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Underclassmen Staying News Links:Another college season
Colin McCarthy, OLB, Miami 2011 DS #11 OLB, Projected Round(s): 4-5 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
11/18/2009 - McCarthy coming back, not looking to 2010 just yet - Colin McCarthy already has a few highlight-reel moments from his time at Miami. He blocked a punt in 2006, had a fumble recovery for a touchdown that clinched a win at Florida State in 2007, had the bone-jarring block that freed up Thearon Collier for a 60-yard punt return score this season in a victory over Virginia, and is Miami’s leading tackler in 2009. But there’s no rings on his fingers. And that’s part of the reason why he’s coming back in 2010. The linebacker from Clearwater, Fla.—who wears No. 44, a time-honored jersey for Miami linebackers considering Dan Morgan wore it when he was the nation’s best at the position a decade ago…READ MORE SOURCE: AP Sports, CBS Sportsline
Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina 2010 DS #6 OLB, Projected Round(s): 2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
03/24/2009 - Norwood content with decision to stay - USC will showcase its pro prospects for NFL scouts Wednesday at Williams-Brice Stadium. If not for a change of heart, linebacker Eric Norwood would be out there. But after initially saying he would turn pro, the junior decided to stay in school — a decision he admits he still wonders about, but doesn’t regret. “I still think I made the right decision,” Norwood said after Tuesday’s spring practice. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind from time to time, especially with it right now, the combine already happening, all the stuff leading up to the draft. I mean that crosses my mind. “But I’m patient. I’ve been here three years. I did a lot to get in here, I had a lot of help getting here, so I might as well go ahead and finish it.” Norwood, a two-time, first-team All-SEC pick by the coaches, will start next season as the league’s active leader in both sacks and tackles-for-loss. He is also third on South Carolina’s all-time sack list…READ MORE SOURCE: Seth Emerson, The State
Jason Fox, OT, Miami 2010 DS #4 OT, Projected Round(s): 2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
03/5/2009 - Fox motivated by draft status - Jason Fox looms large physically at 6-7 and 310 pounds, but he probably stands even bigger in terms of the University of Miami's possible football success next season. Fox, an offensive tackle who will be a senior next season, opted not to enter the NFL Draft after his junior year, although he did get an insight into his future -- and likely riches -- when the NFL advisory board projected him as a third-round pick if he had left school. Was third round an insult? Nope, said Fox, just motivation. Plus, Fox had other priorities. ''My No. 1 goal has always been to win a national title at UM. I'd rather win a championship and deal with the NFL later,'' Fox said after Wednesday's spring workout at the Greentree Practice Field. ``I'm more concerned about winning this season than trying to improve my draft status. I felt like it was a smart decision…READ MORE SOURCE: Bill Van Smith, Miami Herald
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma 2011 DS #1 QB, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
02/16/2009 - No second thoughts about staying - No second thoughts for Sam Bradford. At a time when top NFL prospects are getting ready for the draft, Bradford on Monday night was recognized as the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback — and looking ahead to another chance to lead Oklahoma to a national championship. The NFL will have to wait another year — maybe two — for the O'Brien and Heisman Trophy winner. The 24-14 loss to Florida in last month's BCS national championship is what occupies his thoughts, not the decision he made to bypass the pros for now for another season with the Sooners. "It's great to be in the game, but probably a lot more frustrating to actually be in the game and lose than if you weren't in the game at all," Bradford said. "I've thought about it probably every day since the game, just different things that could have gone different. ... I'm using it as motivation right now, work hard…READ MORE SOURCE: Stephen Hawkins, AP Sports/News Oklahoma
Reshad Jones, SS, Georgia 2011 DS #5 SS, Projected Round(s): 4 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
02/8/2009 - Jones expects big things in 2009 - The night before deadline day, Reshad Jones thought he was gone. No, he wasn’t going to be a first-round or even a first-day selection, but he had always dreamed of a career in the NFL. As the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft approached, the dream seemed so close to a reality that it was easy to be overcome with visions of a prosperous future as a pro. In the 12 hours between deciding to leave Georgia and his announcement the following day that he was staying put, however, Jones came to a realization. He may have wanted the bright future in the NFL, but he wasn’t ready for it. “I just wanted to come back and be a leader in all aspects — in the classroom, off the field, just in general,” Jones said. “I had some more room to grow as a man, personally, and just mature, so I wanted to come back and mature mentally and physically.” Less than a month after passing up a shot at the pros, Jones is more certain than ever that he made the right decision…READ MORE SOURCE: David Hale, Macon.com
