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Underclassmen Declaring For The 2017 NFL Draft

Here are the notable underclassmen who have already declared their intentions to enter the 2017 NFL draft. Jan. 18 is the deadline to declare.

The draft will be held in Philadelphia on April 27-29.
  • James Conner, RB, Pitt.

  • D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas.

  • Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU.

  • Charles Harris, DE, Missouri.

  • Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina.

  • DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame.

  • Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford.

  • Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State.

  • Damore'ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss.

  • Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA.

  • Charles Walker, DT, Oklahoma.

  • Deshaun Watson, QB; Wayne Gallman, RB; Mike Williams, WR; and Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/s...men-declared-2017-nfl-draft-tracker-date-mock
 
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PAT ELFLEIN MADE THE ‘NO-BRAINER’ DECISION TO RETURN TO OHIO STATE; BILLY PRICE FINDS HIMSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION

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Like many of his teammates, Pat Elflein had a decision to make.

Would he return to Ohio State or forgo remaining eligibility and enter the NFL Draft?

It was a life-altering decision, one that had both pros and cons for Elflein and quite a few of his other teammates. Ultimately, nine Buckeyes decided to turn pro early. Elflein opted to return.

“Talking with the coaches and my family, we just decided that the pros of coming back are greater than the pros of leaving right now,” Elflein said at the time. “I love Ohio State. I love the coaches. I want to graduate and there’s still some things, personally, that I want to accomplish here.”

Since those words, Elflein graduated with his degree in communications. He won the Rimington–Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, which is given annually to the Big Ten’s best offensive lineman. Elflein also won the Rimington Trophy, given to the best center in college football. He became the first Ohio State player to win a national individual award since 2008 when Malcolm Jenkins took home the Thorpe.
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“It was a no-brainer for me,” Elflein says now, “and it’s paid off 1,000 percent.”

“I don’t think you could ask for a better fifth year.”
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Price could potentially be the Buckeyes’ center next season should he return.

“I’ve talked to him just about — it’s a similar situation to me,” Elflein said. “Just the pros and cons of what I experienced leaving and coming back and what you can still do here and all that. … I’ve given him my advice and what I thought.”

Price will eventually make his decision. He’ll either return to Ohio State for his fifth season and become the rare four-year starter or he’ll move on to the NFL where he’ll likely be an early-round pick.
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Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-to-ohio-state-billy-price-finds-himself-in-a
 
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Intending on early draft entry

Below are underclassmen whose intentions to enter the 2017 NFL Draft have been stated, as well as those that have indicated they intend to return to school for 2017. Underclassmen have until Jan. 16 to file declaration papers with the league. The official list of underclassmen accepted by the NFL will be released on Jan. 20.


