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Underclassmen Staying News Links:Another college season
Christian Anthony, DE, Grambling State 2011 DS #25 DE, Projected Round(s): 7-FA News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
02/20/2010 - Grambling defender Christian Anthony earns another national honor - Christian Anthony’s remarkable season continued last week, as he earned the Sheridan Broadcasting Network’s Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year Award. Anthony, in his junior year of eligibility, was also named preseason all-Southwestern Athletic Conference, four-time league defensive player of the week, two-time Louisiana Sports Writers Association statewide defensive player of the week, Bayou Classic XXXVI most valuable player and then SWAC defensive player of the year, a finalist for the Buck Buchanan national FCS defensive player of the year award, to the 2009 American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches’ All-America Team, and third team FCS All-American by The Associated Press. All of that might have led Anthony to test the NFL market, but he has already committed to returning for another year at Grambling. “I really want to come back,” Anthony told me, “and not just to come back but to come back and increase my strength, mentally to get better prepared for the NFL. I’m not worried about injuries. I know that comes if it comes. All I’ve got to do is keep focused, keep praying — and keep working hard…READ MORE SOURCE: Nick Deriso, The Deriso Report
Mike Pouncey, C, Florida 2011 DS #2 C, Projected Round(s): 2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/19/2010 - Florida Gators offensive lineman Mike Pouncey stays behind to improve draft status as twin heads to NFL - The official separation began Monday. That's when former Florida C Maurkice Pouncey said goodbye to Gainesville and headed to Orlando to begin his NFL training, while his twin brother, OL Mike Pouncey, remains for his upcoming senior season with the Gators. It's the first time, with the exception of one week a few years ago, that the twins have ever been separated. It's a bittersweet time for Mike Pouncey, but he believes that he's doing the right thing by returning and that his future — and the Gators' — will be better because of it. "I made the decision, and I believe it's the right one," he said. At 6 feet 5, 315 pounds, Mike Pouncey has played in 39 games and has 28 consecutive starts. He was a first-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press and the coaches' vote this past season. During his tenure, he has played center, moved over to the defensive line as a freshman when depth issues plagued the Gators, then back to guard. Next year, he's moving to center…READ MORE SOURCE: Antonya English, The St. Pete Times
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia 2011 DS #2 CB, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/18/2010 - NFL labor uncertainty has little effect on underclass decisions - Despite the NFL's uncertain labor situation, the number of early entries for April's NFL Draft did not appear significantly affected. Speculation circulated that lingering labor questions could lead to more early entries, but 49 players bypassed remaining college eligibility to enter April's draft -- just three more than last season. Among those who entered the draft were Maryland offensive tackle Bruce Campbell, Virginia Tech defensive end Jason Worilds, Florida cornerback Joe Haden (Friendly), Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn (Dunbar) and Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman (Suitland). Players with local connections who returned despite potential draft interest included Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling and North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin (Ballou). Like most seasons, many of the top draft-eligible players left early…READ MORE SOURCE: Zach Berman, The Washington Post
Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma 2011 DS #3 OLB, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2010 - Jeremy Beal to remain at OU in 2010 - The NFL will have to wait at least another year for Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal. "I'm coming back," Beal told the Tulsa World in a telephone interview Friday afternoon. Beal, a fourth-year junior from Carrollton, Texas, said he had made up his mind "about a week or two weeks" ago, and said it wasn't a difficult decision. "I thought I wanted to come back another year and I wasn't ready for the draft," Beal said. Beal was chosen second-team All-Big 12 this season as he led the Sooners with 19 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback sacks. He was fourth on the team with 70 tackles. "Even though it was a good year, I've still got a lot of stuff to improve on becoming a better player," Beal said. "I look at it as a building block for another level I have to get to." Beal is tied for sixth in school history with 20.5 quarterback sacks and has 140 career tackles…READ MORE SOURCE: John E. Hoover, Tulsa World
"Even though it was a good year, I've still got a lot of stuff to improve on becoming a better player," Beal said. "I look at it as a building block for another level I have to get to."
