2011 NFL Draft: Will Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and These 10 Players Enter Draft?
Will they or won't they? The million dollar question this time of year regarding the elite group of talented underclassmen college football players.
Names like Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Mark Ingram will just a few of the many mentioned regarding this April's NFL Draft.
Join B/R as we take a look at ten players who must face the difficult decision at season's end to either pursue NFL dreams in 2011, or return to campus for their senior year.
Justin Blackmon
1 of 10
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon was a 2010 Heisman candidate at one point this past season. The Cowboys' wide out is just a sophomore yet his numbers are incredible.
Blackmon caught 111 balls in 2010 for over 1,700 yards and a remarkable 20 touchdowns. Even more remarkable, Blackmon had at least five receptions in every game he played this season. He also had at least 100 yards receiving and one touchdown in every game.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: Blackmon had an otherworldly season in 2010 and would be hard pressed to recreate that next season with Oklahoma State. The recent success of former Cowboy turned Cowboy, Dez Bryant, might also influence Blackmon's decision.
Janoris Jenkins
2 of 10
Florida's talented defensive back Janoris Jenkins is only a junior, yet he has three full seasons of college football under his belt.
Jenkins has been a starter for the Gators' since 2008 and has over 100 career tackles to go along with his two forced fumbles and eight career interceptions.
At 5'11" 184 pounds, Jenkins is somewhat undersized for an NFL corner but remains on of the best prospects at the position.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: Jenkins has accomplished all that he can in college football. He has been consistent in his three seasons with the Gators and has very little left to prove. He will likely go somewhere in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Andrew Luck
3 of 10
Andrew Luck has the most difficult decision of all. The Orange Bowl-winning quarterback plays for a national championship contending team in the Stanford Cardinal. He is also projected to go No. 1 overall if he enters the NFL draft.
The Houston, Texas native is the prototypical NFL passer. At 6'4", Luck is a tough competitor with an incredible amount of poise in the pocket. His intangibles are off the charts, and his arm is fresh off of leading Stanford to a one-loss season.
Prediction: Returns to School
Why: Luck will take a page out of Sam Bradford's book and return for his senior season. He has unfinished business with the Cardinal and he knows he would be the top pick in the 2012 draft if there is no lockout.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Patrick Peterson
4 of 10
LSU's Patrick Peterson is a game-changing type of player. Peterson, a junior, reminds many of Michigan's Charles Woodson, who won the Heisman as an all-purpose player.
Peterson is not just a talented defensive back, but a superb kick returner with ridiculous speed and vision. Peterson is one of the top corners projected to go early in April's draft. His four interceptions and two return touchdowns speak to his athleticism and will likely make him a lot of money this spring.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: Peterson has had a phenomenal three seasons with the Tigers and has nothing left to prove at the college level. He is projected to go in the top five of 2011 NFL Draft.
Mark Ingram
5 of 10
Alabama's 2009 Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, is coming off of a perplexing season with the Crimson Tide. Ingram missed the first two games of 2010 and struggled to recreate the magic of 2009's national championship season.
Ingram still managed to finish with 13 rushing touchdowns, but somehow his 875 yards were less than stellar. Ingram's yards per carry average was down 0.6 in 2010 (5.5) from 2009 (6.1).
Prediction: Returns to School
Why: Ingram's 2010 season lacked much of the excitement of 2009 and he would be wise to return for his senior year. Another season in college football would help polish the talented back and help boost his draft stock for 2012.
Terrelle Pryor
6 of 10
Ohio State's third-year starting quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, is fresh of off celebrating his team's Sugar Bowl victory after capping off a one-loss season in the Big Ten.
Pryor has said before that he plans on returning for his senior season, however the recent suspension he received for the 2011 season might change things.
Pryor will sit out the first five games of the season, giving him five less professional auditions for NFL scouts.
Prediction: Returns to School
Why: Pryor has said on more than one occasion that he is returning to Columbus for his senior season. His draft stock is not sky high at the moment and another season in college would produce a better product for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Robert Quinn
7 of 10
Robert Quinn is just another talented defensive end projected to go in the first round of April's draft. Quinn, a junior Tar Heel, is 6'5" 270 pounds.
Quinn has an NFL body, the only question is if he is ready. Many feel that there is nothing left for Quinn to prove in college and the NFL is his likely destination next season.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: Quinn should go early to a team with a need on the defensive line. Though he may not be the best prospect, he is a sure thing and a safe pick for an NFL franchise.
Ryan Mallett
8 of 10
Arkansas' 6'6" quarterback, Ryan Mallett, certainly has an NFL future given his size and arm strength. Mallett lead Arkansas to a 10-win season in 2010, throwing for more than 3,800 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The 22-year-old junior's rating has improved in every season throughout his college career. His most valuable asset perhaps is his body. At 6'6" Mallett can see over any defense and make just about every throw.
Prediction: Returns to School
Why: Mallett and the Razorbacks had a disappointing finish to 2010 with a loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Another year could propel Mallet's draft stock as well as allow him to take care of some unfinished business at Arkansas.
A.J. Green
9 of 10
A.J. Green is the top receiving prospect in 2011's NFL Draft. Green has been consistent in his three seasons at the University of Georgia and has amassed over 2,000 yards receiving and 23 touchdowns in his career.
A 6'4" target with excellent hands, the first team in need of a play maker in April's draft will likely jump at the 22-year-old Bulldog.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: Green is projected to go very early in this spring's draft and any player would be hard pressed to skip out on a mega contract in exchange for a senior season at Georgia with an average SEC team.
Cam Newton
10 of 10
Auburn's Cam Newton, the greatest player in all of college football in 2010. Newton put the Tigers on his back this season and has them on the cusp of greatness.
Could he really walk away from an opportunity to defend his national championship and Heisman Trophy?
It would certainly be difficult, but a multi-million dollar contract might make it easier. Newton's stock is on the up and up after his ridiculously-good regular season with Auburn. However it's hard to imagine Newton sustaining this type of production all while staying healthy in 2011.
Prediction: Enters Draft
Why: With one more victory this season Cam Newton will have achieved all there is to achieve in college football. He will have the ring, the Heisman, and the memories. He is a man amongst boys at the moment and the next logical step is the NFL.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
