Tough choices ahead
NEW ORLEANS -- Tom Zbikowski might want to consider a boxing career.
Jeff Samardzija could trade his shoulder pads for a bat and glove.
JaMarcus Russell has a chance to be one of the top players taken in the NFL
draft- or he could go into next season as a leading contender for the
Heisman Trophy.
Decisions, decisions. After last night's Sugar Bowl, several players
from both LSU and Notre Dame will have to take a good, hard look at their
future plans. It was hard for players such as Tigers defensive tackle
Glenn Dorsey to stay focused on the game when they'll soon be deciding,
or at least announcing, whether they'll go pro.
People are always asking me about it," said Dorsey, a 299-pound junior
who ranked third in tackles on one of the nation's top defensive teams
despite constant double-teaming.
"I guess it's a good problem to have. I can't say I'm complaining about
it. But you try to stay focused on the task at hand." Same with
Russell, LSU's star quarterback and another NFL prospect.
It would be hard to put up much better numbers than he did during this
regular season, when he completed nearly 69 percent of his throws,
ranked third in the NCAA in passing efficiency and accounted for 26
touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
Then again, if Russell returns for his senior season, he would be well
positioned to make a run at both a national championship and the
Heisman, which would surely enhance his draft prospects even more in 2008.
"In the pros, they throw a lot of different things at you," said
Russell, who insists that he hasn't made up his mind. "If you're not ready
for that, there's no need going." Jimbo Fisher, the Tigers' offensive
coordinator and a close confidante, will meet with Russell to discuss the
pros but said the decision will largely be made by the player and his
family.
"When you talk to a kid and the first thing out of his mouth is money,
then you know it's going to be a driving factor," Fisher said. "JaMarcus isn't speaking like that. His family isn't speaking like that.
There's talk about him winning the Heisman next year. There's talk that
he could help us win a national championship. He's got to evaluate many
issues, but money hasn't crossed his lips."
Zbikowski is a senior at Notre Dame, but since he didn't play as a
freshman (a redshirt year at most schools, but the Fighting Irish don't
call it that), he can apply to the school for a fifth season. Then there's
his other passion: boxing, which he would have to give up for the NFL.
Zbikowski started throwing punches when he was 9-yearsold and made his
professional boxing debut last June with a 49-second, first-round
knockout of Robert Bell at Madison Square Garden.
Zbikowski doesn't know if he will box professionally again, but said he
plans to remain active in the sport.
"I'll always be watching it. I'll probably be in the gym," he said.
"I don't know if I'm going to be able to fight again or what's going
on." Jeff Samardzija is another twosport athlete, playing both baseball and
football at Notre Dame.
The pitcher-slash-receiver was a fifth-round draft pick of the Chicago
Cubs last year, but he also led the Fighting Irish with 70 catches for
958 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season.
"I was hoping by now I would be somewhere with my decision," Jeff Samardzija
said, managing a tormented grin. "I really don't know."
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