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WR Jalin Marshall (Edmonton Elks)

Sorry to see him go. I thought that he might benefit from another year but after watching Smith from ND get injured in the Fiesta Bowl I think it is a very wise move. I would not be surprised if the Patriots drafted him. He sort of reminds me of one of their WRs who can also return punts. Best of luck to him!
 
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While it is a surprise, I'm not sure what he could gain from coming back. Another year at OSU isn't going to help him grow any taller. Would he be more heavily featured in the offense? If so, is that a guarantee it'll improve his stock?

He'd already suffered a concussion (fall '13) and torn meniscus (spring '14) before he ever logged a snap in an official game. I imagine that weighed heavily in his decision.
 
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He'll probably go in the later rounds, but I still think that he is not at the level he needs to be at in order to contribute or have any lasting success in the league. He has talent, no question.
How do you know that he's not at the level to contribute or have lasting success? A number of players every year are said not to be ready, or are considered ready and the opposite happens. No one knows what will happen until games are played and he competes in an NFL practice.
While it is a surprise, I'm not sure what he could gain from coming back. Another year at OSU isn't going to help him grow any taller. Would he be more heavily featured in the offense? If so, is that a guarantee it'll improve his stock?

He'd already suffered a concussion (fall '13) and torn meniscus (spring '14) before he ever logged a snap in an official game. I imagine that weighed heavily in his decision.
Fully agree! Some fans act like returning for another year guarantees that your stock will rise. Injury is a very real scenario, and why not go play the game you've been playing your whole life for a paycheck instead of for free?
 
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Yes it is. And I've watched him as well, and think he deserves to get paid. We can agree to disagree

I think scholarship players deserve to get paid in general... but he's put himself a little behind the blocks imo. He'll need to blow people's socks off at the combine just to get drafted (two 400yd seasons in a gadget role that doesn't exist on most NFL teams won't light many scout's hearts on fire) ... the silver lining is that sometimes it's better to just be a UFA at that point. Can't get screwed like Antonio Pittman in free agency.

Just make a practice squad and move up the ranks... his special teams ability should make that part a lot easier.
 
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I think scholarship players deserve to get paid in general... but he's put himself a little behind the blocks imo. He'll need to blow people's socks off at the combine just to get drafted (two 400yd seasons in a gadget role that doesn't exist on most NFL teams won't light many scout's hearts on fire) ... the silver lining is that sometimes it's better to just be a UFA at that point. Can't get screwed like Antonio Pittman in free agency.

Just make a practice squad and move up the ranks... his special teams ability should make that part a lot easier.
It depends on the team he goes to. Players with suspect stats can sometimes get the benefit of the doubt when coaches and GMs see the offenses they played in. Like you said, he'll need to put on a show at the combine, but all he really needs to excel in is the 40, shuttle and vertical leap. Of course he neeDs to show he has hands, but if he can prove himself in the return game, he'll be good. Deanthony Thomas had no position in college and is doing fine in the NfL, with no position. The NFL will get talent on the field even at a gadget position.
 
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I feel like a couple of the guys that left got pulled into the group decision to leave. When there are this many guys leaving, the idea of staying gets harder because not as many voices saying the benefits of staying and there is a feeling of being left behind. I hope it works out for all of them. There are risks and benefits to going or staying but you can't buy back the college experience after leaving and I know I wouldn't of given up my senior year for anything. Staying another year and getting game reps is way better than fighting to stay on a roster or scout team.
 
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While I truly wish the best for Jalin in the NFL, and I do think he'll get a fair shot, I'm assuming he received a high enough grade for him to make the jump, which would have to be rounds 2-4 (I believe guaranteed $ for rookies falls off after the 4th round? I could be mistaken there).

I know towards the later rounds rookies might only receive a $200K signing bonus, of which you give half to the Feds in taxes, so, to me, it's not a "life altering" financial situation in that case, unless you can make a roster, stay healthy, and grow into a bigger contract in the future = very difficult. I do not know if more reps would help Jalin, I wouldn't think it would hurt anything. But the threat of injury is always looming. That's a tough one to contemplate.

Regardless, good luck to Jalin.
 
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It depends on the team he goes to. Players with suspect stats can sometimes get the benefit of the doubt when coaches and GMs see the offenses they played in. Like you said, he'll need to put on a show at the combine, but all he really needs to excel in is the 40, shuttle and vertical leap. Of course he neeDs to show he has hands, but if he can prove himself in the return game, he'll be good. Deanthony Thomas had no position in college and is doing fine in the NfL, with no position. The NFL will get talent on the field even at a gadget position.

I get the comparison, but Deanthony had multiple years over 1000yards combined rushing and receiving, and quite a bit of TDs in the return game. Even though he's a very dynamic player that split time with a lot of other guys, Jalins production is going to be counted against him as a WR.
I think he'll be able to make a practice squad, but it does put on him shallow ice. As much as he risks injury coming back... a major injury in his early NFL career could also keep him from emerging and getting that 2nd, more profitable, contract.

I'm sure he knows the risk/reward though and to quote that obnoxious guy from the Cavs playoff run "he bet on himself".
 
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Know his family and his circle here in Middletown and they all say it was a gut wrenching decision. Most think it was a lot to do with how many people were leaving that he was attached to at tOSU and that his degree will be in hand. Kid is uber talented all across the board, not just in football, so this is the first leg of his professional life and certainly not the last should it not go as planned.

I'm in the camp that wish he stayed one more year to anchor that offense and really put his talents on the big stage but I'm confident his combine numbers will wow scouts and he'll get drafted in an area that allows him a good chance to make a team. Needs to probably spend as much time as possible on the JUGS machine both close range and punt receiving. His athletic ability is league ready, just has to get his mind and hands on par with that.

Best of luck Jalin, you do Middletown proud!!
 
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