Bryce Love returns to Stanford

[78SweetRevenge]

http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...d-cardinal-rb-bryce-love-return-senior-season

Surprised and a bit confused by the decision. The was probably the second or third back in this draft.
He's now the Heisman favorite IMO--Stanford's the favorite in the Pac XII as well.

 

[MontereyLion]

This makes it a little more likely that Barkley will be the #1 pick. Cleveland could have passed on him at #1 knowing that if someone picked him at #2 or #3 they could still get Love at #4. With six really good QBs available and the Colts at #3, not needing a QB, it is more likely that Cleveland picks Barkley at #1 and still has their choice at 5 of the best 6 QBs in the draft. They may even get the QB they want at #4.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

This makes it a little more likely that Barkley will be the #1 pick. Cleveland could have passed on him at #1 knowing that if someone picked him at #2 or #3 they could still get Love at #4. With six really good QBs available and the Colts at #3, not needing a QB, it is more likely that Cleveland picks Barkley at #1 and still has their choice at 5 of the best 6 QBs in the draft. They make even get the QB they want at #4.

Agreed unless they really like Guice with a trade back. I still think Barkley or Fitzpatrick have to go #1 with the other one going 3rd barring a trade.

Barkley/Rosen/Fitzpatrick/Darnold/Allen makes a lot of sense for the top 5--way too early but for now anyway

 

[kijanalives]

This makes it a little more likely that Barkley will be the #1 pick. Cleveland could have passed on him at #1 knowing that if someone picked him at #2 or #3 they could still get Love at #4. With six really good QBs available and the Colts at #3, not needing a QB, it is more likely that Cleveland picks Barkley at #1 and still has their choice at 5 of the best 6 QBs in the draft. They make even get the QB they want at #4.

Love was not going top 10. Lucky to be first round, w/ or w/o Barkley. Too many QBs, DEs, LBs, OL in the upper tier....RB position has been devalued, though it's resurging with success of Gurley, Kamara, Hunt, etc.

 

[GregInPitt]

http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...d-cardinal-rb-bryce-love-return-senior-season

Surprised and a bit confused by the decision. The was probably the second or third back in this draft.
He's now the Heisman favorite IMO--Stanford's the favorite in the Pac XII as well.

You believe Love has similar NFL potential as Barkley? My understanding is that Love is much smaller than most NFL RB's. He's listed at 196 lbs on the Stanford roster, vs SB at around 230. Great college RB's don't always translate into great NFL RB's.

I "love" the move by him to come back and help his team beat up on the Domers, again.

 

[HazletonLion]

Recent success in the NFL seems to hinge on that home run back Fournette, Gurly, etc. I could imagine what Barkley would mean to a Seattle, Detroit, Houston franchise. Zeke Elliot was a big difference in the resurgence of Dallas, so trading up could be a possibility but a costly one for Barkley.
All signs point to Cleveland for Barkley.

 

[fairgambit]

He has not yet earned his degree. If he leaves early he might never accomplish that. Yes, there are physical risks, but if I had the chance to earn a degree from Stanford, I'd go back too.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

You believe Love has similar NFL potential as Barkley? My understanding is that Love is much smaller than most NFL RB's. He's listed at 196 lbs on the Stanford roster, vs SB at around 230. Great college RB's don't always translate into great NFL RB's.

I "love" the move by him to come back and help his team beat up on the Domers, again.

No, I believe Barkley is a once in a generation player. I do believe Love would have gone in the first or second. Any back that is draftable I believe should enter the draft.

I will enjoy watching him run for 200 against ND as well

 

[GregInPitt]

He has not yet earned his degree. If he leaves early he might never accomplish that. Yes, there are physical risks, but if I had the chance to earn a degree from Stanford, I'd go back too.

How many million $ is a degree from Stanford worth? But we don't know what his priorities are. Maybe he is taking out an insurance policy.

Could be something as basic as wanting to enjoy his year on campus with his friends, and maybe a girfriend. Who knows.

He still could have eventually gone back and got his degree from Stanford. But he may have to pay for it himself if he waits until his 30's to finish.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Love was not going top 10. Lucky to be first round, w/ or w/o Barkley. Too many QBs, DEs, LBs, OL in the upper tier....RB position has been devalued, though it's resurging with success of Gurley, Kamara, Hunt, etc.

Agree: Great runner, very fast, and a big heart. But he strikes me as a tad small by NFL standards, and a tad injury prone as well. Maybe that's unfair to him, but that's how I see it. He is definitely a notch below Saquon. ("The Power of Saquon compels you." My new mantra.)

 

[78SweetRevenge]

He has not yet earned his degree. If he leaves early he might never accomplish that. Yes, there are physical risks, but if I had the chance to earn a degree from Stanford, I'd go back too.

That's on him though if he doesn't go back after his playing days. He'd make more than enough money to finish that out.

