Will Jimmy Clausen Go Pro?

AlumniHall98 · Sep 30, 2009

Will Jimmy Clausen return to play quarterback for the Irish in his senior year? Or will the temptations and spoils of the National Football League woo him away from us, and a possible NC run next year??

Just curious what the intelligent folks who post on this site thought about this question.

I am on the fence on this one....a big part of me thinks he comes back, to elevate his draft status and perhaps position himself to be a top 5 pick next year with the requisite big fat contract that goes with it, AND, to have a chance to, 1.) win a Heisman, and, 2.) win an NC, surrounded by a ton of talent that will be even more experienced in a year.

On the other hand....I look at Sam Bradford, who I am sure now wishes he had gone out last year when his stock was high, but returned for a possible NC run, only to suffer a major injury in his first game of the season.

What will JC do??

sportallyr · Sep 30, 2009

I think he'll end up going pro. My reasoning behind this is that I read somewhere (don't remember where though) that there will most likely be a rookie salary cap in the NFL after this year. If that happens, he won't be able to get anywhere close to the same amount of money next year.

weisbank4 · Sep 30, 2009

No, Jimmy C is a 4 year guy. He came to ND all the way from Cali to win a NC according to him. If hes true to his word he stays, although the whole NC thing seems unlikely but stranger things have happened.

NDinL.A. · Sep 30, 2009

If he continues to play well, I think he's gone. Some factors here:

* He's an old junior. He was held back I believe his 7th grade year, so it's not like he's very young.

* He's the best throwing QB coming out if he chooses. Bradford might be picked higher, but there is nobody else who wings it better than he does. McCoy is not a high prospect b/c of his size, Tebow is not because of his weak arm, and the other guys are behind him because of their system. With Sanchez already a pro, it leaves the door open for JC.

* The lockout in 2011. The NFL owners are adamant about a rookie salary cap. They will not budge on that IMO. That means next year's rookies will be the last to get the big bucks coming out of college, if the owners have their way. You don't think that'll play a big part on Jimmy's decision? And not just JC, but all kinds of kids (maybe even Tate). This will play a huge role IMO.

* He has the complete backing of CW, who has all kinds of NFL ties. CW will give him the straight-up truth, unlike Poodle. If CW tells him he'll be a high pick, that will also influence him.

* If CW gets fired (a very real possibility..let's be real), he'll definitely leave. Why start over when you don't have to?

I hope, of course, that I'm wrong, and that the lure of a NC will bring him back...

GDomer09 · Sep 30, 2009

No way! Look at all the talent at QB going into the draft this year it wouldn't make since for him to leave. Talent that has won big games and have had big years. I don't feel Jimmy is going to leave based on this alone. He also doesn't seem to be the type of guy that wants to shoot right into the pros, he wants to win big and have a big year for the Irish. I think BQ is doing us a favor right now by haveing deal with the team issues he's dealing with. Besides money there seems to be no glory left in pro football.

We_Are_ND · Sep 30, 2009

No way he leaves. I don't believe NFL scouts have seen enough of Jimmy Clausen. He had a forgettable freshman and sophmore year. His Junior year is pretty good, but he is injured. NFL will want to see a healthy Jimmy Clausen play as a senior.

No way Jimmy leaves after this year. He sees that he has Tate and Floyd and Kyle returning. No way, he wants a NC

The Polish Irishman · Sep 30, 2009

I say it depends of the defense this year because that will tell if ND is true National Championship contenders or pretenders.

The rookie salary cap is also huge.

Steve · Sep 30, 2009

all i know is if he does go pro, i better be getting a jimmy clausen redskins jersey.

NDinL.A. · Sep 30, 2009

We_Are_ND said:
No way he leaves. I don't believe NFL scouts have seen enough of Jimmy Clausen. He had a forgettable freshman and sophmore year. His Junior year is pretty good, but he is injured. NFL will want to see a healthy Jimmy Clausen play as a senior.

No way Jimmy leaves after this year. He sees that he has Tate and Floyd and Kyle returning. No way, he wants a NC

Scouts don't give a crap about your first 2 years. They know how hard it is to play QB when you're young, esp behind a crappy O-Line and no running game. Look at Mark Sanchez...he played ONE year of college, and didn't even light it up until the bowl game. Then he became the #1 pick in the draft.

Scouts are all about the combine (or Pro Day) and measurables, and then game film, sadly. Why do you think JaMarcus Russell was chosen over all those other QB's...same with Vince Young.

