N.C. State juniors Willie Young and Jamelle Eugene are submitting their names to the NFL draft advisory board for feedback on where they might be selected in the draft in April if they choose to leave school early, coach Tom O’Brien said Tuesday.
Young, a defensive end, leads the team with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Eugene has rushed for 432 yards and two touchdowns.
“Neither has any intentions at this point of leaving, but they want to know (their status),” O’Brien said during his news conference to preview N.C. State’s Dec. 29 appearance against Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl.
Neither player was available for comment Tuesday. Sophomore linebacker Nate Irving, who led the team with four interceptions, said he hasn’t thought about his plans beyond this season.
“I’m just getting ready for Rutgers,” Irving said. “After Rutgers I’ll worry about my future plans.”
The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the draft is Jan. 15. The draft advisory board reviews the credentials of underclassmen and provides them of an estimate of where they might be selected in the draft if they leave school in order to help them make informed decisions about their future.
O’Brien also said Tuesday that safety Clem Johnson is supposed to return to the practice field this week in hopes of returning for the bowl game.
He missed the first four games while recovering from a broken jaw and didn’t play in the regular season finale against Miami because of an ankle injury.
“We think he’s our best safety,” O’Brien said. “We know we’re going to need our best players to slow this passing game (of Rutgers) down some. It would be fortunate for him, too.”
N.C. State fans will be able to get a rare glimpse at the team during a practice this weekend. O’Brien is opening up practice to the fans at 4 p.m. Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Wolfpack has a basketball game scheduled at the RBC Center at 2 p.m. Saturday against Lipscomb. Fans who do not attend the basketball game but want to attend football practice are asked to park in the lot to the south of Carter-Finley Stadium.
Comments
Know the facts
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 21:32 — stateman008Im pretty sure Eugene is closer to 200lbs. He's as strong as the lineman that block for him and he's fast. He showed us last season, that at that size, he can carry a full games load as the running back. I would love for him to come back and see him with a full season to himself.
P.S. the average height for NFL running backs is 5'11
Eugene
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 12:56 — willncsu34Isnt he undersized for the pros? He will be a great college player if he sticks around.
Yes and No
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 13:40 — JPDOhioEugene is listed at 5'10", 190. If that is true, he would need to add about 20 pounds without losing any speed. His height is a little low, but there are a number of RB's in the NFL at that height.
I don't know if he could be a star in the NFL. In fact, he probably wouldn't be. But he is good catching the ball out of the backfield. So in the right scheme, I could see him as a valuable sub to spell a feature back and as a good fit in a spread formation.
Eugene ... above avg at NCSU
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 23:32 — gvillegatrwhere does Eugene envision himself in the pros?? I dont see him even playing on the ST's.
I'm guessing...
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 00:11 — JPDOhiothat's the message he is going to get from the scouts. But is it possible he could be another Willie Parker?
I agree
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 21:58 — JPDOhioWillie Young needs to learn not to take any plays off. Jamelle is terrific, but hasn't really had a full, healthy year as a started. He should have that chance next year.
If they decide to go pro,
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 19:26 — psh0117If they decide to go pro, they'll be waiting a while for their name to be called. best advice is to stay in school and learn, that's what they're there for.
NOOOOOOOOO
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 16:39 — statefan2010I really hope that they don't decide to go. I think that they will learn a lot under TOB for another year