Wondering About Early NFL declar-ees

[NYSR2]

I am wondering what fans of other schools are thinking of their players who opted out of their senior season for the NFL (or visa versa).

The TCU players amaze me. Before this year, I figured TCU would be very strong following a rebuilding 2011 year. I figured Casey Pachall has a huge year, declares early...Waymon James kicks butt and declares early...Josh Boyce, ditto.....Maponga, maybe.

But then the Pachall blow-up and the James injury pretty much torpedo the offense and force them into a totally different style of offense in mid-stream. This severely impacts Josh Boyce.

Now we are in January, 2013. Obviously, Pachall and James need to return next year to rehabilitate any chance to go to the NFL.

But Boyce has an opportunity to come back and have a monstrous year to increase his draft stock now that Pachall is back. He declares for the NFL.

Maponga comes off an injury-riddled year and would be on a monster d-line with Davonte Fields as a bookend pass rusher and strong tackles who push the pocket back coming back probably 15 pounds stronger. Mysteriously, he declares.

Then Jason Verette, the all American corner who led the nation in passes defended at 22, and who had 6 interceptions, decides to return to TCU rather than enter the draft as a pure cover corner who can tackle, a sure number one pick. Good to see him return, but his stock is as high as it will get.

Anybody else have mystery decisions like this coming from their players? Is it agent driven? A desire to get out of school (or stay in, as the case may be)?

[Robert]

Originally Posted by NYSR2

Anybody else have mystery decisions like this coming from their players? Is it agent driven? A desire to get out of school (or stay in, as the case may be)?

Ace Sanders decided to come out a year early and I kinda scratched my head when that happened, although I think I know where he's coming from. He will get drafted (most likely in the 3rd round or later) as a return specialist first and receiver second. So, his height (probably closer to 5'7" than his listed 5'8") won't be as big a deterrent. Also, another year in school isn't going to make him taller, which is by far the biggest strike against him. Coming back to school would have been a good thing in order for scouts to gather more tape on him as a receiver, but it also would have left him open to injury and that could be devastating to someone who relies on their agility and quickness. And finally, in so far as being a return specialist, he is striking while the iron is hot by going pro after the amazing punt return he had against Michigan (also had unbelievable returns earlier in the season against Mizzou and Georgia) to go along with his two TD receptions in the Outback Bowl.

As for the two guys you were talking about going pro, I can absolutely understand your question. Sometimes these kids just make odd decisions and I'm betting that someone somewhere is in their ear promising them millions of dollars. And let's face it, none of these guys are short on confidence (which is not a bad thing), so they'll believe that they have what it takes to be a first or second round pick in the draft.

[Herchel]

UGA has three juniors in the draft.

Jarvis Jones, Will. Kiper has him as the 1st pick in the draft. I doubt that, but he will surely go in the top 10. He should go.

Alec Ogletree, Mo. He is projected in the 1st round, but he has only played 16 games as a LB. He played SS as a freshman. As a sophomore, he broke his foot in the 1st 5 minutes of the opening game and missed 6 games. As a junior, he was suspended for the 1st four games for weed. I think he should return.

Kwame Geathers, NT. He is projected in the 3rd round. I think there have been 4 Geathers in the NFL; his uncle Jumpy, his dad, his brother Robert, who was drafted out of UGA 9 years ago, and is still starting in the NFL, his brother Clifton, who is hanging on with the Colts. Everyone of them left early for the draft. I don't think that family places much value in a diploma.

[NDSMC78]

Tyler Eifert: TE. One of the two best TE's in America. Zach Ertz of Stanford is the other. Eifert has good size (I believe he is 6' 6"), has great hands and can block. Runs well with the ball. I don't follow the NFL to know what teams need tight ends, but Eifert should be either # 1 or # 2 of the TE's taken.

Cierre Wood: RB. I understand Wood projects as a third round pick. I think he is a good, but not a great, RB. Can hit the hole and has good speed. Not a great pass catcher and not a great blocker.

[MJ14]

I don't think Michigan had anyone declare early. Taylor Lewan was a lock to be a top ten pick, and he has his degree. But, he turned that down for an opportunity to put on the Winged helmet for one more season. Could have seen it go either way and think either way it would have been a good choice. He could work his way into a top 5 lock next year, but at worst he'll go top 15 in next year's draft, barring injury of course, so it's nice to see him back. Next year is when I'll start worrying about guys possibly leaving Michigan early. See, Jake "MF" Ryan. I really hope he doesn't leave early.

[NDSMC78]

Originally Posted by MJ14

I don't think Michigan had anyone declare early. Taylor Lewan was a lock to be a top ten pick, and he has his degree. But, he turned that down for an opportunity to put on the Winged helmet for one more season.

Yup. It was a big surprise that this young man decided to return to Michigan for next season.