NFL Draft: Underclassmen Declaring Early Thread

[DeToxRox]

Maurice Drew from UCLA just announces.

[cthomer5000]

Florida WR Chad Jackson too, according to ESPN

[Easy Mac]

<table id="inlinetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="428"><tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"><td width=""> Mario Williams </td> <td width=""> N.C. State </td> <td width=""> DE </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Vernon Davis </td> <td width=""> Maryland </td> <td width=""> TE </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Laurence Maroney </td> <td width=""> Minnesota </td> <td width=""> RB </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Ray Edwards </td> <td width=""> Purdue </td> <td width=""> DE </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Devin Hester </td> <td width=""> Miami-FL </td> <td width=""> RS/DC/WR </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Bernard Pollard </td> <td width=""> Purdue </td> <td width=""> DS </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Willie Hall </td> <td width=""> Middle. Tenn. St. </td> <td width=""> OT </td> <td width=""> Jr. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Demetris Summers </td> <td width=""> South Carolina </td> <td width=""> RB </td> <td width=""> So. </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> Michael Williams </td> <td width=""> Texas College </td> <td width=""> De </td> <td width=""> Jr.</td></tr></tbody></table>

[SackAttack]

When you say juniors, do you mean guys with one year of eligibility left, or guys entering their junior year?

If it's the latter, Drew declaring doesn't surprsie me; I would've thought he'd go last year if not for age limitations.

[timmynausea]

Someone posted this link to an underclassman tracker in another thread.
http://www.draftshowcase.com/UnderclassmanTracker.htm

The one that surprises me most so far is probably Greg Lee out of Pitt and it makes me wonder if Tyler Palko won't go, too. I'm not saying he's ready for the pros. I just can't imagine he wants to suffer through what might be a worse season than last year without Greg Lee.

[timmynausea]

I just noticed that Brian Leonard has announced he'll be back at Rutgers. That's great news for them.

[DeToxRox]

Title changed

[DanGarion]

I've officially announced to the NFL that I'm declaring for the draft!

[DeToxRox]

Where will Demitrius Summers fall after being booted out of SC?

Will he get drafted?

[Easy Mac]

I don't think his situation is much different than Clarrett's. He's always been a trouble maker, showed flashes of talent, but also showed he's a brittle as a 75 year old Floridian. The only reason he lasted as long as he did is because Lou Holtz doesn't care what his players do.

[RendeR]

Maroney will be the Offensive rookie of teh year next season. bank on it.

The kid is a rock with racing legs on it...I watched a number of minnesota games this season, he is utterly amazing. On a better overall team he'd have given Bush a tight run for heisman.

[GrantDawg]

Pope from UGA has declared, but Moses is still on the fence. He'll probably go. I'm just glad Tony Taylor is coming back.

[RendeR]

I'd love to see Pope in Bengals Orange and black. He'd be a monster over the middle with palmer dumping it off to him when needed.

[GrantDawg]

I'd love to see Pope in Bengals Orange and black. He'd be a monster over the middle with palmer dumping it off to him when needed.

The Bengals have become the new Steelers when it comes to drafting Dawgs. It might happen.

[RendeR]

Heh, yeah, we do tend to bark alot these days, especially on defense. Whats the deal with pollack? He was supposed to be some sort of monster and all I've seen is a pekinese on the feild.

[Swaggs]

WVU saw three of the bets college TEs that I have ever seen this year. Pope of Georgia, King of VT, and Davis of Maryland. Pope has ridiculous size--he is like 6'8. King has great hands and seems to get open really well. But, Davis is going to be a monster in the NFL, I think.

[GrantDawg]

Heh, yeah, we do tend to bark alot these days, especially on defense. Whats the deal with pollack? He was supposed to be some sort of monster and all I've seen is a pekinese on the feild.
Hold out and then injury. He was already learning a new position, so it put him under the eight-ball. He'll have a good year next season. He's a hard worker. I'm just proud of Odell. He had a suspect past, and it is good to see him putting it behind him and doing well.

[timmynausea]

WVU saw three of the bets college TEs that I have ever seen this year. Pope of Georgia, King of VT, and Davis of Maryland. Pope has ridiculous size--he is like 6'8. King has great hands and seems to get open really well. But, Davis is going to be a monster in the NFL, I think.

Davis will be awesome.

[RendeR]

Hold out and then injury. He was already learning a new position, so it put him under the eight-ball. He'll have a good year next season. He's a hard worker. I'm just proud of Odell. He had a suspect past, and it is good to see him putting it behind him and doing well.
Yeah I must say I absolutely LOVE Odell Thurman. The kid is a Maniac out there. he's good now, I can't wait to see him dominate games in a few years.