We don't know what JC wants. There's no way to say what he wants, only to speculate. We'd all want him to stay, but that doen't mean he cherishes a possible NC (which, let's be honest, isn't a probability the way we play defense and esp if CW is fired and the recruting falls apart.) over millions of dollars and the chance at pro fame. Most players dream of the NFL, not college. That's the ultimate goal...

NDinL.A. · Sep 30, 2009

GDomer09 said:
No way! Look at all the talent at QB going into the draft this year it wouldn't make since for him to leave. Talent that has won big games and have had big years. I don't feel Jimmy is going to leave based on this alone. He also doesn't seem to be the type of guy that wants to shoot right into the pros, he wants to win big and have a big year for the Irish. I think BQ is doing us a favor right now by haveing deal with the team issues he's dealing with. Besides money there seems to be no glory left in pro football.

Name a better QB than Jimmy who would come out. At least name 2, because that's what it would take for most QB's to stop from going pro early, if they were 3rd on the 'big board'...

irishfan · Sep 30, 2009

would be kinda funny if the browns drafted him....

irishtrain · Sep 30, 2009

Jim Clausen

Jim Clausen

I will bet anyone any amount of $$$ he will be back and he will have an agenda next year. (Jim aint Jimmy no more and he has a job to do next year.)

GO IRISH!!! · Sep 30, 2009

NDinL.A. said:
If he continues to play well, I think he's gone. Some factors here:

* He's an old junior. He was held back I believe his 7th grade year, so it's not like he's very young.

* He's the best throwing QB coming out if he chooses. Bradford might be picked higher, but there is nobody else who wings it better than he does. McCoy is not a high prospect b/c of his size, Tebow is not because of his weak arm, and the other guys are behind him because of their system. With Sanchez already a pro, it leaves the door open for JC.

* The lockout in 2011. The NFL owners are adamant about a rookie salary cap. They will not budge on that IMO. That means next year's rookies will be the last to get the big bucks coming out of college, if the owners have their way. You don't think that'll play a big part on Jimmy's decision? And not just JC, but all kinds of kids (maybe even Tate). This will play a huge role IMO.

* He has the complete backing of CW, who has all kinds of NFL ties. CW will give him the straight-up truth, unlike Poodle. If CW tells him he'll be a high pick, that will also influence him.

* If CW gets fired (a very real possibility..let's be real), he'll definitely leave. Why start over when you don't have to?

I hope, of course, that I'm wrong, and that the lure of a NC will bring him back...

I agree with everything you said. However, I might add another intangible that goes against what you said about scouts not caring about a player's first two years. I am not a scout, but I think Jimmy's freshman year would count HUGE in one area in particular - toughness and durability (okay that's two areas technically). He hit the ground a ton that first year and he kept getting back up. He has not shown he is too injury prone (knock on wood) and the Purdue game just solidified how much of a gamer he truly is. I think scouts will look at '07 and take note of how he got sacked 50 some times and got hit countless more and he didn't go out. That is something you can't coach or train for. You either have that toughness and durability or you don't and Jimmy has it in spades.

That being said, I hope he stays for his fourth year, but I don't blame any player that chooses to come out early. This is a rough game and if you can grab that brass ring now, I say go for it. Especially if a salary cap is looming.

NDinL.A. · Sep 30, 2009

irishtrain said:
I will bet anyone any amount of $$$ he will be back and he will have an agenda next year. (Jim aint Jimmy no more and he has a job to do next year.)

I'd take that bet. When your own head coach is saying that NFL people are talking about Jimmy, and that if Jimmy were to be a high draft pick he'd advise him to leave, then it's not such a slam dunk that he stays. I hope he stays, but I'm surprised so many people are soooooo confident that he'll stay. First of all, we should let the season play out before any of us get so confident, and second of all, if keeps tearing it up he'll be considered the top QB in the draft should he choose to leave (perhaps some will take Bradford though). That and a possible rookie salary cap make the NFL very tempting.

Of course, should he throw another stinker vs. SC, he'll definitely be advised to stay in school...

JeremyND07 · Sep 30, 2009

irishfan said:
would be kinda funny if the browns drafted him....

