Marquise Hill to enter the NFL Draft after all:

My understanding is that they had until Thursday to declare. IF they declared by Thursday - they could STILL reconsider - and by SUNDAY they could pull their name OUT of the draft (if they hadn't hired an agent). I don't think it works the other way (i.e. - they have until Sunday to "re-consider" entering the draft).

 

Hmm... according to WWL, Hill HAS declared for the NFL draft. Consider it done.

 

Damn, make up your mind dude.... seems to be another Donte Stallworth type thing going on with Hill...

 

The early entry list put out by the nfl is posted on espn.com - and Hill's name ain't on it - I don't if this is an "official" list of sorts - or more propoganda by our friends at espn - but hill's name ain't on it. I double checked - and the only thing I found re-iterated what I said earlier - that is, these guys can declare Thursday - and if they haven't hired an agent - they can back out by Sunday. Anyone got some links to Hill actually going - put 'em out here!!

 

Here's the link of underclassment entering - my bad - it was cnnsi.com - not espn....it's just too easy to blame those idiots at espn!!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/ncaa/underclassmen.draft/index.html

 

Does anyone know who announced it on WWL? Which radio announcer was it? If it was Caare Johnson, I would not put much stock in it? The guy is an idiot and makes more mistakes on the air than I can bear to listen to.

 

According to WWL-TV, Hill did enter the draft, but later backed out. They say that as of right now, he is planning on remaining at LSU, but nothing is certain until Sunday.

 

Is he or isn't he?

This just posted in the advocate:

LSU's Hill eyes draft -- for now

By CARL DUBOIS




[email protected]
Advocate sportswriter

LSU football coach Nick Saban and school officials are playing a waiting game this weekend to learn whether defensive end Marquise Hill will return for his senior season. Hill is sending mixed signals.

LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette confirmed Friday that Hill filed an early-entry declaration with the NFL -- just before the Thursday deadline -- stating his desire to be eligible for the April 24-25 draft.

Attempts to contact Hill at his family's home in New Orleans were unsuccessful.

In other news, Bonnette said he's unsure of the status of defensive backs coach Tim Walton. The Miami Herald reported Thursday that Walton accepted the same job at the University of Miami, but Bonnette said Saban couldn't confirm that.

"Tim came to him and asked for permission to talk to Miami," Bonnette said. "Coach Saban hasn't talked to him since then. He doesn't know what Tim's decided or where Tim stands or what Miami's decided to do."

Miami made no announcement Friday. Attempts to contact Walton or Hurricanes coach Larry Coker were unsuccessful.

Hill's situation is more intriguing, and the clock is running.

College juniors had until 4 p.m. Thursday to put their names in the draft pool, but an NFL grace period gives them 72 hours to withdraw. Hill can change his mind and decide to stay at LSU if he alerts the NFL by 4 p.m. Sunday.

"Marquise put his name in," Bonnette said. "He's kind of wavered back and forth on this process, though. Coach Saban advised Marquise on what he thought would be in his best interests, but basically it's up to Marquise to determine the best thing to do."

Hill told reporter Ed Daniels of New Orleans television station WGNO on Wednesday he planned to return to LSU for the 2004 season, citing his mother's interest in seeing him play as a senior.

"My mother wants to go to Senior Day," Daniels quoted Hill as saying. "She wants me to come back. I'm coming back."

Hill apparently changed his mind at least once after that conversation and hours of soul searching. A source close to the situation said he met Friday with LSU defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to talk about his options.

Saban, who has NFL coaching experience and many contacts in the league, typically advises a player not to enter the draft as a junior unless he projects to be a first-round draft pick. Hill, listed on LSU's roster at 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, is not projected as a first-round pick this year.

Mel Kiper Jr., the top NFL draft analyst for ESPN, didn't rate Hill among the top five junior defensive linemen in an analysis for ESPN.com last month. Kiper rated LSU wide receiver Michael Clayton the No. 17 overall prospect Tuesday after Clayton announced he would enter the draft.

Of LSU's six juniors who considered declaring for early entry into the draft, Hill is the only one who hasn't released a statement through the school or held a news conference. Clayton and quarterback Matt Mauck said this week they would forgo their senior seasons for the draft.

Defensive end Marcus Spears, cornerback Corey Webster and center Ben Wilkerson said they will be back for the 2004 season.

 

He'll back out and come back for one more year ... let's pray. Destiny isn't finished with LSU and Marquise Hill just yet ...

 

Scarborough( sp?) said that Marquise was known when he was being recruited to play games and at one point had everyone thinking he was going to Michigan, but was just trying to get more attention. So word is he is somewhat of a primadonna, but we will just have to wait and see what he is really going to do on Sunday.