Last year, a quartet of USC juniors faced a quandary.
Skip their senior seasons to enter the NFL Draft?
Or remain in school for another year with hopes of improving their stock?
The decision wasn't easy, since all four players figured to at least go on the first day of the draft if not the first round.
But bucking the trend, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, linebacker Keith Rivers, offensive tackle Sam Baker and defensive end Lawrence Jackson chose to stay.
And their patience paid off big.
Coming off banner senior seasons in which they all improved, each was taken in the first round of last month's draft.
By going in round one, the foursome collectively will earn more than $40 million in guaranteed salary on their first NFL contracts.
"I'm hoping everyone who takes a look at this, whether it's our guys or other guys, that they see there is clear information to play that final season," USC coach Pete Carroll told the Los Angeles Times. "They make more money, not to mention that they are more mature to make that first impression."
This past January, Oklahoma had five juniors who encountered the same dilemma.
Original Story:
http://newsok.com/article/3239073/.
Skip their senior seasons to enter the NFL Draft?
Or remain in school for another year with hopes of improving their stock?
The decision wasn't easy, since all four players figured to at least go on the first day of the draft if not the first round.
But bucking the trend, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, linebacker Keith Rivers, offensive tackle Sam Baker and defensive end Lawrence Jackson chose to stay.
And their patience paid off big.
Coming off banner senior seasons in which they all improved, each was taken in the first round of last month's draft.
By going in round one, the foursome collectively will earn more than $40 million in guaranteed salary on their first NFL contracts.
"I'm hoping everyone who takes a look at this, whether it's our guys or other guys, that they see there is clear information to play that final season," USC coach Pete Carroll told the Los Angeles Times. "They make more money, not to mention that they are more mature to make that first impression."
This past January, Oklahoma had five juniors who encountered the same dilemma.
Original Story:
http://newsok.com/article/3239073/.
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