With nearly 2,600 rushing yards in two seasons, it would stand to reason that diminutive dynamo Noel Devine would be a fairly high draft pick if he decided to leave West Virginia for the NFL.
Based on a conversation the running back had with the Mountaineer beat guys Monday, however, it seems as if he’s do a heavy lean toward returning to Morgantown for his senior season.
While it doesn’t mean much, if anything, Devine said he had yet to file his paperwork with the NFL’s Draft Advisory Board in order to get an evaluation of where he stands in the eyes of the league. He also reiterated that his plans are to return to the Mountaineers in 2010.
“If I hear something, maybe (not), but other than that, right now my mindset is focused on coming back and winning a national championship, to be honest with you,” he said. “This next game could mean a lot (to encourage him to explore the NFL), but I don’t know that. Right now, my mindset is to come back. I think we’ll be so much better next year than this year.”
Should Devine return, he would likely become a preseason favorite for the Heisman, especially if the back can throw down a command performance in the Gator Bowl against Florida State.
The deadline to file paperwork was in December. As is the case 99% of the time with these “feel good comin’ back for one more year” stories, I have a feeling the reality is Devine was told his draft stock wasn’t that high, a la Brandon Spikes heroic return for one more championship.
He probably has to stay another year to learn how to spell his name. The NFL wouldn’t let him sign his contract by marking “X”.
Staying in school so he can knock up another chick and have a third kid.