just read that Ingram from UF is headed to the NFL. I figured I'd start a topic so we can centralize our hand wringing, taunting and otherwise not-so expert analysis.
Derrick Harvey of the Gators is going to the NFL. I imagine Ingram will go but one of his family members yesterday said it wasn't final. Harvey is projected to go in the first round. Ingram got information back from the NFL that I think indicated 2-3 round. I'm not sure it would be that high but hope it is. He is about 230 pounds and plays as a tight end and receiver. He is probably not all that fast as a wide receiver and maybe light to be a tight end. His blocking could use improvement. Having said that, he is one of my favorite Gators and I wish him well whatever his final decision might be. I'm not one that gets upset when these kids decide to go to the NFL. I understand that if they can go in the first three rounds or so they can set themselves up for life immediately. Some people say they should come back to get their diploma. I think that in most cases they don't want a player to leave because they want him to play for their team next season. A person has to do what is best for their lives and I respect that.
Martellus Bennett has stated that he's going, but I've seen projections that have him not being taken until the 3rd round. With the new pro-style offense sure to utilize the TE more, he'd be better served to think it over...
So far the we're batting .500 on young Buckeyes leaving early....not surprisingly Vernon Gholston has announced he's leaving. However, on the plus side, Malcolm Jenkins, Thorpe finalist at corner has announced he's staying around for his senior year. No word yet on Laurinaitis, OT Boone and LB Freeman....all potential first round picks. Last big name DB we had that announced he was sticking around for his senior year was Mike Doss in 2002 - good things happened for us that year. :wink:
Jamal Charles is leaving, I have mixed feelings about him leaving. I know he is not ready for the NFL, but because of his potential and his speed he'll go in the 1st 3 rounds. This is a very deep draft for RB's. The one who I'm really scratching my head over is TE Jerimicah Finely. That kid has a world of potential but as yet he really hasn't done anything. The only thing I can think is that he really doesn't like college and doesn't think the Greg Davis offense is going to do much for him if he stays another year. I doubt if he goes in the 1st 3 rounds. But again he's got a load of measureables and if he has a good combine he'll get drafted and start earning a paycheck and not having to go to school anymore. Irish have nobody leaving early for the draft.
My bad....and the news keeps getting better - Marcus Freeman is staying as well. That's 3 out of 4. That leaves Boone and Laurinaitis - I've got to believe one of those kids is gone. About Robiskie - if he drops another "gimme" touchdown catch I'll send him packing myself.....how big was that?! ouch!
BT, that drop changed the complexion of the game. I did think LSU looked like the better team, but all the game changing plays went against the Buckeye's. The two biggest being the dropped pass and the roughing the kicker.
I agree with that assessment Bill. If we played them 10 times, they would win the majority, but imho certainly not all. College football is such a game of momentum and we had a very young squad. Those plays were massive momentum changers and our young kids didn't react as well as a more veteran squad and their loss of poise killed us on several other occasions especially against a senior laden veteran opponent. I don't know if we would have won the game - we did outgain them offensively and held them to their lowest offensive yardage output of the year - but it surely would have made for a helluva more exciting finish.... In any event, with this squad returning next year almost entirely intact, we'll certainly give the doubters something to complain about because in all liklihood, we'll be in the title hunt again until the last dog dies..... :wink:
I agree BT. That game could have easily come down to late in the 4th quarter as a close or tied game. If so either team could have won.
Terry, I see that play differently...making the catch would have been huge, and Robiskie has made a lot of circus catches...that's one of the reasons that we were there in the first place... But I'm throwin' the flag on calling that a gimmie catch. :wink:
FSU QB Xavier Lee is going to the NFL....man is this a disaster. He never made it at QB for FSU and supposedly Jumbo Fisher told him he was going to move him to TE. Seems like it might have been a good thing for him to at least play a couple of years at TE (or whatever) before going to the pro's. Of course it might be that he just doesn't want to go to school any more and decided that even if he doesn't get drafted that he'll get into a camp and maybe a practice squad and make it from there.
That's a stunner Terry. I don't think he gets drafted, if so very, very late and not as a QB. From rumors I've read you have a point about the not wanting to go to school thing. Also he was one of the players who did not make the bow trip which brings up the possibility he was involved in the cheating scandal.
No doubt he has great skills....if it hits him in both hands and the body, how many times out of 100 does he make that catch? 90, 95? imho, for him that is a gimme. It in any event, it is what it is and he didn't make the play....you're right, I think we'll keep him! :wink: Great news about Boone....I would be shocked if Laurinaitis didn't go...but we are very deep at LB - not many of those type for sure, but plenty of quality depth.
That's kind of weird, why would it make any difference if his dad did send in the paperwork. I guess it could be considered forgery if he signed his son's name.
I was suprised to see Steve Slaton of WVU enter the draft. He has been a wonderful college player, but he has been prone to all sorts of nagging injuries and if I were the NFL that would be a big concern for me. I wouldn't take him before the 4th or 5th round, based on that alone. Plus the NFL seems to like backs who are 5'10" to 6' and 220lbs...Slaton is not a big back and that I think will hurt him as well.