Locker Has To Go

Jake Locker has a tough decision ahead of him. The Junior QB from Washington sits atop most every mock draft and is staring a multi-million dollar payday in the face if he decides to forgo his senior season and head to the NFL. On the other hand, some say he's not ready. Washington's first year coach Steve Sarkisian has a knack for breeding NFL quality quarterbacks and perhaps Locker could use another year under his master's tutelage.

For those who had questioned Locker's readiness, he made a statement this past weekend against the #19 ranked Cal Bears. After upsetting the Trojans earlier this year, questions still lingered about Locker. That game saw the Huskies kick a number of field goals while it was their defense that held the Trojans to only 13 points. Though Locker did plenty to lead his team to victory that day, it was not necessarily an offensive explosion. Locker saved that for the Cal game.

Locker's running ability was on display as he would rush for 77 yards and 2 TD's. We all knew he was capable of that, but we wanted to see him air it out as well. Locker complied by going 19/23 (83%) for 248 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions as the Huskies blew out the Bears 42-10. Locker's TD passes were impressive throws and included examples of accuracy using touch and using arm-strength.

For an underclassman, heading to the NFL is a difficult decision. From a lifestyle perspective, you are no longer the revered big-man on campus, but a paid athlete expected to perform. That basic difference cannot be overlooked.

Though they pulled out some upset victories this past year against USC and Cal, Washington lost to Pac-10 foes Stanford, Arizona State, UCLA and were blown out by Oregon and Oregon State. They are certainly a young team with all of their key skill-position guys returning, which might sway Locker to stay. But that is still no guarantee that they will have any more success against an improving Pac-10. If Washington isn't competitive in 2010, Locker's draft stock will certainly fall.

One thing we learned from last year was that potential injuries are a factor to consider. Sam Bradford went down with a shoulder injury in week one of this year and then re-injured the shoulder when he tried to return. Though Bradford's stock is still relatively high headed into the 2010 draft, NFL teams will certainly consider the injury factor before selecting him. His story shows the risk one takes when they do not opt for the NFL when the chance is available.

Lastly, Locker's stock is about as high as it can get. Some mock drafts have him ranked as the top QB and a Top 5 pick overall. From a straight logic perspective, Locker's choice should be clear - he should head to the NFL. How can his stock go much higher than "Top QB in the Draft"? What's the difference if he gets selected between 5-15 this year and 1-5 next year? It may earn him a little more in annual salary, but that would just make up for being a completely unpaid college athlete in 2010 if he stayed in school. Don't forget that his draft stock could actually fall if he has any sort of hiccup in performance or injury in 2010. If you're staring millions of dollars in the face, why risk it?

Some say Locker isn't ready - as if hanging around campus another year is going to make him that much better than being in an NFL program. I'm not always sold on the "he needs more time to cook" defense. If you're ready, you're ready and if scouts think you could be "the top QB in the draft", then you're not going to be much more ready by sticking around one more year. It would be up to the team that drafts him as to whether or not they throw Locker into the game on day one or if they decide to "groom" him for later down the line and that decision could be based on a number of factors depending on the team that selects him.

The Huskies did not make a bowl game this season and Locker is already in self-deliberation mode.  Supposedly not even his family knows his intentions. He has some time to think it over and consider the opinions of those closest to him - his family, his coach, his teammates, and his friends. But ultimately the decision is his own, and I think you'll be seeing Locker up on the podium in NYC next April