[Julio Riddols]

I love the Bengals contingent on this board.. I also think that pick number.. 20-something.. Wherever they end up.. 32? :) It would be great to hear Pope's name be called. Cinci is a TE short of insane on the offensive side of the ball. That said, I also wouldn't mind seeing Rod Wright in stripes either.. Though we'd probably have to trade up to get him.

Someone to take the O-line off Odell, a TE that can change games, and depth in the secondary would all be perfect. Specifically at safety. I have faith that Marvin will grab another 4-5 excellent players and continue to build a team that is already becoming a serious challenger.

Here's to the end of 15 years of disappointment, eh guys? :)

[TroyF]

Maroney will be the Offensive rookie of teh year next season. bank on it.

The kid is a rock with racing legs on it...I watched a number of minnesota games this season, he is utterly amazing. On a better overall team he'd have given Bush a tight run for heisman.


Sorry, I won't bank on it. I like Maroney and hell, you might be right. Maybe he is as good as Bush.

But Bush is going to get the publicity. If the two post nealy identical numbers, Bush would win it.

Besides, we have to see where each go before we can make any kind of prediction. Say Maroney slips because of a bad 40 time or something and goes to the Chiefs? Do you still think he wins rookie of the year?

Have to see exactly what situation he's in before I'd make a prediction like that.

[cthomer5000]

I just noticed that Brian Leonard has announced he'll be back at Rutgers. That's great news for them.
Yes, that is big, especially since he might need to shoulder a bigger load early in the year while we work through the QB situation.

[WSUCougar]

Stud Coug WR Jason Hill will be making his announcement one way or the other at 2:00 Pacific today.

[WSUCougar]

Stud Coug WR Jason Hill will be making his announcement one way or the other at 2:00 Pacific today.
Hill's staying in school! w00t!

Cougfan Story (http://washingtonstate.scout.com/2/486188.html)

[Poli]

OG Rob Smith of Tennessee will declare. No word yet on T Arron Sears. Rob's leaving because Fulmer fired his OL coach. I didn't see our problems being the OL's fault, anyway. We had a hard time staying healthy on the OL. We dropped the football and fumbled the football.

Speaking of, rumor has it FB "Can't Catch" Corey Anderson is leaving school early as well. You may remember his drops in games such as Florida, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. You may remember the game costing fumble against Alabama.

Please, Corey, do me a favor, and leave. I'd rather have Holbert at FB anyway.

[timmynausea]

Omar Jacobs the QB from Bowling Green just announced he is going pro. Anybody have any idea where he would rank among the QBs in this class?

[st.cronin]

Omar Jacobs the QB from Bowling Green just announced he is going pro. Anybody have any idea where he would rank among the QBs in this class?

He's definitely in a group with Cutler, Leinart, and Young (if he comes out). I would guess he'd be the third/fourth qb picked. I saw him play twice, and was incredibly impressed with him. I think he'll be a good pro.

[timmynausea]

Dola to answer my own question - in this article it says he got a 4th round grade but thinks his stock will go up after the combine.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2283069

[ice4277]

Omar Jacobs the QB from Bowling Green just announced he is going pro. Anybody have any idea where he would rank among the QBs in this class?
Huh. If I was him I would have waited another season. I think with another season of experience behind him, he could have been first round material.

[st.cronin]

Huh. If I was him I would have waited another season. I think with another season of experience behind him, he could have been first round material.

He may still be. His pedigree isn't much different from Leftwich and Roethlisberger. I don't think he'll make it past the second round.

[bronconick]

Antonio Cromartie from FSU is going pro, despite missing the entire season. Either grades or having two kids by different momma's is influencing his decision, from what I read.

Ernie Sims and Lorenzo Booker are requesting evaluations. If I was Booker, I'd definitely go. He can make 500k sitting some team's bench and getting 2 touches a game in the NFL as opposed to getting 10 in Tallahassee for free. The O-line injuries and Jeff Bowden pretty much ruined Leon Washington's stock this year. Sims is a tossup.

[timmynausea]

Reports say that Laron Landry of LSU and H.B. Blades of Pitt will come out early. A guy I'm keeping my eye is Michael Bush of Louisville. I'm kind of surprised he is even thinking about staying.

[Poli]

Landry? I can't remember him.

[timmynausea]

Landry? I can't remember him.

He's a pretty good db. He was on the All-Freshman SEC team in 2003 and was second team all conference the past two seasons.

[cthomer5000]

It'll be interesting to see if Marcus Vick's name is in here soon.

[st.cronin]

I haven't heard any rumors of Wisconsin boys leaving early. About the only real candidates are Joe Thomas and maybe Brian Calhoun. Calhoun I don't think is considered much of a pro prospect.

[timmynausea]

I haven't heard any rumors of Wisconsin boys leaving early. About the only real candidates are Joe Thomas and maybe Brian Calhoun. Calhoun I don't think is considered much of a pro prospect.

Scout.com said there's about a 60% chance Calhoun will go. Apparently Joe Thomas is coming back, but he is about to undergo an MRI and possibly tore his ACL at the end of the bowl game playing defense. I didn't realize he played both ways.

[MrBug708]

WVU saw three of the bets college TEs that I have ever seen this year. Pope of Georgia, King of VT, and Davis of Maryland. Pope has ridiculous size--he is like 6'8. King has great hands and seems to get open really well. But, Davis is going to be a monster in the NFL, I think.

Imagine had WV played UCLA, they would have played with the nation's best in Marcades Lewis

[Ragone]

Honestly i think Micheal Bush will have a better pro career then Reggie.. call me biased if you want.. but i think M.Bush is more suited for the pro game

[JeeberD]

Imagine had WV played UCLA, they would have played with the nation's best in Marcades Lewis

*cough*Garrett Mills (http://tulsahurricane.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120705aab.html)*cough*

[Eaglesfan27]

Honestly i think Micheal Bush will have a better pro career then Reggie.. call me biased if you want.. but i think M.Bush is more suited for the pro game

Biased.

[timmynausea]

Ngata out of Oregon is going pro. He's huge. A couple guys I'm less familiar with in Donte Whitner of Ohio State and Stephen Tulloch of NC State also announced that they are leaving early.

[ice4277]

Honestly i think Micheal Bush will have a better pro career then Reggie.. call me biased if you want.. but i think M.Bush is more suited for the pro game
I think Michael Bush is underrated, but I won't say he will have a better pro career.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Reports say that Laron Landry of LSU and H.B. Blades of Pitt will come out early. A guy I'm keeping my eye is Michael Bush of Louisville. I'm kind of surprised he is even thinking about staying.
Cool name. http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Swaggs]

I would love for the Steelers to get Michael Bush. He would fit into their offense perfectly, both as a big back and former QB.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

When you say juniors, do you mean guys with one year of eligibility left, or guys entering their junior year?

If it's the latter, Drew declaring doesn't surprsie me; I would've thought he'd go last year if not for age limitations.
I think the reason he is giving for leaving school for the NFL is hilarious...

Drew said his decision to turn pro was to honor the wish of his late grandfather...

"My grandmother told me after the USC game [Dec. 3] that he had told her that he wanted me to go to the NFL.

"I'd do anything he wanted."
This must be a different family... "Listen here son, I know you're going to college and getting an education, and that is something that many of our ancestors didn't have the opportunity to do, but you have the chance to be a kick returner and undersized change of pace back in the NFL. I know you like school and are the star of the show at UCLA, but remember... your grandfather wanted you to chase mediocrity as a mid-round pick in this year's draft!"

[MrBug708]

*cough*Garrett Mills (http://tulsahurricane.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120705aab.html)*cough*

If it were all about stats Jerome Harrison would be called the best RB in the nation...

[timmynausea]

There's less than a week until the deadline so there will be a bunch of announcements. Here are the latest guys to make it official:

Kai Parham, LB, Virginia
Ko Simpson S, South Carolina
Ernie Sims, LB, Florida St.
Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
Charles Gordon, CB, Kansas

[Huckleberry]

Honestly i think Micheal Bush will have a better pro career then Reggie.. call me biased if you want.. but i think M.Bush is more suited for the pro game
Against the two best college rushing defenses he faced this year, Reggie Bush had 30 carries for 164 yards. Pretty decent, but not spectacular.

He was also held to 2 yards or fewer on 13 of those 30 rushes. I agree that he has loads of potential, but he's going to have to change his running style in the NFL. DeAngelo Williams, to me, has a more ready-made game for the NFL. Not that I'd necessarily take Williams before Bush, though.

[rjolley]

Anyone get the feeling you're watching Barry Sanders when you watch Reggie Bush...a back that will consistently get 1-2 yards running around, then hit one for 50 yards when he decides to actually hit the open hole? Especially with the line issues in Houston...

