#Hokies TE Bucky Hodges says NFL draft advisory board told him to stay in school but he hasn't decided yet.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) December 24, 2015
It looks like Hodges still hasn't made up his mind despite feedback from the NFL that he should return to school. My opinion (despite the impact on the team I root for) is that if you are going to get enough guaranteed money up front to pay for finishing school, you go. Put aside your signing bonus and live off your salary. That way, if things don't pan out you can always finish your degree and have a back up plan. Any other advice is either paternalistic or not in the best interest of the player.
Given that Bucky didn't share an actual round prediction and not knowing if that prediction would result in any guaranteed money, I will reserve judgement on Bucky's decision. His return would certainly help an inexperienced receiving and tight end group. I expect Sam Rogers and Chris Cunningham to play the HBack/Alan Cross roll while Cline and Burke fight for limited reps at a true Y alignment.
Comments
Bucky, Bucky.
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
I think if he goes now it is just a mistake. If he had been a predicted day 1-2 I would understand but I have only seen him projected 4th or later. He has a chance to come back and play with what hopefully will be a renewed offense under Fuente and I really think could bump himself into a day 1-2 selection with a good season.
Bucky needs to look at what Ryan Williams and Darren Evans did when they left early. (different position obviously) Very athletic, good players who were done within two seasons after not being drafted very high
Ryan Williams was drafted in the early 2nd round.
Injury ended his career. Had that happened at Tech, he has no career.
you can say that about almost every college player...
But not every college player has a chance to make an NFL roster.
they all have a chance, some greater than others. Just depends on their growth from day 1 to their last
Darren Evans also had a family to support - not sure he's a valid comparison either.
Fairly valid comparison. Evans left to help support his family. No one can knock him
for that at all. But unfortunately, it still may not have been the correct decision.
Undrafted and out of the league quickly, and with no degree to boot. This "life changing " money the NFL offers only really happens for a small percentage of its players.
He got signed, got a $400k pay day. $400k immediately was probably better than a half mil a year later. He could afford to go back to school if he needs. If he stayed in school, he may not have been able to afford food for his family.
I thought Evans had already graduated too.
Ryan Williams is actually a perfect example of a guy who made the right choice by leaving early. He had little to no chance of raising his draft stock by returning for another season. The questions surrounding him coming out of college weren't his ability; they were around his size and durability. Williams ended up getting drafted early second round and made nearly $5M in his brief NFL career. His short career had zero to do with his draft position and everything to do with his inability to stay healthy. There's really no reason to think he would have had a better pro career or made more money by coming back to Tech for another season. If anything, he could have done much worse-- if he had suffered that ruptured patella tendon at Tech rather than during preseason of his rookie NFL season, he likely would not have been drafted at all. At that point, his best case scenario would have been trying to collect on a loss-of-value insurance policy, which, if successful, probably would have paid out about ~$1M. Even that would not have been a slam dunk, as no player ever successfully collected on a loss-of-value policy until this season.
I agree - predicting where Bucky would go in the draft is an absolute crap shoot. He will put up good numbers at the combine which could cause some team to fall in love with him or he could say something stupid in an interview and it would cause him to drop.he has high round talent and athleticism but mid round accomplishment and his regression this year and attitude might cause him to fall into the late rounds.
Frankly, I find his comments a bit disconcerting and hope they are out of context. He feels disrespected but he obviously has a high opinion of himself and does not respect the feedback he has been given. Perhaps he goes out with something to prove or maybe he is not able to learn from people with lots of knowledge.
If he does choose to go, I wouldn't count on him putting up the "great" numbers that many think he will.
Very few TEs are 1st or 2nd round picks and he's clearly not one of them at this stage. Someone could always take a flyer on him in the 3rd round, but more than likely he's no better than a 4th round pick right now.
IMO, after two years at the position, he's still not particularly advanced as either an inside TE or a slot TE. He still doesn't run great routes, he has inconsistent hands, he's actually a little small at 240lbs for an NFL TE (although I suspect he was asked to lose weight for this year), he doesn't particularly take advantage of match-up disadvantages (how many games did he simply abuse a guy and VT could go to him over and over?), and he doesn't run with much explosiveness, power, or authority after the catch.
