Official - Mercilus to NFL

[obmtl]

We all knew it was coming, but it is official now.

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010312aad.html

[Firehawk]

coaching change coming, and he had a monster season, cant blame him! I assume he will go first round

[QCPost33]

I hope he goes first round and gets a good pay day.

[obmtl]

coaching change coming, and he had a monster season, cant blame him! I assume he will go first round

1st team All-American and all the other awards I assume would put him in the first round, but I heard Tate and Turpin on Monday morning quarterback podcast say that some scouts have been telling him maybe early to mid second round, some even said 3rd round. Don't know when they were saying that though. Those might be very old assessments.

[abwly45]

coaching change coming, and he had a monster season, cant blame him! I assume he will go first round

1st team All-American and all the other awards I assume would put him in the first round, but I heard Tate and Turpin on Monday morning quarterback podcast say that some scouts have been telling him maybe early to mid second round, some even said 3rd round. Don't know when they were saying that though. Those might be very old assessments.

The draft is a harsh business.  Any small flaw or slight will be magnified.  Right now McShay an Kiper do not have Mercilus in their first round.

[BYS]

I was listening to the game on the radio and the announcers were saying he is a future NFL star. Broke Simeon Rice's sack record, correct? Or did he tie it?

[abwly45]

I was listening to the game on the radio and the announcers were saying he is a future NFL star. Broke Simeon Rice's sack record, correct? Or did he tie it?

Not sure.  16 was the record.  And I believe when Rice played the Bowl games (don't think they went anyway) did not count toward season records.  And they only played 11 regular season games. 

So Mercilus had 2 more games to break the record.

[illiniman94]

coaching change coming, and he had a monster season, cant blame him! I assume he will go first round

The bowl announcers during our game said, "he was climbing into the second round".......I think that is insane. How can a consensus first team All American be considered a third round player?

Congrats young man.....you did well for us, now cash in and secure your future.  Good luck at the next level!

[illiniman94]

I was listening to the game on the radio and the announcers were saying he is a future NFL star. Broke Simeon Rice's sack record, correct? Or did he tie it?

yes he did

[Musson]

coaching change coming, and he had a monster season, cant blame him! I assume he will go first round

The bowl announcers during our game said, "he was climbing into the second round".......I think that is insane. How can a consensus first team All American be considered a third round player?

Congrats young man.....you did well for us, now cash in and secure your future.  Good luck at the next level!

Ask J Leman, who never even got drafted!

I dont think he is first round, and I said it half way through the year.  He will have to WOW someone at the combine and turn in some really good numbers.  He is average against the run IMO.  Above average in motor and ability to get to the QB, but overall, I argued that there was no way he was near the best DL in the country.  Maybe top 8-10, and that would stick him 2-3rd round.