Dak Prescott will lead the Bulldogs offense again in 2015. (Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)
Although the Southeastern Conference wasn’t represented in the national championship game, the league will be represented by the nation’s largest group of underclassmen when the NFL Draft rolls around.
In all, 75 players from the NCAA have made themselves available for the NFL Draft.
The SEC led the nation with 21 underclassmen declaring, which was five more that the Pac-12. The Atlantic Coast Conference had 13 leave early, while the Big Ten saw 12 players come out early. The Big 12 was not hit very hard, with only five players deciding they were ready for the jump to the NFL.
The biggest name across the nation to declare early was not a surprise. Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota decided that he was ready to turn pro despite having a terrible finish to his collegiate career in the 42-20 loss to Ohio State in the first-ever College Football Playoff Championship Game.
Some of the biggest names to leave from the SEC include Alabama’s Amari Cooper, Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr., Georgia’s Todd Gurley, Mississippi State’s Bernardrick McKinney and Auburn’s Sammie Coates.
Here is the complete list of players from the SEC who are turning pro early:
From Florida, Dante Fowler Jr., defensive end; D.J. Humphries, offensive tackle; Matt Jones, running back and Tyler Moore, offensive lineman.
From Alabama: Landon Collins, safety; Amari Cooper, wide receiver and T.J. Yeldon, running back.
From LSU: Kwon Alexander, linebacker; Jalen Collins, cornerback; Danielle Hunter, defensive end.
From Mississippi State: Benardrick McKinney, linebacker, and Josh Robinson, running back.
From Auburn: Sammie Coates, wide receiver, and Patrick Miller, offensive lineman.
From South Carolina: Mike Davis, running back, and Shaq Roland, wide receiver.
From Arkansas: Darius Philon, defensive tackle.
From Missouri: Shane Ray, defensive end.
From Texas A&M: Trey Williams, running back.
From Georgia: Todd Gurley, running back.
From Kentucky: Braylon Heard, running back.
The one name that is not on the list who many thought would be is Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who announced Wednesday that he is returning for his senior season.
“When I decided to come to Mississippi State, it wasn’t about competing for a championship one year or making a run for one year, it was about competing for championships and making sure this a program that is not a one-hit wonder, but on a consistent basis is a top-10 and top-5 team nationally,” Prescott said.
During the 2014 season, Prescott broke school records for rushing yards by a quarterback (986), total offense (4,435), total offensive yards per game (341.2), touchdowns responsible for (41), passing attempts (396), passing completions (244), completion percentage (.616), passing yards (3,449), passing yards per game (265.3), 200-yard passing games (12), passing touchdowns (27) and passing efficiency (151.7).
He led the Southeastern Conference and ranked sixth nationally in total offense. A first-team All-SEC selection, he was also a finalist for four national awards – Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Manning and Unitas.
“I think we have a great team coming back this year. I think we were doubted a good bit on what we would do, and I think we broke all those odds. I think we surpassed the expectations. We didn’t exactly finish the way we wanted to finish,” he said.
“I think it had a big part in my decision, going 1-3 in the last four games. I wouldn’t want to finish a career at such a great place and leave on a note like that. Not to mention we don’t have the Golden Trophy, the most special trophy in the state. I want to make sure that returns home where that belongs next year when I have the opportunity to play in that game again.”
Prescott is referring to the trophy that goes each year to the winner of the Ole Miss-Mississippi State game. In 2014, the trophy, known as the Golden Egg, went to Ole Miss after the Rebels won 31-17.
“I’ve had this decision, what I want to do, kind of in my gut after the Egg Bowl and then after the bowl game, but continued to talk with my family and talk with my coaches and discuss it with Coach (Dan) Mullen and Coach (QB coach Brian) Johnson. I kind of knew what I was doing pretty early.
“I think we have a better team coming back next year than we did this year. We have a lot of talented guys. We have a great freshman class coming in and some big-time playmakers that can come in and have an impact on the team immediately,” said Prescott. “We just have to get on the same page and make sure everybody comes together. I think it can be a special year. I’m just excited to be a part of it and wear the Maroon and White again for another year and go compete for championships.”
