“More than anything, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to work in college. I wanted to get that experience of learning how to serve people.”

Smith was a dominant linebacker at Notre Dame, winning the Butkus Award in 2015 with 114 tackles (including 9 tackles for loss) and 5 passes defended. He was a projected first-round pick until that season’s Fiesta Bowl, when he tore his ACL and LCL. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round (No. 34 overall) in 2016.

After sitting out his rookie year due to injury, Smith came back in 2017 and played all 16 games for four consecutive seasons. He made a Pro Bowl in 2019 with 142 tackles (6 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 9 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles. Due to more injuries, Smith’s career came to a halt in 2023. He’s attempting a comeback with the Raiders this season.

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