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU 2010 DS #1 WR, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/24/2009 - LaFell: ‘There’s still a lot I can do’ - For all the unique talents that separate Brandon LaFell from most people, there are a few traits that make him so much like everyone else. So human and normal. One way is that when the LSU junior wide receiver saw a chance to jump at a financial bonanza by jumping to the NFL this spring, he had to take a serious look — weigh the options and think if it made sense to walk away from college and likely secure his financial future. Another common thread connecting the 6-foot-3 Houston native to anybody who has ever competed at anything or even those who have been normal working folks is wanting to do a job right and as well as he can do it. It’s that layer of LaFell’s personality that explains why the Tigers top receiver last season will finish his college career and put off the NFL…READ MORE SOURCE: Randy Rosetta, 2 the Advocate
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma 2010 DS #2 OT, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/19/2009 - Trent Williams trusted Malcolm Kelly's advice - After the BCS National Championship, offensive tackle Trent Williams traveled home to Longview, Texas, unsure of his next move. Skip his senior season at Oklahoma and declare for the NFL Draft, where he'd almost surely be a second-round selection and net a big paycheck that could help his family in a time of need? Or remain in school, where he'd come closer to getting his degree, improve his draft stock by moving from right to left tackle and star on a Sooner team loaded enough to contend for a national title? But in the end, it was former Sooner and current Washington Redskins wide receiver Malcolm Kelly -- Williams' high school teammate at Longview and college roommate at OU -- who helped convince Williams to stay, according to a source close to both Kelly and Williams. "Trent would change his mind every 10 minutes. He didn't know what he was going to do," the source said…READ MORE SOURCE: The, Oklahoman
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU 2010 DS #1 WR, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/18/2009 - LaFell Withdraws Name from NFL Draft - On Sunday, LSU junior wide receiver Brandon LaFell removed his name from the NFL Draft's early entry list and announced his plan to return to the team for his senior season. Details to come. Per NCAA rules, underclassmen have 72 hours after the early-entry deadline to revoke their declaration provided that they have not signed with an agent. In three years with the Tigers, LaFell established himself as one of the top pass catchers in school history. He has 118 career receptions for 1,725 yards and 18 touchdowns…READ MORE SOURCE: LSU, football
Ryan Perrilloux, QB, Jacksonville State 2010 DS #16 QB, Projected Round(s): 7-FA News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/17/2009 - Perrilloux staying, back-up could redshirt - At a press confab earlier this week at Jacksonville State, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux said that he would not test the NFL draft waters after receiving feedback on his status and head coach Jack Crowe said that backup QB Marques Ivory could redshirt in 2009.
Perrilloux said he was told by the NFL's advisory committee that he likely would be drafted if he left school this year - the deadline for underclassmen to declare was Thursday - but he would probably not go in the first three rounds. "I sat down with my coach, my mom and my family and we came up with the best plan and that's to come back to school and get my degree," Perrilloux said. "I will have an (NFL) opportunity next year. I want to win a championship as a starting quarterback before I go. "Definitely, if I had been a first-round or first two rounds choice, I would have gone. But, I thought (the evaluation) was fair based on my season, based on my…READ MORE SOURCE: Mike Perrin, Birmingham News
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma 2010 DS #1 TE, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - OU's offensive stars set for another spin - Bob Stoops, announcing Wednesday that all his potential early NFL draftees instead decided to return to Oklahoma, used "Cadillac" and "BMW" to compare this year's Sooners to next year's. He didn't mean it quite that way — he was saying NFL personnel types would cut Sam Bradford some slack next year, knowing Bradford might not be as protected behind a less-experienced offensive line — but the comparison worked anyhow. OU's offense should remain pretty sleek in 2009, despite the loss of three starting wide receivers and four starting offensive lineman. A lot of that has to do with Bradford's return. But then he couldn't have been nearly as effective without a target like tight end Jermaine Gresham or a protector like Trent Williams. Gresham caught 30 passes for 397 yards and five touchdowns over his last four games. Think Bradford won't come out of the '09 chute looking…READ MORE SOURCE: Guerin Emig, Tulsa World
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State 2010 DS #1 OT, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - Okung Will Return To For Senior Year - Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung will return to Stillwater for his senior year in 2009, he announced today. Okung was a 2008 first-team all-Big 12 selection by the league’s coaches and by the Associated Press to go with second-team All-America honors from rivals.com and All-America recognition from Phil Steele and SI.com. “I’m excited to be part of what is going on at Oklahoma State right now,” Okung said. “We’re going to have an exciting team next year and I look forward to being someone who can help contribute to what we are trying to accomplish. This offseason is important for us and I’m going to do everything I can to help this team get better so we can reach a new level next year.” Okung has started every game for the Cowboys the last two years and has started 34 consecutive games dating back to the 2006 season for the longest active streak of any Oklahoma State player. Okung has been a key part of the Cowboys ranking in the top 20 nationally in total offense each of the last three years, improving from ranking 16th in 2006 to seventh in 2007 and sixth in 2008…READ MORE SOURCE: Oklahoma State, football
