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Which Trojans should go pro?
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USC quarterback Mark Sanchez celebrates after beating Penn State in the
Rose Bowl in what may have been his final college game. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Thursday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for this year's NFL Draft, and that means decision time for several Trojans who have to determine whether they want to spend next season playing on Saturdays or Sundays. Here's a list of draft-eligible players at USC and whether they should come back to Heritage Hall for another year.
Mark Sanchez - The rumor is that Sanchez will announce tomorrow that he's leaving for the NFL. The only Trojans who could be happy about that news are current backups Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp. If Sanchez leaves, his replacement will inherit an offense with all but one starter returning.
In one season, Sanchez posted good numbers and played very well in the Rose Bowl, though Penn State's decision to stick with zone coverage had something to do with that. Still, he clearly has the skills to eventually succeed at the next level and, as one scout said earlier this season, it might be best in the long run for Sanchez to spend next season developing in the NFL instead of leading the Trojans to another Pac-10 title.
There are plenty of reasons for Sanchez to come back to school: the fun of college life, the chance to lead the Trojans to a national championship, and the likelihood of putting up big numbers and contending for the Heisman Trophy. But there are also good reasons to turn pro.
He's already a senior, having redshirted his first year at USC and if he stays, he'll have to adjust to a new offensive coordinator (John Morton) and quarterbacks coach (Carl Smith). Because Sam Bradford decided to stay at Oklahoma, Sanchez will probably be the second quarterback taken in the draft, after Matthew Stafford. Staying in school may increase his stock and make him a little more money next year (emphasis on may), but he'll probably end up on a better team if he comes out this year and is picked in the middle or end of the first round. (See: Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers.)
If Sanchez wants to give himself the best shot at being a successful NFL quarterback, he should come out this year. He just has to decide whether he's willing to give that up for a chance at a national championship and a Heisman Trophy.
What Sanchez should do: go pro
What Sanchez will do: go pro
Taylor Mays - Mays is a freak -- in a good sense. He's 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and has been timed running the 40 in 4.3 seconds. He's been considered a first round pick since his first year on campus, which is why it was so surprising that earlier in the week he announced that he'll be staying in school for his senior year.
His reason: college is fun.
"The temptation side of it was tough," he told ESPN.com. "People were in my ear. And the money -- having that money right now. But I wanted to make a mature decision about it."
Mays' decision is even more surprising because he'll be one of only two returning starters on defense. "We know we lose a lot of guys, but we still have a chance to reload and fire back," he told reporters.
Mays, whose father Stafford played in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, talked to former teammates Lawrence Jackson and Thomas Williams, who recently completed their rookie seasons in the NFL, and they both told him to stay.
"I wanted to leave. I still want to leave, but I just think it would be best for me to stay, the best for my future," he said.
But is it the best decision for his future?
As a free safety, Mays has mostly played centerfield for the Trojans, but he said Pete Carroll told him he could could play some strong safety next season, helping in run support closer to the line of scrimmage. That may make him a more attractive draft prospect next year, but if Mays is already a mid-first round pick, how much can he really raise his stock? Delaying his second NFL contract another year will likely cost him more than that potential increase in his first even if his draft position improves.
What Mays should do: go pro
What Mays will do: stay in school
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