Pittsburgh sophomore wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald announced Monday his intentions to make himself eligible for the NFL draft. His speed and determination to catch any pass thrown his way will surely make him a top 10 pick in the upcoming April draft.
His announcement to enter the draft early, however, is overshadowed by another sophomore, Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett.
The issue at hand is the fact that sophomores are not supposed to be eligible for the draft. NFL rules state that one must be three years out of high school in order to be declared eligible.
Fitzgerald is allowed into the NFL not by his talent, but because he attended a military academy before entering college. Technically, he is three years removed from his senior year of high school.
Clarett, on the other hand, is not three years removed from his senior year of high school. Federal judges have ruled recently that the NFL's draft is violating antitrust laws, and by not allowing the Ohio State running back to enter the draft, is withholding a man's right to collect a fair wage.
The idea of a fair wage would not worry me about going into the draft; it's the fact that every linebacker from Seattle to Miami will be waiting to tee off on the kid. He's not physically ready to make it in the NFL. In his only season on the field, then-freshman Clarett missed playing time due to a bum shoulder and knee. He showed he did not have the ability to last a whole NCAA season. Clarett found no playing time on the Buckeye field last season, which may have played a decisive role in the Buckeyes' lost opportunity to repeat as national champions.
Though Clarett has not made himself eligible for the NFL draft, he has not decided where he will play. In press conferences, Clarett has only said that next season he wants to be on a playing field again, not caring if it is on the collegiate or professional stage.
The Ohio State Buckeye 2003 media guide hyped Clarett as, \Arguably the best and most complete running back in college football ... he will be a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and All-American honors in 2003.""
It is a shame he never saw the field to participate and have a chance for any of that. Maybe he should not have lied in a police report about materials stolen out of the car he was driving around from the dealership.
The difference at hand between Fitzgerald and Clarett is the fact that last season Fitzgerald proved himself to last and make a difference on the field. Clarett did that two years ago, but with injuries and all, who would want to take a chance on him? He is better off trying to clear his name at Ohio State next season.
Josh Salm is a junior majoring in history. He cranks AC/DC and Boston and likes John Deere antique tractors. He can be reached with comments at jdsalm@wisc.edu.