Agreed, in general, hes overrated for the next level. He out athlete's guys now, he won't do that on the next level very much. He's certainly not going to out-fundamental everyone.
And he's barely out-athleting guys college guys right now as it is.
He should also talk to Kevin Jones. If I recall, the NFL experience was not like the experience he had playing for VT.
Kevin Jones was a first round pick and ran for 1000 yards in like 10 games a rookie. His career was derailed by injuries, mostly a Lisfranc joint. If anything that's argument to go pro and get money before injuries.
Yeah KJ had plenty of potential to be a great NFL tailback, he just caught the injury bug, and in particular, most people never come back the same from a Lisfranc fracture.
Neither of these are good comparisons because as I remember they were both projected to go in draft rounds. Bucky has been told to stay in school. Not apples to apples. If you want an accurate comparison find someone who was told to stay in school but didn't and it ended poorly. I am sure there are plenty of those.
The Draft Board will only say if a player will go in the 1st or 2nd round, otherwise its stay in school. Bucky could still possible go in the late round.
Underclassmen who declare without a quality grade from the board don't have great success at the draft.
If the Draft Board says "stay in school", you stay in school.
We saw some drops this year, and the college program is a lot more forgiving than the NFL one. Maybe another year wouldn't hurt.
He's got to do what's best for him and his family... but it might be better for him in the long run to play a year under Fuente and see if the new coach (and new QB) can't boost his numbers for a year. His measurable will always be there, NFL scouts just want to see him put it all together on the field.
It's not about boosting his numbers. It's about boosting his talent level. Numbers may get you drafted, numbers don't make you stick on rosters.
Chris Cunningham is a tight end though, why not Peoples and Sam Rogers? I hope my question does not sound ignorant, just curious, and French I asked on another thread but it is long gone and you would probably not see it now unless you scroll back through and read everything everyone wrote and asked but between Hill and Fullwood who do you think is the better DE based on what you have seen? I noticed when you mentioned D-line combinations you left Fullwood out but had Baron at DE.
I may be wrong about Peoples, but after watching a ton of film from Fuente's offenses at TCU and Memphis I would bet that Peoples will be a tailback in his offense.
I thought a healthy Trevon Hill would be in the two deep in 2015. Based on his film, I would have taken him ahead of Josh Sweat. I think he is that good. It may not pan out, but I think he will be a good one. Fullwood isn't a natural DE in Foster's system. He played DT in high school and didn't fare well in the year end All Star game trying to play DT. I don't know that he has the edge twitch to be a DE. Again, I may be wrong and hope I am. If I had to rank the freshmen DE's, I would say Hill, Gaines, and then Fullwood.
I moved Baron to DE because 1) he has the smarts to play the position and be sound if Foster doesn't trust his DE depth and 2) the Hokies may not have the top end talent at DT, however they do have tremendous depth at the position.
and Cunningham is more of an H-back type who can flex out wide. Burke and Cline are more of a traditional Y frame who can play on the LOS.
Thanks for the responses French, really awesome having someone like you up here!
Thoughts on Durkin if he ends up at TE/HBack?
Leave now and make a decent amount of money, or leave next year and make a shit ton of money.
If the advisory board told him to stay, then he needs to stay. Those guys are usually pretty accurate, and I wouldn't doubt their opinion. Bucky still needs to prove himself on the field, and under Fuente he has a great chance to do that. Only way he should go IMO is if he doesn't want to risk injury, or if he doesn't like the new regime, and there isn't any sign of that.
I think some of it might depend on how many courses he has to finish. 3rd year at VT, he might be close to being done. Otherwise I wouldn't think he would still be mulling on the decision considering he didn't get a round grade. Hope he stays.
At least in the NFL Bucky will be allowed to dance. Bucky is a 1st or 2nd round talent. Anything less, he should come back to coach Fuente high scoring offense and improve his draft stock.
Apparently the NFL does not yet agree.
The NFL did not agree Kam Chancellor was a 1st round talent. He turned out to be the best at his position in the league. All it takes is one team to select you.
They would likely agree he has first round potential, however the NFL isn't interested in developing talent. They have college football to handle that for them without costing them a dime.