[Craptacular]

I haven't heard any rumors of Wisconsin boys leaving early. About the only real candidates are Joe Thomas and maybe Brian Calhoun. Calhoun I don't think is considered much of a pro prospect.Calhoun is going pro, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tonight. From what I've heard, he is projected to go from the latter half of the first round to the second round. Thomas did tear his ACL, and is definitely coming back to Wisconsin. Actually, the injury to Thomas was probably the thing that brought Calhoun off the fence.

[st.cronin]

Hopefully not off-topic, but who's in line to be the Bager tailback? Stanley I think was the backup the last couple of years, but doesn't he graduate?

[Craptacular]

Stanley might be in jail. He just got charged with sexual assault, battery, and bail jumping. He's still also facing charges from earlier in 2005 when he got in a fight at the Mifflin St block party. Most likely, Jamil Walker will be starting. He'll be a junior, and he played some this year, although his only significant time was against Temple. He's bigger than Calhoun, and faster than Stanley, but not as fast as Calhoun or as strong as Stanley.

[mckerney]

Maroney will be the Offensive rookie of teh year next season. bank on it.

The kid is a rock with racing legs on it...I watched a number of minnesota games this season, he is utterly amazing. On a better overall team he'd have given Bush a tight run for heisman.

I'm not completely sold on Maroney's pro prospects yet. He's not as physical a back as you might want, and it seems sometimes he spends too much time looking to break out a long run instead of taking the yards that are there first, though he is a big play threat. He certainly has a lot of potential, but I don't think he's that close to being a lock as a pro prospect.

Peronally I think his backfieldmate Gary Russell will be a better pro prospect, who doesn't have Maroney's speed and explosiveness but is one helluva strong runner.

[Izulde]

Booker Stanley's legal issues disappointed me. I was really hoping he'd be the next in the line of great Badger tailbacks.

[timmynausea]

The latest reports are saying Michigan DE Lamarr Woodley will go pro and Florida QB Chris Leak will stay for his senior year.

[st.cronin]

Ok, Jamil Walker... I had forgotten about him. I think he'll be solid.

[TazFTW]

ESPNEWS had a 'REPORT: LenDale White to declare for the draft' earlier but now it looks like they've taken it down.


[edit]Looks like they still have it. It was part of their headlines section. I was looking for it on that bottom line thing.

[timmynausea]

A couple more NC State guys are going in OT Derek Morris and DT John McCargo. It seems like they got hit pretty hard this year.

Penn State lb Paul Posluzsny will be back at PSU for his senior year.

[TazFTW]

According to Pat Forde, Michael Bush will be returning to Louisville.

[timmynausea]

According to Pat Forde, Michael Bush will be returning to Louisville.

Yep. I've read that the NFL guys told him to work on running lower this year, and he'd be a 1st round pick next year.

[DanGarion]

Reggie Bush officially declared.

[PackerFanatic]

I was at the party Booker Stanley got busted at :) haha..

[Karlifornia]

Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch has declared for the NFL Draft.

Why? Am I missing something here?

[Passacaglia]

Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch has declared for the NFL Draft.

Why? Am I missing something here?

If you found yourself at Purdue, wouldn't you try to get out?

[TroyF]

I think the reason he is giving for leaving school for the NFL is hilarious...


This must be a different family... "Listen here son, I know you're going to college and getting an education, and that is something that many of our ancestors didn't have the opportunity to do, but you have the chance to be a kick returner and undersized change of pace back in the NFL. I know you like school and are the star of the show at UCLA, but remember... your grandfather wanted you to chase mediocrity as a mid-round pick in this year's draft!"

He'll also get a six figure signing bonus that will give him a good start on his life if football won't be a career. He likely wouldn't have moved his draft stock up anymore than it is now, so staying could only hurt him financially.

Sometimes it's a smart thing to leave a year early, even if you aren't a #1 pick. There is no way he'd get a big insurance policy either. His grandfather gave him some great advice.

[st.cronin]

If you found yourself at Purdue, wouldn't you try to get out?

Do you really think he'll be drafted?

[Raiders Army]

Ok, Jamil Walker... I had forgotten about him. I think he'll be solid.
Jimmy Walker? Last time I saw him was Battle of the Network Stars.

[Passacaglia]

Do you really think he'll be drafted?

I'm not sure if he'll get drafted, but I think he'll end up on a roster somewhere.

[timmynausea]

There are reports questioning whether DE Woodley of Michigan will go pro or not. RB Cornell Brockington will leave UConn. I was never very impressed with him. I think today is the deadline so there will probably be a bunch of announcements.

[rjolley]

USC's OG Fred Matua declared yesterday and S Darnell Bing may declare today.

Seems, Reggie Bush was guaranteed he'd be the #1 pick: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2293458