The 2017 NFL Draft deadline has passed, and several star players such as Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey are moving on to the next level.
Some other star players, however, chose to stay in school. That includes a few Heisman Trophy contenders and a lot more future first-round talent. Here’s a look at some of those players, and what they could prove by staying in school for one more year.
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1. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mayfield has been spectacular for the Sooners the last two seasons. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2015 and led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. He finished third in the voting last year, despite two September losses, and led Oklahoma to the Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl victory. Mayfield has done it all, but the first big test comes on Sept. 9 in the rematch with Ohio State in Columbus. There he will face ...
2. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
Barrett has 100 career total touchdowns and has led the Buckeyes to a 26-4 record as a starter, but that 31-0 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl led to some big changes on the offensive staff. Barrett has been through almost every situation throughout a long career, but can he mesh with new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson to lead Ohio State to a national championship?
3. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Chubb is taking a risk, considering he suffered a devastating knee injury in 2015 and proved he can play with 1,130 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Chubb will be the key piece for the Bulldogs in Kirby Smart’s second season. Can Georgia break through and win the SEC East as a result?
4. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Rudolph has been great the last two seasons for the Cowboys: He's thrown 49 touchdowns to 13 interceptions while engineering back-to-back 10-win seasons. Now, can he lead Oklahoma State to those big wins in November? He'll need to if the Cowboys want to clinch a Big 12 championship, and perhaps a berth in the College Football Playoff.
5. Shaun Dion-Hamilton, LB, Alabama
Hamilton suffered a torn ACL in the SEC championship game, but he’s expected to return for the Tide next season. He’ll be a key player on the front seven who is expected to live up to the first-round standard set by his predecessors.
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6. Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
The redshirt sophomore had seven 100-yard games this season, but he opted to stay in school for more. There’s one game that defines Auburn running backs above the rest, and Pettway had 12 carries for 17 yards against Alabama. He’ll get another chance at the Tide in 2017.
7. Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Landry led the nation with 16.5 sacks, and he can defend that title with a huge senior season. Given all the big names who entered the draft at the position, Landry should command a larger spotlight in 2017.
8. Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
Freeman averaged more than 1,600 rushing yards through his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he decided to return after just 945 yards as a junior. Oregon is coming off a 4-8 season and welcomes in Willie Taggart as head coach. Freeman will need to have a monster senior season to get the Ducks back in the Pac-12 North hunt.
9. Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
Falk returns to lead Mike Leach’s pass-happy attack once more. We know Falk will get 4,500 passing yards and close to 40 passing touchdowns, but can he lead the Cougars to that elusive Pac-12 North championship? Washington State is 17-9 the last two seasons with Falk at the controls.
10. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Washington averages 19.2 yards per reception for his career and has 10 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Now he can prove he’s the best receiver in the country. Big 12 receivers Corey Coleman and Dede Westbrook won the Biletnikoff Award each of the last two seasons. Can Washington make it three in a row for the conference?
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11. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Michel is part of that two-back punch at Georgia, and he has averaged 5.4 yards per carry while compiling 2,001 rushing yards the last two seasons. Michel doesn’t need a full workload to prove his next-level value, but he needs to make the most of his opportunities.
12. Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
Wadley had 100-yard games in three of the Hawkeyes’ last four games, and those happened to come against Michigan, Nebraska and Florida. Wadley has a chance to challenge for the Big Ten rushing title, and he could get the Hawkeyes back in the Big Ten West race as a result.
13. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Gesicki enjoyed a breakout year with 679 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a junior, and the 6-6 tight end could climb up draft boards as a mismatch in the Nittany Lions’ offense. He should do well again with quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley both returning.
14. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
Lewis has been a consistent pass-rusher with 8.0 sacks each of the last two seasons, along with 24.5 tackles for loss. With so many dominant pass-rushers heading to the NFL, Lewis has a chance to prove he’s the head of the 2017 class.
15. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Nelson is an All-American candidate whose return — along with tackle Mike McGlinchey — solidifies the offensive line for the Irish. Nelson will be out to help Notre Dame improve after a disastrous 4-8 season.
