As we
first reported more than a month ago, the injury to Greg
Jones is making several Seminole prospects thinking the future is now and
has them leaning toward the NFL. The TFY Draft Preview has
learned that three in particular, linebacker Kendyll Pope,
receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell
Dockett are close to making a decision to enter next April's draft
and chances are they will not be back in Tallahassee for another season of
college football.
Furthermore, cornerback Stanford
Samuels is also heavily leaning towards entering the draft and
linebacker Michael Boulware is also about 50-50 as to his future
plans.
We would expect the first three to make their
intentions known relatively soon, possibly before Florida State's bowl game,
while Boulware may take some time before rendering his choice.
TFY Analysis: You could see this
coming down the pike. To our minds Dockett is making a big mistake; he had
a very sub-par junior campaign and to this point reminds us of Larry Smith,
another FSU defensive tackle that left for the pro's early and is having a
sub-par NFL career. Boldin has displayed flashes this season but with his knee
injury of two years ago he'd be better off returning for his senior season as he
could tumble a long way. Samuels is a late second day pick at best as he
never really capitalized on what was a very good season in 2001. We can
understand the decision of both linebackers should they enter the draft as the
cupboard is almost bare at outside linebacker. Right now Kendyll Pope is
very reminiscent of Tommy Polley, a third round choice now playing knockout
football for the St. Louis Rams. For his part Boulware is developing into
an incredible talent and good workouts prior to the draft could push him into
the first fifteen selections.