NFL Draft 2011: Jake Locker Talks NFL Labor, Pro Day

Jake Locker has enjoyed a wild ride over the last 12 months.

Before the 2010 NFL Draft many experts believed Locker would leave the University of Washington after his junior season and challenge Oklahoma's Sam Bradford for the rights to be drafted first overall.

But Locker wasn't ready to leave just yet. You see, Locker had unfinished business to attend to.

"Coming back to school, graduating, leading my team to a bowl game; those were all things I felt I had to do", Locker told us a few days before the 2011 NFL Combine.

Locker did the unthinkable. He told the NFL and their millions of dollars to wait one more year. And then he put his future on the line and led the Washington Huskies to a bowl win over Nebraska in the 2010 Holiday Bowl. A fitting end to a brilliant college career, but it also cost him millions.

Locker entered the preseason as the No. 1 rated prospect on most draft boards. Few believed before the season that Locker could slip out of the top five in the 2011 draft class. As we sit with four weeks before the draft Locker is not a guarantee to be drafted in the first round, much less the top five.

Still, Locker feels returning to Washington was the "right move".

When asked about his decision to return to Washington and losing money in his rookie contract, Locker is indifferent. "Going back to Washington is something I will be proud of for the rest of my life. The NFL thing, I had no idea if I was top five or top ten. I didn't wait long enough to get the feedback from the (NFL) Advisory Committee. It was something that was out of my control, so I couldn't tell you."

With complete labor uncertainty and the future of the NFL hanging in the balance, Locker is trusting the decision makers to do what is right for the game. "You know, I can't control it. My job is to control what I can in workouts and interviews and just come in ready to play when the season starts."

Locker did tell us that his agent has talked with him about staying in shape and saving money.

Now the 2011 NFL Draft is here, and Locker feels the pressure of his future calling his name. The idea of playing with current NFL players is a reality.

"Guys like Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Greg Jennings... those are the type of guys I'd love to throw to some day."

Locker does feel like he would fit best in a "West Coast offense, since I'm able to make plays with my feet and throw outside the pocket."

While Locker was not willing to predict where he will be drafted, or by which team, he did say that he is "ready to play in any system, for any team."