I am sure "Gods Gift" will be given divine inspiration for what he should do. In my game watching I have seen him quit on many plays and have more than a few cases of the dropsies and that is with tiny Brewer throwing his way. An NFL rocket might be too much for him to handle, not to mention that even pass catching TE's in the NFL needing to occasionally block. A mid to late round grade for a talented but unrefined and sometimes lazy product sounds about right...
Can we stop referring to him as God's Gift? It's fine if you don't like the guy and the choices he makes with his body but that first sentence is not cool. Nothing like some keyboard warriors to call a college football player lazy and mock his life choices and beliefs. Is that what we're about now?
Is that not what he got permanently written on his arms though?
It's not what's permanently written on his birth certificate.
He chose one and not the other actually.
The one he chose isn't his name.
Why does that justify us not calling him by his real name? My wife has a tattoo in memory of her father. Should I refer to her as Dad?
1) theres a difference here so obvious that if you can't see it then theres no point in duscussing it.
2) the kid got this tattooed on his body intentionally in a place thats going to be viewed by the public. Im by no means encouraging anyone to belittle him for it,(though I can see how some might, especially those who root against the hokies) but at the same time can't blame anyone for referencing it. If i got "precious pony" tattooed on my arm I wouldnt be surprised by what followed.
3) Lastly I don't know the meaning of the tattoo. Like many of my friends I assume hes referring to himself as God's gift (to football, humanity??). Perhaps there is a deeper meaning but again can't blame others for thinking that way based on what I see. and if this is the case its a pretty arrogant message from a great athlete. Nothing new in the world, nothing earth shattering, but at the same time nothing worth getting upset at using a tattoo as a nickname over.
Im a huge bucky fan and I want him to succeed and be the greatest tight end to emerge in the NFL, but again don't see why this is so "not cool".
And this is the point you should say "I don't know what his tattoo means, so maybe I should leave it alone."
Hodges has been asked about it multiple times and he has always said it is to remind himself of the gift's God has given him. If you actually cared you could have found the meaning in an article pretty easily.
Again I have nothing against hodges. I cheer for him. He is an awesome player on the team I love. But if you are going to get tattoos seen on tv on exposed parts of your body you can EXPECT to see references to them pop up. Also When you are as impressive a physical specimen and as good at the game as hodges is (see these are compliments cause i REALLY like him) the implication from reading Gods Gift on ones body will imply to most that it is complimentary of ones self. "Gods Gifts" seem like it would be a little clearer of a message based on what youve read. Again I dont give a flying crap whats tatooed on him and I personally dont refer to him as God's Gift. Im simply trying to express that it seems logical to conclude that people on the internet may refer to what you write on yourself and display publicly and that its nothing ridiculous. In fact many will probably do so in a manner that is not intended to be deragatory.
Assuming someone is that conceited is asinine in my opinion.
Alright well now that were calling people assinine (and on Christmas too!!) Is it really that crazy to think a football player would be that concieted? Clearly what Ive been watching on tv is different from you. Id like to think hokies are immune but we both know thats not the case. Im going to excuse myself from the rest of this discussion as Ive clearly expressed my thinking and there is nowhere to go but down from here. Go bucky, Go hokies, and merry christmas.
What seems logical to conclude and what we're doing here are two different things. I agree that the references are expected but as I've said before, making those references does nothing for us. Does that make sense?
If I were going to get reminder tattoos, my triceps would be an ill-advised location. How often do we enjoy a casual look at the back of our arms?
It would be like getting a "Stretch-My-Wings" butterfly Jersey plate and claiming it's to remind me I should be "open minded" and "try new things."
The Tattoo is not a statement of arrogance.
It is a self reminder that any talents he has is a gift to him from his God and that he should not take them lightly nor abuse or not use them. It is a self statement of humility.
This has been stated in interviews, articles and many times on TKP.
It in no way a reason for derision.
