The UnderClassmen coming out thread.

[Crazy Canuck]

I wouldn't even look at this kid until the sixth round. He had nothing to lose in staying another year in school. Bad decision.

We don't have a 6th round pick in this year's draft...

 

[Russ Smith]

Frank Gore has his degree. Not bad for a guy who came into school with major laerning disabilities. He grew up in a 1 bedroom apartment with seven family members. His mother is bedridden and on dialysis awaiting kidney transplants. Drew Rosenhaus is his agent. The same Drew Rosenhaus who is Willis McGahee's agent. He got Willis one helluva deal and a 1st round draft slot. Frank Gore got advice from the NFL consultants. He can't buy career injury insurance. He has had two major knee reconstructs and came back this year and played as the #1 back and got damn near 1000 yards and essentially was U of M's best offensive player. Frank Gore is the most appreciated player in Miami football ever. What would he do next year at Miami. Even though he received his undergraduate degree, he is not going to do graduate work. He will be better and faster next year. He will go to the combine workouts and that is all the scouts are looking for. Frank played at 75 % this year. He will have his speed back next year. He has nothing to gain by coming back to Miami. Best of luck Frank.

P.S. If he signs an incentive laden contract he will be well off financially. DRew will take care of him.

Agreed, guys like Gore, Chase Lyman, I always pull for them. Lyman doesn't have the poor family background that Gore does( I actually know Lyman's dad from a prior job we did business with him) but the same thing, 2 major knee injuries, more major injuries. Gore was so exciting before all the problems, a poor man's Barry Sanders, bigger, not as quick, ripped off big runs had power. He's the kind of kid who wouldn't stun me at all to be a solid NFL RB but obviously with his knee history he won't go very high in the draft.

 

[joeshmo]

UM DB Shazor declares for draft... The Detroit News is reporting this morning that Michigan safety Ernest Shazor has decided to enter the 2005 draft and has signed on with an agent. The 6-4, 230-pound Shazor could project to FS, SS or even LB at the next level.

 

[joeshmo]

A few of the better prospects that have officially said they will not come out early, including 2 whom I could see as top 10 picks and top 15 minimum., and one 2nd round prospect.

Star Cavs' soph LB to stay in school... The NFL will have to wait another year to get star Virginia sophomore MLB Ahmad Brooks in a pro uniform. Brooks announced late last night that he would be back at school for at least another year. Brooks is the second Virginia underclass LB to return to school after junior OLB Daryl Blackstock indicated earlier this month that he too would be back for one more year.

Big UGA OG confirms no draft in '05... Georgia junior OG Max Jean-Gilles, a 340-pound roadgrader, has confirmed that he will not be entering the 2005 draft.

One DL out of draft; a second leaning... The 2005 draft class took a hit when Boston College junior DE Mathias Kiwanuka announced that he will be returning to school for his senior season next fall. The 6-8 Kiwanuka had been projected as a top pick at this year's draft, indeed, Kiwanuka had been considered a possible #1 pick overall at one point, but saw his stock slip somewhat in recent weeks.

 

[joeshmo]

OC - Chris Spencer from Ole Miss is entering the draft and was told by the NFL draft comittee that he carries a 2nd round grade right now. I have nver really followed or heard much from him so I will just have to take their word for it.

 

[azdad1978]

So did Craig Krenzel and he sucks. IMO he is a product of the system.[/QUOTE
Oh really...??? His high school RB was Reggie Bush of USC. Both of them this year were both Hiesman nommenies. So I guess Reggie Bush must also be a product of the system also. GET REAL MAN...!!!

Didn't Krenzel win at least one games for Chicago, so I now guess he has to be as bad as Elie Manning was for the Giants...???


Bobcat

What does Bush got to do how good he is? And the Heisman is the ruler of how great a college player is but they suck as a Pros. Sorry Bob your logic is flawed! and Btw you're reaching for the Krenzel and Manning comparison.

 

[az jam]

Still waiting to hear on Matt Leinart, Heath Miller, and DeAngelo Williams.
Disappointed that Mathias Kiwanuka is not coming out as I think he may have gone in the top five. Also thought that Brooks would come out.

 

[az jam]

Utah: Receiver Steve Savoy will follow quarterback Alex Smith out of Utah and into the NFL Draft, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.


"I'm going," he told The Tribune on Sunday.


Savoy said Sunday that he opted to turn pro last Friday, three days after Smith's announcement.


Savoy said he has hired an agent and expects to be chosen in the first three rounds of the draft on April 23 in New York City.


