Davis, Kelly likely to enter NFL draftBy Larry Williams (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
CLEMSON – Clemson tailback James Davis has told teammates he’s planning to enter the NFL Draft, and that’s not a surprise. Nor are the anticipated plans of defensive end Phillip Merling, who’s widely expected to do the same. Aaron Kelly? That’s another story. Kelly, the Tigers’ top receiver, pulled off a shocker Tuesday by deciding to skip his senior season and enter the draft. Kelly’s loss, coupled with Davis’ departure, would deal a severe blow to an offense that was set to return all its key skill players in 2008. 
Mic Smith Clemson running back James Davis will not return to the Tigers and will enter the NFL draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Jan. 15. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Kelly had yet to meet with coach Tommy Bowden as of Tuesday evening, but people familiar with the situation said he was adamant about heading to the NFL. The same appears to be true of Davis, who informed teammates of his plans Tuesday night after meeting with his family. Reached late Tuesday, Davis confirmed he’d made a decision. But he said he preferred to announce it today after speaking with his coaches. He told teammates he is entering the draft to do what is best for his family. Kelly, a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2007, was forecast as a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick by the NFL underclassmen advisory committee. He had 88 catches for 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns during the Tigers’ 9-4 season, falling four yards short of the school’s career receiving record. Kelly’s apparent departure is causing quarterback Cullen Harper to take a second look at his decision to remain for his senior season. Harper, a second-team All-ACC pick in 2007 behind Boston College’s Matt Ryan, said he has to "think about who I’m throwing to next year." Harper was given a fifth-round forecast from the advisory committee. "He caught nearly one-third of my passes, so I have to consider it," Harper said of Kelly. "But I’m still probably 95 percent sure I’m coming back." Kelly, Davis and Merling did not attend a team meeting Tuesday afternoon in Clemson. Merling, who has been forecast as a second-round pick, met with Bowden on Monday to discuss his plans. Bowden said Merling did not give him a decision, but Merling has told several people close to him he is done at Clemson. Davis was projected to go in the third round of the draft. For most of the season, he said he planned to remain for his senior season. But late in the year he fumed that he wasn’t getting enough carries. Davis, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore and junior – and earned first-team All-ACC honors both years -- had 12 or fewer carries in six of Clemson’s 13 games. Before the Tigers’ 23-20 overtime loss to Auburn in the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl, he said he might base his NFL decision on his number of carries in the game. Davis rushed 23 times for 72 yards in the defeat, averaging 3.1 yards per attempt. Clemson received some good news Tuesday when safety Michael Hamlin said he will return to Clemson for his senior season. Hamlin flirted seriously with leaving early but said he was dismayed to receive a fourth-round projection. He also said a knee injury suffered in the bowl defeat influenced his decision. Hamlin said he will receive the results of an MRI today. He said he has been told the injury could range from a sprain to a torn medial collateral ligament. Defensive tackle Dorell Scott said he is planning to remain for his senior season. Clemson’s No. 2 receiver in 2007 was Tyler Grisham, who had 60 catches for 653 yards and four touchdowns. Tailback C.J. Spiller was the third-leading receiver as a sophomore, catching 34 passes for 271 yards. Barry to return Tight end Durell Barry said he decided to remain at Clemson after seriously considering transferring elsewhere. Barry, a redshirt sophomore who played at Fort Dorchester, played just 31 snaps in 2007 and caught one pass. He said he takes the blame for his inactivity and will work harder to get on the field next season. "I love Clemson," he said. "I think there’s a lot that I can still contribute. I just have to put the work in. You get the idea that playing somewhere else might be easier, but I want to play here. I want to stay. … If I don’t play, it’s my fault." The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Barry is one of Clemson’s more athletic players. He played 125 snaps in 2006 and said he still does not fully understand why coaches didn’t use him more in 2007. "I’m not going to complain about it," he said. Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And no response from Clemson fans. If these were Carolina players the bashing would be in full force. Quotes like "they want to leave a loser" or "Carolina should quit playing football" are my personal favorites.
Typical hillbilly Clemson fans. And I apologize to all the hillbillies out there.
I wonder if any of these players had "academic" issues.
Posted by broomej2 on January 9, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait a tic. .. .if Cullen Harper goes pro he can't win the Heisman in 08'!
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harper is going nowhere. He did have a great season and played a brutal schedule (powerhouses Furman, LA Monroe, Central Michigan, NC State, Wake, and Maryland) but he still has work to do. But Clemson only scheduled two Div II schools next year so they may be trouble. He better enjoy college football because he will not be playing on Sunday's.
Posted by broomej2 on January 9, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait, Durell Barry and Dorell Scott are coming back! Looks like another "wait till next year" for the Gamecocks. . . ;) FTJ guys. FTJ.
Posted by Rooster07 on January 9, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It really is a shame that athletes these days do not finish their careers and earn a degree before going to the NFL. When you think about it, this has really only become a problem over the last 10-15 years. Years ago leaving school early to play a pro sport was unheard of. It makes it really difficult for coaches to build a program if guys leave after 2-3 years. I understand that many kids come from poverty and the thought of so much money causes them to make hasty decisions, but if your education is free, for God sakes at least have something to show for it when you leave. No physical injury can ever take away a diploma.