If this is the case (and you seem like a trustworthy guy with good #sauces so I beleive you to be correct) then I have much respect for the kid. Unfortunately I can see a lot of people (like me) easily misinterpreting this. Also I agree that nothing personal should be used to insult or mock any of our players. (Especially if youre a hokie!! It just doesnt make sense) However to expect people to not refer to your tattoos online may be unrealistic. Also, as much as Ive read TKP in the last year Ive either missed this article or forgotten it. Im sure there are many others who have missed it as well.
I have not paid attention to the tattoo but the only way it's a vain tattoo is if it reads "God's only gift". In every religion I know believers are taught that the God of the religion made them with divine purpose. So yes, Bucky is God's gift and so is every other poster on this site............
I have not paid attention to the tattoo but the only way it's a vain tattoo is if it reads "God's only gift". In every religion I know believers are taught that the God of the religion made them with divine purpose. So yes, Bucky is God's gift and so is every other poster on this site............
This is about as far OT as you can get but here it goes: I fully support anyone's belief in whatever God or gods they want be no matter how ridiculous or silly it is ( looking at you volcano full of aliens). I also resent the implication that any one person is more favored or special by their gods or that the gods have any bearing whatsoever on the outcomes of sports. If you get tattoos be it words or images in a very visible place that will show up on national tv quite often than you want the attention that it garners both negative and positive. His actions from the underage drunk in public to his shenanigans on the field shows that he thinks he is overly special. I am extremely critical of people who represent my university in a negative way because that is not what Hokies are about, trust me I have friends who no longer speak to me because of my feelings about The Vicks. All that aside he is a young kid who still has a chance to get his act together and he could use another year to mature in school imho.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you as well! I think he should stay too but I just don't see where calling out tattoos and choices benefits anyone. Criticism of on field play is fine by me but I would rather not bring personal stuff like tattoos into the discussion. I think this fan base is better than that.
You are awfully judgemental of someone you know almost nothing about outside of his performance on the football field.
I replied to the wrong post.
See above for my explanation on why your assumption is incorrect.
FWIW, it was a big moment for the catering staff when he said "thank you" for the first time this season. To say there isn't at least some truth to Jander75's viewpoint would be incorrect based on this simple truth: the guy who isn't nice to the waiter is not a nice person.
Not true at all. As a former waiter during college, I always apprieciated a thank you but never expected it. I was doing my job and people were leaving me tips as a thank you. In many countries it is considered rude to thank your server for that very reason.
I was just at Denny's, and I was nice to our waiter, but he apparently needed some training. When I have the lil guy in tow, I'll tend to tip friendlier, but today the waiter got 10%. I was still nice, but he didn't show skills to deserve a good tip.
The percentage tipping thing bothers me. I worked in the restaurant industry for years, so typically like to take care of wait staff. The reason why percentage base tipping bothers me is that I've been to Applebee's or some similar restaurant and the server kills it. Then I'll go to a fancier restaurant and the server is horrible. However the better server would only get $6 for a good tip, and horrible server $10 for a bad tip. Seems off to me. I've been known to hook up those more casual restaurants wait staff a bit more. One or two more bucks means a lot to them.
As for attitudes, should always be nice. However, if they got the stink, then that can come back to you and sour yours.
I wish we would get away from tipping in US food service.
We are, slowly but surely. Major chains are now starting to embrace a no-tip policy with a higher employee wage. Joe's Crab Shack is the latest.
That saying illustrates the point that the way people treat those who are "beneath" them is very telling of their character, since they're likely only nice to people from whom they can get something and therefore most of their life is just about using people to get what they want.
My point in using that is that (as I'm sure you can attest) catering staff pick up on quite a bit during their shifts and when what they say lines up with what is presented on the field/his triceps, it makes it much harder to give the kid the benefit of the doubt. Besides that, I don't have a lot of warm fuzzies for a guy that pretty consistently is downright rude to my girlfriend.
wait, are we now talking shit on guys we don't like? Or is that type of nonsense still below TKPs standards?
This is talking shit? Wow. Low threshold.
This is a personal experience that adds to the conversation over what kind of character Bucky Hodges has. If the dude's a jerk, and people have firsthand accounts of him being a jerk, that's not shit talking. That's an unflattering anecdote. And the more I hear about Bucky, the more I think there are probably tons of those out there.
Ah some context and back story.