Despite being just a sophomore, Savoy, 22, has been out of high school for more than three years after going to a prep school and redshirting his first season at Utah.

 

[joeshmo]

Utah: Receiver Steve Savoy will follow quarterback Alex Smith out of Utah and into the NFL Draft, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.


"I'm going," he told The Tribune on Sunday.


Savoy said Sunday that he opted to turn pro last Friday, three days after Smith's announcement.


Savoy said he has hired an agent and expects to be chosen in the first three rounds of the draft on April 23 in New York City.


Despite being just a sophomore, Savoy, 22, has been out of high school for more than three years after going to a prep school and redshirting his first season at Utah.

I think this is actually a good choice for him. He will have to deal with a new QB and a new coach. Not to mention the WR class is not that great this year.

 

[Russ Smith]

Still waiting to hear on Matt Leinart, Heath Miller, and DeAngelo Williams.
Disappointed that Mathias Kiwanuka is not coming out as I think he may have gone in the top five. Also thought that Brooks would come out.

2006 figures to be THE year to get a great DE now.

Kiwi will be the favorite now to go first but don't forget junior to be Mario Williams of North Carolina State who frankly may be better than Kiwi right now. They're essentially the same size, Williams a few pounds heavier, and it's pretty likely Williams comes out next year.

Williams was THE most impressive DE I saw all year although I watched a lot less college ball this year.

 

[maddogkf]

Maybe, but if he shows that he can play a full season, and that he's fully rehabilitated from the knee, it would probably make the difference between rounds five (where I expect he'll go) and three (where he might go if healthy for another year).

As a fifth-round pick, he'll get something around $25K as a signing bonus, and MAYBE a $150K salary should he make a team. As a thrid rounder, he would probably be able to increase his SB by an order of magnitude, as assure his salary.

And if he goes undrafted, there'll really be trouble. Don't you think that his mom could have stood to work another year with those possibilities? If he gets injured again, then I don't know if the downside is that much different.

I don't think she has a job - I'm pretty sure that I heard she was incapacitated & not able to work. If that was my mom, I'd leave early & do what I can to take care of her in her few remaining years.

Maybe Wally has more insight...

edit - Wally says about the same thing with his mom a few posts later.....

 

[SMAC]

Here is the list as of 01/10/05:

Declared Underclassmen Pos School Yr Ht Wt 40 Projected Round
Aaron Rodgers QB California Jr 6-2 220 4.72 1
Mike Williams WR USC Jr 6-5 230 4.59 1
Thomas Davis FS Georgia Jr 6-1 220 4.50 1-2
Ciatrick Fason RB Florida Jr 6-1 215 4.50 2-3
Alex Smith QB Utah Jr 6-4 210 4.67 1
T.A. McClendon RB NC State Jr 5-11 225 4.45 4-5
Vernand Morency RB Oklahoma State Jr 5-10 215 4.38 2
Maurice Clarett RB Ohio State Jr 5-10 225 4.50 5-6
Ryan Moats RB Louisiana Tech Jr 5-9 205 4.55 3-4
Fabian Washington CB Nebraska Jr 5-10 180 4.39 2-3
Chris Henry WR West Virginia Jr 6-5 210 4.47 3-4
Rian Wallace OLB Temple Jr 6-3 245 4.65 2-3
Odell Thurman ILB Georgia Jr 6-1 240 4.70 2-3
Troy Williamson WR South Carolina Jr 6-2 200 4.39 1
Shawne Merriman DE Maryland Jr 6-3 250 4.67 1
Adam “Pac-Man” Jones CB West Virginia Jr 5-11 185 4.44 1
Roscoe Parrish WR Miami Jr 5-9 175 4.34 3-4
Channing Crowder ILB Florida So 6-3 245 4.59 1
Jovan Haye DE Vanderbilt Jr 6-3 280 4.79 4-5
Matthew Tant FB Vanderbilt Jr 5-11 240 4.69 5-6
Damien Nash RB Missouri Jr 5-11 215 4.34 4-5
Ross Pilkington WR Nebraska Jr 6-0 185 4.5 6-7
Justin Miller CB Clemson Jr 5-11 200 4.41 1-2
Larry Brackins WR Pearl River CC So 6-5 220 4.46 5-6
Peter Sands FS Central Florida Jr 6-2 215 4.45 7-FA
Brandon Browner CB Oregon State So 6-4 205 4.53 1
Jason Allen CB Tennessee Jr 6-2 200 4.45 1-2
Richie Incognito OL Nebraska Jr 6-3 300 5.19 5-6
Frank Gore RB Miami Jr 5-10 225 4.50 4-5
Eric Shelton RB Louisville Jr 6-2 250 4.52 2-3
Derrick Johnese RB NW State (LA) Jr 5-10 210 4.51 6-7
Ernest Shazor SS Michigan Jr 6-4 229 4.44 2
Steve Savoy WR Utah So 5-11 195 4.46 2-3
Chris Spencer C Mississippi Jr 6-4 310
*A.J. Lindsay DT Temple Jr 6-3 310
*LaKevin Smith DT Nebraska Jr 6-2 310
*will decide this week

