2020 NFL Draft: 5 Most surprising decisions to return to school

The 2020 NFL Draft had over 110 underclassmen declare but there were some surprising decisions to return and these five are chief among them.

For the 2018 NFL Draft, a record 135 players with eligibility remaining in college football elected to declare for the pro ranks. Fast-forward to 2020 and that number is down to 115, which was announced on Tuesday. For whatever reason, the number seems to be creeping down from the high we saw two years ago.

One of the reasons that may be the case is that we’re seeing some exceptionally talented players elect to return to school despite high potential in the NFL Draft if they were to declare. 2020 was a big year for that type of decision as a number of high-end prospects are heading back to school for at least one more year.

Though these prospects are numerous, let’s take a look at the five most shocking decisions to forego the 2020 NFL Draft and return to school for another year.

5. Everyone from Alabama

The talent factory of Alabama lost some big pieces with Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jedrick Wills, among others, choosing to declare for the draft. Even still, the big names coming back to Tuscaloosa are quite notable.

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood linebacker Dylan Moses (missed 2019 with a torn ACL) and running back Najee Harris are four guys who likely all would’ve been top-100 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft but instead elected to return to the Crimson Tide. That’s a big win for Nick Saban but it’s also nonetheless surprising that these talented guys all from the same program elected to return.

4. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

Is Marvin Wilson’s decision to come back to Tallahassee totally shocking? Not really. He likely wants to realize some level of college success and more development, which seems likely to happen as Mike Norvell takes over the Seminoles from Willie Taggart. Even still, Wilson would’ve likely been a second-round pick and a potential Year 1 starter in the NFL had he chosen to declare. Now, he’s likely DT1 for the 2021 draft class.

3. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

On one hand, it’s going to be difficult for Chuba Hubbard to outdo his 2019 performance with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He was the leading rusher in college football and garnered quite a bit of buzz as a top-100 prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft.

At the same time, however, the positional value of running backs compared with an exceptionally strong class at the position this year may have colored Hubbard’s decision. Additionally, Oklahoma State should be a better team in 2020, which could further boost his stock. Even still, it’s odd to see a riser off such a prolific season not capitalize and instead return to school.

2. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

The fact that Paulson Adebo returning to Stanford is this surprising might be due to my affinity for the cornerback. Frankly, he was a bit of a divisive prospect with some (myself) projecting him as a first-round and others having him closer to a mid-Day 2 selection. Regardless, Adebo is a player that could have been taken on Day 1 this year and him not being part of the 2020 draft class weakens the defensive back group by a non-negligible amount.

1. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

While the same points made regarding Hubbard in terms of the strength of the running back class in the 2020 NFL Draft stand for Etienne too, his decision to go back for another year with Trevor Lawrence and the Tigers is truly mind-boggling.

Next. 2020 NFL Free Agency: Early predictions for top 25 players. dark

Etienne was every bit in the mix to be the first running back taken in this draft class along with Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift. Furthermore, he already has one title and two National Championship Game appearances under his belt, along with the Clemson rushing record. That he’s not in this class will remain baffling.

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