GAIII declares for draft.

[NDHoosier101]

Realized he wasn't going to see the field?

 

[Irish7478]

He was never a great running back. After watching him run for a couple of years, I thought he would have been a better safety or even CB.

 

[poewelch84]

I hope for his sake he gets drafted but I'm not sure. Honestly he wasn't going to play ahead of McDaniels, Folston or Bryant.

 

[jjc2009]

I think its a longshot for him, but at the same time, I'd like to see him take it to remove some of the RB controversy that would inevitably arise with Bryant getting healthy, Folston, who has earned the top spot IMO and McDaniel who is not a worldbeater, but is consistent. Always admired GAIII's speed, something we sorely lacked for a long time and he was a homerun threat every time he touched the ball. But he'll never be a 3-down RB at any level. He was nearly de-cleated against Temple in the opener because he still hasn't leanred to get his pads down. What do you think the average NFL LB or safety is going to do to him (lets just say I hope he has his will in order). His future is probably as a 3rd down specialist or special teams like a Devin Hester. I will miss him in KO's but I am not sweating our RB stable right now (barring any injuries or defections).

I guess its a sign of program health of having underclassmen grade out in the draft, even if he is a late round grade, he wasn't going to get any better backing up Folston/Bryant or even McDaniel. Also, if the report is true, he made this decision before getting in trouble for the bowl game, so its not an "I'm pissed at the coach" move, which some will try to spin (George II has been critical of Kelly, as has Daniels' dad, both former NFL players). For the record, Josh says he's staying too. He's not transferring even though his odds of seeing the field in anything other than a special teams capacity is slim.

 

[whywork2]

He couldn't catch a cold ..... and was never meant to play runningback. He just didn't understand cutting north and south. I wish him well but didn't possibly see how he would fit in. I always seen him as a star receiver if only he didn't have hands like bricks. Not saying he didn't have talent but he sure didn't find much of a way of showing his. For as big a guy as he is he didn't break a lot of tackles and he just never found his niche. I hope he's one of those late bloomers in the NFL.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

This is good news.

Addition by subtraction

 

[Irish7478]

He couldn't catch a cold ..... and was never meant to play runningback. He just didn't understand cutting north and south. I wish him well but didn't possibly see how he would fit in. I always seen him as a star receiver if only he didn't have hands like bricks. Not saying he didn't have talent but he sure didn't find much of a way of showing his. For as big a guy as he is he didn't break a lot of tackles and he just never found his niche. I hope he's one of those late bloomers in the NFL.

I really think his size and speed would have transitioned nicely to defense.

 

[poewelch84]

Also opens up a roster spot.

 

[purguy12]

WOW this is dumb. I agree he had to see that he wasn't going to play a lot. He would of been a special teams player and maybe get 3-5 carries a game.

I will be shocked if he got drafted. Wish him luck.

 

[bbirish73]

Wood didn't even get drafted and he was 10 times better that GAIII. He won't get drafted but I'm sure will get a shot on a team. He might be a decent return guy in the NFL. Hard to say because ND special teams suck major ass.

 

[eric5577x]

I agree with you all, he was not going to see much playing time, esp once Bryant is back.

 

[whywork2]

After analyzing what he actually did on the field I would say safety would have been a possibility. He can't catch but he's big and fast. The main problem there was he seemed to shy from contact for a guy his size. Being honest I just never saw it with him. It's like you could see potential but that's about it.

 

[poewelch84]

He frustrates you with his lack of production for his size and speed.