Reshad Jones, SS, Georgia 2011 DS #5 SS, Projected Round(s): 4 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - Safety Jones decides to stay at UGA - On Monday, the Georgia safety said he would remain in school and forgo the NFL draft. On Wednesday, he said he was seriously rethinking that stance. On Thursday, he said he’s back to Plan A. And this time his decision is binding, because Thursday was the NFL’s deadline for underclassmen to enter the 2009 draft. “It was a back-and-forth day,” Jones said. “I was sort of like 50-50.” He said the deciding factor, in the end, was his grandparents’ desire for him to earn a college degree. “It will make my grandma and granddad really proud,” he said, “for me to come back.” A redshirt sophomore last season, Jones said he will be 12 hours short of graduation after this semester. He said he’ll get his degree in consumer economics in December. But Jones conceded he probably wouldn’t have been able to resist the lure of the NFL if the league’s advisory committee had projected him as a first- or second-round draft pick. He wouldn’t say how much lower than that the committee projected him…READ MORE SOURCE: Tim Tucker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson 2010 DS #1 RB, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - Spiller to Return to Clemson - Clemson first-team All-ACC player C.J. Spiller announced on Thursday that he will remain at the school to play his senior year. Spiller had considered turning professional since the end of the 2008 season, but announced his decision at a press conference attended by half the Clemson football team in addition to many media members. Spiller led the ACC in all-purpose running this year with an average of 147.5 yards per game. He became Clemson's career leader in all-purpose running in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl against Nebraska and will enter his senior year with 4,908 all-purpose yards, third among active Division I players. His 8.57 yards per play will rank first among active Division I players when 2009 begins. "I spoke with a lot of people about this decision and took my time in evaluating all the factors, but the best decision for me is to play the 2009 football season at Clemson University," said Spiller in a room that erupted with applause after the statement. "I didn't want to leave Clemson University with any regrets. I still have much to accomplish. I prayed about this decision for several days. But, at the end of the day you have to be a peace with your decision when you lay in bed. I wanted to…READ MORE SOURCE: Clemson, football
Clemson Running Back to Lead Clemson Offense in 2009
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida 2010 DS #1 ILB, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - Spikes To Return; Harvin Declares For NFL Draft - Junior linebacker Brandon Spikes (Shelby, N.C.) announced on Thursday that he will remain at the University of Florida for his senior season. Meanwhile, junior all-purpose player Percy Harvin (Virginia Beach, Va.) announced that he will enter the 2009 National Football League Draft and forego his final year of eligibility. "I'm excited to hear that Brandon is coming back," said head coach Urban Meyer. "At the end of the day, I want our players to make educated decisions about their future. Brandon has obviously done that. He was the heart and soul of our defense this year. He was the quarterback of our defense and set the tone in many of our victories." "It was a tough decision for me and my family," said Spikes. "I just felt like it was the right choice to come back. I love the coaching staff and my teammates and I look forward to playing another year in front of the best fans in America." Spikes was an integral part of the national champion Gators' defense and led the team with 93 tackles, to go with…READ MORE SOURCE: Florida, football
Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi 2010 DS #2 DE, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2009 - Hardy Returning For Senior Season - Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy has decided to return for his senior season with the Rebels, it was announced here Thursday. "I'm excited to return for my senior year and look forward to helping our team build on the success we enjoyed this season," Hardy said. "Professional football is a goal every college player strives to reach, but I feel it is in my best interest to return to school. My parents support my decision, and I know my mom wants me to graduate from Ole Miss." "We're very excited Greg has decided to return to school," said Rebel head coach Houston Nutt "I had a good visit with his mom, and Greg has more he wants to accomplish. He talked about how much he loved the bowl experience, and he has personal goals he wants to attain." Hardy earned All-America honors each of the last two seasons, including third team distinction in 2008 despite playing in only nine of the 13 games. He topped the Rebels in quarterback sacks with 8.5, and his average of .94 sacks per game would have led the SEC and ranked seventh in the NCAA had he played in the minimum 75 percent of the games…READ MORE SOURCE: Mississippi, football
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