NOT funny at all!!! Anderson throws (3) INT's and that was enough to show Mangina that he should start. I have a crazy idea...develop your running game and get a defense. They have to good QB's that could be great in the right system and they are ruining them both!!!!

acerider8 · Sep 30, 2009

An interesting thing to consider here is how much a quarterback benefits from staying all 4 years in college. Now, if it's simply about getting a big money contract, I'm sure Jimmy could care less, but I have to think a kid like Clausen genuinely cares about being a great QB at the next level. If that is the case, he'll make plenty of money in his career.

Look at the the successful QB's in the NFL: Manning, Brady, Brees, Matt Ryan, McNabb, Joe Flacco, Carson Palmer, Philip River to name a few.

The common denominator with all of these folks is that they returned and played 4 years of college. The got stronger both mentally and physically and, from a maturity standpoint, were ready to have great careers. Manning, Rivers, McNabb, etc. probably could have come out after their Jr. years and easily been 1st rounders, but, instead, chose to stay.

On the other hand look at Jamarcus Russel, Ryan Leaf, etc. who have struggled mightily. In fact, I can't think of any Quarterbacks who came out early and succeeded long-term (The Jury is still out on Sanchez and Stafford) Now, it may be unfair to compate Jimmy to Jamarcus and Leaf because I have to think his head is screwed on much tighter, but it's an interesting thought.

The best example is proably a kid like Stafford in Detroit. He got the contract he wanted. He'll be rich forever. But I find it hard to believe he will ever have a successful NFL career in Detroit where he will forever be rushed and put into a very difficult decision.

Forget about the Rookie contract Jimmy, return for your Sr. year.

irishfan · Sep 30, 2009

JeremyND07 said:
NOT funny at all!!! Anderson throws (3) INT's and that was enough to show Mangina that he should start. I have a crazy idea...develop your running game and get a defense. They have to good QB's that could be great in the right system and they are ruining them both!!!!

funny for non-browns fans i meant to say lol. i pull for the browns when quinns but besides that the past couple years ive been rooting against them so that they will

1) put quinn in
2) get top-5 draft pick and get some weapons for him

and honestly mangini could go down as the worst hire of all time if they can't put things together. i'm a pats fan and i find it pretty funny they've hired two ex-bellichick d-coordinators when he pretty much runs his own d

no.1IrishFan · Sep 30, 2009

NDinL.A. said:
If he continues to play well, I think he's gone. Some factors here:

* He's an old junior. He was held back I believe his 7th grade year, so it's not like he's very young.

* He's the best throwing QB coming out if he chooses. Bradford might be picked higher, but there is nobody else who wings it better than he does. McCoy is not a high prospect b/c of his size, Tebow is not because of his weak arm, and the other guys are behind him because of their system. With Sanchez already a pro, it leaves the door open for JC.

* The lockout in 2011. The NFL owners are adamant about a rookie salary cap. They will not budge on that IMO. That means next year's rookies will be the last to get the big bucks coming out of college, if the owners have their way. You don't think that'll play a big part on Jimmy's decision? And not just JC, but all kinds of kids (maybe even Tate). This will play a huge role IMO.

* He has the complete backing of CW, who has all kinds of NFL ties. CW will give him the straight-up truth, unlike Poodle. If CW tells him he'll be a high pick, that will also influence him.

* If CW gets fired (a very real possibility..let's be real), he'll definitely leave. Why start over when you don't have to?

I hope, of course, that I'm wrong, and that the lure of a NC will bring him back...

EXACTLY! Nailed it on the head buddy. I know a lot of us don't want to entertain the idea of CW not coming back next year but to be realistic, at this point in the season it is a possibility. I'm not saying that that will be the one thing that makes JC stay (if CW stays), but CW getting fired will certainly be the one thing that makes him go.

TDHeysus · Sep 30, 2009

Mr. Clausen will be back....BANK ON IT

He has unfinished business, and he is not going to skip out on CW early, guaran-f'in-teed.

Even if he comes back, and doesnt win the NC, in no way is that a FAIL. Its about seeing this thing thru to the end. Mr. Clausen understands that this budding program needs him to stay for his last year. I believe CW made a commitment to him, and he made a committment to CW. Some ppl still honor thier commitments, and Mr. Clausen is one of them.

Mr. Clausen was a monumental recruit, thee pivtol recruit of the Weis era so far. He is an integral part of the 'rebuilding' of this program. I think he knows this, no way he leaves.