Kai Forbath, K, UCLA 2011 DS #1 K, Projected Round(s): 4 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2010 - Kicker Kai Forbath decides against NFL draft - UCLA kicker Kai Forbath, stating that he “didn’t want to rush into anything,” said he has decided to return for his senior season. Forbath had considered declaring for the NFL draft, but after weighing his options chose to stay in school. Today is the last day a college junior could declare for the draft. “There were a couple things,” said Forbath, who is in Connecticut to accept an award for being selected to the Walter Camp All-American team. “I want to graduate, that is important to me and my family. I wanted to take the whole next year to help the team and get bigger, stronger and get more mature mentally.” Forbath, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker, was 26 of 29 on field goals last season and scored 108 points. He has made…READ MORE SOURCE: Chris Foster, The LA Times
Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State 2011 DS #13 WR, Projected Round(s): 4-5 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2010 - Aztecs WR Brown to return for senior season - Standout receiver Vincent Brown has decided to return for his senior season at San Diego State after spending the past several weeks considering an early departure for the NFL Draft. The deadline for juniors and third-year sophomores to declare for the draft was Friday. His father, Vincent Brown Sr., said his son made up his mind in the past few days. “We discussed certain issues in references to his decision, and he made the decision to go back to San Diego State,” Brown Sr. said. Brown Jr. and SDSU asked for a report late last year from the NFL Advisory Committee, which helps grade juniors interested in declaring for the draft. The committee projected him to be selected after the first three rounds. “He took a look at that piece of it for his family, but I also think he looked at it as wanting to finish his career at San Diego and wanting to help this team win a championship…READ MORE SOURCE: Brent Schrotenboer, The San Diego Union-Tribune
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma 2011 DS #1 RB, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2010 - DeMarco Murray to stay at OU - DeMarco Murray will return for his senior season. Murray announced during the season that he was leaning toward staying in Norman for his final season, but made the decision official on Friday, the deadline for juniors to declare for April’s NFL Draft. "I felt I wasn’t done here,” Murray told ESPN. “I still had some things I wanted to get accomplished with my teammates and become a better player as well.” Seeing teammates Jermaine Gresham and Sam Bradford suffer serious injuries didn’t scare Murray from making the same decision. Gresham missed the entire season after tearing cartilage in his knee days before the season opener. Bradford injured his throwing shoulder in the season opener, and aggravated the injury against Texas, eventually undergoing season-ending surgery. "I won't have to share carries anymore so I will get to play a lot more…READ MORE SOURCE: David Ubben, News Oklahoma
Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU 2011 DS #3 ILB, Projected Round(s): 2-3 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/15/2010 - Football's Sheppard to Return for Senior Season - LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard will return for his senior season in 2010, he announced on Friday. Sheppard, a native of Stone Mountain, Ga., led the Tigers and ranked fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 110 total tackles as a junior in 2009. Sheppard played a key role at middle linebacker for an LSU unit that ranked No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense in 2009. "I felt like coming back to LSU for my senior season was the best decision for me, my family and the team," Sheppard said. "This decision allows me the opportunity to get my degree and try to help the team win another SEC title and a national title." Sheppard goes into the spring semester just 15 hours shy of graduating with a degree in general studies. "Getting my degree is very important to me," Sheppard said. "I came to LSU with a list of things that I wanted to…READ MORE SOURCE: LSU, football
Harvey Unga, RB, BYU 2010 DS #999 RB, Projected Round(s): SUP 4-5 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/14/2010 - Harvey Unga Staying for Senior Season - BYU running back Harvey Unga today announced he will not declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. “I am staying in school and looking forward to playing my final season of college football,” Unga said. “I want to finish my college education, and I hope to play well and do my best as a senior to help our team.” The 6-foot, 237-pound Provo, Utah, native is BYU’s all-time leading rusher with 3,455 yards over his first three seasons. He was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2009 after earning second-team accolades in 2008. He was a Freshman All-American and MWC Freshman of the Year in 2007. Unga led the MWC in rushing in 2009 with 1,087 yards to help BYU achieve an 11-2 record and No. 12 final ranking. Unga rushed for 11 touchdowns and added one more score as a receiver during 12 games last season. BYU has posted a 32-7…READ MORE SOURCE: BYU, football
Running back has rare opportunity to achieve four 1,000-yard seasons
Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia 2011 DS #3 RB, Projected Round(s): 2-3 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/14/2010 - Devine and Sanders to Return - West Virginia University Football Coach Bill Stewart has announced that running back Noel Devine and wide receiver Jock Sanders are returning for their senior years of eligibility. “On behalf of the Mountaineer football family, we are excited that Noel and Jock will remain as student-athletes here for their senior years with the Old Gold and Blue,” Stewart said. “I have seen these two really mature and grow, not only on the football field, but in their quest of life. Obtaining their degrees and preparing for life after football is of utmost importance to them and to our program, “I, along with the coaching staff and our fans, anxiously await and look forward to watching these two guys finish their senior years here at West Virginia.” Devine, 2009 team co-offensive MVP, had his best season as a junior…READ MORE SOURCE: West Virginia, football
Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh 2011 DS #4 DE, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/13/2010 - Romeus return a big boost for Pitt - The news that Greg Romeus plans to return to Pittsburgh for his senior year instead of entering the NFL draft is huge lift to the Panthers' 2010 hopes. Romeus was co-defensive player of the year in the Big East this past season, sharing the honor with teammate and defensive tackle Mick Williams. He had eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss this season, and one offensive coordinator told me that Romeus was the hardest guy in the league to prepare for. There aren't many specimens like Romeus. He's 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds with a ton of speed and athleticism. He played basketball until late in his high school career. Romeus is still a bit raw because of that and can use another year of development under Dave Wannstedt and Greg Gattuso…READ MORE SOURCE: Brian Bennett, ESPN
Case Keenum, QB, Houston 2011 DS #9 QB, Projected Round(s): 6-7 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/13/2010 - Keenum To Stay For Senior Season - University of Houston junior quarterback Case Keenum today announced that he would return for his senior season in 2010. Keenum had explored entering the NFL Draft, which is held in late April. "I feel this is a very special group of guys, and we have a lot of chemistry and history together and played a lot of games over the years," Keenum said. "When you have a team like this, it's your family and you want to stay together as long as you can. "We have a chance to do something special this season. I want to win a conference championship, win another bowl game and take a shot at the BCS. I am excited about getting back to workout in the off season and get ready for spring football." The Cougars return nine starters from the 2009 squad that finished 10-4 and ranked No. 1 in the nation…READ MORE SOURCE: Houston, football
Mulled Early Exit For NFL
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas 2011 DS #2 TE, Projected Round(s): 3 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/13/2010 - Williams set to return - University of Arkansas junior tight end D.J. Williams elected Wednesday to return to the university for his senior season. In 2009, Williams was named second-team All-SEC by the league coaches. He played in all 13 games last year and had nine starts. Williams had 32 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns in 2009. Williams was named to the Lombardi and Mackey Award watch lists prior to the season. He was a nominee for the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award and was named to the SEC Community Service team. Williams, who was the first Mackey Award semifinalist in school history in 2008, has played in 38 career games for the Razorbacks with 19 career starts. He has had 98 career receptions for 1,228 yards and six touchdowns. Statement from D.J. Williams: "Taking into consideration the rewarding total experience I have had in Fayetteville…READ MORE SOURCE: Arkansas, football
Tight end D.J. Williams elected Wednesday to return to the university for his senior season
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M 2011 DS #2 OLB, Projected Round(s): 1 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/13/2010 - All-American Von Miller Will Return to Texas A&M for Senior Season - “I am returning to Texas A&M for my senior year,” Miller said from his home in DeSoto. “I appreciate Coach Sherman assisting me in gathering information and allowing me and my family a chance to make this decision. After careful consideration, I feel it is in my best interest to come back. It is important to me and my family to earn my degree from Texas A&M and this will put me much closer to that goal. I can’t leave A&M right now. I know (strength coach) Coach Kennedy will be anxious to see me in the weight room and in the running drills.” Miller, from DeSoto, Texas, recorded 48 total tackles with 31 of those being the solo variety. Of his 48 tackles, 21.5 went for tackles for loss of yardage for a total of 125 yards lost. His 17 quarterback sacks for an average of 1.31 sacks per game led the NCAA and the 17 sacks…READ MORE SOURCE: Texas A&M, football
Junior LB/DE led the nation in quarterback sacks in 2009
Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State 2011 DS #1 ILB, Projected Round(s): 1-2 News/Story Tagged As: Underclassmen Staying, Another college season
01/13/2010 - Jones Puts NFL Career On Hold; Returns For His Senior Season - Jones ranked third in the NCAA FBS in tackles per game (11.8), tied for 30th in sacks (0.69 per game) and tied for 51st in tackles for loss (1.08 per game). He also finished among the Big Ten leaders in sacks (fifth) and tackles for loss (10th). Jones led the team in tackles (154 total), tackles for loss (14.0 for 69 yards), sacks (9.0 for 53 yards) and production points (282). He became the first Spartan to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons since 2003-04 when both linebacker Ronald Stanley and free safety Jason Harmon reached the milestone. "I'm excited to announce that I'm returning to Michigan State for my senior season," Jones said. "After the bowl game, I was leaning toward returning, but it was important for me to step back and do my homework in regards to the NFL Draft. The bottom line is that I greatly value the relationships that I have here with my coaches and teammates, and I'm not ready to let go of these Spartan family ties yet…READ MORE SOURCE: Michigan State, football
Consensus All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones finished third in the NCAA FBS with a career-best 154 tackles in 2009.
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