Juniors leaving early - speculation thread

[ScArLeT_bUcK]

Well it is official that Holmes is headed to the NFL:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls05/news/story?id=2278409

 

[billmac91]

pretty much in the books that antonio cromartie will forego his senior year even after sitting this one out due to an acl tear....apparently he wouldnt even be acdemically elegible if he did want to stay......i think hed be a great 3rd-4th round selection if hes still available...he woulda definately been a first rounder after this season had he played, probably the best corner in the country

 

[bucknut11]

USC offensive tackle Winston Justice, the player who protects Matt Leinart's blindside, will declare himself eligible for the April NFL Draft and he is expected to be a high first-round pick, quite possibly the top offensive lineman selected.
-- NFL.com

SI link

 

[smitty03]

I spoke with a friend of Whitner. Said that he is a strong lean to enter the draft this year. Not "insider information" but from a reliable source.

 

[Cornerback6]

the good thing if you're a buckeye fan is that more big namers keep declaring themselves. don't get me wrong, i want donte to be a first-rounder...but not til next year. if these 1st round picks (like justice, bush, m.williams) keep coming...donte should easily be pushed into the 2nd, if not 3rd round.

keep those early (non-Buckeye) entries coming :) i wonder what day it is that the players get their evals back from the nfl. would have to be after the bowls when everyone says whether or not they're staying or coming back. we'll see.


on a sidenote...GOOD LUCK Santonio and thank you for great memories.

 

[smith288]

This years WR group is seriously lacking. Santonio is a smart fella even though it pains me to see him go.

 

[OH10]

If you're a sure-fire first or second round pick, you should go. No question in my mind about it.

 

[ScarletBlood31]

If you're a sure-fire first or second round pick, you should go. No question in my mind about it.

Yes, for the first rounders, but if you are a solid second round pick, but can get your way up to first round, i think that staying for your senior year (and finishing up your degree) would be worth it.

 

[Zurp]

Yes, for the first rounders, but if you are a solid second round pick, but can get your way up to first round, i think that staying for your senior year (and finishing up your degree) would be worth it.

I agree. But even getting drafted into the NFL guarantees more money than he'd make at most jobs. What's the minimum salary in the NFL? I'm not saying that they get paid more than they should. I'm saying that it's got to be a big factor in a tough decision. Declare early, get a lot of money sooner, or stay another year and get even more money, but later.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

I agree. But even getting drafted into the NFL guarantees more money than he'd make at most jobs. What's the minimum salary in the NFL? I'm not saying that they get paid more than they should. I'm saying that it's got to be a big factor in a tough decision. Declare early, get a lot of money sooner, or stay another year and get even more money, but later.

Good logic, and I agree, but what is the difference between "solid second round" money and "guaranteed first round" money? Probably at least a million per, maybe more. I'd wait.

 

[jwinslow]

Good logic, and I agree, but what is the difference between "solid second round" money and "guaranteed first round" money? Probably at least a million per, maybe more. I'd wait.

youboty could improve enough to become a first round corner prospect. Donte is already fantastic, but may not have a shot at going higher than the 2nd round regardless of year.

 

[Taosman]

I'm shocked that Youboty seems to be getting more interest by the pros than Whitner.
And Youboty had a "ruff" year?
Whitner had an excellent year?

 

[Taosman]

I love Santonio and will always appreciate the way he left.
De-cleating a Domer linebacker on Ginn's TD run!
Go Santonio, make that big money and take care of your family!

 

[Dryden]

don't get me wrong, i want donte to be a first-rounder...but not til next year. if these 1st round picks (like justice, bush, m.williams) keep coming...donte should easily be pushed into the 2nd, if not 3rd round.

I don't see where Whitner is anything higher than a 3rd round pick when he comes out, regardless of whether it is this year, next year, or any other year. I love Donte, and don't mean to discredit his accomplishments while wearing the S&G, but let's call a spade a spade. Hard hitting safeties with merely average coverage skills aren't 1st round draft picks.

How does Whitner compare to Doss? Doss is inarguably the greatest SS in OSU's recent history -- probably the last 20 years or so, and Doss didn't go until the 26th pick in the 2nd round. Of the 32 players selected in the first round of the 2003 draft, only one was a safety, USC's Troy Polamalu, who also happened to be a physical freak of nature with a 600 pound squat and 4.35 speed.

This year the draft is absolutely LOADED with safeties. Michael Huff, Darnell Bing, LaRon Landry, Patrick Watkins, Greg Blue, Roman Harper ...

Coming out this year would be a HUGE mistake for Donte.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

This is interesting...

USC offensive tackle Winston Justice, the player who protects Matt Leinart's blindside, will declare himself eligible for the April NFL Draft and he is expected to be a high first-round pick, quite possibly the top offensive lineman selected.
-- NFL.com