If Weis is fired, all bets are off. Mr. Clausen will be gone, along with quite a few other players too (xfers, draft, leaving early, etc)....

phork · Sep 30, 2009

Are you kidding me? 2010 is looking like its going to be an uncapped year in the NFL. If Jimmy has a consistently good year this year and gets over this turf toe, he would be stupid not to go. Imagine a Tom Brady scenario. Game1 next year some clown rolls into his knee and is done for the year. Draft stock gone, money gone.
If ND beats USC and is impressive in a BCS win or loss, he'll go. Especially if he ends up with a Heisman somehow.

GOLDENISTHYTATE · Sep 30, 2009

NDinL.A. said:
Name a better QB than Jimmy who would come out. At least name 2, because that's what it would take for most QB's to stop from going pro early, if they were 3rd on the 'big board'...

Well there is no doubt that Bradford will go ahead of him, their resumes don't even compare. Other QB's whom I know scouts are big on (in no particular order):

Colt McCoy - Texas
Jevan Snead - Ole Miss
Max Hall - BYU
Tony Pike - Cincinnatti
Tim Hiller - Western Michigan
Dan LeFevour Central Michigan
Adam Weber - Minnesota
Greg McElroy - Alabama
Tim Tebow - Florida, I put him on the list just because he is such an enigma and I could see him being drafted really high or fall to the third round.

The first three are very big threats to Clausen, McCoy and Snead being constantly mentioned in first-round talks. Now I believe Clausen is as good as anyone, but I am just putting names out there of QB's who have very good resumes and intangibles that might convince Jimmy to stay. I completely agree that the rookie salary cap and the possible CW firing are valid reasons for him to leave, but with all of those QBs gone after this year, I don't see anyone threatening Jimmy from being the first QB drafted after his senior year.

JefMaj · Sep 30, 2009

Regardless, of any other QB in the draft - Mortenson called Locker and Clausen the top 2 QB picks for 2010. I think he's gone.

He's go-o-on go-o-on...
Nothin's gonna bring him back
he's gone

Guest · Sep 30, 2009

It would be heart breaking for ND if Clausen leaves. The offense is one of the best in college football. It will be even better next year when Floyd comes back.

Add to that the young defensive players are getting better, and next year is shaping up like a true NC run. The only weakness on defense is a lack of veteran DTs (where are DEs have moved into that position, and our best OLB are masquerading as DEs right now). But give one more year, and guys like Fleming, Neal, and Ethan Johnson play their natural positions.

Please stay Clausen. It could be really really fun next year.

BeatSC · Sep 30, 2009

wyvrn said:
It would be heart breaking for ND if Clausen leaves. The offense is one of the best in college football. It will be even better next year when Floyd comes back.

Add to that the young defensive players are getting better, and next year is shaping up like a true NC run. The only weakness on defense is a lack of veteran DTs (where are DEs have moved into that position, and our best OLB are masquerading as DEs right now). But give one more year, and guys like Fleming, Neal, and Ethan Johnson play their natural positions.

Please stay Clausen. It could be really really fun next year.

While I want JC back I wouldn't mind seeing Crist with his physical tools given a chance to run the whole show. He is bigger, stronger, faster and has a gun (passes seemed too hard). I like a QB who can get out and run it like he did at Purdue. A little experince and he might make this a non-issue. With that said JC won't go especially if he doesn't get invited to NY. The pro scouts will be watching the USC game because that will be the closest he will come to facing a pro defense. If he lights up USC and leads us to victory we might see him go.

jason_h537 · Sep 30, 2009

GOLDENISTHYTATE said:
Well there is no doubt that Bradford will go ahead of him, their resumes don't even compare. Other QB's whom I know scouts are big on (in no particular order):

Colt McCoy - Texas
Jevan Snead - Ole Miss
Max Hall - BYU
Tony Pike - Cincinnatti
Tim Hiller - Western Michigan
Dan LeFevour Central Michigan
Adam Weber - Minnesota
Greg McElroy - Alabama
Tim Tebow - Florida, I put him on the list just because he is such an enigma and I could see him being drafted really high or fall to the third round.

The first three are very big threats to Clausen, McCoy and Snead being constantly mentioned in first-round talks. Now I believe Clausen is as good as anyone, but I am just putting names out there of QB's who have very good resumes and intangibles that might convince Jimmy to stay. I completely agree that the rookie salary cap and the possible CW firing are valid reasons for him to leave, but with all of those QBs gone after this year, I don't see anyone threatening Jimmy from being the first QB drafted after his senior year.

Chris Mortenson was talking today that scouts are really felling Clausen and Locker and that bothe could go higher than Bradford if they keep their performance up.

