Returning Juniors vs NFL Prospects

Here are my assumptions for next year's senior class versus early NFL draft entrants:

• Nick Buchanan - Stays
• Tyrie Cleveland - 50/50
• Josh Hammond - Stays
• Van Jefferson 50/50
• T.J. McCoy - Stays
• Lamical Perine - 50/50
• Jordan Scarlett - middle draft pick
• Freddie Swain - Stays
• Jawaan Taylor - Stays
• Luke Ancrum - Stays
• Antonneous Clayton Sr. - Stays
• Chauncey Gardner-Johnson - early draft pick
• Rayshad Jackson - Stays
• Vosean Joseph- early to mid draft pick
• Jachai Polite - early draft pick
• David Reese II - Stays
• Jeawon Taylor - Stays
• Jabari Zuniga - Gone

@Escambia94,
So you're figuring the odds are we will lose the best current junior starters on our defense to the NFL draft now. Do you have any kind of personal estimate of how likely we are to lose all rated that high?
While attrition concerns me, seeing some of those same individuals showing signs of somewhat "already checking out" during our recent "2 and 3/4 game losing streak" reminds me that (1) this is a feature of modern reality in major college programs, and (2) how and WHY it is so important that the change in culture in ours, the process of Coach Mullens getting more and more of HIS KIND OF GUYS in here really gets going, and its effects spread and deepen.
I wish these young men nothing but success, understanding that given the system as it is currently arranged means they MUST balance "risks vs rewards"--but given the limited average length of one's likely health over time in the NFL, I ALSO suspect that as we become a more stable program, consistently successful at or near the highest level, all within the solid and supportive guidance of what will more and more be percieved as having the best interests of its members at heart by the players themselves, "hanging in" that extra season for what may well eventually be a more lucrative, indeed LIFE-changing contract nearer the top of the draught will more often be considered. Knowing that your Coach will honestly support and encourage such prospects for a JUNIOR, if/when they are there, as I believe Mullen would, will not only become the norm, but that very truth (and the growimg perception that it is so) will be another factor enhancing our recruiting in the years ahead.
In other words, this is all part of the process by which success breeds growing hope, strength and improvement that will bring more talent and MORE success--all feeding back into MORE of the same.
So while I may question whether the early jumps to the draft are all the best move in every case, I know that this will tend to take care of ITSELF over time--provided we steadily improve under this Coach and his staff, as I am confident we will.

I have no insider information. I just look at the scouting reports and assume that these kids will take a $450k/ year salary, or $10k to $50k for summer and fall camp over another year of school.

Escambia94 said:

I have no insider information. I just look at the scouting reports and assume that these kids will take a $450k/ year salary, or $10k to $50k for summer and fall camp over another year of school.

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And I have learned to trust and LISTEN to your analytical prognostications...I welcome the further particulars of any "signs" you draw from observation and/or whatever information you can glean from what you see and hear happening out there. Over the next 6-to-8 weeks this will all become of monumental importance to what will be "our FUTURE", after all! Wish I had a better idea where this is heading and how it will turn out than the vague Coach-speak of guests and wild-eyed braggadocio of fans on Finebaum (who is the only one I "dip" into a bit--only one I will, and only 'cause HE's at least a level-headed, intelligent southern guy) and social media (which I generally AVOID LIKE PLAGUE as clearly toxic--but also know it IS where players themselves "live, work and play, spend HOURS A DAY discussing and sharing, eventually DECIDING their actual courses of action and revealing it FIRST there!).

My main reason for pointing out potential early departures is to highlight the fact that there is physical talent on this roster, but we have seen that McDeathThreats recruits can sometimes be mentally weak under the old coaching staff. Mullen and his staff bring the best out in these recruits. Some of these kids will consider delaying the NFL draft in order to get better. Some will check out after Senior Day in order to avoid injury.

Escambia94 said:

My main reason for pointing out potential early departures is to highlight the fact that there is physical talent on this roster, but we have seen that McDeathThreats recruits can sometimes be mentally weak under the old coaching staff. Mullen and his staff bring the best out in these recruits. Some of these kids will consider delaying the NFL draft in order to get better. Some will check out after Senior Day in order to avoid injury.

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Yeah; Like a whole lot ELSE right now with this team, program and its immediate-to-short/midterm future, we can do little but wait, watch, share our opinions and HOPE for the best.