SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame standout linebacker Jaylon Smith is returning to South Bend just months after he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and returned to the NFL. 

He won't be coming to town in an official football capacity, but rather as a restaurateur.

On Wednesday, July 9, he’ll debut his first restaurant venture: JINYA Ramen Bar, at 1145 N. Eddy St., Suite 140, just steps from the Notre Dame campus.

Smith is partnering with restaurateur Jim Wang, who has helped create over 80 restaurants, including over 20 JINYA Ramen spots, "to bring the nationally loved ramen chain to South Bend, marking its first location in the city and second in the state," organizers of the grand opening said.

"With plans to expand across Indiana, the duo’s broader partnership signals a major investment in Jaylon’s home state."

Smith came to South Bend as a freshman in 2013 and started all 13 games in each of his three seasons with the Fighting Irish. 

In what would end up being his final collegiate game, Smith tore his ACL and LCL in the first quarter of the Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State that followed the 2016 season.

Even with the rebuilt ligaments in his leg, Smith was drafted 34th overall in 2016 by the Dallas Cowboys. 

After a five-year run with Dallas Cowboys, from 2016 to 2021, Smith bounced around to five different teams between 2021 and 2023. 

It looked like his playing days in the NFL were over after he was not in the league in 2024, but on May 12 of this year, Smith signed a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders and will be back on the gridiron come September.