A lot of Luck

A lot of Luck

Yesterday, Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck released a short little statement that might have been the biggest decision of his life.  Luck, a junior quarterback who led the Cardinal to an Orange Bowl win on Tuesday night, decided to stay in college for his senior year instead of going to the NFL.  Some people may say “good for him” or that he did the “right thing”, but did he really?

Luck had already been guaranteed by the Carolina Panthers that he would be the #1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.  There's no risk.  No potential wondering about falling spots or not getting drafted.  This is a one foot putt for eagle! And he missed.

How many people have graduated from Stanford?  Millions?  How many people have been the #1 pick in the NFL Draft?  75.  I am all about taking the opportunity when you are given a chance.  He has all the time in the world to go back to school, get his degree and live a full life after the NFL.  But, it will be a miracle if he is still the No.1 pick next year.  Potentially he is leaving millions of dollars on the table.

Jake Locker, quarterback of the Washington Huskies was slated as the #1 overall pick last year after a tremendous junior season.  Locker also decided to stay and play his senior year at Washington.  Locker suffered a few injuries throughout the year, didn't play well and is not slotted as the 4

^th

or 5

^th

best quarterback in this year's draft.  Meanwhile, Sam Bradford who was taken #1 overall is the quarterback of the St. Louis Rams and the outright favorite to win the NFL Rookie of the Year.  I wonder if Locker would change his mind?

I also understand that maybe Luck just didn't want to play for the Carolina Panthers who went 2-14 this year.  But Peyton Manning was drafted by the Colts who were 3-13 in 1997 and look what he has done for them.

Also, a few years ago Eli Manning was set to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers.  Eli, told San Diego he did not want them to draft him because he did not want to play for such an abysmal franchise.  The Chargers were 4-12 in 2003.  The Chargers drafted him anyway but later sold his rights to the New York Giants for the rights to Philip Rivers.  Since then, the Giants won the 2007 Super Bowl and the Chargers have been in the playoffs 4 times.  I think it worked out pretty well for both wouldn't you say?

When I first heard the announcement yesterday I initially was proud of Luck.  Staying in school, coming back to try to maybe win a Pac-10 title and maybe play in a Rose Bowl or a National Championship.  Maybe try for a Heisman and other awards.  Maybe improve on his mechanics or reading defenses for a better NFL future.  Or maybe he does just want a full education.

I would have rather gone for the sure thing, because now he's going to need a lot of luck.

Joseph Larsen

Community Contributor