 

[joeshmo]

Just so poeple can read it.

                        Pos	School		Yr Ht	Wt  40	   Proj. Round
Aaron Rodgers		QB	California	Jr 6-2	220 4.72	1
Mike Williams		WR	USC		Jr 6-5 	230 4.59	1
Thomas Davis		FS	Georgia		Jr 6-1	220 4.50	1-2
Ciatrick Fason		RB	Florida		Jr 6-1	215 4.50	2-3
Alex Smith		QB	Utah		Jr 6-4	210 4.67	1
T.A. McClendon		RB	NC State	Jr 5-11	225 4.45	4-5
Vernand Morency		RB	Oklahoma State	Jr 5-10	215 4.38	2	
Maurice Clarett		RB	Ohio State	Jr 5-10	225 4.50	5-6
Ryan Moats		RB	Louisiana Tech	Jr 5-9	205 4.55	3-4
Fabian Washington	CB	Nebraska	Jr 5-10	180 4.39	2-3
Chris Henry		WR	West Virginia	Jr 6-5	210 4.47	3-4
Rian Wallace		OLB	Temple		Jr 6-3	245 4.65	2-3
Odell Thurman		ILB	Georgia		Jr 6-1	240 4.70	2-3
Troy Williamson		WR	South Carolina	Jr 6-2	200 4.39	1
Shawne Merriman		DE	Maryland	Jr 6-3	250 4.67	1
Adam “Pac-Man” Jones	CB	West Virginia 	Jr 5-11	185 4.44	1	
Roscoe Parrish		WR	Miami		Jr 5-9	175 4.34	3-4
Channing Crowder	ILB	Florida		So 6-3	245 4.59	1
Jovan Haye		DE	Vanderbilt	Jr 6-3	280 4.79	4-5
Matthew Tant		FB	Vanderbilt	Jr 5-11	240 4.69	5-6
Damien Nash		RB	Missouri	Jr 5-11	215 4.34	4-5
Ross Pilkington		WR	Nebraska	Jr 6-0	185 4.5	        6-7
Justin Miller		CB	Clemson		Jr 5-11	200 4.41	1-2
Larry Brackins		WR	Pearl River CC	So 6-5	220 4.46	5-6
Peter Sands		FS	Central Florida	Jr 6-2	215 4.45	7-FA
Brandon Browner		CB	Oregon State	So 6-4	205 4.53	1
Jason Allen		CB	Tennessee	Jr 6-2	200 4.45	1-2
Richie Incognito	OL	Nebraska	Jr 6-3	300 5.19	5-6
Frank Gore		RB	Miami		Jr 5-10	225 4.50	4-5
Eric Shelton		RB	Louisville	Jr 6-2	250 4.52	2-3
Derrick Johnese		RB	NW State (LA)	Jr 5-10	210 4.51	6-7
Ernest Shazor		SS	Michigan	Jr 6-4	229 4.44	2
Steve Savoy		WR	Utah		So 5-11	195 4.46	2-3
Chris Spencer		C	Mississippi	Jr 6-4	310
*A.J. Lindsay		DT	Temple		Jr 6-3	310
*LaKevin Smith		DT	Nebraska	Jr 6-2	310
*will decide this week

 

[joeshmo]

Finally one of the good juniors remaining has anounced he is entering.

http://www.gbnreport.com/

Cavs' TE; two others to go pro... Pretty much as expected, Virginia junior TE Heath Miller has announced that he will be entering the 2005 draft where he is likely to be the first player at the position selected.

 

[az jam]

Walter Washington Declares

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just saw it on the bottom line. Lots of potential, but he needs a few seasons of work.

 

[joeshmo]

Walter Washington Declares

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just saw it on the bottom line. Lots of potential, but he needs a few seasons of work.

