If only Mark Emmert was off of his bulls***. It is the middle of the college sports so-called “Dead Period” and we have arguments over QB Accuracy (aka the best QB in the draft, Josh Allen), Spring Games wrapping up, and NBA Playoffs in full swing. While watching the NBA Playoffs however, soothing voice and all around top 5 sports announcer Kevin Harlan (editor’s note: and KU alum) was talking about the One and Done’s in the playoffs and it got me thinking; What if college football had one and done’s? So, in my last days as a college freshman, I threw together a list of players I wished I could see go one and done and how they would change the NFL as we know it.
(Note: While the year and team that they may be taken is different, I’m still going to have them be taken in their original position.)
Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Standing at a brisk 6’3, 300 lbs, Oliver had 73 tackles, 16.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles in 2017. Oliver is a monster of a man. Add that he was a 2017 All-American down at the University of Houston and just the thought of him going to the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 Draft would be interesting to see at the most.
Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State
6’7, 324lbs… Do I need to say anymore? The All-American lineman from Ohio State was flipping pancake blocks out more than Mrs.Buttersworth would dream about, and even was a Finalist for Heisman voting in his Junior year. However, if he had entered the 1995 NFL Draft and was taken by the Bengals, he may have had a different career.
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
In his Freshman season, Gurley started 12 of 14 games and rushed for 1,385 yards on 222 carries with 17 touchdowns. Against Georgia Southern, Gurley became the second true freshman in Georgia history to rush for 1,000 yards, the only other being Herschel Walker in 1980. That’s about all that needs to be said about Gurley. If he was able to toss his name into the draft in 2013 and was taken at his #10 spot, he be on the Titans and the AFC South would be in a constant PTSD.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
JFF was one of the most electric players to grace the college scene, and while I won’t go crazy in-depth about his freshman season (read my TBTQB on him), the thought of JFF being on the Bengals and throwing to A.J Green after a 45 yard backfield run would be ELECTRIC.
Randy Moss, WR, Marshall
One of the greatest WR in NFL history had a killer “freshman season” (got in trouble at FSU, red-shirted and transferred to Marshall). Breaking or tying records at the time, if Moss had been able to declare his freshman season, he’d be on Jags and not the damn Vikings with Daunte Culpepper.
Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
Famous Jameis. The 2nd Freshman to ever win the Heisman, he had an outstanding freshman year and won FSU a national championship. If Winston had have been able to test the water’s, he’d be snatched up by the Texans and the Bucs would still be pretty terrible. Also, he would be able to afford crab legs.
Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn
While Jackson didn’t have an insane Freshman season at AU, he was still a monster of a football AND baseball player, and if he was in the 1983 Draft. the Baltimore Colts (yes, he’s that old) would have gotten Bo instead of John Elway and the Space Time Continuum would be destroyed.