Good Luck For Stanford, Bad Luck For Carolina Panthers: Andrew Luck Skips Draft

Shockingly, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to return to school for one more season. Cardinal fans must be ecstatic, while Carolina fans…not so much.

The news is surprising to say the least. One would think the fate of Matt Leinart and Jake Locker would have some kind of impact on Luck’s decision. Both of those guys were near locks as the top pick in the NFL if they left after their junior year. Both stuck around and both slid down the draft boards after playing one more season.

Luck was a lock as a No. 1 pick.  However, it appears he really wants that degree.

“I am committed to earning my degree in architectural design from Stanford University and am on track to accomplish this at the completion of the spring quarter of 2012,” Luck said in a statement issued through the school.

Stanford said Luck was not available for further comment

Heading into 2012, Luck should be the preseason Heisman favorite. The Cardinal will probably be ranked in the top five, but a shot at a championship is no guarantee.

Right now it looks like Jim Harbaugh will go pro (maybe to the 49ers) and if he does, will he take defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with him? Fangio has been instrumental in Stanford’s turnaround.

However, even if the coaching staff returns, the Cardinal will lose seven starters next year on the offensive side alone. This includes three offensive linemen and Luck’s top three pass catchers. On the defensive side, they’ll more than likely lose four starters, depending on who stays and who goes.

For Carolina, a bad season just got worse. Luck was suppose to be their “Manning.”

So what do you do now with the top pick?

With no Luck, I would like to see the Panthers trade down. The Patriots do have two picks in the first round, but they’re both later in the round.

If not, they could go defense with Da-Quan Bowers of Clemson, who is leaving early. However, they still need a quarterback, but would they really use the top pick on either Ryan Mallet (doubtful) or Blaine Gabbert (maybe)?