Teo- Degree=Leaves for NFL

[IrishSteelhead]

The same guaranteed money, no. Several million dollars, which is what that contract will be for, properly invested will last a life time. Te'o doesn't strike me as someone who will blow their rookie contract with no meaningful investments. That is of course an opinion on my part, but judging from Manti's character and his familial influence, I think it would be the case. It's all subjective for Manti, and he might want to come back for one more year, but I'm simply saying that not having the degree is not a huge deal if you're a first rounder with a head on your shoulders, which is how I'm pretty sure all of us view him. He did promise his parents he'd get his degree, so I think he actually won't be leaving if his parents don't say he can leave early. They also may realize the benefits of leaving when your stock can't get any higher and bless of on it.

Honestly how hard would it be to go back and snare a degree after your pro career is over? I agree you take the money, college will always be there, your chance to play in the NFL won't be.

 

[mgriff]

Honestly how hard would it be to go back and snare a degree after your pro career is over? I agree you take the money, college will always be there, your chance to play in the NFL won't be.

Yes, but not everyone has the same value systems. To me or you apparently, yea it's a no brainer. We also don't have the luxury of being elite athletes and have to turn down another year of a game we love. So there are many variables at play.

 

[beryirish]

Fo sho. It will impact those in the later rounds, hence the mass exodus of Juniors and redshirt Sophomores during the Clausen/Tate class. The guaranteed money is no longer astronomical, so that will deter more kids from leaving early, which I think is a good thing. First rounders will still get plenty, and maybe it will help some kids develop some financial responsibility. First round status in the NFL draft is not something to balk at. I have an incredible amount of respect for people who can turn it down for love of the game; Luck. That's why I've always loved college more, the passion of everyone. Sadly, it's turning into a business solely about money, and it saddens me.

A way to look at it:

I went to college for finance to become a financial advisor....once I got the needed education and experience I got a job and now I'm getting paid.

Some kids go to college to become NFL players (reality this is the only goal for some)...once they feel they have the needed education and experience they apply for a job (draft) and get paid.

Some of these kids came from low income families. When they know they have a good chance to be a top/high pick and get paid they will take it to take care of them and their family and get out of the slums.

It's sad to see players leave but I understand why they do. It is extremely hard to pass down the money...money to the point where a signing bonus has you making more money then the lifetime of 90% of the world.

 

[mgriff]

A way to look at it:

I went to college for finance to become a financial advisor....once I got the needed education and experience I got a job and now I'm getting paid.

Some kids go to college to become NFL players (reality this is the only goal for some)...once they feel they have the needed education and experience they apply for a job and get paid.

Some of these kids came from low income families. When they know they have a good chance to be a top/high pick and get paid they will take it to take care of them and their family and get out of slums.

It's sad to see players leave but I understand why they do. It is extremely hard to pass down the money...money to the point where a signing bonus has you making more money then the lifetime of 90% of the world.

Exactly, and I'm not faulting anyone for leaving or staying. It's a decision I'll never make. Plenty of kids blow all of their money though, and end up with nothing. I was initially saying that I didn't think Te'o would have that problem, so there was no downside to him leaving early, unless his family has remained firm in their request for a degree.

 

[crzychris]

Yes, but not everyone has the same value systems. To me or you apparently, yea it's a no brainer. We also don't have the luxury of being elite athletes and have to turn down another year of a game we love. So there are many variables at play.

I remember when James Laurenitis (sp?) for Ohio State was a surefire top-10 draft pick after his junior year. He ended up staying and was drafted in the 2nd round the year after. Some people have such a love for the college game that money can be put off. Who knows, I guess it really will depend on his grade. I believe there may be one MLB at this point higher on draft boards, so where he finishes may change everything.

 

[mgriff]

I remember when James Laurenitis (sp?) for Ohio State was a surefire top-10 draft pick after his junior year. He ended up staying and was drafted in the 2nd round the year after. Some people have such a love for the college game that money can be put off. Who knows, I guess it really will depend on his grade. I believe there may be one MLB at this point higher on draft boards, so were he finishes may change everything.

Yes, there is an example of someone losing money, but what about the players who increased their stock or stayed the same. Sam Bradford?

 

[crzychris]

Yes, there is an example of someone losing money, but what about the players who increased their stock or stayed the same. Sam Bradford?

My point was that some love the game so much that they will risk losing that money to play another year. Just another perspective.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

A way to look at it:

I went to college for finance to become a financial advisor....once I got the needed education and experience I got a job and now I'm getting paid.

Some kids go to college to become NFL players (reality this is the only goal for some)...once they feel they have the needed education and experience they apply for a job (draft) and get paid.

Some of these kids came from low income families. When they know they have a good chance to be a top/high pick and get paid they will take it to take care of them and their family and get out of the slums.

It's sad to see players leave but I understand why they do. It is extremely hard to pass down the money...money to the point where a signing bonus has you making more money then the lifetime of 90% of the world.

Exactly. It's selfish on a fan's part to get upset when a guy strikes while the iron is hot. Hell, ND needs more pro-bowl caliber players representing the university in the NFL anyways these days. If he can do that, I say go for it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Regardless of what we want Te'o to do, or how I'd advise him were he my son, I believe him when he says he won't leave ND until he finishes his degree.

