OU loaded for 2010 draft
Stellar class: Sooners could have as many as 4 first-round selections
By Jake Trotter
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Published: April 27, 2009
NORMAN — This past weekend, Oklahoma endured its most mediocre NFL Draft in nearly a decade, as only offensive tackle Phil Loadholt was taken in the first two rounds.
But in 2010, if quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy join tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive tackle Trent Williams in the draft, the Sooners could have a school-record four players go in the first round. "Overall, I think next year is going to be Oklahoma’s year in the draft,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. told The Oklahoman during a teleconference. "It’s going to be an incredible class for 2010. "They are going to dominate the early portion of the draft.” In 1970, Sooner tight end Steve Zabel (No. 6, Eagles), linebacker Jim Files (No. 13, Giants) and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Steve Owens (No. 19, Lions) all went in the first round. Then in 1976, OU enjoyed its best draft of all time as defensive end Lee Roy Selmon became the first Sooner to go No. 1 overall, to the Buccaneers. Selmon was followed in the first round by OU tailback Joe Washington (No. 4, Chargers) and wide receiver Billy Brooks (No. 11, Bengals). But next year’s draft class may well top that one. Bradford could join Selmon and Billy Sims as the third Sooner to go No. 1 in the draft, if 2010 mock draft projections hold true, and the team with the first pick possesses a need at quarterback. Gresham — who like Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew was this past draft — is sure to be the top tight end on the board next year. And should he skip his senior season, McCoy is the favorite to be the draft’s best defensive tackle. "McCoy may not be Tommie Harris (the ex-Sooner defensive tackle, who went No. 14 overall to the Bears in 2004), but he’s going to be a first-round guy,” said former Oklahoma State coach Pat Jones, who was an assistant in the NFL from 1996-2006. "Gresham probably would’ve been a first-round pick this year. He’s such a different-type tight end, a legit downfield route runner.” The only fringe first-round talent of the four is Williams, who received a second-round grade from the NFL Draft advisory committee in January. But the committee graded Williams as a right tackle, where he has played the last two years. Next season, Williams will shift to left tackle, which is the second-most coveted position by NFL teams in the draft behind quarterback. With a banner season protecting Bradford’s blindside, Williams could easily play himself into the first round. "They have as much talent coming back as anybody, because a lot of those kids could’ve come out and been high picks this year,” Kiper said. "They’re loaded, just loaded.”
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No point in what iffing Bradford's decison to death, it was his choice so I can only assume he's happy with with it. It's not like he made his decision without consulting the people he trusts the most.