Draft Scuttlebut 1/14- Miami 's McGehee, WR Johnson turn pro

[MelK]

Tuesday, January 14
http://espn.go.com/ncf/news/2003/0113/1492158.html
McGahee, Johnson set to enter NFL draft

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Associated Press


CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami running back Willis McGahee and wide receiver Andre Johnson will leave school early to enter the NFL draft.

"My unfulfilled dream is to play in the NFL," McGahee said in a statement released by family spokesman Sherman Anderson, The Miami Herald reported for Tuesday editions.

McGahee, a sophomore, had reconstructive knee surgery after tearing two ligaments in his left knee in Miami's 31-24 double overtime loss to Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. He also said in the statement that one of his physicians, Dr. James Andrews, told him he would recover in time to play next season.

Eugene Poole, McGahee's brother, told The Palm Beach Post late Monday that McGahee was fulfilling a "childhood dream" by turning pro.

In his statement, McGahee also said he would not collect on a $2.5 million insurance policy he took out before the national championship game.

[MelK]

Mel Kiper Jr Puts Andre Johnson in his top 4 picks-



Mel Kiper Jr.'s projected top 4
Now that Miami's Andre Johnson has officially declared for the draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. submits his top four picks:
1. Bengals Carson Palmer QB, Sr.
2. Lions Charles Rogers WR, Jr.
3. Texans Andre Johnson WR, Jr.
4. Bears Byron Leftwich QB, Jr.

[MelK]

Tuesday, January 14

Manning decides to stay at Mississippi

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ESPN.com news services


OXFORD, Miss. -- Quarterback Eli Manning announced Tuesday that he has decided to return to Mississippi next season, and will not make himself available for the upcoming NFL draft.

Manning holds 24 school records, which includes 6,519 career passing yards and 52 touchdowns. He shined in the MainStay Independence Bowl, passing for 313 yards while leading the Rebels to a 27-23 victory over Nebraska.

"After numerous conversations with family and considerable thought and prayer, I've decided to stay for my senior football season at Ole Miss," Manning said. ...more..

[MelK]

Tuesday, January 14

Vols junior Washington to declare for draft
http://espn.go.com/ncf/news/2003/0114/1492512.html
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Associated Press


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee receiver Kelley Washington will leave school early to enter the NFL draft after missing most of the season because of knee and neck injuries.

The 23-year-old Washington is a sophomore who made the team as a freshman walk-on. He said earlier this would be his last season with the Volunteers even though he has two remaining years of eligibility.


Washington, 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, had never played receiver until he came to Tennessee. He finished with 64 catches for 1,010 yards and five touchdowns his first year, setting up what was expected to be a big year in 2002.

[MelK]

Tuesday, January 14

OT Harris to skip senior season at Stanford

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Associated Press
http://espn.go.com/ncf/news/2003/0114/1492526.html

STANFORD, Calif. -- Offensive tackle Kwame Harris will skip his senior season at Stanford to enter the NFL draft.


Harris started every game for the past two seasons with the Cardinal, who went 2-9 last season. The 6-foot-7, 308-pound Harris was chosen as the top lineman in the Pacific-10 Conference this season.

[Ebenezer]

If McGahee can't start at Miami next year then what makes him think he can make it in the NFL after blowing out his knee?

[MelK]

More Draft News from Rob's Scouting


1-14 As expected, Eli Manning will not enter the NFL Draft.

With only a day to go, Kwame Harris has declared for the NFL Draft. Harris is a lock for round one.

In more news, Kelley Washington of Tennessee will enter the NFL Draft. Washington was supposed to challenge Charlie Rogers for the #1 WR, but Washington was injured often this year. Washington, who has round one talent, I think could will go in the middle of round two right now. But, it all depends on his health.

Georgia TE, Ben Watson, as thought, will enter the NFL Draft. Watson looks like a 4/5th round pick.

In what I think is a smart move, Willis McGahee will enter the 2003 Draft. McGahee would have to wait behind Miami RB Frank Gore next year and who knows if he will even be the same. So Mcgahee will enter the draft and hope a team takes a chance on him.

Some were surprised by this move, but I felt that WR Rashaun Woods should stay in school and he has decided to stay. Woods will battle Lee Evans and Roy Williams for the #1 WR.