He's a very spiritual guy who wants to be a role model for kids in Hawai'i. Finishing his degree is probably not the best financial decision for him personally, but the statement such a move will make about his priorities may be more important to him.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

My point was that some love the game so much that they will risk losing that money to play another year. Just another perspective.

Most big-name guys who decide to stay come from a very financially stable family (Laurinitis, Leinart, Luck, etc.), so the aspect of making money isn't as pressing an issue.

*I have no idea what Manti's personal situation is though.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Regardless of what we want Te'o to do, or how I'd advise him were he my son, I believe him when he says he won't leave ND until he finishes his degree.

He's a very spiritual guy who wants to be a role model for kids in Hawai'i. Finishing his degree is probably not the best financial decision for him personally, but the statement such a move will make about his priorities may be more important to him.

He is Mormon right? Who knows, maybe he stays for his degree, then goes on a mission for a few years, completely putting off the NFL altogether.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

*I have no idea what Manti's personal situation is though.

Both his parents are teachers, so the Te'os definitely aren't rich. But he doesn't come from an impoverished background either, like many CFB stars.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He is Mormon right? Who knows, maybe he stays for his degree, then goes on a mission for a few years, completely putting off the NFL altogether.

Yes, he's Mormon. I don't claim to have any special insight into Mormon culture, but the standard Mormon mission lasts two years. Putting off the NFL for 3+ years (staying at ND for his senior year, and then the 2 for his mission) would probably be career suicide. I doubt he'd do that.

 

[TerryTate]

Players do not need to "seriously overload" their schedules to graduate early, and they certainly do not need to be scholars to get it done. Had several players taking the bare minimum their senior year when I was there. They could have finished early if they wanted.

Doubt he leaves without a degree regardless.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Players do not need to "seriously overload" their schedules to graduate early, and they certainly do not need to be scholars to get it done. Had several players taking the bare minimum their senior year when I was there. They could have finished early if they wanted.

I'd really like to get this issue resolved, so bear with me here.

A standard schedule for a full-time student is 15 credit hours/ semester. Taken over 4 years, that equates to 120 credits needed to graduate.

Someone claimed earlier in the thread that most football players take 12 hours/ semester. Assuming I'm correct that most football players are scheduled to complete their coursework in December of their senior year, at 12/hours per semester, that means they end up taking 84 hours during the normal school year, and 12 credits during each of their three summer school sessions.

Te'o arrived on campus for fall camp in 2009. If he's on the schedule outlined above, he'll only have 84 credits by the end of this semester; three full semesters short of his degree.

Let's say he's been taking 15 credit hours every semester since he arrived (included summer school). That would put him at 105 credits by the end of this semester. Still a full semester shy of graduating.

Te'o would have had to take a few seriously overloaded semesters in order to declare for the draft this spring with his degree completed. As I've mentioned previously, if Te'o was taking 17-18 hours/ semester, we would have read about it; since we haven't, I assume Te'o's on track to graduate in December 2012.

 

[General Colon Bowel]

He could have taken summer school

 

[WaveDomer]

I'd bet that Te'o doesn't even know what he's going to do. With that in mind, I'm not going to worry or think about it. I'm just going to enjoy watching him. The season's too early for me to worry about who is staying or who is leaving.

My wife is LDS so I know a bit about being a Missionary, but not everything. When on a Mission you are pretty much cut off from a lot of things and it would be 2 years. It would be very difficult for someone like Te'o to keep in elite football shape. I would bet he's not going on a formal mission unless he didn't plan on playing football after ND. However, he can do a lot of things for the LDS church that don't involve going on a formal mission.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He could have taken summer school

All of our football players take summer school, and my calculations assume he either took 12 or 15 hours each of the last three summer school sessions. Still doesn't get him close to graduating this December.

 

[irishff1014]

He is going to leave. We have atough schedule and our offnese might be worse with losing floyd.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

He is going to leave. We have atough schedule and our offnese might be worse with losing floyd.

Thank God we have you to sort things out for all of us lower level fans. Thanks bunches.

Could you site a link with your post???

 

[rikkitikki08]

Say what you will be i dont see him leaving early. He just comes off as the type thats incredibly loyal.

 

[irishff1014]

He is going to be a beast in the NFL. He will be a first rounder. Sounds like to me Ray Lewis's replacement

 

[irishff1014]

Thank God we have you to sort things out for all of us lower level fans. Thanks bunches.

Could you site a link with your post???

YOu just like foolowing me huh

 

[BurningRiver]

He just doesn't seem like the guy who will leave early. I just get that feeling about him.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

YOu just like foolowing me huh

Nah.... The stupidity trail just seems to pop up as I walk. And, poof, there you are.

 

[irishff1014]

Show me your proof he is staying

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Show me your proof he is staying

.

 

[BobD]

I have a friend, who knows a guy, who knew this girl, that worked with a dude, who knows one of Manti's second cousins, and she said "Maybe he is".

(Just in case some people don't figure it out, this is a joke)

 

[NDinFL]

Jebus...

I don't even know where to start...

So I won't

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Jebus...

I don't even know where to start...

So I won't

Wisdom.

Jeebus approves.