» Jamal Adams, S, LSU (Declares for draft)
» Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida (Gators prospect announces intentions)
» Budda Baker, S, Washington (Reveals plans for 2017)
» Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee (Volunteers junior reveals draft intentions)
» Garett Bolles, OT, Utah (Declares for draft)
» Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida (Reveals intentions)
» Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State (Intends to enter draft)
» KD Cannon, WR, Baylor (Intends to enter draft)
» Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State (Will file for early entry)
» James Conner, RB, Pitt (Reveals plans for 2017)
» Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (Intends to enter draft)
» Ukeme Eligwe, LB, Georgia Southern (Declares for draft)
» Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech (Hokies QB announces draft intentions)
» Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech (Hokies deep threat entering draft)
» D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas (Announces draft intentions)
» Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU (Reveals draft intentions)
» Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson (Swinney says Gallman intends to enter draft)
» Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M (Garrett reveals intentions)
» Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia (Mountaineers star applying for draft)
» Davon Godchaux, DL, LSU (Tigers interior lineman to enter draft)
» Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State (Declares for draft)
» Jermaine Grace, LB, Miami (Former 'Canes LB intends to enter draft)
» Derrick Griffin, WR, Texas Southern (Two-sport athlete to enter draft)
» Chad Hansen, WR, Cal (Cal receiver to enter draft)
» Charles Harris, DE, Missouri (Intends to apply for early entry)
» Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech (Prolific Bulldogs WR intends to enter draft)
» Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming (Intends to enter draft)
» Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech (Hokies star intends to enter draft)
» Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina (Tar Heels back intends to enter draft)
» Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State (Intends to enter draft)
» Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State (Declares for draft)
» Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP (Miners RB announces draft entry)
» Josh Jones, S, N.C. State (Intends to enter draft)
» Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina (Junior DT to apply for early entry)
» Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (Reveals plans for 2017)
» Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (Hurricanes QB entering draft)
» Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee (RB intends to enter draft)
» DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame (Kizer intends to enter draft)
» Jerome Lane, WR, Akron (LB-turned-WR announces intentions)
» Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State (Buckeyes CB announces draft decision)
» Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn (Tigers pass rusher to enter 2017 draft)
» Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State (Intends to enter draft)
» Marlon Mack, RB, USF (Declares for draft)
» Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech (Intends to enter draft)
» Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee (Vols WR entering draft)
» Damien Mama, OL, USC (Massive Trojans guard to enter draft)
» Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (Reveals draft intentions)
» Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State (Intends to enter draft)
» Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia (Bulldogs return ace to enter draft)
» Deon-Tay McManus, WR, Marshall (Declares for draft)
» Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State (Forgoing remaining eligiblity)
» Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State (Plans to enter draft)
» Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma (Intends to enter draft)
» Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, Miami (Dismissed 'Canes DE to enter draft)
» Montae Nicholson, S, Michigan State (Announces draft intentions)
» David Njoku, TE, Miami (Intends to enter draft)
» Speedy Noil, WR, Texas A&M (Aggies receiver makes draft decision)
» Marcus Oliver, LB, Indiana (Hoosiers defender entering draft)
» Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan (Announces draft intentions)
» Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma (RB to enter draft)
» Elijah Qualls, DL, Washington (Intends to enter draft)
» Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin (Declares for draft)
» Devine Redding, RB, Indiana (Hoosiers RB makes draft decision)
» John Ross, WR, Washington (Will file for early entry)
» Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson (Swinney says Scott intends to enter draft)
» Curtis Samuel, H-back, Ohio State (Intends to enter draft)
» Ricky Seals-Jones, WR, Texas A&M (Aggies junior announces plans on Twitter)
» Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland (Division II TE intends to enter draft)
» David Sharpe, OL, Florida (Gators tackle announces intentions)
» Garrett Sickels, DE, Penn State (Nittany Lions junior to enter draft)
» JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC (Intends to enter draft)
» Damore'ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss (Rebels transfer from UW intends to enter draft)
» Teez Tabor, CB, Florida (Gators star reveals plans)
» Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State (DT intends to enter draft)
» Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford (Announces draft intentions)
» Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina (Announces draft intentions)
» Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA (Redshirt junior intends to enter draft)
» Anthony Walker, LB, Northwestern (Wildcats defender declares for draft)
» Charles Walker, DL, Oklahoma (Walker leaves team to prepare for draft)
» Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (Intends to enter draft)
» T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin (J.J.'s brother intends to enter draft)
» Marcus Williams, S, Utah (Utes safety announces draft decision)
» Stanley "Boom" Williams, RB, Kentucky (Wildcats RB to enter draft)
» Mike Williams, WR, Clemson (Williams intends to enter draft)
» Howard Wilson, CB, Houston (Cougars defender declares for draft)
» Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida (Gators CB announces he'll enter draft)
» Joe Yearby, RB, Miami (Hurricanes RB entering draft)

