Penn State Two: It Pays To Stay

As far as Penn Live tells us , Penn State star defensive playmaker Navorro Bowman is projected as a potential first round pick. 

First of all, we understand that the players might be dominated with thoughts of "dollars", "parties", "girls", and "Sportscenter" when they go to the NFL.

Although we realise that players defecting after a successful junior year is nothing new, the VFA would like to make a case as to why Bowman and star running back Evan Royster should stay in State College.

Remember star defensive end Aaron Maybin, who went to pursue NFL riches in (ta da!) Buffalo? He didn't come to a deal with the Bills until midway through training camp, and has a stunning 16 tackles, a forced fumble, and zero sacks in his first year.

To say the least, he hasn't been as productive as he, or Bills Nation, would like him to be. Sure, we can probably say that 17 sessions without a training camp didn't help him, but could he have done with another year in college?

Don't you think that if Maybin could go back in history, he'd change the decision to go pro and stay at State for one more year, have the chance to be the top pick in the NFL draft, make more money, and gain experience under his belt at the college level?

Then there's Maurice Evans. He's as big as a house, and could have shined in his final year (what was left of it after the drug bust, anyway!). But he decided to go to the NFL. After being cut by Carolina, he now "plays" for the New York Giants, where he's apparently brilliant...on the practice squad.

We haven't finished yet.

There's ex-Buckeye James Laurinitis, who's undoubtedly been one of the defensive standouts of 2009 with a mind-numbing 115 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Brian Cushing, formerly of USC, has been freakishly good in his first season at linebacker for the Houston Texans, managing a bone-crushing 128 tackles and four interceptions.

I realize that linebacker and defensive end aren't the same position, but here's the point: both Cushing and Laurinitis were both seniors leaving college. 

It pays to stay.

Why? The experience that a defensive player gains in college will be invaluable in the NFL.

Offensive guys can learn and adapt. If a defensive player gets pounded in an NFL training camp, he might not make the cut.

We'd argue that staying in school will help a player get drafted higher, make more money, start, become a fan favorite and then, yes, make more money.

And then we come to Evan Royster.

Only the really, really special running backs find time at the top level in their first year. We're talking Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno special.

If Royster goes—yes, that Evan Royster who rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Nitts this year, despite not having an offensive line to speak of—he won't be a starter.

Heck, Royster might struggle to be a back-up. If Royster can continue his supercharged career with the Nittany Lions, and have strong games on the road at Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State, as well as a good one against LSU on Jan 1, you can't help but think he could be a first round/high second round pick in the 2011 draft.

Plus, Penn State hasn't exactly had a shining history of great NFL running backs (only some guy called Larry Johnson has truly raised eyebrows (on and off the field!), so why not attempt to keep Royster for another year? 

Anyway, if you listen to our advice Navorro and Evan, you know we are thinking: It pays to stay!