Posted by ClemsonFan83 on January 9, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love how we have a bitter gamecock trying to run his mouth!! way to choose a good name, "notafan" that sums up most cocks! and your right when your players leave, it is because they want to leave a loser!! same for all your "great" coaches over the years who could never get those wins
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ClemsonFan83- are these Clemson players leaving a loser as well or does that only hold true for Carolina players? Clemson has not won the ACC in sometime and lost their last bowl game so that would make Clemson a loser as well. Right?
Once again a Clemson fan that can only bash Carolina and not comment on the issue at hand. Did any of the three Clemson players that are leaving have academic problems?
I won't hold my breath for a response since the only thing Clemson fans can do is talk trash.
Must be those fine Clemson academics working for you.
Posted by atleastimnotacockfan3 on January 9, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
notafan -
what a tool. ClemFan83 was responding to the starter of the thread, and if you read it, was a direct slam on clemson from a cock lover. most clemson fans probably didn't comment on this article for the same reasons i wasn't going to: Kelly is good but inconsistent (BC Loss), Davis will be missed but not his constant whining, and Willy Korn is the man if Harper leaves.
Yeah - we lost a bowl game to Auburn in OT. The sting from that vandy loss still on your tail-feathers? You may be in a tougher conference, no denying that, but SC is an embarassment to that conference. Way to go from #6 to sitting home for bowl season, and I'm glad the tigers were the ones to put the nail in the coffin.
Posted by fantasy5 on January 9, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok notafan, to answer your question, none of the players in question about leaving have academic issues. So shut the hell up and "wait til next year" you loser. And you obviously don't have a job since you're sitting on here all day defedning your sorry lame cocks. Get a life buddy!
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fantasy5 nice comment since you obviously have time to read and post things as well.
Embarassment to the conference? Would that be a team that does not win conf games they should, does not show up for the big games and loses their bowl game? Man, Clemson and Carolina have more in common than I thought. Plus Clemson has those pretty purple uniforms.
By the I am a 94 Florida alumni not Carolina. Thanks.
Posted by Rooster07 on January 9, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
notafan, I'm glad to see that you're not a fan of either school. I wouldn't invite you to my tailgate party. Everyone needs to just chill. Both teams have had players leave early (Sidney Rice) and it has nothing to do with the school or the success (or lack or) the football team. Too many of you use message boards as media to insult others.
Posted by IslandGirl83 on January 9, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously notafan was looking for a fight.
Actually my "fine Clemson academics" are working for me. I would much rather have my degree from Clemson than one from USC.
Rooster07 I agree that it is ashame that more athletes do not finish their educations. They may or may not regret their choices in a few years.
Commenting on this article will not change any of the facts or what is going to happen.
It sure isn't worth arguing with someone like notafan about.
Posted by atleastimnotacockfan3 on January 9, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah - i never comment on this stuff because I know it's pointless, but I just don't see the point in the irrelevant remarks that started this. Is the season really over? Now what?
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My apologies I did not realize that everyone was such thin-skinned. But its just laughable to listen to all these Clemson fans trashing Carolina when Clemson really isn't that much better of a program than Carolina. So what they beat Carolina this year but you did not win when it counted; BC. Clemson won it all back in the early eighties but have been marginal at best ever since.
Once again I apologize to all the thin skinned Clemson fans out there. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.
Posted by tigeroftheeye on January 9, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like Kelly is staying
Posted by atleastimnotacockfan3 on January 9, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a heart-felt apology.
That BC loss hurt, and still hurts. They break my heart every year.
Posted by notafan on January 9, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tigeroftheeye aleast - you two must be related because wasn't Kelly the one who dropped the touchdown pass during the BC game?
Posted by atleastimnotacockfan3 on January 9, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
notafan -
Yes... which is why in my first post i said i wasn't sad to see him go really because he's inconsistent (BC loss). Read it again...
He did however almost single-handedly win the SC game for us the following week. He's fast and tall but I don't trust him when it's on the line. I'm sure he'll be better after they glue up his hands in the offseason.
Posted by tigerama on January 9, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When you are in the top 20 in recruiting consistently, you are going to lose some early. Sometimes it is not a bad thing for both program and player depending on the situation. Kelly bad for both- 4th rounder means scout team at best for a receiver. Davis is projected 2-3 round this year and his stock drops if he stays next year to 3rd round per scouts. This is because Spiller is projected to be a 1st round pick next year by scouts. Clemson can now make room for two four star backs in this class. With Bowers here, this is a good move for Merlin. 4-5 star players will only be playing for 3 years excluding injury. USC will see that when they move off their current 32th ranking in recruiting, 9th in the SEC for 2008. Honeymoon is over, folks now know why, not us!! regardless of big "has been" named coaches.
Posted by rebel1 on January 9, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well we see who run the tigers. the players. If i dont get the ball, I quit. tammy gives him the ball, they lose and he quits. I will take a 6-6 USC every year with a coach who wouldnt put up with that crap. tammy is the laughing stock of ncaa football.
Posted by youmanyo on January 9, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You will at best always be 6-6 ,Spurrier who I believe is one of the best coaches in the history of college football cant even help you. Whats funny is he won the acc in less than 2 years at Duke and he was 9-3 his first year at Flordia . Three years at usc(south carolina) 6-6 and now the question is , How long till usc(south carolina) turns on Spurrier like they have every coach they have ever had? The laughing stock of ncaa football , click here loser coots.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/showms...
Posted by IslandGirl83 on January 10, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I pretty sure no one could get there feelings hurt by someone like notafan.