South Carolina’s Weslye Saunders declared eligible for 2011 NFL Draft
After a rather long season of college football players being accused of contacting agents at an inappropriate time and taking advantage of their status for financial gains, the National Football League (NFL) has declared that Weslye Saunders, former tight
end for the University of South Carolina, is now eligible to participate in the 2011 NFL Draft in April.
His agent, James “Butch” Williams, says that Saunders was informed about his eligibility on Monday and will now be going to Indianapolis to attend the NFL’s combine, which is basically a workout for eligible players to show off their skills to scouts.
Saunders might not have gotten a chance to participate in the draft at all. After being suspended in August and then expelled in September, the senior did not get a chance to play a single game in the season. He was the subject of an investigation by the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for allegedly staying with other football players in discounted hotel rooms, which they received through an agent, and for “potential contact with agents” at a time when they were not allowed to.
At first, Saunders was deemed to be illegible for the NFL Draft because he did not file an application to extend his deadline to enter in the NFL Draft, which he should have done before 15 January. However, Williams appealed the status of the six foot six,
270 pound tight end, saying that he did not “need to declare as an underclassman.” The appeal was granted and now, Saunders is on his way to the NFL Draft.
The 22 year old from Durham, North Carolina, had an average 2009 season. He had 32 receptions for 352 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11 yards per reception with his longest catch having been for 30 yards. He did better than his freshman and sophomore
year, when he totaled 28 receptions for 365 yards and three touchdowns in both those seasons.
Compare him to a tight end in the NFL and he does pretty well. Heath Miller of the Pittsburgh Steelers has recorded 42 receptions for 512 yards and two touchdowns in the 2010 season. He did a bit better in his rookie season, recording 39 receptions for 459
yards and six touchdowns. Overall, he has a career 286 receptions for 3,233 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Compare him to a tight end that is statistically better and his potential is easy to see. Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has had an amazing rookie season. In his first season, he has had 42 receptions for 546 yards and ten touchdowns. His best
game came in Week 10 against the Steelers. He had five receptions for 72 yards, averaging 14.4 yards per reception, and three touchdowns. He had even more yards in Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, including six receptions for 102 yards but had only one
touchdown.
The 2011 NFL Draft will start in April, with the first round being held on 28 April, the second and third on 29 April and rounds four to seven on 30 April at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York.
Tags: