RJS has a goal of early exit for NFL

Submitted by BlueinTC on

 

In an interview over at GBMWolverine, RJS says he is planning on leaving early if things work out well for him.

I like the attitude and confidence.  Would love him around for 4 years, but a goal of leaving early means he's going to be working his tail off to perform and get early PT.  

 

GBMWolverine: How much does beating a team like Ohio State mean to you? Do you feel like the teams you will play with can 4-0 during your career?

Royce Jenkins-Stone: I’ll feel great about going 4-0, or even better 3-0 against Ohio State. I mean, what Wolverine wouldn’t? Come on now.

GBMWolverine: 3-0? Are you referring to the possibility of leaving school early as a Junior?

Royce Jenkins-Stone: Yes, I may possibly go to the draft early. Hopefully.

JHendo

March 1st, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^

If he gives us 3 solid years that warrant leaving and being highly draftable after his junior year, I'll forgive him for doing so.  That being said, it's a sad mindset that the kid's going in not shooting for getting a degree. Oh well, c'est la vie for a highly touted recruit I guess.

Mtruck

March 1st, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^

Is it really that low?  I graduated in 4 years, and while I did take one semester of Spring classes, that was only because I withdrew from Bio 161 my sophomore year (which being a lab science was 5 credits). 

I just know I have heard many times of senior football players taking like 2 classes just so they could still be students.  I think Matt Leinart was taking 1 his senior year, and I believe it was Ballroom Dancing.  Maybe these are redshirt seniors which is why this happens. 

WolvinLA2

March 1st, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^

But those numbers are for all colleges, not just Michigan.  There are a lot of kids who roll into Western State University only because they think they should, with no goals, and no work ethic, and they flunk a class or two, or switch majors 18 times.  Also, most of them don't have access to the academic support that M athletes have, and most of them don't have to make the proper grades in order to play their sport. 

Don't use national numbers when discussing Michigan.  They just aren't relevent.

unWavering

March 1st, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^

Which is why I said it should be noted that Michigan is well above those numbers.  However, I know a lot of people that didn't graduate from UM in 4 years, and they didn't have to practice football 20 hrs a week while they were in school either.  

It is really hard to graduate in 4 years if you don't know exactly what you're doing when you get into UM.  I know this from first-hand experience; I had to take spring classes one year to graduate on time.  My point is that it is not a given that you will graduate in 4 years, and nearly impossible to do it in 3, especially if you are on the football team.

RickH

March 1st, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^

While I don't go to Michigan (sadly), I agree completely.  When I signed up for my classes for my first semester of my freshman year, nobody told me what the fuck I was doing.  I was undecided at that point and had no idea what I was doing, only knowing that they told me I had to sign up for classes now or I would be screwed later on.  There's a huge lack of information given to incoming students that doesn't explain what you should be aiming for, what will put you on track to graduate in 4 years, etc.  I guess that falls on advising but, at least in Virginia, advisors are a joke and usually screw you up more than help you (like my advisor telling me my freshman year to take a class only available to upperclassmen).

Getting a degree is easily doable in four years, the problem is that nobody knows what the hell is happening their first two years (not even including the extra time for switching majors). I wish somebody informed me earlier of what was happening because I could have easily gotten my degree in 3 years (without any high school credit classes) if I would've known certain things.

redhousewolverine

March 1st, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

Part of that is the uncertainty that many students have in locating a major. Also, with grad school becoming more and more popular these days, people try to boost their resumes with double majors and such which can make graduating in 4 years difficult, especially if one was changing majors. Also, college is fun and sometimes people want to stay as long as possible, but that really isn't a huge part of it.

Also, a football player graduating in 3 years is unlikely as they do not usually take full class loads, I believe. With all the time they put into football, it woule really make college less fun for them to try to cram a 4 year degree into 3 years. Instead of graduating in 4 years, he should take some nightclasses or finish his degree while playing pro. Plenty of players do that.

Mtruck

March 1st, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^

That all makes sense.  You need to take 12 credits though to live in the dorms (or you did when I was there in 2001-2005), does this rule apply to football players?  I realize 15 credits is what you need to graduate per semester in 4 years, so 12 is still under that.  The football players who lived on my floor were taking at least 3 classes, could have been 4.  The one I was friends with was definitely always either at practice, at class, or studying during football season. 

OuldSod

March 1st, 2012 at 4:10 PM ^

Yes, you need 12 credits to be classified as a full time student and to maintain your scholarship/eligibility.  This was the basis of the Ann Arbor news "academic" scandal that preceded practice-gate.  Football players who took 14 credits and had to drop a class midsemester were funneled into late-add independent studies with the same professor, so they could maintain 12 credits.  Having that flexibiilty is a good thing, but how it was done and their workload for 1-2 extra credits was dubious.  The exception is if you need fewer credits than 12 to graduate, you do not have to take 12. 

coldnjl

March 1st, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^

The fact is that you risk alot by coming back for your 4th year. If you have the potential to make  millions in the NFL, you need to take it. Sam Bradford almost lost it all but managed to heal quick enough in order to throw pre-draft. He is the exception. Plus, alot of kids come back and get their degrees. 

turd ferguson

March 1st, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^

Why would it be sad for someone to go to college for three years instead of four if he has a promising future ahead of him either way?  Is it that you think that he'd learn something in his fourth year of college that he couldn't learn from his first three?  Maybe that's true.  It doesn't seem sad that he wouldn't get the degree, since his employer in that case wouldn't value a college degree anyway.  If a later employer would, he could always go back and take those last few classes.

I'm not trying to be an ass or anything - just always have been a little puzzled by this view.  I'd obviously love for him to be a dominant linebacker at Michigan for four full years, but that's about my interests at the end of the day and not necessarily his.

JHendo

March 1st, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^

I didn't say it would be sad for someone to go to college for 3 years instead of 4+.  I said it's sad that he's coming in with the mindset that he's only going to be there for 3.

I'm all for if you have a better oppurtunity before finishing your degree, go for it.  Hell, to be honest and hypocritical, I'm a college dropout myself who's living much more comfortably than many of my friends who finished school and even some who went on to grad school (granted, my potential ceiling is probably much lower than their's).  However, I didn't go to school expecting to eventually drop out.  The primary goal was to get that stupidly important piece of paper that says I know how to regurgitate back what someone tells me for 4+ years.  It just happened that other options arised and I got lucky it worked out, at least for the time being.

Essentially, it's sad because when it's all said and done, these guys are student-athletes.  I think a lot of us here (heck, everywhere) forget that the student part does and always should, come first.  That's all I'm saying.  And in a selfish way, I hope he makes it out early.  Because more often than not, if you can get drafted as a junior, you've been one hell of an asset to the team for those 3 years.

Ron Utah

March 1st, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^

I have a serious problem with this.  All the crap we hear about these kids being "students" first and "athletes" second is offensive to me.  As a current coach and former college player, I can say, beyond any doubt at all, that I learned more on the field than I did in all of my classes combined.

You're still a student when you're on the field!

Athletics is an education, and if the NCAA, teachers, and the general public would start to understand that concept more, I think it would go a long way toward helping bridge the divide that now exists between athletic departments and faculty.

I went to college on an academic scholarship, graduated with honors in four years, and now own and operate a successful business.  There is zero doubt in my mind that my education as a student of the game--learning things like teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, leadership, and integrity--has benefitted me far more than the knowledge that (which is significant and worthwhile) I learned in my classes, most of which does NOT apply to real life.

There is a reason that successful athletes often go on to be successful people: the field is much closer to the reality of life than the classroom.

RedondoWolverine

March 1st, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^

It sounds like he is alluding to doing so well that he leaves early. He probably isn't aware of the fact that guys leave early for reasons other than being a boss at their position. Not that he is dying to get to the NFL as soon as possible, just that everything works out for the best. I can't blame him for that. 

I hope that he is that good and honestly, if we go 3-0 over the next 3 years vs. Ohio, and he is a part of the reason why, guy can do pretty much whatever he wants and still be a G in my eyes,

Maize and Blue…

March 2nd, 2012 at 8:27 AM ^

left school early to start his own business.  Shame on him for not sticking around to get his degree.  If you are student and somebody offers you six to seven figures a year to come work for them most are going to forget the degree take the job and the cash.  Why is that any different than a student/athlete wanting to get a great paying job before they graduate especially considering the length of a pro players career?

coldnjl

March 1st, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^

I think Manny is a bad example...as he contributed last year and has the look of contributing this year after he is fully healed after his foot surgery. Plus, he is making 800 grand this year. 

With Darius, it made all the sense in the world to go last year when you had a diluted pool of players and this year being one of the deepest drafts in a long time. He would have had to stay 2 years to see a better chance to sneak into the first round

SanDiegoWolverine

March 1st, 2012 at 1:44 PM ^

Don't declare unless you have a first round gaurantee at the least. Plus, this year there are like three pg's worth taking in the first round. Had Darius come back and improved is floor game a bit and really shown he could shoot he would be looking at a likely lottery selection.

coldnjl

March 1st, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^

Darius, who was a great college point guard, had alot to prove before moving up into the lottery...He needed to improve his jumpshot substantially, as well as had to improve going to his left (can't quite remember which hand he favored, but I know it was very much dominant).

But...assuming he did that, the lottery is stacked this year...Assuming these guys declare....Davis (UK), Drummond (Uconn), Gilchrist (UK), T Robinson (Kansas), Sullinger (OSU), Barnes (NC), Perry Jones (Baylor), Zeller (NC), Lamb (Uconn) , Leonard (Illinois), and Rivers (Duke)...This is far from a comprehensive list, but all going above an improved Morris. If you take off the maize and Blue glasses, you will notice the lottery was not happening this year, and it would have been difficult for him to be in the first round with a talanted PG class this year.

 

Plus college isn't for everyone

Blue-Chip

March 1st, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^

I get nervous for a kid who sets his sights on early entry at this point in the game. Look at how it worked out for the likes of Donovan Warren and Ernest Shazor. Hopefully he is good enough for that to become an option, and also in a position to objectively evaluate his chances.

mackbru

March 1st, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^

I find the quote kind of off-putting, in a cart-before-the-horse sort of way. Guys who haven't played a down for the program shouldn't be talking about leaving early. 

WolvinLA2

March 1st, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^

But he's not even on campus yet.  A lot of kids think they're a star at this point in the game, and RJS is one of them.  We'll see how he stacks up against the other LBs on his own team before we start worrying about him leaving early. 

A couple months ago RJS was quoted as saying he wouldn't mind redshirting, and now he's talking about leaving early.  Point is, he really doesn't know what's going to happen, so why don't we just let it play out and not judge him based on a silly interview.

MichiganMan_24_

March 1st, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^

Everyone will have their opinion..i prefer kids going to college with education as their top goal but that is not for everybody..focus on school and all of will fall into place..im a fan RJS and wish him the best.

Rather be on BA

March 1st, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

I too like the confidence and would be happy if he produces enough to leave after 3 years.  With that said, hopefully he doesn't get it into his head too strongly and leave before he is ready like you see happen all too often. 

Speculation on leaving early before he is even on campus. Lol.

BradP

March 1st, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^

I'm not so sure I like that attitude.  There's a fine line between being confident in one's future and taking success for granted.

Stay grounded Royce, worry about your professional opportunities when you reach that point.

unWavering

March 1st, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^

You will never reach a goal you didn't set for yourself.  RJS wants to go to the NFL after 3 years of college, which means that he will have had a very successful career in college.  Not a bad goal to set.  If he doesn't reach it, I'm sure he will be ok with getting a fine degree as well.

RakeFight

March 1st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^

Hopefully the depth of talent that Hoke & Co. are developing at the LB position mean that...

1. We have LBs good enough to consider going pro early

2. If they do go early, there won't be much of a drop off when the next one fills his spot.

Mitch Cumstein

March 1st, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^

Just a personal opinion but this implies to me that the academic side doesn't factor in. That being said there are countless examples of guys finishing their degree after leaving early, which is cool.  If he can make 1st round money, staying an extra year is probably not worth it. 

AA2Denver

March 1st, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^

I don't know his family's financial situation, but my goal going into college was to get a good job not a piece of paper. I see no problem with what he's saying. 

WolvinLA2

March 1st, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^

This.  Most of us went into fields where the piece of paper was necessary, so they were one and the same.  However, if a Music School student left after three years because he/she got a recording deal or a role on a TV show, none of us would question it.  It shouldn't be different for athletes.

Mitch Cumstein

March 1st, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^

While I agree with the point of your post, I think most of us go to college to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to get a job.  That being said, his football career won't last forever, so I think its always a good idea for guys to gain some non-athletic skill while in college so they can support themselves after the NFL. 

Also, its always a good idea to learn about how to actually manage the money you will be making.

WolvinLA2

March 1st, 2012 at 1:51 PM ^

Two points - if he learns the skills necessary to be an NFL linebacker, he'll make more in a few years than most of us will in our entire careers.  It doesn't matter how long you work for if you make 5 million dollars in 5 years. 

As far as learning some non-athletic skill, if he doesn't learn anything in three years, he won't learn it in four.  There are plenty of athletic-oriented careers out there for ex-NFL players. 

As far as learning how to actually manage the money they'll be making - will finishing up his communications or English degree help him do that?  I have a degree in sociology.  I learned very little at Michigan about managing millions of dollars of my own wealth.  I'm assuming most of those guys are the same.