Under normal circumstances, the decision for juniors interested in leaving early for the NFL would be simple. With impending labor strife threatening the 2011 NFL season, the decisions for qualified juriors has gotten a little complicated. The possible lockout could turn into a blessing for college teams who would normally see the game's top rising stars advance to the pros. The labor situation has made this a different year and if a player is not a top 15 pick, he might decide to stay rather than take a chance.
Since I follow Alabama, here are five juniors who face the decision of going pro or staying with the Tide for their senior year.
MARCELL DAREUS: Perhaps the Tide junior with the highest stock before the season, Dareus didn't have quite the season expected after being suspended for the first two games and struggling with an ankle injury most of the season. He made 31 tackles, nine for loss including 3.5 sacks.
JULIO JONES: Playing through a broken hand half of the season, Jones' team leading 1,084 receiving yards more than doubled the next highest total. He also has developed a reputation as a bruising blocker, and that quality will go a long way at the next lever. Jones will be a star in the NFL one day.
MARK INGRAM: Like Dareus, the returning Heisman Winner's junior season didn't live up to expectations. A knee injury kept him out of the first two games contributing to his rushing total splitting in half compared to his sophomore numbers. I don't see Ingram as a top-15 pick and could return for another season.
DONT'A HIGHTOWER: Coming back from a major knee injury last season, Hightower wasn't the same as during his sophomore year. His 67 tackles ranked second on the team but he was a disappointment in my opinion. Should stay for another year.
MARK BARRON: The All-American will miss three to four months with a torn pectoral muscle, but his perforance in the 12 gamees this fall improved his pospects. His 75 tackles led the team and his experience helped solidify the young Bama secondary. Barron made a lot of tackles but he also missed a lot too.
Each team across the country will probably keep players who would normally turn pro this year. Should be interesting to see who goes and who stays.
Since I follow Alabama, here are five juniors who face the decision of going pro or staying with the Tide for their senior year.
MARCELL DAREUS: Perhaps the Tide junior with the highest stock before the season, Dareus didn't have quite the season expected after being suspended for the first two games and struggling with an ankle injury most of the season. He made 31 tackles, nine for loss including 3.5 sacks.
JULIO JONES: Playing through a broken hand half of the season, Jones' team leading 1,084 receiving yards more than doubled the next highest total. He also has developed a reputation as a bruising blocker, and that quality will go a long way at the next lever. Jones will be a star in the NFL one day.
MARK INGRAM: Like Dareus, the returning Heisman Winner's junior season didn't live up to expectations. A knee injury kept him out of the first two games contributing to his rushing total splitting in half compared to his sophomore numbers. I don't see Ingram as a top-15 pick and could return for another season.
DONT'A HIGHTOWER: Coming back from a major knee injury last season, Hightower wasn't the same as during his sophomore year. His 67 tackles ranked second on the team but he was a disappointment in my opinion. Should stay for another year.
MARK BARRON: The All-American will miss three to four months with a torn pectoral muscle, but his perforance in the 12 gamees this fall improved his pospects. His 75 tackles led the team and his experience helped solidify the young Bama secondary. Barron made a lot of tackles but he also missed a lot too.
Each team across the country will probably keep players who would normally turn pro this year. Should be interesting to see who goes and who stays.