jeter23
Footballguy
Nope, he and DeSean Jackson are the two big names that have not announced yet.
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OFFICIAL Underclassmen leaving early (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jeter23
- Start date
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I bet Laurinaitis goes back. I think those guys have a really bad taste from the last two championship games that they'd like to erase.I'm thinking Jackson goes back too.
jeter23
Footballguy
Everyone has assumed they would both come out, but I am starting to wonder as they are waiting until the last minute. I hope Jackson comes out for sure.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I don't think the TE talent is bad either. Especially from a fantasy standpoint. The guys coming out are much more the pass catching than blocking variety.
tombonneau
Footballguy
If Laurinaitis stays, any chance Maulaugo (uhg spelling) changes his mind and declares? He'd unquestionably be the first LB off the board if JL stays, no?
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I doubt it. I think Maualuga is staying no matter what.The first LB off the board is up in the air but it's probably between Rivers and Connor.
jeter23
Footballguy
http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footb.../011408aaa.html
Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton has decided to enter his name in the National Football League Draft. He becomes the second Sooner junior this year to do so. Junior receiver Malcolm Kelly made a similar announcement last Thursday.
"Curtis made a lot of big plays during his time here," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "We wish him all the best in the NFL."
Lofton said he reached the decision Sunday.
"I'll definitely miss my coaches and teammates," he said. "I came in with my class three years ago and those guys are like brothers to me. And I'll miss playing in front of those 85,000 fans."
Lofton said the atmosphere at Oklahoma readied him for the next step.
"It starts with great coaches and a system that from day one develops you as a person and player," he said. "Once you get the opportunity to play, you're ready, It's one of the best coaching staffs in the nation."
Lofton, a consensus All-American, was OU's leading tackler in 2007 when he notched 157 stops, the sixth-best total in school history.
The Kingfisher, Okla., product also estalished a school record with nine double-digit tackle games. He logged a career-high 18 tackles in the first meeting with Missouri.
Some 35 Oklahoma players have been drafted since Bob Stoops took over as head coach. OU has produced a first-round selection in each of the last six years.
Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton has decided to enter his name in the National Football League Draft. He becomes the second Sooner junior this year to do so. Junior receiver Malcolm Kelly made a similar announcement last Thursday.
"Curtis made a lot of big plays during his time here," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "We wish him all the best in the NFL."
Lofton said he reached the decision Sunday.
"I'll definitely miss my coaches and teammates," he said. "I came in with my class three years ago and those guys are like brothers to me. And I'll miss playing in front of those 85,000 fans."
Lofton said the atmosphere at Oklahoma readied him for the next step.
"It starts with great coaches and a system that from day one develops you as a person and player," he said. "Once you get the opportunity to play, you're ready, It's one of the best coaching staffs in the nation."
Lofton, a consensus All-American, was OU's leading tackler in 2007 when he notched 157 stops, the sixth-best total in school history.
The Kingfisher, Okla., product also estalished a school record with nine double-digit tackle games. He logged a career-high 18 tackles in the first meeting with Missouri.
Some 35 Oklahoma players have been drafted since Bob Stoops took over as head coach. OU has produced a first-round selection in each of the last six years.
Weiner Dog
Footballguy
I think I heard on a local Columbus station that Laurinaitis is staying. Can anybody confirm??
RUSF18
Footballguy
Safety Courtney Greene returning for his senior season.
http://scarletknights.com/football/news/re...e.asp?prID=6047
http://scarletknights.com/football/news/re...e.asp?prID=6047
TheBradyBunch
Footballguy
This will change a lot of mocks, WOW!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3196623Award-winning linebacker Laurinaitis to return for senior season
Associated Press
Updated: January 14, 2008, 6:19 PM ET
* Comment
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two-time All-America linebacker James Laurinaitis said Monday he will stay at Ohio State for his senior year.
"After a long thought process and strategic evaluation of the pros and cons of this decision with my close family and friends, I've decided to stay at Ohio State," Laurinaitis said in a statement issued by the school.
Laurinaitis, a 6-foot-3, 244-pounder from Hamel, Minn., won the 2007 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and the 2006 Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in college football.