Meh, not really worth mentioning. Plus, as Cds so tactfully pointed out, not worth discussing here. Suffice to say some players are more well-mannered than others.
All of these comments and OT side convos regarding the food service industry remind me of a recent South Park epi titled "You're Not Yelping" and a certain (and hilarious) song at the end of the show.
In fact, in some countries it is considered rude to tip the wait staff.
Cultural differences vary considerably from place to place.
Celebrating a big moment and a citation for something that most people on this board, or their children/relatives, also committed but didn't get caught. This sounds too UVA-ish for this fanbase.
Minds are made up, apparently. There's a history of Hokies with tattoos not being liked by a certain portion of the fan base, and it's really unfortunate.
So glad Bucky stayed in state and wanted to play for a legend and Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!
I don't care if he tattoos a turd on his forehead. If he catches passes and blocks well, he will get paid.
Route running and blocking are the issues that will raise concerns with scouts. He didn't do himself any favors in both areas last night.
I agree, my completely deficient knowledge of the finer skills of football can see his blocking and routes are lacking. I also have noticed that he doesn't do a great job of tracking the football and using his height to an advantage on jump balls. He needs another year to grow these skills and the NFL will be waiting on him.
That would be a better tattoo.
lol who cares?
I actually like the Hokies.
Samsies.
Blah blah blah blah measurables blah blah blah.
What are the kids measurables? Is he a Mike Evans WR type or a pass catching TE?
Either way if he gets Mike Evans like combine numbers, I think he is gone. Because either way WR or TE I think he gets picked in first two rounds.
But I have no idea what he is going to run. Watching him I don't think he is fast in the first 5 to 10 yards. But I haven't watched that much films and maybe we just didn't use him like that. If he can't run a fast 20-40 (TE not WR)... he has to improve his burst off the line and ability to separate from NFL LBs. If he can run a fast 20-40 then I think he is gone. Either way rooting for the kid. Seems to me he is a WR right now and would struggle to get separation from NFL LBs. But I haven't watched much film on him.
He can't participate in the combine unless he declares.
... and is invited, I believe.
Honestly you can't knock the kid if he goes, the call to a lifelong dream and serious life changing money has to be extremely hard to turn down.
The only thing I think you can advise these kids on is, once your in the NFL that's it, you have a limited time to learn something and be a project, if that time doesn't work out, You're packing your bags. At least in college you're given more time and understanding for being green and developing in a new position.
I don't know if 6th round money is really "life-changing" money
The NFL league minimum for rookies in 2015 was $435,000. The median household income is around $50,000. I don't know the Hodges household situation, but that kind of money would be pretty significant for most families.
No signing bonus and you aren't guaranteed to make the team.
Practice squad makes $6,600/week. I don't disagree with what you're saying, but don't be too quick to dismiss that an obvious decision from your point of view might not be so obvious for Bucky. Staying in college guarantees nothing. Going to the combine also guarantees nothing, but has the potential for a major change in financial situation.
Don't forget to take out fed, state, and local taxes (at high rates for a few condensed yrs rather than the lower rates on the median income spread out over a lifetime) and 3% for your agent and so on.
It's not chump change but it's not the chest of gold that many (including the players themselves) want to think it is.
Hope he chooses wisely either way.
I would have gone with a Holy Grail gif since the knight says "choose wisely" but I love the Indiana Jones reference!
I think if Stiney was still around, Burden was still WR coach and he got this grade, he stays.
I think with Stiney gone and Burden moving to RB it certainly makes is a valid question to ask "do I stay or do I go?"
Spend a year learning a slightly new offense with the restrictions of college practice time and resources or roll the dice on your "God given" talent and let an NFL team have a year to work on you. Ball is in Fuente's court to recruit him back, IMO.
Not sure Fuente has to do much. Ask Bucky how last year (2015) compared to the previous and then point out next year could be better than both.
I get the fear of injury, but he has potential to significantly increase draft stock. Get in the first two rounds, only last a few years, and you are still set. Go later on, last a few years, go to Arena or something and hope you finish your degree to become something.
I'm using only a few years based on many of VTs NFL players, seems longevity is not as common as we would like.
I agree with you -- I think another year benefits him.