What a bad decision. I doubt he even gets drafted. If he stayed in school and matured one more year built upon what he did last year he could have maybe put himself in the 1st day of the draft.

 

[Bobcat]

What does Bush got to do how good he is? And the Heisman is the ruler of how great a college player is but they suck as a Pros. Sorry Bob your logic is flawed! and Btw you're reaching for the Krenzel and Manning comparison.

No sir your logic is the one who is very flawed. The Manning and Krenzel is not reaching, just look at what each has done so far in their early NFL careers.

To bad you take to many things to heart about a boyish type game.

Bobcat

 

[azdad1978]

To bad you take to many things to heart about a boyish type game.

Yup thats me Is it me or everytime a poster here disagree with you somewhere down the line you always go down the route of insulting or calling someone out.

 

[joeshmo]

http://www.gbnreport.com/

D-day approaching for underclassmen... With the deadline for underclassmen to make up their minds whether they are going to enter the 2005 draft fast approaching - the deadline for applications to the NFL for early entry to the 2005 draft is Saturday - here's a quick rundown of who's already in and why by Pete Fiutak of College Football News. Meanwhile, with just 5 days to go until the deadline, players still to be heard from include Southern Cal junior QB Matt Leinart; RBs Marion Barber of Minnesota and DeAngelo Williams of Memphis; OT Marcus McNeil of Auburn; DT Rodrique Wright of Texas; LBs Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenaway of Iowa, Fred Roach and DeMeco Ryans of Alabama, and Spencer Havner of UCLA; and Virginia Tech CB Jimmy Williams.

And here is a pretty good article on some of the players that have come out.

http://collegefootballnews.com/2005/Draft/Leaving_Early.htm

 

[joeshmo]

We here from Leinart Thursday, and a few other USC guys taht are nothing special.

Spencer Havner, an All-american LB not coming out

TE Mercedes Lewis not coming out.



http://www.gbnreport.com/

# (8:00 PM): SC QB Leinart to announce Thursday... Southern California junior QB Matt Leinart has indicated that he will make his decision whether to enter the 2005 draft known on Thursday. Leinart, this year's Hesiman Trophy winner who led the Trojans to the national title, is expected to be one of the top 2-3 players selected at this year's draft if he does opt to turn pro this winter. Two other USC juniors - MLB Lofa Tatupu and P Tom Malone - are also expected to annouced their intentions at the same time as Leinart. Meanwhile, there are some conflicting stories regarding the status of USC junior OT Winston Justice. Justice, who did not play this past season after he was suspended for pointing a pellet gun at another student, had previously said that he would be at school next fall after being re-instated. However, there have been rumors around the past day or two that Justice, a potential top pick whenever he finally does turn pro, was rethinking his decision with Trojans' head coach Pete Carroll being courted by the NFL. A report in today's L.A. Times, though, confirmed that Justice was in fact back in class this week saying he was 'eager' to get back to work with the Trojans.

# Bruins' duo to return to school... While their nervously waiting out the decisions of Leinart and company at Southern Cal, the Trojans poor cross-town cousins have reason to cheer as UCLA juniors Spencer Havner, an All-american LB, and TE Mercedes Lewis have both announced they will be staying in school for their senior years next fall.

 

[Russ Smith]

We here from Leinart Thursday, and a few other USC guys taht are nothing special.

Spencer Havner, an All-american LB not coming out

TE Mercedes Lewis not coming out.



http://www.gbnreport.com/

crap(honso), was really hoping Marcedes would come out. havner is a guy who's an absolute tackling machine but he has major durability issues. First time I saw him play he'd make a tackle, get up in obvious pain, and limp off. 2 plays later he's back with the announcer talking about what a tough kid he is. This played out EVERY game I've seen him play, eventually I decided he's just one of those guys who seems to get nicked up a lot. Very productive player but he's got to be on the field to produce, needs to get stronger.

Really like marcedes but as I mentioned the other day apparently Dorrell convinced him he's going to be THE focal point of the passing game next year with 2 WR's graduating.

 

[az jam]

Another one to add got this off the KFFL draft message board:
AZ JAM


Nebraska safety Josh Bullocks said Wednesday he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Bullocks had two interceptions this season for the Cornhuskers, but was an all-Big 12 player in 2003 with a conference record 10 interceptions.

"I've been thinking about going pro ever since the Colorado game," Bullocks said. "I had to help the family out. That was the most important thing."

Earlier this month, Huskers' cornerback Fabian Washington announced he was passing up his senior season to play pro football.

Nebraska finished 5-6 under first-year coach Bill Callahan, the Huskers' worst season since 1961.

 

[joeshmo]

Another one to add got this off the KFFL draft message board:
AZ JAM


Nebraska safety Josh Bullocks said Wednesday he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Bullocks had two interceptions this season for the Cornhuskers, but was an all-Big 12 player in 2003 with a conference record 10 interceptions.

"I've been thinking about going pro ever since the Colorado game," Bullocks said. "I had to help the family out. That was the most important thing."

Earlier this month, Huskers' cornerback Fabian Washington announced he was passing up his senior season to play pro football.

Nebraska finished 5-6 under first-year coach Bill Callahan, the Huskers' worst season since 1961.

This is great news. Finally a true coverage, ballhawking FS coming out in this draft that we could maybe use. Every other FS is a SS or LB in disguise.

 

[SMAC]

Here is the updated list of underclassmen, as of 01/12/05 (deadline is Friday at midnight eastern to file for the draft):

Declared Underclassmen Pos School Yr Ht Wt 40 Round
Aaron Rodgers QB California Jr 6-2 220 4.72 1
Mike Williams WR USC Jr 6-5 230 4.59 1
Thomas Davis FS Georgia Jr 6-1 220 4.50 1-2
Ciatrick Fason RB Florida Jr 6-1 215 4.50 2-3
Alex Smith QB Utah Jr 6-4 210 4.67 1
T.A. McClendon RB NC State Jr 5-11 225 4.45 4-5
Vernand Morency RB Oklahoma State Jr 5-10 215 4.38 2
Maurice Clarett RB Ohio State Jr 5-10 225 4.50 5-6
Ryan Moats RB Louisiana Tech Jr 5-9 205 4.55 3-4
Fabian Washington CB Nebraska Jr 5-10 180 4.39 2-3
Chris Henry WR West Virginia Jr 6-5 210 4.47 3-4
Rian Wallace OLB Temple Jr 6-3 245 4.65 2-3
Odell Thurman ILB Georgia Jr 6-1 240 4.70 2-3
Troy Williamson WR South Carolina Jr 6-2 200 4.39 1
Shawne Merriman DE Maryland Jr 6-3 250 4.67 1
Adam “Pac-Man” Jones CB West Virginia Jr 5-11 185 4.44 1
Roscoe Parrish WR Miami Jr 5-9 175 4.34 3-4
Channing Crowder ILB Florida So 6-3 245 4.59 1
Jovan Haye DE Vanderbilt Jr 6-3 280 4.79 4-5
Matthew Tant FB Vanderbilt Jr 5-11 240 4.69 5-6
Damien Nash RB Missouri Jr 5-11 215 4.34 4-5
Ross Pilkington WR Nebraska Jr 6-0 185 4.5 6-7
Justin Miller CB Clemson Jr 5-11 200 4.41 1-2
Larry Brackins WR Pearl River CC So 6-5 220 4.46 5-6
Peter Sands FS Central Florida Sr* 6-2 215 4.45 7-FA
Brandon Browner CB Oregon State So 6-4 205 4.53 1
Jason Allen CB Tennessee Jr 6-2 200 4.45 1-2
Richie Incognito OL Nebraska Jr 6-3 300 5.19 5-6
Frank Gore RB Miami Jr 5-10 225 4.50 4-5
Eric Shelton RB Louisville Jr 6-2 250 4.52 2-3
Derrick Johnese RB NW State (LA) Jr 5-10 210 4.51 6-7
Ernest Shazor SS Michigan Jr 6-4 229 4.44 2
Steve Savoy WR Utah So 5-11 195 4.46 2-3
Heath Miller TE Virginia Jr 6-5 255 4.73 1
Walter Washington QB Temple Jr 6-2 240 4.65 5-6
Chris Spencer C Mississippi Jr 6-4 310 5.15 2-3
A.J. Lindsay DT Temple Jr 6-3 310
LaKevin Smith DT Nebraska Jr 6-2 315
Adrain McPherson QB Nashville (AFL) 6-4 215 4.50 4-5
Josh Bullocks FS Nebraska Jr 6-0 205 4.55 3-4
Vontrell Jamison DE Clemson Sr** 6-7 280
Justin Tuck DE Notre Dame Jr 6-4 255 4.56 2
*Declared academically ineligible for his senior season and had the option to return
**Lost his peition for a sixth year of eligibility (medical reasons) therefore he must enter draft

 

[az jam]

SMAC: I was not aware that Justin Tuck DE Norte Dame had declared. Must have just happened.