The Big Ten defensive player of the year this past season, he set a BCS championship game record with 18 tackles against LSU in the Buckeyes' 38-24 loss, their second in a row in the title game.
Laurinaitis, the son of WWE professional wrestler Animal from the Legion of Doom, led the Buckeyes with 121 tackles for the season.
Most NFL mock drafts have pegged Laurinaitis as a high first-round draft pick. During Ohio State's preparations for the game with LSU he had batted away questions about what he would do next season.
"I know I can still improve as a player, and I know there is still much more to me and for the Buckeyes to accomplish," he said. "I want stay a Buckeye for another season. You only get to do this once, so I want to take full advantage. There are a lot of things that money can't buy, and some of those things are the experiences of a senior season."
Coach Jim Tressel disclosed in December that he had urged 13 juniors to file the paperwork with the NFL to receive scouting evaluations to determine what round the players might be taken in this spring's draft.
So far, only second-team All-American defensive end Vernon Gholston has said he will give up his senior year to make himself eligible for the draft. The deadline for third-year players to declare their intentions is Tuesday.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Do they have until noon today?Updated list
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yellowdog
Footballguy
From Great Blue North:
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
No. He couldn't succeed in college.
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Question here, and it may warrant another thread....
Anyone ever track how the "Draft Advisory Committee" does with their advice?
I'd wager that there are more than 35 "projected first rounders", which of course is impossible.
Anyone ever track how the "Draft Advisory Committee" does with their advice?
I'd wager that there are more than 35 "projected first rounders", which of course is impossible.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
That would be interesting.
True. But all they're saying is that the kid has first round potential. They can't guarantee that a guy will be picked there though.35 first round talents sounds about right to me.
Arian Foster is returning. He got a 2nd round grade. He needs 678 yd's to pass Travis Henry as Tenn all time rusher.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3197437
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3197437
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Michael Oher declares.
God d@m|\| it! Now my mock is totally effed.
I totally missed it when I copied/pasted that list.
God d@m|\| it! Now my mock is totally effed.
I totally missed it when I copied/pasted that list.
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Barring injury he'll be a first rounder next year for sure...smart moveThe Xavier Lee situation makes me sad, someone might take a late round flier on him but IMO he'll be an undrafted free agent and then out of the league in a couple of years
offdee
Footballguy
January 15, 2008
Cal WR Jackson To Enter 2008 NFL Draft
Joe Schad, ESPN
California junior WR DeSean Jackson said today he will forgo his senior season as a Golden Bear and enter the 2008 NFL draft. Jackson had 762 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. He also averaged 10.8 yards and scored one touchdown on punt returns. He is projected as a first-round pick.
Cal WR Jackson To Enter 2008 NFL Draft
Joe Schad, ESPN
California junior WR DeSean Jackson said today he will forgo his senior season as a Golden Bear and enter the 2008 NFL draft. Jackson had 762 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. He also averaged 10.8 yards and scored one touchdown on punt returns. He is projected as a first-round pick.
sheerterror
Footballguy
Didn't get to see Jackson play much, but does a comparison to Ted Ginn sound accurate?
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Yes!
Close. He has better hands and is probably a better route runner.Ginn is faster.
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Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Yes. Yes. And yes (depending on the situation).I think his talents are unique in this year's class. There aren't many fast/quick guys at the WR spot.
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Jackson had to wait until the end to declare.
Who should be the highest ranked WR?
Bowman, Kelly, Doucet, or Jackson?
Who should be the highest ranked WR?
Bowman, Kelly, Doucet, or Jackson?
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
KellyBowmanJackson......DoucetHard to rank Jackson because I'm not sure if he has the size to be a true #1, but I think he's going to be a terrific #2 and a gamebreaker in many facets, including of course special teams.Those rankings are for NFL purposes. We won't know how to rank them for fantasy until we see where they go.
