Why hasn’t Darren McFadden declared for the NFL Draft yet? Strangely, with five days remaining until the NFL early entry deadline, McFadden’s name is nowhere to be seen on lists of the early entry candidates. I would fully expect the Arkansas star to declare, if he doesn’t it would be quite a coup for new coach Bobby Petrino. Widely expected to be one of the “sure things” going into the NFL Draft season, what could be holding him back from doing what so many others have done?
1. He’s trying to drum up some suspense and playing for dramatic effect. This is a distinct possibility as McFadden is known as a bit of a good natured joker and he could be just playing up the suspense. The notable aspect of this theory would be the fact that nothing about him or his status has leaked at all, whether from obscure family members, friends or employees in the Arkansas Athletic Department.
2. He isn’t going to declare. This theory seems to be the least likely of all, but with reports of his handcuffing last night at a piano(?!) bar in Arkansas and opinions like this starting to appear, could it be that his stock is starting to drop league-wide? Could he have more to gain by returning to Arkansas? Certainly an unlikely thought but it has happened before. The notion that Baldinger would take undrafted Pierre Thomas over McFadden, whether laughable or not, has to be taken into consideration coming from a pro personnel evaluator. If for whatever reason McFadden does decide to return to school, we as college football fans should be counting our lucky stars that we get to enjoy a talent as unique as McFadden for one more glorious season, and maybe he can finally win his well deserved Heisman Trophy.
3. He simply hasn’t decided yet. Maybe the pull of earning a degree and finishing what he started means more to McFadden than jumping early to make a big payday. It is possible and if someone wants to stay in school and get there degree I have nothing but respect for that in this money/status hungry world. It can’t be an easy decision with agents swarming around you and friends and the media hounding you for your decision. If he does decide to remain at Arkansas and play out his senior year, look for Felix Jones and other top junior running backs like Jonathan Stewart to declare for sure.
This decision that has yet to be announced could have far reaching ramifications, all the way through the first round of the draft this spring. Stay tuned.Labels: Darren McFadden, piano bars |
