Oklahoma football: Tony Jefferson, Kenny Stills ponder NFL futures

Sooner juniors will consider what round they might go in and how much money is involved before deciding whether to leave early or come back for one more year.
By Jason Kersey Published: December 22, 2012

— Oklahoma safety Tony Jefferson and receiver Kenny Stills each insist they're focused solely on the Sooners' upcoming showdown with Texas A&M.





ESPN.com currently ranks Jefferson as the fifth-best 2013 safety prospect, and he could even sneak into the first round, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr.

That's where potential earnings become important. For example, David Wilson and Brian Quick were taken by the Giants and Rams with last year's 32nd and 33rd picks, respectively.

Wilson, as a first-round selection, signed a rookie contract ensuring about $1.5 million more than Quick's guaranteed total. That gap becomes far wider between mid-first and mid-second round picks, etc.

Still, one prevailing notion — that another college season could result in a costly injury — has scared countless draft-eligible underclassmen into bolting early.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, though, implores his NFL-curious underclassmen to consider the money they could lose by failing to “maximize your window.”

“What everyone doesn't get is if you give that up, it doesn't ever come back,” said Stoops, who relentlessly educates players on how necessities like taxes, agency fees, a car and a house can quickly swallow impressive-looking contracts.

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by Jason Kersey
OU Sports Reporter
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