NFL News and Notes Draft Edition: Declarations Keep on Coming

The NFL draft is approaching, between now and then though there are a lot of bowl and All-star games to be played. And until January 15th a lot of young college athletes to make critical decisions about their future.

For many of them, they are deciding that they want to try their hand at the N.F.L. With you all be busy for the Holiday Weekend I’m going to go back about as far as a week for some stories you might have missed.

All College players mentioned have scouting reports for them here on our scouting report page

Two players from schools that don’t have the most N.F.L. talent have declared their intentions for the 2012 N.F.L. draft.

Memphis DT Donatri Poe, a player that could rise as the best Nose tackle option in the draft and a potential late first round pick has said that “it’s time” and Utah State Robert Turbin is also declaring for the N.F.L. draft.

A surprise overlooked player returning to school is USC Safety T.J. McDonald with all of the Barkley fanfare I don’t even think people realize that he said his intentions are to return to school.

The Senior Bowl continues to add players two of the most recent additions are Utah State LB Bobby Wagner, one of the most productive linebackers in the country this year and Texas A and M QB Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is one of the biggest winners in the Matt Barkley decision to return to school and he could end up a first round pick.

Pick 256 at Mockingthedraft sums it up: as he breaks down the Matt Barkley decision.

Ryan Tannehill/Landry Jones/Nick Foles – The 2nd tier of QB prospects instantly become 1st round considerations if they weren’t before. The draft is very much a good example of the principles of supply and demand. Once Luck and Griffin are gone, teams will get antsy waiting around for the #3 QB to come off the board. It wouldn’t surprise me to see one of these guys go much earlier than many think. Tannehill or Jones might even sneak into the top 15

Wes Buntin at the National Football Post wonders if Boise State will have the most prospects drafted come draft day?

Here’s what he says about the player who polarizes people the most in this draft class: Kellen Moore:

I see him more as a later round type pick/reserve only whose playing career will end up being closer to say a Koy Detmer type quarterback than a Drew Brees

I think the team that will draft the most prospects is probably Alabama, depending on who declares but Boise State is not far behind. They have three defensive linemen (Winn, McClelin, Crawford) a Safety (George Iloka), and a few offensive prospects that could be drafted (Moore, Doug Martin, and their tight end Kyle Efaw could all be drafted.

Whether or not Robert Lester decalres for  the N.F.L draft may come down to what happens in the National Championship game

“I feel like I’ve got another chance to go out and prove myself in the national championship,” said the redshirt junior. “Depending on that game is what will depend on whether I come back or not.”

He said the fact that graduated earlier this month will not affect his decision.

“I’ll still have to take classes next semester to be eligible if I do come back next season,” Lester said. “Right now, since there’s no school I can focus on nothing but football. I don’t think being a graduate plays a part in it.”

Kellen Moore, Billy Winn, George Iloka, and Doug Martin have all been invited to the senior bowl