McCoy is not considered a high NFL prospect and neither is Tebow. The only names on there that might be looked at higher than Clausen is Bradford and maybe Pike

NDinL.A. · Sep 30, 2009

GOLDENISTHYTATE said:
Well there is no doubt that Bradford will go ahead of him, their resumes don't even compare. Other QB's whom I know scouts are big on (in no particular order):

Colt McCoy - Texas
Jevan Snead - Ole Miss
Max Hall - BYU
Tony Pike - Cincinnatti
Tim Hiller - Western Michigan
Dan LeFevour Central Michigan
Adam Weber - Minnesota
Greg McElroy - Alabama
Tim Tebow - Florida, I put him on the list just because he is such an enigma and I could see him being drafted really high or fall to the third round.

The first three are very big threats to Clausen, McCoy and Snead being constantly mentioned in first-round talks. Now I believe Clausen is as good as anyone, but I am just putting names out there of QB's who have very good resumes and intangibles that might convince Jimmy to stay. I completely agree that the rookie salary cap and the possible CW firing are valid reasons for him to leave, but with all of those QBs gone after this year, I don't see anyone threatening Jimmy from being the first QB drafted after his senior year.

I know you're just playing devil's advocate, but the list is a joke outside of a couple names.

*Bradford is a guy that could go ahead of Jimmy, as he does have great size, but scouts are starting to define his arm strength as above average, but no great, esp after some of those floaters he threw vs. FL.

*Colt McCoy - One scout described him as Chad Pennington w/ mobility. Not that it's a bad thing, but those types of players don't get drafted as high as the prototypical QB. So he's got an average arm (yet very accurate), and he's on the small side. What you have is a Jeff Garcia type, and those guys just don't get drafted high. He might be a better pro QB than the others, but that doesn't matter for the sake of this argument.

* Jevan Snead - before the year, yes. Now, his stock is way down. Unless he starts playing much much better, and he wows them at his pro day, he won't go as high as JC nor Bradford.

*The rest of the guys, at this time, are simply not on the same level as JC in the scouts' eyes. Hall, no chance. McElroy, not even close, etc. A lot can and will change of course, but for right now, scouts aren't talking up those others guys nearly as much as the aforementioned QB's. I fully expect one of those MAC and small school QB's to rise up the rankings like they always do (Big Ben, Flacco, etc), in particular either LeFevour or Hiller, but FOR NOW, it's Bradford and JC, with Locker getting some love as well...

JefMaj · Sep 30, 2009

I don't remember where I copied this from:

"ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has Locker second among draft-eligible quarterbacks for the April 2010 draft and the No. 7 prospect overall. Clausen is sixth among quarterback prospects.

McShay rates Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, as the No. 1 quarterback and top overall prospect. Mississippi junior Jevan Snead is the No. 3 quarterback, Texas senior Colt McCoy No. 4, Cincinnati's Tony Pike No. 5, and the 2007 Heisman winner, Tim Tebow of Florida, No. 7.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Clausen ahead of Locker."

Riddickulous · Sep 30, 2009

I'm with NDinLA. NFL scouts don't give a damn what you did in college.

Clausen would dominate at the combine.

jason_h537 · Sep 30, 2009

Pike has great measurables, like Jamarcus Russell (not that he will end up like him). Great size and strong arm, coaches would love to have that to work with. Clausen already runs an NFL system and has a career completion % of over 60

ND_HAS_RISEN · Sep 30, 2009

I would hate to lose JC, but seriously, he can be drafted number one overall just from a pro day workout. THis kid can flat out play. There isnt any other QB out there, even Bradford that can make the throws that JC makes. Let alone what he's done this year, but the performance against Hawaii was down right sickening. That defense could of been USC and those passess would have been picture perfect.

I would absolutley hate to lose him, but his measurables along witht he fact that the rookies WILL have a salary cap after next year, and there is NO WAY he stays. He is the best PRO QB prospect in actually quite some time IMO. Stafford SUCKS, Sanchez while doing well right now has an incredible line blocking for him, and hasnt really been preassured all that much. JC is the best prospect since Peyton just considered the god given abilites. He has the smarts to make it, and has already had a resume with a very good pro OC in Wies.

He's gone, and I wouldnt blame him for one second. I would be wishing that the 9er's can get him and help in the rebuilding.

either way, Everything will be fine. This program is finally starting to get back into the NC picture, and Christ has the tools to take us there. Maybe not what JC has, but still pretty damn good

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