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| Change of Heart |
| Wednesday, January 9, 2008 |
With the ink still drying on his decision to declare for the NFL Draft, Aaron Kelly recanted and pulled his name from the draft pool. The junior receiver decided that he didn’t want to disappoint his Mom and decided to wait on the NFL, which was probably the right move. Kelly is skinny as a rail and according to the story, was slotted as a 4th round pick. As we detailed earlier today, he has a great team coming back this fall and he will play a very prominent role. This definitely helps teammate Cullen Harper’s NFL draft stock for next season as well.
Also changing his mind and heading back to school was tight end Cornelius Ingram of the Florida Gators. Ingram’s brother made it known that the younger Ingram would be returning to the University of Florida to finish out his collegiate career and get his degree. Ingram has the chance to be phenomenal next level player, and returning to school will give him the best opportunity to do that. If Ingram can continue to develop and emerge as one of Tim Tebow’s primary receivers alongside junior wideout Percy Harvin, he could see his stock skyrocket by this time next year.
3 More Who Should Have Reconsidered:
Just a short list of guys who could have benefited from another year on campus.
TE - Jermichael Finley, So, Texas
The redshirt sophomore declared for the NFL draft on Monday but definitely should have waited. After only two years on the playing field for Texas, he could certainly use some more seasoning and experience. He would blossom with returning junior QB Colt McCoy, but would be able to stay under defender’s radar as Texas returns Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley on the outside.
WR – Mario Urrutia, Jr. Louisville
After attempting to enter the NFL Draft last year and receiving lukewarm feedback, this junior has jumped in full speed ahead this time. Despite having a sub-par season and falling off most scouts’ maps, Urrutia has signed with an agent and will be drafted. However, another year in college could have dramatically increased his stock and NFL personnel execs can’t be too thrilled with what they’ve seen this past season. Urrutia has all of the physical tools to be a success at the next level but after totaling 973 yards and 6 TD’s in 2006, his production dropped to 501 yards and 3 TD’s in 2007, partly due to a leg injury.
WR – Devin Thomas, Jr. Michigan State
Thomas is in a unique situation. Unlike the two previous players named here, Thomas had a phenomenal season and saw his draft stock skyrocket. The feeling here though, is that if he had waited another year and became the sole number one option for developing QB Brian Hoyer, he could have been first round material next spring. Thomas had only 6 catches in 2006 while increasing that total exponentially up to 79 grabs and 1260 yards. With the graduation of Kellen Davis and a lack of experienced depth behind him, Thomas could have even topped his numbers from 2007. While Thomas certainly picked a good year to go, as the receiver class isn’t stellar, he could have been first round material with one more year of seasoning.Labels: Aaron Kelly, Cornelius Ingram, Devin Thomas, Jermichael Finley, Mario Urrutia |
posted by ntb60 @ 6:48 PM   |
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