*edit: clicked your Lowbrau link. Cool stuff. I've got a Tacoma I'm slowly building (it's my daily driver so nothing too crazy) and I've really started to get into exploring the craft beer scene the last couple of years.
Cheers!
Good deal. I'm in an off-road club, currently planning a trip to Twin Mountain off-road park in WV around MLKjr weekend.
Im just about all beer too. Do a lot of beer traveling, which I mix in to the off-road trips as well as others. And could talk about it for days, where a outs are you located?
He should stay unequivocally. He has all the natural born gifts in the world but with that, a strong work ethic, and an attention to detail, he would be a dominant force. He has not yet become the dominant force. Come back and be dominant in all ways, and go first round next year.
I think he needs to show that he can be more consistent at the TE position. He may not get the attention he needs to continue to develop as a TE taken late in the draft. I hope he comes back but that is just because I want our opponents to worry about gameplaning against him. Also if he can demonstrate that he is a team leader then his future draft stock could sky rocket.
Totally disagree that guaranteed money is an automatic leave. If you're scraping your potential, sure. But Bucky is Round 1 potential with a ~4ish round grade. The difference between 1st and 4th is more than money. It's developmental time and energy from the staff, and the number of chances you have to break out. If you've got 1st round potential, you go get it.
This is from an AB article. Insight on whether or not bucky is staying?? I hope so.
http://m.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virginia...
That sounds good.
The game looked like the coaches were trying to showcase his athleticism for the NFL.
The coaches should have been focused on winning the game. It was a lot closer than it should have been.
Agreed, but lets keep in mind that the two turn-overs from QB Brewer and RB Coleman were drives that stalled in the second half. At a minimum, that is anywhere between 6 - 14 points. I'm sure the coaches were not planning for those turnovers.
Ehh...7 of our last 8 drives were pretty poor-to-average. It was more than just the couple turnovers
If the scouts tell you to stay, you stay.
I think if Bucky had the year he had last year he would be higher and should leave. If the NFL draft board is saying you should stay I really don't know how you go against that and enter the draft. If he has a great year next year he is first round potential. You have possible first round money and attention or 4 round or later money and attention. To me this is a no brainer.
You always have to factor in the potential for injury if he returns to VT
There's also likely a higher than not chance he will not get drafted should he decide to declare after this past season. His draft stock has taken a hit, and he didn't live up to the hype this year. He would greatly benefit from another year at the college ranks, especially under a coaching staff that will have a game plan tailored towards showing off his skillset, something which hasn't been done the last couple years.
Honestly, he didn't show me anything this year that would lead me to believe he isn't a practice squad player next year if he declares. Worst case, that's still the case after next season. He has far more to gain than to lose by returning for another year. If he goes, its a mistake... a big one.
Based on what? Most professional commentators seem pretty confident he would be drafted
Drafted in a low round, maybe. Without the big payday of a round 1-2 position, and no degree to fall back on, is a big risk. The draft board is telling him to stay in school. Bucky's stats and performance dropped off after a breakout year. The risk of injury thing, to me, really only holds water for a guaranteed first/second rounder, someone like Kendall. The NFL guys hit a lot harder, and if Bucky gets hurt there, his career may be done with nothing to fall back on. If he gets hurt in college next year, he still has another season to rehab and play before trying to go to the NFL.
If he gets hurt in College and can never play again than he gets no money. Round 4 or 5 money is still really good money so long as he saves wisely, and it isn't like Bucky can't come back at some point to finish his degree.
He could get hurt and would never play again on the practice squad, and they could cut him before he has a chance to start collecting paychecks.
We can play the what if game all day, but the fact of the matter is, he has more to gain by coming back than he does by going pro.
No. If he goes Pro and gets hurt he still gets some money even a fourth round pick will probably make 500k signing bonus, if he stays here and gets hurt he gets no money. Insurance against draft stock rarely pays out. I don't disagree that Bucky should come back and potentially be a first to second round pick, but even going now he could make a lot of money.
Umm I don't think a 4th round pick has that kind of guarantee anymore.
