Juniors Completing Due Dilligence
Thanks for the memories…(Ronnie Bianco/Reuters)
The WWL reports 13 OSU juniors have filed paperwork with the NFL advisory committee to help evaluate where they might be taken in next year’s draft.
The thought of this used to spook much of Buckeye Nation but now most everyone realizes this is just the natural progression for a top flight athlete attending a football factory.
Personally, I’ve always felt strongly that if a player feels they are ready and/or the committee has given favorable feedback then the player should turn pro. I’m all for loyalty and such but the bottom line is that people go to college to prepare for their future and if a player gets feedback indicating where they’ll be selected and they are okay with that then you should give them your blessing.
What’s important is that this year’s junior crop appears focused on the task at hand, at least that’s the way Malcolm Jenkins tells it:
“We took it upon ourselves to say, ‘Look, we’re not going to think about this, we’re not going to talk about it until the time comes.’ And that’s after the game,” Jenkins said. “We’re just going to focus on this game right now.”
As the article states, 25 Buckeyes have turned pro early since 1992. So what do you think? Do you have a problem with players leaving early in hopes of establishing themselves in the NFL?
If they are projected 1st round they should go, 2nd round is a maybe, 3rd round and below they should stay.
I certainly hope its not another mass exodus again. Little Animal keeps insisting that he’s coming back. I’ll believe it when I see it though. I’m pretty sure he’ll be a 1st round choice. Hell, the Bengals could use linebackers. I’ve seen multiple Jenkins quotes about last year’s players worrying about their draft status too much. We’ll see if this happens again.
If 25 have gone early in the last 15 years, it’s a safe bet that 13 aren’t going this year.
It’s nice for fans when they stay, but it isn’t all about us, is it?
There might be a little more hesitation than in recent years from Ohio State’s juniors to jump ship. Pittman and Yobouty thought they would be drafted higher and ended up not happy.
What are the feeling from people on Henton being the #2 QB and little Bellasari at TE?
I don’t EVER want them to leave early…But the reality is that if you are a top 10 pick – you are silly to stay in college. I am always reminded of the Katzenmoyer SI article. SI tried to make The Big Kat look stupid and asked his mother what she thought about him leaving early and not being a very good student. Her answer really made sense to me. She siad (not and exact quote) she sent her son to college to learn how to make a living.
I don’t have a problem with them leaving early and I believe Tressell encourages them to file to find out what the NFL is thinking about them. If they are a 1st round pick, they should go. If they are not, it can be used as a tool to let the kids know what they need to work on.
Corey, I’ve always been a strong supporter of Henton……hell, next time I’ll by the prostitutes for him so he doesn’t get in trouble.
No, seriously, I do believe he is the future and not Schoenhoft.
I don’t think you can ever fault a kid for testing the waters and eventually declaring for the NFL early, and I think it would be selfish as fans to be like that.
To that end, it’s always nice when players stay, because it creates consistency within the program (football, basketball take your pick) and creates a better team. I would love for all of them to stay, but having people consider leaving and leaving early is a statement about how good our program is, and the type of athletes and players we bring in and develop. There’s just so many good athletes now a days that good recruiting can replenish that, even though a drop off can be felt.
Always a bonus when they stay, but expect them to leave, because you know we all would if people were whispering that much money in our ears.
Making room for T.P.?
If you want to play in a title game every other year this is what we, as fans, have to deal with. Tressel is a virtuoso, but Vince Lombardi could coach the people that post on this site to an 0 for the season record (sorry Frosty). Bottom line is players, with coaches guidance, take the field and win the games.
I’ll always root for them at the next level, but I always hope they get good information and make a smart decision. Pittman made a questionable decision and is getting NFL carries, but staying this season would have gotten him some more upfront cheddar which is what the nfl is all about.
Jenkins would have went in the first round last year and has a ton of experience. He is ready both physically and mentally. I’m guessing Vern is positioned pretty well, but I think everyone else cold use more experience. If your predicted to go 1st round I can’t blame them for a second.
I almost wish websense would block this blog from my workplace because one of these Fridays I’m gonna get fired.
I don’t think this website would be the reason you would be fired on a Friday. I believe it maybe the stale liquor breath or incompetence at the workplace. I think you should be thankful websense can’t measure those variables.
Dear COREY (Pot),
You’re black.
Regards,
TRAVIS (Kettle)
Good point. I need a job working for a family member so those variables would have to be overlooked.
Todd McShay has his initial mock draft up and has 3 of the juniors projected to go in the first round: Laurinaitis, Jenkins and Gholston.
Little Animal projected at the #3 pick in the draft to the Jets. Wonder why anyone would consider drafting such slow Big Ten players?
according to a quote from ‘the animal’, daddy sees “no reason” for little animal to leave early, Frost, so i’m hedging my bets he’ll stay. and, like you guys said, college is about preparing for the future. nobody gets mad at kids who finish college in 3 years (not many do, just like juniors who jump to pro’s), so why should it be different if you’re an athlete. just my opinion.
corey, i like henton as #2. but then, i’ve liked him all year, so i’m biased. l
ittle bellisari, that’s funny. i call him ‘one hop schoenhoft (or however it’s spelled). if a receiver is open, robby’ll one hop it to him, every time.
“I almost wish websense would block this blog from my workplace because one of these Fridays I’m gonna get fired.”
You’re not alone, pal.
One Hop Schoenhoft… I like that :D