First Wave of Underclassmen Declarations

University of Miami (Fla.) Junior DE Calais Campbell has declared himself eligible for this year's Draft. The mammoth 6'8," 280 lb. Campbell was tremendously productive during his Sophomore season, and came into the 2007 campaign with very, very high expectations which he did not fully meet. Campbell showcased lackadaisical effort during much of this past season, finishing with only 6 sacks. Given Campbell's size and enormous potential, however, workouts do not figure to affect his Draft stock too much - he is a virtual lock for the Top-20 picks of Round 1, and if he does indeed have good workouts, could easily elevate himself into the Top-10 of the 2008 Draft.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/um/story/366391.html


University of Florida Junior DE Derrick Harvey has declared himself eligible for this year's Draft. Harvey exploded about midway through the Gators' 2006 National Championship season, concluding it with a terrific all-around performance in the BCS Title Game against OSU. This year, Harvey held his own in the face of dramatically increased expectations, and despite his legitimacy at DE, he possesses the necessary quickness and agility to fit into a 3-4 defensive scheme as a speed-rushing OLB should an NFL coaching staff desire to use him in such a manner. Harvey is solidly a 1st Round pick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3179754


University of Texas Junior RB Jamaal Charles has also declared himself eligible for this year's Draft. Charles ranks very high amongst the Longhorns' all-time rushing leaders, and complements his explosive open-field rushing ability with terrific receiving skills out of the backfield. Charles has proven himself to be a feared "home-run threat" who bailed his Longhorn teammates out of very difficult predicaments/4th quarter deficits many times this past season. Good workouts leading up to the Draft would solidify Charles' status as a 1st Round pick; below-average workouts would likely land him a spot in the upper-half of Round 2.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3177593


Boise State University Junior OT Ryan Clady has declared himself eligible for the Draft, becoming the first player in the Idaho school's history to leave early for the NFL. The 6'6" Clady has been consistently strong in the trenches for the Broncos, and as a projected Top-15 selection this year, figures to likewise be the school's first ever 1st Round NFL Draft pick! This projected achievement is yet one more indication of the terrific progress that the Bronco football program has made over the last 5 years.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/boisestatefootball/story/252666.html


Maryland Junior LB Erin Henderson has declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. This declaration has been in the works for weeks, with many inside the Terrapin football program speculating that Henderson was eager to join his brother E.J., also a Maryland football product and current LB for the Minnesota Vikings, in the NFL. Henderson has been very productive on defense for the Terps, racking up over 130 tackles (including 11 for a loss) this past season while fighting injuries. Workouts and interviews will be very significant for Henderson, as they could elevate his draft status to that of a 2nd Round pick. In any case, Henderson should be selected by the end of Round 3.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/02/AR2008010202861.html


University of Miami (Fla.) Junior S Kenny Phillips has declared himself eligible for the 2008 Draft. To be sure, Phillips, a physically-gifted 6'2" 215 lb. defender who continues the long line of wildly-talented Hurricane DB's to leave school early for the NFL, has had one foot out the door since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2005. With his incredible closing speed and bone-jarring open-field hits, Phillips is more than capable of playing either Safety position in the NFL. Irrespective of his Draft workouts, Phillips will be the first Safety selected in the 2008 Draft, and is a virtual lock to be taken by pick #15 in Round 1.

http://www.miamiherald.com/606/story/335583.html


Louisville Junior WR Mario Urrutia has signed with an agent and entered his name into the 2008 Draft. Urrutia is big - very big at 6'6" - and has been quite productive for the Cardinals despite being hindered by constant injuries and new Cardinals coach Steve Kragthorpe's dismal offense. Urrutia has not been without fault; he is guilty of more than a few dropped passes and lapses in concentration. Nevertheless, with the graduation of QB Brian Brohm, the impending hire of a new offensive coordinator, the lingering possibility of yet more injuries, and the desire to provide for his infant son, Urrutia had good reason to leave school early. Workouts will carry enormous weight towards determining Urrutia's draft position; good performances could land Urrutia a mid-round Draft grade, with the outside possibility of a 3rd Round spot. Personally, I feel that this WR has a future in the NFL - remember folks, he is 6'6."

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071215/SPORTS02/712150499/1028/rss0702