Finally, some good news for Husky-hating Cougar fans who are Coach Sarked out already -- this will be Jake Locker's last season at Washington.
I suppose I should soften that a bit and say it might be his last season or could be or figures to be, but after talking to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, I'm guessing it's a lock that the Huskies' junior quarterback will declare early for the NFL draft.
Locker has maintained or at least intimated that he plans to return for his senior year, but feelings change. And his feelings about staying at Washington or going to the NFL are about to change dramatically.
Over and over again, Mortensen has heard premier underclassmen say they want to stay in school. But when they gather information at the end of the year from NFL scouts who project them as first-rounders, they can't leave school fast enough. And in Locker's case:
"If somebody says you're going to be the first quarterback (chosen) in the draft, you don't say no to that," Mortensen said.
Locker has apparently reached that point, leaping past Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, deemed the country's best college football player last year. Locker might not win a Heisman Trophy, his team won't win a national championship, his numbers won't be as gaudy as Colt McCoy's, but none of that matters.
To the scouts, it's more about how you project in the NFL, and in this department, Locker tops every QB in the country, even the one he is compared to most, 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
"Locker is so far ahead of Tebow in terms of NFL grades it's not even close," Mortensen said.
The NFL draft is ESPN's biggest event of the year so Mortensen keeps tabs on college prospects. While talking to two NFL teams who are looking to draft a quarterback, Mortensen was told that he better write this name down: Jake Locker.
Do not assume that Bradford will be the first quarterback selected if Locker comes out, the teams told him.
"That right there really gets your attention," Mortensen said.
Scouts like his size and what Mortensen calls "plus-plus arm strength." Scouts don't rate him highly for his speed because running quarterbacks don't excel in the NFL, but his quickness shows that Locker will be able to improvise and avoid sacks.
Playing in the Northwest helps Locker's projections. He's used to bad weather and proved last Saturday that a little rain in South Bend wouldn't stop him.
Under Steve Sarkisian, Locker is learning more to play under center, another attribute that improves his NFL stock. Scouts also want a durable QB.
"He's got a body that's built to take a lickin' " Mortensen said. "He has almost everything you're looking for. And the best part is, his intangibles are off the chart. If the draft were held today, I think he'd be the first quarterback taken."
Mortensen said that these aren't his thoughts on Locker -- they're coming from reliable NFL sources, people who correctly rated Vanderbilt's lesser-known Jay Cutler over Vince Young and Matt Leinart in the 2006 draft.
Here's the kicker -- this might be the last year that the NFL does not have a pre-determined rookie wage scale, which means that Locker could make a heck of a lot less if he enters the 2011 draft.
It's not unreasonable anymore to think that Locker could go in the top 10 of the 2010 draft and become this year's version of Mark Sanchez, whom the Jets picked at No. 5 and signed to a $50.5 million, five-year contract, with $28 million guaranteed.
Would Locker pass up a deal like that and risk a stock-plummeting injury playing for the Huskies next year? I love the kid, but he'd be crazy if he did.
If you're a Seahawks' fan who has given up on the season -- historically, only 16 percent of NFL teams that started out 1-3 made the playoffs -- there's hope. If the losing continues, it will at least improve your chances of drafting Locker.
If you're a Husky fan, enjoy him while you can -- there are seven, maybe eight games left until your savior disappears.
http://www.seattlepi.com/huskies/410914_moore08.html?source=rss
I suppose I should soften that a bit and say it might be his last season or could be or figures to be, but after talking to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, I'm guessing it's a lock that the Huskies' junior quarterback will declare early for the NFL draft.
Locker has maintained or at least intimated that he plans to return for his senior year, but feelings change. And his feelings about staying at Washington or going to the NFL are about to change dramatically.
Over and over again, Mortensen has heard premier underclassmen say they want to stay in school. But when they gather information at the end of the year from NFL scouts who project them as first-rounders, they can't leave school fast enough. And in Locker's case:
"If somebody says you're going to be the first quarterback (chosen) in the draft, you don't say no to that," Mortensen said.
Locker has apparently reached that point, leaping past Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, deemed the country's best college football player last year. Locker might not win a Heisman Trophy, his team won't win a national championship, his numbers won't be as gaudy as Colt McCoy's, but none of that matters.
To the scouts, it's more about how you project in the NFL, and in this department, Locker tops every QB in the country, even the one he is compared to most, 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
"Locker is so far ahead of Tebow in terms of NFL grades it's not even close," Mortensen said.
The NFL draft is ESPN's biggest event of the year so Mortensen keeps tabs on college prospects. While talking to two NFL teams who are looking to draft a quarterback, Mortensen was told that he better write this name down: Jake Locker.
Do not assume that Bradford will be the first quarterback selected if Locker comes out, the teams told him.
"That right there really gets your attention," Mortensen said.
Scouts like his size and what Mortensen calls "plus-plus arm strength." Scouts don't rate him highly for his speed because running quarterbacks don't excel in the NFL, but his quickness shows that Locker will be able to improvise and avoid sacks.
Playing in the Northwest helps Locker's projections. He's used to bad weather and proved last Saturday that a little rain in South Bend wouldn't stop him.
Under Steve Sarkisian, Locker is learning more to play under center, another attribute that improves his NFL stock. Scouts also want a durable QB.
"He's got a body that's built to take a lickin' " Mortensen said. "He has almost everything you're looking for. And the best part is, his intangibles are off the chart. If the draft were held today, I think he'd be the first quarterback taken."
Mortensen said that these aren't his thoughts on Locker -- they're coming from reliable NFL sources, people who correctly rated Vanderbilt's lesser-known Jay Cutler over Vince Young and Matt Leinart in the 2006 draft.
Here's the kicker -- this might be the last year that the NFL does not have a pre-determined rookie wage scale, which means that Locker could make a heck of a lot less if he enters the 2011 draft.
It's not unreasonable anymore to think that Locker could go in the top 10 of the 2010 draft and become this year's version of Mark Sanchez, whom the Jets picked at No. 5 and signed to a $50.5 million, five-year contract, with $28 million guaranteed.
Would Locker pass up a deal like that and risk a stock-plummeting injury playing for the Huskies next year? I love the kid, but he'd be crazy if he did.
If you're a Seahawks' fan who has given up on the season -- historically, only 16 percent of NFL teams that started out 1-3 made the playoffs -- there's hope. If the losing continues, it will at least improve your chances of drafting Locker.
If you're a Husky fan, enjoy him while you can -- there are seven, maybe eight games left until your savior disappears.
http://www.seattlepi.com/huskies/410914_moore08.html?source=rss
