Fiesta Bowl 2012: Who's Staying in School & Who's Going Pro?

Leaving college early for the NFL draft is one of the mot difficult decisions a player has to make. You have to make sure you're ready for the NFL, but if you stay there is always a risk for hurting your stock and possibly your body.

The BCS Fiesta Bowl is one of the bowl games that features the most NFL potential. It features the Stanford Cardinal and Oklahoma State Cowboys. And there are players on both sides of the ball that will eventually be playing on Sundays. The question is, will they stay or will they go?

Here are the predictions for the players that are still questioning one of the toughest decisions of their life.

Andrew Luck

Verdict: Going

Andrew Luck should have gone to the NFL last season, as your stock can't really improve higher than No.1 overall. He was going to be the first pick last season and will likely be the first pick this season.

Sure, he could have an opportunity to win a BCS National Championship if he returns for his senior season, but he shouldn't push his Luck (no pun intended). The Stanford quarterback is one of the top pro prospects we've seen in a very long time and has all of the tools to become a franchise quarterback.

Drafting him No.1 overall may cause problems with current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, but Luck is too talented to pass up.

Justin Blackmon

Verdict: Going

Justin Blackmon is one of the top players in this year's draft and would be foolish not to leave early. He's put up top numbers again this season, and his quarterback Brandon Weeden is graduating this year. No point in returning to have to play with a young quarterback with very little experience.

Blackmon is your typical big receiver that is very physical and has extremely strong hands. He's great after the catch and is receiving comparisons already to some of the top receivers like Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant.

He's already said he plans on the Fiesta Bowl being his last game at Oklahoma State.

Expect Blackmon to go high in the draft and make an immediate impact at the next level.

David DeCastro

Verdict: Going

While quarterback Andrew Luck has been receiving majority of the credit for Stanford's success, Luck has players like David DeCastro to thank. DeCastro has been a key member in protecting Luck and has also helped in opening up running lanes for the Cardinal running backs.

He is a great pass protector that simply almost never gets beat. He's quick off the snap, has great footwork and a solid work ethic as well. He is the top guard in this draft and should be taken with a high first-round pick.

Many believe that he is on his way out, and with the top guards taken early the past few years, DeCastro will likely continue that trend.

Jonathan Martin

Verdict: Going

You should know which one Jonathan Martin is in this picture.

Martin is another offensive lineman that has helped keep Andrew Luck on his feet. He's actually probably the most important, considering he has protected the Heisman candidates blind side.

Martin is an athletic tackle with very good quickness and agility. He has great football IQ, solid work ethic and a high motor. His size at 6'6", 305 pounds also makes him ready for the NFL right now.

This draft class is very deep at the tackle position, but Martin should still go early in the draft and will be a first -round pick.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]