UCLA head coach Jim Mora says that linebacker Myles Jack might have been better served if he chose to return to school for his senior season, according to NFL columnist Michael Silver.
Jack informed Mora on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the university in order to pursue his dream in the 2016 NFL draft. Jack made the decision after his season was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury.
Jack was seen as an elite prospect for the 2016 NFL draft, according to NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah. "I hate to see this happen but I don't think it will affect how NFL folks evaluate him if he decides to enter the 2016 NFL Draft," said Jeremiah, via nfl.com.
Mora was a former NFL head coach for both the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks, and he sees this decision as risky. "He's taking his chips and shoving them into the middle, and we hope he draws a good hand," said Mora, via nfl.com. "I think it's risky to do this. Having been on that side, there's going to be a lot of speculation as to what he is and where he fits. And as I told Myles on Sunday, NFL teams are very, very conservative, and if there's any question whatsoever, they'll pass on you in a heartbeat."
Mora said that Jack would have been better served returning for his senior season, because NFL scouts will only have three game tapes to study from this season. Jack said that he values his head coaches opinion but still plans on going forward with the his decision. "Coming from him, I can't discredit what he's done in the NFL, so I have to value his opinion. I have no choice but to respect his opinion and take what he says into consideration. The only scout I know is my head coach, so what he says, I have to take it seriously. But I'm definitely glad I made the decision," said Jack, via nfl.com.
UCLA just took their first loss this past Saturday, and the loss of a player like Jack has likely impacted their defense greatly. Jack is considered a first round draft pick, but it will be interesting to see if he slides down boards as the college football season continues.
