In what is no surprise to anyone, Oregon
defensive tackle Haloti Ngata will enter the draft, as we first reported
on December 4th. Ngata
said financial concerns and his mother's poor health led him to the
decision. "I just want to help my family out," Ngata said.
"My mom's going to be in and out of the hospital." Likely the
first defensive tackle to be selected in April, Ngata is a top 12 pick.
That same day we alerted subscribers Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall would also enter the draft and the
junior declared his intentions today as well. Though Marshall made no
public comment his coach Pat Hill did. "Right now Richard is in a
position where he is expected to go on the first day of the draft and believes
he's ready to start making a living in the NFL." A potential shutdown
cornerback, Marshall should slide into the draft's top-45.
Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs
made known today what sources had led us to believe in the middle of December.
"It was a decision that was certainly not easy and a decision that I hope
the people who have supported me throughout my career can understand and
respect," said Jacobs, the schools all-time leader in touchdown
passes. Off an All-American sophomore campaign we rated Jacobs as an early
first round choice. Yet an injured shoulder hampered him throughout the
season and Jacobs is likely to slide into the third round.
Our friends at Bucknuts.com alerted us on December
9th that Ohio State safety Donte Whitner would enter the draft and he
did just that today. Whitner is the second Buckeye to enter the draft this
week as receiver Santonio Holmes did the same on
Wednesday.
In a bit of a surprise North Carolina State linebacker Stephen Tulloch announced he would enter the
draft. A first-team All-ACC performer, Tulloch was voted MVP of the
Meineke Car Care Bowl, which found the Wolfpack victorious over South Florida.
Equally surprising was the
decision of Washington State receiver Jason Hill to bypass the
draft. Even after a big season and early indications that he would enter
the draft because of financial concerns, Hill opted to return for his senior
season.
In similar fashion Tennessee
defensive tackle Justin Harrell has also decided to return for his senior
season.
Obviously one story which must
be watched is that of Marcus Vick. The Virginia
Tech quarterback was dismissed from the team Friday, the result of numerous
legal transgressions and his conduct in the Gator Bowl.
Will Vick now declare for the
draft? If he does it will be a huge mistake. Character issues aside,
several scouts we spoke with at the ACC title game in Jacksonville state Vick is
nowhere near ready for the next level.
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