Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan about which NFL draft eligible college football player that decided to stay in school is the best player?
Last Wednesday, The Sports Debates has the Best Underclassmen Going Pro debate. In that debate, we discussed who we thought was going to be the best pro out of all the underclassmen that declared for the draft. Today we are taking a different perspective – who is the best underclassmen to remain in school, and therefore, delay his entry into the draft? I had to do a little research on this since Sports Geek claimed the first name that popped into my mind. But with all due credit to Ryan Mallet, I am pretty confident in saying that West Virginia running back Noel Devine is the best underclassmen returning to school.
I know some are surprised to see me not choose Washington quarterback Jake Locker due to the amount of praise I often give him in conversations with others (just a hint of sarcasm here). But it is just too difficult to pass on Noel Devine.
Devine, who seemingly has been playing for the Mountaineers forever, but still has a year of eligibility left, had a very good 2009 season. He finished with 1,465 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. He was able to build upon a good sophomore campaign, and for his career he has amassed over 3,000 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns .
I admit that I would like to see head coach Bill Stewart use Devine more in special teams. Devine was very active in special teams his freshman year in 2007, when he had over 500 returns yards. But he had less than 200 total return yards COMBINED the past two seasons. I hate to use the old cliché, but I’m going to do it anyway – Devine is a threat to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball. That is the phrase everyone used when describing Clemson phenom C.J. Spiller this past season. At 5 feet 8 inches and 176 pounds, Devine has the elusiveness to score at any time thanks to registering a 4.15 time in the 40 yard dash. Don’t let that size fool you, though. He still has power, as evidenced by his ability to bench press 435 pounds and squat 500 pounds. That is impressive, folks!
It is also important to note that Devine became the main weapon on the Mountaineers team with the departure of current Miami Dolphins Pat White, who was another one of those players who seemingly played college football forever. Being the focal point of the offense allowed Devine a chance to shine and grow into the spotlight that had previously been held by White and Steve Slaton.
If West Virginia has any aspirations of getting back into the national spotlight after a couple of 9-4 seasons, it will rest on the shoulders of Noel Devine. If the Mountaineers are able to do that, we might see Devine pop up on some Heisman ballots.
[...] the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek about which NFL draft eligible college football player that decided to stay in [...]