Linebacker Jaylon Smith is champing at the bit these days.

The rookie essentially redshirted the 2016 season for the Dallas Cowboys as he rehabs his surgically repaired knee, awaiting the regeneration of the damaged nerve.

With the nerve progressing and the former Notre Dame star regaining some sensation in his foot, he's expected to return to football in 2017 and has begun releasing workout videos to prove his claim that he could play right now at an elite level.

Watching the footwork in this latest video, it's hard to dispute that.

And as far as Smith "getting his 4.4 speed back" goes, his initial video is the warning shot to the NFL.

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Owner Jerry Jones has already called Smith a "cornerstone" piece of the franchise and the "real deal", as the excitement for his potential debut begins to mount. If the 32nd overall pick can return to tandem with the likes of All-Pro Sean Lee, it could be the best LB duo the Cowboys have had in their storied 57-year history.

Smith is clearly not lacking for confidence and all signs point to 2017 belonging to him.