This one will leave a mark.
Nearly a week after helping Stanford to its first Rose Bowl win in four decades, Zach Ertz announced he is leaving the Cardinal to make himself available for early entry in the April NFL draft.
“In light of achieving our collective dream of winning the Rose Bowl Game, it is difficult to imagine not playing side-by-side with my Stanford brothers for another season,’' Ertz said in a statement. “However, after returning home and talking to my family, coaches and advisers and conducting a thorough analysis of the situation, I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility at Stanford University.”
Ertz’s 69 catches were easily the most on the Cardinal in 2012; Drew Terrell’s 33 receptions was second on the team. Ertz added 898 yards and six touchdowns on those receptions, and was a unanimous first-team All-American.
The 6-6, 252-pound junior could/should be the first tight end selected in the draft.