JerryBeeds
11-30-2005, 05:47 PM
Gators have juniors considering NFL options
Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said Tuesday that he has petitioned the NFL underclassman advisory council to find out where he might be drafted if he decides to leave school after his junior season.
Receiver Chad Jackson and cornerback Dee Webb said they would consider doing the same.
"If it comes back that they're first-rounders, you've got to do what you've got to do," Gators coach Urban Meyer said. "If it was my son, I would say go be a first-rounder. If you're a fifth-rounder, a fourth-rounder, then that's where you have to sit down and evaluate."
Thomas, who has 41 tackles and three sacks, vowed to return to Gainesville unless he is convinced he will be a top-10 pick, which is unlikely.
Jackson leads the Southeastern Conference with 81 catches for 824 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught nine passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against rival Florida State on Saturday, leaving him seven receptions shy of Carlos Alvarez's school record set in 1969.
"Chad played a pretty good year for us," Meyer said. "From spring practice until now, he's one of the most improved players. Could he use another year? Absolutely. If he asks me, I'm going to look into it for him. But he certainly could (use another year)."
Webb has 36 tackles and a team-high 12 pass breakups. Meyer said he played extremely well against the Seminoles.
"I really believe he could (use another year)," Meyer said. "He played his best game his last game."
Jackson and Webb both said they planned to wait until after the bowl game before making any career decisions.
"I'm just focused on this season and this bowl game," Webb said. "I'm not really thinking about that right now. Things will fall into place."
Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said Tuesday that he has petitioned the NFL underclassman advisory council to find out where he might be drafted if he decides to leave school after his junior season.
Receiver Chad Jackson and cornerback Dee Webb said they would consider doing the same.
"If it comes back that they're first-rounders, you've got to do what you've got to do," Gators coach Urban Meyer said. "If it was my son, I would say go be a first-rounder. If you're a fifth-rounder, a fourth-rounder, then that's where you have to sit down and evaluate."
Thomas, who has 41 tackles and three sacks, vowed to return to Gainesville unless he is convinced he will be a top-10 pick, which is unlikely.
Jackson leads the Southeastern Conference with 81 catches for 824 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught nine passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against rival Florida State on Saturday, leaving him seven receptions shy of Carlos Alvarez's school record set in 1969.
"Chad played a pretty good year for us," Meyer said. "From spring practice until now, he's one of the most improved players. Could he use another year? Absolutely. If he asks me, I'm going to look into it for him. But he certainly could (use another year)."
Webb has 36 tackles and a team-high 12 pass breakups. Meyer said he played extremely well against the Seminoles.
"I really believe he could (use another year)," Meyer said. "He played his best game his last game."
Jackson and Webb both said they planned to wait until after the bowl game before making any career decisions.
"I'm just focused on this season and this bowl game," Webb said. "I'm not really thinking about that right now. Things will fall into place."