Injuries drive young players to NFL Draft

By Brian Betz

Ultimately, the knee injury to University of Miami running back Willis McGahee will end up costing more than the $15 million dollars in endorsements and future salary. It will cost college football fans the chance to see other collegiate players come back for the 2003 season.

When the All-American tore two knee ligaments in the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, it must have convinced many of the other underclassmen to say "Sayonara" to the college game. Either that or they listened to too much of the Steve Miller Band's "go on take the money and run". Everyone seems to be antsy to make the move to the pros before they get injured and lose out financially. Florida's Rex Grossman, Florida State's Anquan Boldin, Tennessee's Kelly Washington and Miami's Andre Johnson could improve their draft positions immensely by returning for another year, but we'll never get to see. In McGahee's case, his injury took him from being a top ten pick, and surely the first overall running back, taken to a later round selection.

Not only does all this take away from the excitement of the college game, it could potentially start a trend that has become synonymous with the NBA: players leaving too early. Athletes are bigger, faster and stronger than they have ever been and that will continue to perpetuate over time. But how long will it be before we see a Lebron James in pads? Maurice Clarett was pondering challenging the NFL's rule that a player must be three years removed from high school to enter the pros, but has since reconsidered. Unfortunately I doubt he will still be a Buckeye this time next year.

It would be hypocritical of me to say they should reject the money, because lord knows I would take the cash. However, I am not in their shoes, so I have a right to be a hypocrite. I'll just be interested to see how many of the 30-plus underclassmen that have declared for the '03 draft end up in the CFL or NFL Europe before long.