Declarations, cont. (II)

University of Texas Redshirt Sophomore TE Jermichael Finley has become the first non-Junior to declare for this year’s Draft, and the first player ever from the Longhorn football program to leave for the NFL with two years of eligibility left. Although he possess good height at 6’5,” Finley’s decision comes as a bit of a surprise given the potential for him to both further develop his yet-lean 235 lb. frame, and polish his pass receiving and blocking skills in college. Finley showed very good progress during his two playing years in Austin, finishing his career with 947 yards receiving on 76 catches, along with 5 TD’s. In an increasingly crowded TE Draft pool, Finley’s current confidence level will have to carry over into, and through his pre-Draft workouts and interviews in order to secure a draft spot anywhere from late-Round 2 through the end of Round 4.

http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/395407.html


University of Kansas Junior CB Aqib Talib has, as expected, declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Talib came into the 2007 campaign with high expectations given his breakout Sophomore season, one in which he recorded a whopping 22 pass breakups along with 6 interceptions. Though he was beaten for several TD passes in 2007, Talib was good enough this past season to earn first-team All-American status, having recorded 13 pass breakups and 5 interceptions, two of which were returned for TD’s. The brash Talib possesses great size for a CB at 6’2,” and has demonstrated very good instincts at his position, most notably in jumping quick-pass sideline routes. He is also athletic enough to contribute on kick and punt returns. While it will be interesting to see his 40-yard dash time, the prediction here is that Talib will be selected in Round 1 of the 2008 Draft.

Also leaving Kansas with Talib will be Junior OT Anthony Collins. The 6’6,” 310 lb. Collins was likewise named a first-team All-American in 2007, and currently projects as a Round 3 selection who could easily move up on NFL teams’ Draft boards.

http://kansas.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=759045


University of Wisconsin Junior CB Jack Ikegwuonu has declared for the 2008 Draft. Ikegwuonu had an up-and-down 2007 season, wherein he performed substantially better against top-notch Big Ten offenses than against sub-par ones. The once lightly-recruited Madison, WI native finished the season strong (recording a particularly impressive performance against the Michigan Wolverines), and leaves the Badger football program with 6 interceptions and 35 passes defensed in his career. Ikegwuonu has very good size for a CB at 6’1,” and his physical style of play has many NFL scouts and GM’s thinking that he could alternatively be an effective Safety at the professional level. Ikegwuonu is sure to impress with his work ethic, but in order for him to solidify a late-Round 2/early Round 3 grade, a 4.45 40-yard dash time (or better) is vital.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=3185718