Brett Hundley wants to enter 2014 NFL Draft, being advised to stay
UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley is one of the best in the country, and he has all the tools to be a potential franchise quarterback in the NFL. If he declares for the 2014 NFL Draft, then there is a distinct possibility that he would be the third quarterback taken in the draft behind Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr (assuming Blake Bortles stays). There is so much depth in this year’s draft at the quarterback position that it is difficult to project where the top QBs will go, since it’s basically based on the whims of teams and which QBs they like most. I mean, all it takes is for the Houston Texans to fall in love with A.J. McCarron- or something of that nature.
When Marcus Mariota decided to stay with the Oregon Ducks for another year, that led to some interesting questions regarding Bortles and Hundley. It has always been assumed that Bortles would not declare for the 2014 draft, but I’m wondering if he could surprise us due to all the interest he has created with a huge season at UCF. Then there’s Hundley, who has been an on-the-fence prospect a la Mariota when it comes to potentially declaring for the draft. With Mariota staying in school, it will be interesting to see how it affects Hundley’s decision, and it sounds like conflicting opinions are at play here.
Excellent NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline reports that Brett Hundley would like to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft, but “those close to” him are telling him that he should stay. Needless to say, Pauline adds that UCLA is trying as hard as possible to keep their star signal-caller in Westwood, so it sounds like those influencing Hundley could very well cause him to stay in school for another year.
While Hundley could use some polish to his game and isn’t somebody who would be wasting another year in college, I believe that this is a decision Hundley needs to make on his own. He needs to listen to those close to him and their arguments, because I’m sure many of them are legitimate. But at the end of the day, Hundley needs to assess his own wants, needs, and the risks of entering the draft and staying in school. Teams always want QBs, but they aren’t going to overpay for them in the draft this year unless if they are elite. If Hundley feels like he can have big workouts and get selected in the first round (for the record, I think he can), then Hundley should enter the draft. But if he wants to stay at UCLA for another year with his friends and teammates and enjoy being a college athlete while also making strides as a passer (and potentially being a top five pick), then that’s not a bad decision either.