Mission High’s former football star, Mark Sanchez, today confirmed rumors that he will enter the NFL draft instead of staying at USC for his senior year.
Mark said, “It has been my dream since I was just a little kid to play in the NFL and thanks to this great academic institution and football program, I have the opportunity to realize that dream,” according to the LA Daily News.
His USC Coach, Pete Carroll, was quoted as saying, “The facts are so strong against this decision. After analyzing all the information, the truth is there — he should’ve stayed for another year. . . . his family didn’t want it [leaving USC], and everybody else told him he should’ve stayed.”
Speculation has been that this year’s draft is devoid of top quarterbacks, creating an opportunity for a first round pick that might not be as lucrative next year. According to Carroll, however, 62% of undergraduate quarterbacks who jump to the NFL don’t make the grade.
I watched Sanchez play at Mission Viejo High School during his junior and senior years. The team lost only one game during the first year (the championship game in 2003 was lost when the team apparently showed up for the game somewhat worse for the wear after a night of partying), and went undefeated to a CIF title the second. They haven't been as good since.
I can understand getting what he can from the NFL as soon as possible. You don't want to take a chance on losing millions of dollars with an injury in his senior year in college, but chances are he'd have another great year and his stock would rise even higher for next year's draft.
I hope he's successful, but I'd feel better about his chances if he spent one more year at USC.
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