Notable players intending to return to school

» J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State (Ohio State veteran will return for fifth season)
» Quin Blanding, S, Virginia (Cavaliers star defender returning)
» Jason Cabinda, LB, Penn State (Nittany Lions defender returning to school)
» Mason Cole, C, Michigan (Leaning toward returning to UM)
» Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State (Wolfpack pass rusher to return for 2017)
» Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia (Returning to UGA)
» Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech (Intends to return for senior year)
» Luke Falk, QB, Washington State (Falk staying in school)
» Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon (Returning for senior year)
» Marquis Haynes, DE, Ole Miss (Staying in school)
» Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan (Wolverine coming back for fifth year)
» Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa (Expects to stay with Hawkeyes)
» Christian LaCouture, DL, LSU (Orgeron confirms Tigers DL will return)
» Harold Landry, DE, Boston College (BC pass rusher returning to school)
» Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State (Lazard decides to return for Cyclones in 2017)
» Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State (Staying in school)
» Tray Matthews, DB, Auburn (Tigers defender intends to return)
» Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (Heisman candidate says he'll stay in school)
» Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame (McGlinchey says he's not ready to leave)
» Sony Michel, RB, Georgia (Returning to UGA)
» Cody O'Connell, G, Washington State (Intends to return to school)
» Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn (Tigers star rusher set to return in 2017)
» Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas (Razorbacks lineman will return to college)
» Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State (QB returning for senior year)
» Dominick Sanders, DB, Georgia (Bulldogs DB intends to return)
» Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama (Intends to return for 2017 season)
» J.K. Scott, P, Alabama (Tide's outstanding punter to return to UA)
» Jordan Thomas, CB, Oklahoma (Staying in school)
» James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State (Returning for senior year)
» Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M (Aggies safety tweets draft intentions)
» Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt (Commodore will be back in 2017)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...g-underclassmen-intentions-for-2017-nfl-draft

Comments from last year (and I count 87 so far this year):

Near-disastrous number of early entries declaring for 2016 NFL Draft


Approximately 100 college players will leave school early, declaring for the draft as of Monday’s deadline, according to a list assembled by NFL.com. While the official number won’t be released by the NFL until Friday, that’s at least close to the record 98 underclassmen that entered two years ago.

That’s also close to disaster for some of those prospects -- many three years out of high school -- who are turning pro with collegiate eligibility remaining.

“You’ll be able to negotiate a second contract sooner [by coming out early],” explained NFL personnel guru Gil Brandt. “But a lot of them don’t get to negotiate a second contract.”

That’s because 100 underclassmen are way more than the system can absorb. Slightly more than 18 months ago, out of the record 98 underclassmen who declared early for the draft in 2014, another record of 36 did not get selected. That's a failure rate of nearly 40 percent.

http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...f-early-entries-declaring-for-2016-nfl-draft/
 
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Roughly 100 Underclassmen Will Declare For 2017 NFL Draft

Every year, as the end of January approaches, it seems like the same question is asked in football circles: How many underclassmen have declared for the National Football League Draft? This year will likely be no different.

The deadline for underclassmen to file 2017 NFL Draft declaration papers with the league has passed and the NFL will release all names to teams on January 20. The NFL has compiled a list of ninety-five players who have either announced their intention or formal declaration to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, prior to the date that those names will be officially disclosed.

Ninety-five individuals who have eligibility to continue to compete in intercollegiate athletics are purportedly about to make the jump to the professional ranks, if they are lucky enough to be chosen to participate on a 53-man roster or a team’s Practice Squad.

Some of these underclassmen cannot be second guessed. For instance, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook is ranked by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay as the second best running back in the 2017 NFL Draft class. If Cook did not leave school early, then his choice would be questioned. Why risk a possible injury to play for Florida State one more year without pay, when he could show off his skill in the NFL while possibly earning an annual paycheck in excess of $1 million?

But when there are a total of ninety-five players expressing their interest to leave school early, some are bound to be disappointed with the results. One of those players could potentially be University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) running back Aaron Jones, who amassed 301 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns against North Texas, but may be risking his future by entering the 2017 NFL Draft.

UTEP head coach Sean Kugler, who formerly served as an offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, said that if Jones had a first-round draft grade, then he should enter the Draft, but followed up on that comment a week later by stating that he recommended Jones stays in school. Jones has already submitted his 2017 NFL Draft paperwork and signed with NFL agent Leigh Steinberg. Most NFL Draft sites do not project Jones to be drafted.
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One of the toughest decisions for a college football player is deciding whether to stay in school or leave eligibility behind in favor of entering the NFL Draft. In 2016, thirty out of 107 underclassmen who declared went undrafted in the NFL Draft. Similar results may follow the 2017 NFL Draft.

Entire article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenh...will-declare-for-2017-nfl-draft/#464687983781
 
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