Alright. For the most part, the draft early entry talk seems to be coming to a close. There is still time for entrants to pull their names from consideration but we’ll deal with that when the time comes. Here’s a look at the latest in draft talk.
Rutgers received good news when they found out that safety Courtney Greene was returning to school. The Rutgers defense was strong against the pass last season and having Greene back along with most of the defensive starters will allow Rutgers to continue to depend on their back seven. Greene could have been the second Rutgers player to declare this year as running back Ray Rice declared earlier in the week. Greene felt that his best option was heading back to college where he could raise his stock with another solid season. Not many seem to be high on Rutgers going into the fall but if quarterback Mike Teel can continue to improve and they can find a suitable replacement for Rice, the Scarlet Knights might be in decent shape to make a push in the Big East again.
Mike Mickens is returning to school for his senior season it was reported on Monday. Mickens led the Bearcats defense last season and was consistent in the secondary all season, earning himself a spot on the All Big East team at year’s end. Mickens will join returning starters Cedric Tolbert and DeAngelo Smith in the secondary where they have to replace safety Haruki Nakamura. Cincinnati was a team that surprised last season but they won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this year. Mickens, with another solid year should fortify his position as one of the top senior corners going into next season and into the draft next April. A very sound decision for Mickens to return and enjoy another year under Brian Kelly.
There is a solid tight end class entering the NFL this season and there will be another just as good if not better come next spring. Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew decided to stay in school for one more season, fulfill his eligibility and join the 2009 class. Pettigrew is one of the most talented tight ends and has the complete game that makes him well-suited for the pro level. He blocks and catches equally well and so will have a very strong appeal next spring. For now, he deepens Oklahoma State’s talent level for the coming season and along with wide receiver Dez Bryant who will be a sophomore, he gives the Cowboys a very impressive 1-2 punch for QB Zac Robinson to make use of. Look for Pettigrew to really stand out this coming year and establish himself as the class of the tight ends alongside Chase Coffman of Missouri and Travis Beckum of Wisconsin to name a few.
The only Alabama player considering a jump to the NFL decided against it this week. Antoine Caldwell, the junior center for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide decided to stay and finish out his collegiate career. Likely drafted in the top three rounds had he gone, Caldwell will now look to come back and enrich his draft stock with a solid senior year. Caldwell joins standout tackle Andre Smith as the main components to a talented offensive line that will be charged with protecting John Parker Wilson again this year. Caldwell has had some off the field problems so it will be of paramount importance for him to stay off the police blotter and in good academic standing this year.
The Sooners received more bad news this week as linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Reggie Smith decided to forego their senior seasons for the riches of the NFL. Lofton and Smith leaving further damages a Sooner defense that already had to deal with several graduations and the nasty stigma of the West Virginia beat down in the Fiesta Bowl. Lofton was the leading tackler for Oklahoma while Smith was the leader of the secondary. Now the Sooners have a defense that will be made up primarily of juniors and sophomores. Both Smith and Lofton will be moderately high draft picks this year so it’s hard to blame them for leaving. Bob Stoops has a big job on his hands now but has the young talent to fill in the holes.
Unlike Oklahoma which has been decimated by three of their top players leaving early, the LSU Tigers got a big shot in the arm for their program this week when defensive end Tyson Jackson and linebacker Darry Beckwith announced that they would return to LSU for their senior seasons. Both had the opportunity to make some big cash by leaving early but both chose to return and go for a National Championship again. With the amount of seniors that Coach Les Miles is losing to graduation, to not have to deal with juniors leaving as well is a great relief. Jackson and Beckwith could potentially both be first round picks next year if they can stay healthy and handle being the leaders of their new defensive group.
After having a book written about him through high school, Michael Oher decided that now was the time to pursue his dream of the NFL. With a new coach coming in and the unknowns that go with that, Oher felt it was best for him to move on. He will certainly be one of the top offensive tackles taken in the draft. Oher is currently ranked as the 4th offensive tackle in this years draft by Sporting News War Room. He should have no problem finding a place to play on Sundays. While likely a 1st round pick, 2nd round at worst, Oher is reportedly reconsidering his decision, which would be a boon for new Coach Houston Nutt and a big boost to his ground game. Oher has until Friday to confirm.
Speaking of changing one’s mind, next on the list is Victor Harris. The man they call ‘Macho’ will be returning to Virginia Tech for his senior season after all. Thankfully he had a change of heart and realized that the best decision for him long-term would be to stick around and grow as a senior cornerback and a leader of a very young defense. Tech is only returning four starters on the defensive side of the ball, including Harris, so they will need him to help lead a new core of defensive players, especially in the secondary. Harris probably could have been a 1st day pick but now he can assert himself and become a certain 1st or 2nd round pick.
Finally, the last big name to announce that he was returning for his senior season was Arian Foster. Foster will lead the Tennessee backfield into the fall and ill play a vital role with quarterback Erik Ainge transferring and new QB Jonathan Crompton being installed. With LaMarcus Coker being kicked off the team last season, Foster showed he can carry the load. With Foster, Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer all coming back this fall, Tennessee will have one of the most talented backfields in the country.
Well, that’s about it for declarations. All that’s left now are the few players who will change their minds, reconsider the advice they’re receiving and the decision they’ve made and head back to school. It would be a surprise to me if at least one or two running backs don’t renege.
By Monday we should have our top teams for 2008 posted as the rosters will be solidifying with the early entrant deadline having passed for good, so be sure to check back for that.Labels: Antoine Caldwell, Arian Foster, Brandon Pettigrew, Courtney Greene, Curtis Lofton, Darry Beckwith, Michael Oher, Mike Mickens, Reggie Smith, Tyson Jackson, Victor Harris |
