2011 NFL Draft: Terrelle Pryor and the Other Players Who Were Left Behind

With all the talks of the NFL negotiation's going south and the Superbowl bonanza ensuing not far behind, the focus has been shifted off of what is the most important event of every year's NFL offseason, the draft.

As surprised as you may be with how the college football season ended, with neither of the BCS Championship contenders existing brightly in the minds of writers and coaches at the beginning of the season, the bigger surprise has come with who has decided to stay behind and who has been strong-armed to make the decision to postpone their NFL rookie seasons.

Read on to find out the most breathtaking "left behinds" for 2011.

Andrew Luck, Stanford QB

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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

The only thing more surprising than Andrew Luck's decision to stay for another year at Stanford was his coach Jim Harbaugh's decision to leave after winning the Orange Bowl. After having nothing short of a remarkable season and being placed on the No. 1 spot of every analyst's mock draft, Luck decided that it would be in his best interest to stay in school to complete the task that he originally arrived at the school for, a degree in architectural design.

His decision received a lot of praise from spectators everywhere, mainly because of the fact that student athletes are constantly exiting collegiate athletics quicker than desired. He would have been the most complete quarterback in the draft, but with his bowing out of the race, quarterbacks like Ryan Mallett, Cameron Newton and Jake Locker have the chance to move up in the ranks.

Dan Herron, Ohio State Buckeyes RB

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Dan Herron #1 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)

Herron was among the handful of Ohio State Buckeyes suspended after being found in violation of NCAA rules by selling and trading team memorabilia for personal gain. He polished his season off with an amazing 1,155 yards and 16 touchdowns, only five touchdowns short of Oregon's LaMichael James.

Even with the speculation that one of the suspended players was still considering going pro, each of them held true to their word and will be returning to the Buckeyes roster, on the bench, of course.

Herron would have been an excellent addition to the New Orleans Saints roster as a running back, seeing as how Reggie Bush has been performing at a sub par level and two of their huge game changers have been injured. A little extra insurance would have been helpful.

LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks RB

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during their game against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

LaMichael James, who usually preferred to be kept away from the cameras, had a less than quiet season as he made a convincing run for the Heisman trophy against Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.

Although he could not grasp his fingers firmly enough around the Heisman voters hearts, his agility and on field IQ made him the runaway winner for the Doak Walker Award. James announced back in December 2010 that he would not be entering the 2011 NFL Draft.

His stellar season made fans quickly forget about his earlier transgressions of last year (arrested for domestic violence after supposedly grabbing his girlfriend around her throat during an altercation).

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Buckeyes QB

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

Pryor was mentioned in early season talks for the Heisman trophy, but soon slumped in the races as the season marched on. Still, after he proved himself as a pocket passer and a formidable threat in the running game, he was sure to be drafted in the first round.

Sadly, when he was found in violation of NCAA rules, an apology was not enough to ease the minds of the NCAA themselves and the Ohio State University. There was an agreement placed upon the players found guilty that if they were going to be allowed to play in the All-State Sugar Bowl, they would have to commit to another season with the Buckeyes and endure their five game suspensions. Luckily for OSU, Braxton Miller has verbally committed to the team and if his season goes anything as speculated, Pryor's stock value in the league will drastically fall.