Lets get it started... (13,45,74,108,189)

James Davis, RB, Clemson. As the deadline approached, the chances of leaving early kept increasing until now where it’s become almost a guarantee. He hasn’t been satisfied in the way he’s been used this year. The coaching staff has indicated that the bowl game will be a preview of how he’ll be used for the upcoming year. He’s a talented runner with a good combination of speed and downhill power. He was a projected 3rd rounder but told teammates he needed to leave early to do what’s best for his family. (announced: 01/09)

 

I kinda figured he'd be in that range. I wish I knew what his motivation for leaving is. Might be TOB is too demanding.

 

It has nothing to do with TOB being too demanding. He is one class short of graduating, he probably won't be any better than a 4th round pick next season, if he lasts that long this year and he has a history of a serious injury almost costing him his opportunity to play college football. So, I would say he is leaving because he knows his draft position won't improve much more than it is now and he's concerned with being injured next year and not getting an opportunity to play in the NFL. So, I say it's a good decision by him.

Also, I feel its a good decision for Davis as well. Him splitting carries with Spiller isn't going to move him up the draft charts any more than he is now. So, why waste another year? He'll probably be a mid round pick up and have a nice career in the NFL. Kind of a Najeh Davenport type player in my opinion. Powerful back without elusive speed, but will stick in the league and be solid for years. IF he stays healthy, which has been a slight problem at Clemson.

 

OK, cool. I'm glad he's that close.

 

Just as an FYI (and update) on some of the potential draftees from Ohio State:

Gholston going
Boone, Laurinaitis, Jenkins, Robiski staying

 

I found a list of underclassmen who were jumping to the NFL:

Early entrants
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:30 AM


Junior and sophomore college players who have declared for the 2008 NFL draft:

OG Branden Albert, Virginia
WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan
WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
TE Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
WR Davone Bess, Hawaii
DE Calais Campbell, Miami, Fla.
RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
OL Ryan Clady, Boise State
OT Anthony Collins, Kansas
RB James Davis, Clemson
TE Jermichael Finley, Texas
CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech
DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, Hawaii
WR James Hardy, Indiana
CB Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
LB Geno Hayes, Florida State
LB Erin Henderson, Maryland
CB Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin
RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
CB Justin King, Penn State
QB Xavier Lee, Florida State
LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
WR Mario Manningham, Michigan
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
LB Lamar Myles, Louisville
S Kenny Phillips, Miami, Fla.
WR Darius Reynaud, West Virginia
RB Ray Rice, Rutgers
DT Pat Sims, Auburn
RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia
RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida
WR Taj Smith, Syracuse
RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
CB Aqib Talib, Kansas

Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

Talib as a safety?

 

I'll preface this by saying I didn't watch hardly any college football this year, and I'm sure my opinions will change drastically after Senior Bowl week and the combine.

Here goes...

Using Wp28's link:

13 - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State. I strongly considered Sam Baker, but there are two reasons I picked Clady instead -- 1) I'm getting burned out on underperforming USC players, and 2) Clady's bigger.

45 - Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M. We need DT depth, and while I don't know this guy, he looks pretty good on paper so far.

74 - Eric Young, G, Tennessee. We also need G depth, and GBN has Young rated as their top position prospect.

108 - Jamar Adams, S, Michigan. I also considered Marcus Monk here.

189 - Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas. Most useful prospect on the board ATP, and probably the one with the best chance to contribute immediately.


Using GBN's top 100:

13 - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State. Whether Rucker stays on for another year or not, we need a serious upgrade on our DE corps.

45 - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh. I hate to take a questionable player in the second round, but he's got a legitimate shot to contribute if JD uses him to his strengths.

74 - Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M. (see above)


Obviously my draft with Wp28's link is sorely lacking a DE. I wouldn't be too disappointed if the picks fell in line with GBN's list, though.

 

Scratch Clemson's James Davis off the list. He decided to go back (or actually stay) in school.

Reverse Play--Clemson's James Davis Returns to Tigers

Clemson (WLTX) - You know how Clemson's James Davis said he was clawing a path to pro football when he announced he was entering the NFL draft?

Scratch that.

After considering all his options, the Tigers running back says he will play his senior season in Death Valley after all.

Davis had said he would turn pro on January 9. But he faxed a letter to the NFL and Clemson Friday asking that his name be removed from consideration. Both sides agreed.

He'll be back in class Tuesday.

"I am so happy to return to Clemson," Davis said in a written release. "I want to thank my mom because we talked a long time last night. She has provided great support for me and she helped me work through this. I knew today was the final deadline. I woke up last night at 3:00 AM and just thought about everything and thought about my future. Coming back to Clemson is just the right thing to do for me athletically and academically."

"We welcome James back to Clemson," said Head Coach Tommy Bowden in a written statement. "I know it was a difficult decision for him and we continued to communicate. In the final analysis he realizes this is the best decision for him and his family. This decision will give him a much better opportunity to graduate, which I know is important to James and his family."

Davis is a two-time All-ACC selection. For the last two season's he's team with C.J. Spiller to form a dynamic running tandem sometimes referred to as "Thunder and Lightning."

 

I'm a Clemson grad and that's great news that Davis is going to stay in school for his senior season. He will be one of the best backs in the Country with his running mate CJ Spiller. The Tigers open the season in a neutral site game at the Georgia Dome against Alabama. What a great way to kick of next years college football season.