High 4th rd are around $500k, but it falls off quickly. Low 4th rd are closer to $300k. Each successive round -- at the same relative position in the round -- is about 50% of what the preceding round was at the same relative position in the round (i.e. a mid-5th rounder gets about 50% of the signing bonus of a mid-4th rounder and about 2x the signing bonus of a mid-6th rounder).
All of this assumes that one is confident they'll be drafted in the 4th round. Slip just a little to the middle of the 5th round and it's a $200k bonus -- or mid 6th or mid 7th and it's a $100k/$50k.
The taxman and his agent will get about $200k or more of that bonus...
I think he should come back, and hoe he does too, but really worst case is career ending injury and no NFL whatsoever.
All I have to say to Bucky is:
People always gawk at kids for going too early, but think if tomorrow you got even a chance to go after your dream job that paid half a million dollars
And then tell yourself you are going to turn that opportunity down with the chance of either bettering your opportunity next year or never having the same opportunity come again. I cant speak for everyone, but I still have a hard time understanding just how hard of a decision that must be to turn down, its easy to say 'go back to school' when you have absolutely nothing riding on it ha, its a different story when you put yourself in a similar situation.
So in other words, that's his base salary he could make if he goes pro this year. The base salary. Which means, if he goes the following year, the numbers aren't moving downwards.
If a guy with his kind of talents is looking at only making base salary there is absolutely no reason for him to declare early. He should stay in college, work on his game, and his earnings potential will explode. He can easily play himself into the first day of the 2017 Draft with a good season next year, and if he gets that, these numbers are paltry.
Seriously, knowing what his earnings potential is now vs what his earnings potential is if he stays and has a good 2016 season, its a no brainer to stay. Ignore the numbers, we're talking about minimum salary in an industry where the sliding pay scale is exponential. And the coaching staff at VT that is coming in coaches a style that will lean on him next year.
I agree, if I were someone in his ear, I would tell him to stay.
But tramatic injuries happen all the time, just look at the NFL this season, you're making the assumption that next year he will have the same opportunity guarunteed, his opportunity is not really guarunteed, so I still think it makes it a difficult decision. Youre telling a kid to wait for another shot at your dream job youve been working towards since at least middle school with the very real chance you could never get the same opportunity again, ever.
I think, if the board tells you to stay, it definitely makes the decision a little easier, but, I still dont think anytime an opportunity like that comes up its a 'no-brainer' to turn it down.
You know what, for some reason, I guess its felt like hes been around for a while, but this whole time Ive been looking at it as if he was a junior, hes got two more years, unless he gets into some freak accident, even if he gets injured hed have another year of eligibility...
You put him in a room alone with a pen, heck, you put any of these 19-20 year old kids in a room alone without any outside influence, if they have a shot of being drafted Im sure most of them would be gone...
Any parent or influencer HAS to be telling him to stay though, especially when remembering hes still only a rs SOPHMORE, I just dont know how you advice him otherwise, I guess well see soon enough.
Just a note, but those $$ figures are not guaranteed since its the base salaries. Only rounds 1 & 2 have guaranteed salaries; the rest of the rounds are only guaranteed the signing bonus based on draft position.
In 2015 based on http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/draft/ , the median guaranteed monies by round were:
The player has to make the team for the base salary to kick in. They are paid weekly, and if they are put on injured reserve, their weekly paycheck drops too. For year 1 it drops the paycheck from roughly 25.5k/week to roughly 18k/week; year 2 would see a similar drop. According to http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-0928-ask-farmer-20140928-story.html the injury paycheck is only guaranteed in the first 2 years.
If they don't make the active roster but get put on the practice team, they make around 7k per week.
I wish I made $7k per week.
Getting that for a few weeks without a fallback is not a great plan.
Don't forget that there are only 17 paychecks (not including playoffs/post season).
You also have to subtract the NFLPA union dues (3.75% of the rookie minimum - around 16k), the agent (3%).
Bucky reminds me a small bit of Jermaine Gresham before he had his breakout junior year at Oklahoma. Gresham has parlayed that good year into a steady NFL career. I think Bucky could do well to check out Jermaine's path. He came back and even after being hurt his senior year still went first round. Everyone loves a versatile TE JMO.
I smell obscurity drawing near...