Many FBS teams have to be concerned about losing players to an early jump to the NFL, but UCLA’s not one of them. Well, at least not as far as one of its top offensive playmakers is concerned they won’t.
With speculation apparently swirling that he was leaving early, Jordan Payton confirmed Saturday that he will be returning to the Bruins for his senior season. In fact, Payton claimed that leaving early for the NFL was never a part of his thought process when it came to his football future.
“I’m coming back,” Payton told reporters after practice. “There were reports saying that I was leaving or something, but I’m coming back. Didn’t really even think about leaving, to be honest with you.”
As Payton isn’t being projected to be selected in the first couple of rounds of the 2015 draft, it’s likely a wise decision.
In 2014, Payton is leading all Bruins receivers with 63 receptions for 896 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, he was third on the team in receptions (38) and receiving yards (440).
Jim Mora‘s Bruins won’t go completely unscathed on the early-entry front as the head coach confirmed earlier this month that star quarterback Brett Hundley will forego his remaining eligibility and enter the NFL draft.