Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Tommy Streeter is the latest to have ‘going pro’ talk surrounding his future status. Streeter, who originally stated this past week that he’d return for his senior season, seems to be wavering.
According to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald, Streeter informed his parents that he wants to make the leap, but after a sit-down with head coach Al Golden, is at least pondering the decision.
Golden and staff seem to think Streeter will be a fourth or fifth round pick, which seems logical after one year as a starter and still appearing to be a work in progress.
Golden mentioned weeks back that Streeter is just now starting to catch balls with his hands, as opposed his body like earlier in the season. Strides are being made, but a potential fourth- or fifth-rounder in spring 2012 could easily be a polished sure first-rounder with one more year in college.
Streeter had 46 catches, 811 yards and eight touchdowns this past season, en route to a 6-6 season for the Canes. He’s on track to earning a degree in sports administration by May and personally feels it’s time to move on.
NFL teams will certainly be all over Streeter’s 6-foot-5, 217-pound frame. He’s also a sharp kid, has character and is the type of guy that will thrive at the next level. Still, he’s not ready and would be better suited to come back to Miami for one more season.
Something definitely doesn’t add up here and you have to wonder what has Streeter feeling “ready” when a week ago he was jazzed to return. Honestly it sounds like high school, when the seniors are moving on a kid who was tight with guys from that class is now no longer looking forward to his senior year.
Streeter came in with the class of 2008, but redshirted his freshman season. Now all his buddies are moving on. Northwestern teammates like Sean Spence and Jacory Harris, also his cousin through marriage and life-long football brother.
The Herald’s Susan Miller Degnan touched on the bond between these three, and their fathers, over Thanksgiving and with Streeter’s closest confidants moving on, seems he has the itch, too.
Of course that’s just speculation, but should that be the case it’s further proof that the senior wideout still has some growing to do.
When your head coach and your father have openly stated that it’s in your best interest to return to school, consider that the closest thing to a no-brainer as you’re going to get in this life.
Streeter could head to the NFL, land with a team and eventually have a solid career. What he is most-likely feeling right now, entering a senior season without lifelong teammates – it pales in comparison to the reality of fourth-round money over first-round money.
Twentysomething emotions versus real-world adult decisions. Here’s hoping Streeter heeds the advice of his elders.
Making the early leap is sensible only if you’re a guaranteed first rounder. Second round? A personal choice, depending on the situation and individual. Third or lower? One more season of Saturdays instead of Sundays is a must.
Choose wisely number eight. – C.B.
(Update: Rumors are going around Sunday night that defensive lineman Marcus Forston will declare for the NFL Draft, as well. Nothing official has come to light as of yet, but it would definitely say a lot for that 2008 class if there’s a mass exodus of non-first round talent. Stay tuned.)
I agree with everything you said, but I’m going to play devils advocate here. Maybe Tommy is tired of being poor or broke. I don’t know his financial situation, but maybe he’s tired of this thing called college football. Where the players bring in millions of dollars to these universities and can’t sniff a dime of it. The coaches and university admins get all the money, while the players have to be careful and redtape everything thing they recieve. Its the players that put butts in the seats. Nobody is showing up to games to watch coaches. On top of all of that you have this pathetic college football bowl system. Where people with hidden agendas vote who plays in the championship game. When you think about college football on this level it does make you wonder is it worth it. On the NFL level you get paid for you skills and you have a chance to make it to the championship game if you have a loss or two. There’s no old writers and former players voting if you are worthy to play in a championship game. With all that said if Tommy needs to make some cheese for his family right now, I can’t blame him. But if he wants to make some long term big contract money he need to come back a year, hit the weight room, learn to attach the ball with his hands during catches, run block better and he will be ready to go.
Carlos, maybe, maybe not.
Point being, if it’s about money, then it makes even more sense to come back. First-round money versus fourth-round money is night and day.
Either way, it sounds a lot like a “kid” here than a young man. Streeter seems like he’s panicking and making a rash decision. Best of luck either way, but again if Coach and your folks are advising you to stay, then you stay.
He needs to take a lesson from Antrel Rolle who came back for his senior year and increased his stock 20 fold into a first round guy. Tommy’s one good year does not put him high on the NFL radar.
I figure it’s a Drew R. Thing. If T.S. wants to go pro the sun will rise tomorrow.oh, and Drew gets 10percent or whatever..
When I read about the Northwestern Boys looking to all go pro together, its hard to blame them. They came in with such fan fare and all they have heard the past 2 seasons is how they didn’t live up to the hype as a whole unit. Obviously Spence did. I also believe Jacroy reached his max potential, I never had high hopes to begin with. But these kids really need to check themselves. I understand wanting to go to the NFL and getting money for you and your family. But Forston (more than the others) really needs to come back. He was a 2nd rounder by many before his injury and now it seems if he went out he would be a 4th-5th rounder. One solid year next year and he is back in that late 1st – early 2nd range. As for Streeter I think he saw what one season did for Hankerson, but to be honest Hankerson was a far better receiver right away than Streeter is. I think Streeter would really thrive w/ Morris’ arm and another year with Coach Golden. The only ones here that should be talking going pro are the ones that have too (no more years left), the rest of them really need to come back, they simply aren’t ready. I don’t see any of them as a 1st rounder. The best we could see is Spence in Round 2 and if Forston has an amazing combine and Pro Day maybe he could get back into that 2nd Round. Streeter would be looking at 4 – 6 in my opinion. Just too damn raw.