A look at the 2007 junior class as players decide whether to enter the 2008 NFL draft.Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was already penciled in as a top 10 pick in most 2008 NFL mock drafts, but if you were hoping your favorite team would take him, you're out of luck: Laurinaitis is staying at Ohio State for his senior season.
If Laurinaitis doesn't need the money (and his dad, who went by the name Road Warrior Animal, made millions as a pro wrestler) and he wants to play as a senior, good for him. But from a football perspective, this is the wrong decision.
NFL scouts think Laurinaitis is ready for the NFL, and by putting the NFL on hold for another year, he's leaving a fortune on the table. Although there's a chance that Laurinaitis could bulk up and get a little stouter against the run as a senior and improve his draft stock, he doesn't have much improvement to make. He's already a high first-round pick, and the risk of injury strikes me as too high to make it worth another year in Columbus.
See the full list of 2008 NFL draft early entries.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-14-2008 @ 6:25PM
stanfordfan said...
Laurinaitis just doesn't want to risk becoming a Raider.
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1-14-2008 @ 7:00PM
buffey89 said...
There is something special going on with the people that OSU signs.
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1-14-2008 @ 7:29PM
August West said...
Special? It's obviously not a great proficiency in the Heimlich maneuver.
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1-14-2008 @ 7:30PM
Nestea said...
Laurinaitis is making a huge mistake. Personally, I had him penciled in as the Jet's pick @ #6 overall. Oh well. They'll probably take either Dan Connor, Sedrick Ellis or Keith Rivers. My guess is Connor, if all of the "Big Four" (Dorsey, 2 Longs & MCfadden)are already taken.
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1-14-2008 @ 7:37PM
phil said...
Because a player elects to stay for his senior season does not make it a bad decision. You all are jealous because he is an outstanding STUDENT ATHELETE so quit whining and get over yourselves.
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1-14-2008 @ 8:35PM
Joe Hargger said...
Why leave Ohio Stae and take a pay cut?
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1-14-2008 @ 8:40PM
Matthew.Noll said...
Getting a college degree. What a horrible choice.
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1-14-2008 @ 10:17PM
§ said...
MDS, tell us about these "injury risks" you speak of. Seriously.
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1-14-2008 @ 10:18PM
jim said...
Good decision,get degree while putting on some muscle weight and another year experience will just improve his draft pick. Too many rush into the NFL before their ready.
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1-14-2008 @ 11:29PM
Joel said...
James made the right decision. Never undervalue education. So leave him alone.
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1-14-2008 @ 11:53PM
deanallen said...
Professional football players need jobs after the football career ends. Stay in schoolis the best play.
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1-14-2008 @ 11:56PM
KGar said...
Curious who had him projected as to ten pick. Both Kiper and McShay stated 1 more year and he might possibly move into the 1st round. Blog had to be written by OSU student newspaper or his mom.
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1-15-2008 @ 12:13AM
carl said...
8. MDS, tell us about these "injury risks" you speak of. Seriously.
Look up Willis Mcgahee...
10. James made the right decision. Never undervalue education
Well if only there was an off season or some internet type thing he could use for this education
His life and if he wants to stay or go then so be it but lets use brains here and not knee jerk simplistic reasoning
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1-15-2008 @ 2:41AM
Feruw said...
The most overlooked question here is why would anyone purposely choose to live another year in Columbus?
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1-15-2008 @ 9:00AM
matt b said...
Laurinaitis was overrated by draft fans and the BCS title game exposed the flaws in his game, especially covering the TE. He made the right decision to return to school. This year he's top 20 at best, next year he's top 10, maybe top 5 like A.j. Hawk.
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1-17-2008 @ 4:26PM
james_laurinaitis_wifey said...
HEY he is my favorite football player so you haters can back off....
I ♥ HIM!!!
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