Although it was not unexpected, the official announcements that three Illinois juniors from this year’s 7-6 squad will be leaving school early to enter the draft certainly stings.
Mikel Leshoure, Martez Wilson, and Corey Liuget have all announced that they will enter their names into the 2011 NFL draft.
All of these players had fantastic years and defiantly have the talent to make it at the next level. Here is a look at each of these player’s Illinois careers.
- Martez Wilson is a redshirt junior who will graduate with his degree this spring. He was Illinois’ highest rated recruit in the modern era, choosing Illinois over schools such as USC, Ohio State, and Florida.
- In 2007, Wilson played in all 13 games as a true freshman. He finished the season with 29 tackles including 3 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks.
- In 2008, Wilson played in all 12 games. He was 14th in the Big Ten in tackles per game, recording 73 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks. He also had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
- In 2009, Wilson recorded nine tackles in the season opener against Missouri until he suffered a herniated disk in his neck. He received a medical redshirt and missed the rest of the season.
- This year, Wilson lead Illinois and was 3rd in the Big Ten in tackles with 112, including 12 for a loss and 4 sacks. Wilson also had an interception, 3 forced fumbles, and a blocked punt.
Wilson is projected to go anywhere from as early as round 3 to as late as round 6.
- Corey Liuget is a true junior who will leave without a degree.
- In 2008, Liuget had 26 tackles including 5 for a loss and 2 sacks. He had a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
- In 2009, Liuget had 36 tackles including 8 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks. He also had one forced fumble.
- This year, Liuget had 63 tackles including 13 for a loss. He lead the team and was 6th in the Big Ten in sacks with 5.
Liuget is the highest ranked Illini headed into the draft. He is projected to go in the first two rounds.
- Mikel Leshoure is a true junior, he leaves Illinois without a degree.
- In 2008, Leshoure had 126 yards rushing and a touchdown on 35 attempts. He also had 6 receptions for 66 yards.
- In 2009, Leshoure had 734 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns on 108 attempts. He also had 14 receptions for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- This year, Leshoure lead the Big Ten in rushing and was 8th nationally. He set school records for rushing yards in a single season (1,697), points scored in a single season (122), rushing yards in a single game (330), touchdowns in a season (20), rushing touchdowns in a season (17), 100+ yard rushing games in a single season (9), and consecutive 100+ rushing yard games (5).
Leshoure has the possibility to be a late first round pick if his NFL combine goes well, but will likely be drafted in the second or third round.
While Illinois will certainly miss all three of these players, you can not fault them for leaving. Football is a game that often causes injury to those who play it, and when an injury can mean the loss of millions of dollars, it makes sense to play in the NFL as soon as you can.
Writing Illini wishes these players and all the graduating Illini good luck in their futures.
Original Story:
http://writingillini.com/2011/01/12/t...
