Marcus Mariota Reportedly Doesn't Plan to Attend 2015 NFL Draft

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and top 2015 NFL draft prospect Marcus Mariota will reportedly spend time in his native Hawaii before he hears his name called on April 30 rather than attend the draft in Chicago.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news Tuesday regarding the former Oregon signal-caller:

Mariota is the only real threat to Florida State product Jameis Winston being the top quarterback chosen in the draft. A situation in which both top picks may not attend is rather unprecedented.

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman relayed the reason Winston is mulling over staying home for draft day:

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported NFL.com's Gil Brandt said this has been Mariota's plan for quite some time:

CBSSports.com draft expert Dane Brugler weighed in on the situation:

Although the spread system he ran at Oregon is seen as simplistic and may hurt Mariota's stock as he adjusts to the pros, Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt praised Mariota's knowledge of the game.

"Very high," said Whisenhunt when asked about Mariota's football IQ, per The MMQB's Peter King. "I think he has very good spatial memory. You say, what’s spatial memory? He remembers plays. He remembers fronts. He remembers things in the short term and the long term."

The Titans don't necessarily have a franchise QB in Zach Mettenberger, so they could opt to choose Mariota No. 2 overall if Winston goes first to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A team in need at the position could very well trade up for the rights to Mariota as well.

Whisenhunt's rhetoric may even be a smokescreen to generate trade interest. Whatever happens, it appears Mariota won't be in the Windy City and will have a long flight back to report to whichever team drafts him.