NFL Draft 2011: Should Blaine Gabbert and 10 Others Stay in School or Go Pro?

Blaine Gabbert, Terrelle Pryor and Andrew Luck headline the list of college football players who are trying to decide whether they should stay in college or head to the NFL.

Some, like Luck, would be definite first round picks if they entered the 2011 NFL Draft. Some, like Pryor, would be mid-to-late round picks if they entered.

Then there are some positions, like running back, where there isn't a big need for very many teams in the draft. That leaves guys like Mark Ingram, LaMichael James and Mikel Leshoure with some tough decisions to make.

So, who should stay and college and who should go pro?

Here's a list of five players who would benefit by staying in school and five guys who need to make the jump to the NFL.

Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs after a catch against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pet

Broyles had some huge numbers this season, including 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns on 131 catches.

But, he's not being mentioned among the best wide receivers in the draft.

With A.J. Green and Justin Blackmon likely making the jump to the NFL, it makes sense for Broyles to return to school for his senior season.

Then, if he can put up similar numbers next season, he'll be one of the top three wide receivers in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Verdict: Stay in school

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs back an interception against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

Peterson has been the best cornerback in college football this season, period. He is capable of shutting down anyone in the SEC and anyone in the country.

Plus, he's a valuable asset in the return game. That'll make him immediately more valuable to NFL teams.

His stock will probably never be higher.

Verdict: Go to the NFL

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

There might only be one running back taken in the first round of this year's draft, and that'll be Mark Ingram.

Though it's possible another running back could sneak into the first round, it's unlikely.

Therefore, it makes sense for Leshoure to go back to Illinois for another year.

He's a first round talent, so he should wait for the 2012 draft, where he's more likely to be a first-round pick.

Verdict: Stay in school

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks beat the Beavers 37-20 to likely go on to the BCS Championshi

James has put up ridiculous numbers this season, but he's still not quite ready for the NFL.

His numbers are partially a result of the system he's in, but that's not the biggest reason he should stay in school.

The biggest reason, mentioned earlier, is that this will be a draft where the need for running backs isn't as high as it normally is.

Mark Ingram will be the first back taken, and he might not even go in the first round. James should go back to Oregon.

Verdict: Stay in school

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If he enters the draft, Ingram will undoubtedly be the first running back taken.

That should be enough of a reason to send him running to the pros.

Plus, he's already accomplished everything in college. He's got a Heisman trophy and a national championship under his belt.

The Miami Dolphins could use a guy like Ingram.

Verdict: Go to the NFL

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

Blackmon had over 100 yards in every game he played this season.

He dominated college football the way no one has in the last few years.

There's no way he can match his stats from this year in 2011, so he may as well head for the pros.

Verdict: Go to the NFL

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Mallett's best asset is his big arm.

He can make throws that many pro quarterbacks can't make.

His arm isn't going to get any bigger by staying in college, so he may as well make the jump to the NFL and work on his mechanics there.

Verdict: Go to the NFL

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Not only is Pryor not ready for the NFL from a statistical standpoint, there are also character issues surrounding him.

The best way for him to improve his stock in both categories is to return to school and serve his five-game suspension to start the season.

Playing in seven games next year will help him more than going to the NFL would.

Verdict: Stay in school

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami

Luck is coming off an Orange Bowl win and one of the best seasons in Stanford football history.

He's also a virtual lock to be the first overall pick in the draft if he declares.

His stock literally can't get higher than that, so he needs to cash in and start playing on Sundays.

Verdict: Go to the NFL

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Gabbert has declared himself eligible for the NFL draft and is being project as a top five pick by some analysts.

So, while the decision to go pro may be beneficial in the short term, he's making a mistake in the long run.

As a Mizzou student, I've seen Gabbert play more than most people.

And, what I've seen is a quarterback who is still unsure of himself and a guy who is ineffective when faced with a decent pass rush.

If he came back to college, he could dominate and take his game to the next level statistically.

But, by going to the NFL, he'll probably hurt his chances of future success.

Verdict: Stay in school