 

[fairgambit]

That's on him though if he doesn't go back after his playing days. He'd make more than enough money to finish that out.

True, but few players do it. If this was another school...UCLA, Ohio State, or even Penn State, I would leave, but Stanford is an academic gem and I believe a degree, and the connections, are worth the physical risk. Clearly many will disagree, but I salute this kid for returning.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

True, but few players do it. If this was another school...UCLA, Ohio State, or even Penn State, I would leave, but Stanford is an academic gem and I believe a degree, and the connections, are worth the physical risk. Clearly many will disagree, but I salute this kid for returning.

I mean, I know Stanford is special but I'm still going pro--taking the money--then returning to school. School will always be there.
I think it's a bad decision but it's his life. I hope it works out the best for him. I don't think anyone's every going to attack a kid for returning to school. One can support that decision but still be critical when consider the financial aspects of it.
At any other position I wouldn't be "as critical". RBs simply have a very short shelf life--you need to prolong that at the next level. Especially an undersized RB

 

[fairgambit]

I mean, I know Stanford is special but I'm still going pro--taking the money--then returning to school. School will always be there.
I think it's a bad decision but it's his life. I hope it works out the best for him. I don't think anyone's every going to attack a kid for returning to school. One can support that decision but still be critical when consider the financial aspects of it.
At any other position I wouldn't be "as critical". RBs simply have a very short shelf life--you need to prolong that at the next level. Especially an undersized RB

There is obviously a lot of merit to what you say, and I think most people would agree with you. Maybe it's easy for me to say I'd go back because I don't have a pile of money staring me in the face, but I still believe that is what I'd do. It will be interesting to hear his thoughts on this decision 5, or 10, or 20 years from now. As you said, "I hope it works out the best for him."

 

[YorkLion]

A degree from Stanford is quite an accomplishment!!

 

[78SweetRevenge]

There is obviously a lot of merit to what you say, and I think most people would agree with you. Maybe it's easy for me to say I'd go back because I don't have a pile of money staring me in the face, but I still believe that is what I'd do. It will be interesting to hear his thoughts on this decision 5, or 10, or 20 years from now. As you said, "I hope it works out the best for him."

Agreed--and, truthfully, I don't know his family's situation. I could be an "Andrew Luck" scenario where money just isn't that important. I'm going to enjoy watching him play at Stanford for another season. If he's happy and comfortable with the decision then that's all that truly matters.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Hard to believe: in 2017 Love had only 6 catches for 33 yds.

Somebody should talk to Stanford’s Offensive Coordinator!

 

[Lane]

The irony is that if he's truly talented enough academically to earn a meaningful Stanford degree then the physical risks of an NFL career are the ones not worth it. Sure he can probably make 6 million or so in 4 years in the NFL. If he's lucky enough to get a second decent contract then there's greater money. But is that really worth the permanent destruction of your body? I guess for some people it is, but for more and more (and obviously for those with real options provided by their degree and work ethic) the answer is no. John Urschel certainly figured that out.

How's Marion Barber enjoying his NFL fortune?

 

[78SweetRevenge]

The irony is that if he's truly talented enough academically to earn a meaningful Stanford degree then the physical risks of an NFL career are the ones not worth it. Sure he can probably make 6 million or so in 4 years in the NFL. If he's lucky enough to get a second decent contract then there's greater money. But is that really worth the permanent destruction of your body? I guess for some people it is, but for more and more (and obviously for those with real options provided by their degree and work ethic) the answer is no. John Urschel certainly figured that out.

How's Marion Barber enjoying his NFL fortune?

Urschel is the exception not the rule

 

[LafayetteBear]

All this 'Furd love is making my gorge rise...

 

[interrobang]

Love is an undersized RB with poor blocking and receiving skills. No matter how good of a runner you are, the stuff going against him would push him into the 3rd round

 

[PSUcup1]

I also believe that he wants to become a medical doctor.... so getting his degree now is important in that regard

 

[psuro]

Maybe the kid just enjoys being in college.

 

[BobPSU92]

He has not yet earned his degree. If he leaves early he might never accomplish that. Yes, there are physical risks, but if I had the chance to earn a degree from Stanford, I'd go back too.

Degree, schmegree. FOOTBALL. MONEY.

 

[78SweetRevenge]

Maybe the kid just enjoys being in college.

True. No one is bashing the kid for his decision (at least not that I've seen) it's just odd for a player (especially a RB) not to jump at the first opportunity. A QB staying makes a lot of sense--I think Lamar Jackson should have returned to Louisville even though he's probably a first round pick. Maybe Love's long term plan isn't football. If not, then it makes even more sense. RBs typically play to about 30. The early you enter the league the MORE LIKELY it is you play longer and you get to the second contract faster.

Like I said, the decision was surprising (see an early thread about McSorley & the Heisman--no one expected this) and it's confusing using the standard. Obvious every individual has different factors involved in their decisions.