It's increasingly rare to see a talented college football player stay in school for his senior season—as evidenced by the 40 underclassmen who declared for the 2007 NFL Draft.

Here, I consider some recent winners and losers of the early-entry sweepstakes. Of course, I'm no analyst—but that doesn't mean I don't know a bad decision when I see one...

 

QB - Matt Leinart (Southern Cal) - Push

A top-10 pick in the 2006 draft, Leinart was thought to to be the overall No. 1 pick in 2005, but decided to return for his senior year. Then again, would you rather play in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin...or in San Francisco, where Alex Smith can't get anything right?

 

RB - Darius Walker (Notre Dame) - Bad Call

Walker left school after tallying over 1,200 yards rushing and 53 receptions in his junior season at Notre Dame. But I'm not really sure who told this guy he'd get drafted—because he didn't.

 

RB - Maurice Jones-Drew (UCLA) - Good Call

People though Jones-Drew was too small to make an impact in the NFL when he left school after his junior season. Jacksonville picked him up in the second round of the 2006 draft.

 

RB - Chris Henry (Arizona) - Good Call

Henry left Arizona after rushing for 581 yards and 21 receptions for 197 yards. REALLY!?!? Yes, Henry, a 5'11", 235 pound running back, turned heads at the NFL Combine, blazing a 4.4 40 time. The Titans used a second-round pick on him in the 2007 draft.

 

*WR - Limas Sweed (Texas) - Push

Sweed could've left after his junior season, when he posted 800 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. Sweed was sidelined this season, after breaking his wrist. This upcoming draft is weak in the wide receiver department, so Sweed can still make the first round.

 

WR - Mike Williams (Southern Cal) - Bad Call

A top-10 pick in 2005, Williams was labeled "lazy" after sitting out his junior season for challenging draft eligibility rules. If he would have played that year, he might be a more polished receiver now.

 

WR - Greg Lee (Pittsburgh) - Bad Call

Lee bolted out of Pitt after hauling in 49 passes for 962 yards in his junior year. He was tabbed as the next Larry Fitzgerald. The biggest difference between the two is that Fitzgerald was drafted.

 

*OL - Jake Long (Michigan) - Good Call

Long could have easily left Michigan last year and been a late first-round, early second-round pick. Staying for his senior year, he pushed himself towards the top half of the 2008 draft.

 

*OL - King Dunlap (Auburn) - Bad Call

At 6'8", 312 pounds, King had a good year with Kenny Irons running behind him. He decided to come back his senior campaign. Dunlap was sent to bench after week three this year.

 

OL - Fred Matua (Southern Cal) - Bad Call

This undersized tackle left Southern Cal after his junior year. The Lions called him a steal in the seventh round of the 2006 draft; they later cut him.

 

DL - Quentin Moses (Georgia) - Bad Call

A possible first-round pick in 2005, Moses returned to Georgia in 2006 to play in his senior year. Undisciplined play and character issue on the field and unimpressive pro day numbers dropped him to the third round, where the Oakland Raiders picked him up.

 

DL - Stanley McClover (Auburn) - Bad Call

This AU defensive end entered the 2006 draft after his junior year. McClover finished his final season with only eight sacks. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Carolina Panthers.

 

*DL - Glenn Dorsey (LSU) - Good Call

A possible first-round pick in last years' draft, Dorsey stepped his game up to a new level in 2007 by totaling over 60 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He's looking at being a top-five pick this year.

 

*DL - Quentin Groves (Auburn) - Push

Groves finished his junior season with 10 sacks, and impressed people with his quickness and speed. After coming back for his senior year, he was plagued by foot injuries.

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