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benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Decent rankings.....how much does size matter anymore with the NFL rule changes? It gives more of an advantage to the smaller WR's....hence Jackson could use his speed more. Plus he is 5'11...so I guess you are referring to his weight.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Size still matters in the NFL, but there are always exceptions to the rule - guys like Marvin Harrison and Steve Smith.His numbers were down this year because he was double teamed a lot. A fact which is either disappointing (he couldn't beat the double team) or encouraging (he's good enough to be doubled) depending on how you look at it.Again, it all comes down to scheme, I think.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Reggie Smith - DB, Oklahoma
I thought he'd decided to stay. I think he's wise to come out because some team is going to draft him as a safety (Houston? Dallas?) and he'll go higher than he otherwise might.
I thought he'd decided to stay. I think he's wise to come out because some team is going to draft him as a safety (Houston? Dallas?) and he'll go higher than he otherwise might.
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benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
His WR on the opposite side wasn't too bad either, combine that with injuries at the QB position.
You can throw in Santana Moss to that discussion.
Doucet is smaller than Jackson right?
You can throw in Santana Moss to that discussion.
Doucet is smaller than Jackson right?
Mr. Peterson
Footballguy
Where would you put James Hardy in that bunch?
coolnerd
Footballguy
Doucet is around 200-205lbs versus 170ish
mcintyre1
Footballguy
benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
I thought Doucet was tiny....what is his height?
coolnerd
Footballguy
6'0" is what I have seen him listed at.
Barry Jive and The Uptown Five
Footballguy
With all due resptect to Kenny Phillips, I would take Smith as the #1 FS off the board. I absolutley love this guy's game.
Barry Jive and The Uptown Five
Footballguy
Here's the funny part.This year, the draft advisory committee, as it relates to any given player, is a committee of one.I can't remember if I read it or heard it from a guy like Mortensen on ESPN Radio, but there were so many applications for draft grades that the committee divided the players up, gave their own personal recommendation and sent it to the player.This "Draft Advisory Committee" is not like an NFL Team warroom, with sacouts coaches, etc agreeing on a draft board.Could really hurt some of these kids... and also explain the more 1st or 2nd RD ratings than there are draft picks.
CalBear
Footballguy
I think Jackson could have put up bigger numbers than he did this year; we seemed to rarely throw to him deep. There were some games where he was consistently being single covered on deep posts and we didn't get him the ball. Cal averaged just 7.1 yards per pass and 11.8 yards per completion, despite having what should have been one of the best WR corps in the country and what should have been a solid QB. In 2006 we averaged 8.0 yards per pass and 13.4 yards per completion with the same receivers and QB, and I think part of the dropoff is due to a change in scheme away from the deep pass, combined with weaker offensive line play.Here's a stat for you; Jackson had a higher yards per carry average than yards per reception (12.0 vs. 11.7).Andy Dufresne said:
I'm not certain how he'll work out as an NFL prospect. He's certainly the fastest receiver I've seen at Cal, and has the best moves in the open field. I've never seen him brought down by a guy ahead of him in the open field. His hands are quite good, but his body is pretty small and he's likely to get pushed around a bit in the NFL, at least at first.
He'll make a roster and return punts right away; I would expect he won't have a major fantasy impact right out of the gate, but he could turn into a good receiver in the right situation. He'd be better in a spread offense than a more traditional pro set.
My favorite Jackson play is not the step-back against Tennessee this year, but this play against UCLA last year. Also watch the incredible spring block by Thomas Decoud, who will be a solid safety prospect in the NFL.
.
jeter23
Footballguy
This is it! Almost everyone that was expected to declare did so, with a couple of surprises on the defensive end.
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benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
And that one LB from Ohio State....what was his name again??? lol
coolnerd
Footballguy
If the guy did not sign with an agent he will have 72 hours to retract. After that point, the NFL will release the official list which usually has a couple below the radar names often from smaller schools.
SI is reporting that Matt Ryan will not participate in next week's Senior Bowl. They say it is because his agent, Tom Condon, discourages his QB prospects to take part in pre-draft workouts.
coolnerd
Footballguy
Ryan is not such a lock to be a top 5 or 10 pick that he can skip opportunities to impress.
tex
Footballguy
He might succeed as the guy who carries the Gatorade bucket around.
jeter23
Footballguy
Or gets run over by mascots driving golf carts.He might succeed as the guy who carries the Gatorade bucket around.
