Dak Prescott Comments on NFL Draft Decision After Loss to Ole Miss in Egg Bowl

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have been in the NCAA limelight all season long. Much of that credit goes to quarterback Dak Prescott, whose athleticism and leadership abilities have turned him into a talismanic figure in Mississippi.

After a disappointing 31-17 loss to rival Ole Miss in the 2014 Egg Bowl, one that pretty much snuffed out any hope of the Bulldogs securing a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff, Prescott's thoughts turned to the future.

According to Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel, Prescott will spend another year in Starkville so long as the NFL evaluators don't see him going in the first two rounds.

Prescott cited Saturday's loss to the Rebels specifically as motivation to remain a Bulldog for another year.

"I’m 100 percent sure I want to come back. For this reason tonight, just to win the Egg Bowl and bring it back," he said, via Thamel.

Prescott has turned in some fine performances this season and kept the Bulldogs in the running in a tough-as-nails SEC West division for as long as he could. When pressed for clarification on his answer, Prescott noted the appeal of the NFL, but he promptly relayed his emotional attachment to the program, via Thamel:

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When asked to clarify if he’s definitely returning, Prescott admitted that a projection by the NFL that he’ll go in the first two rounds would be 'hard to deny.' (And it may be unlikely, as he’s still not refined as a thrower.) But he quickly added the core of his feelings: 'My heart is in coming back and playing another year.'

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Prescott has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in college football this season. He's thrown for 2,996 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 picks this season while picking up another 13 scores on the ground. CBSSports.com has him as the fourth-rated quarterback in the class of 2015.

Still, he's turned in some erratic performances, a three-interception effort in a loss to Alabama the most notable among them and has a long wind-up on his throws, something that NFL corners would have no trouble picking up and pouncing on. 

Another year of seasoning could turn Prescott into a better pocket passer, making his return a good investment both for the Mississippi State program and his potential longevity as a pro. Then again, if the NFL scouts see a player worth molding into a future franchise player, the guaranteed millions would be indeed be tough to turn down.