Seau Makes It Official: He Will Try Draft

USC linebacker Junior Seau confirmed Thursday that he will make himself available for the NFL draft April 22-23.

Seau, a junior, was named Pacific 10 defensive player of the year in 1989. He said financial considerations influenced his decision.

USC Coach Larry Smith, who attended a press conference on campus with Seau, said he hoped things worked out for the linebacker. But Smith added that the whole draft process is in disarray in regard to the NFL’s accepting underclassmen.

Technically, Seau isn’t eligible to participate in the draft, but it is generally agreed that the NFL’s rule against underclassmen would not stand legal scrutiny.

“If it comes to point we have to take them to court, we’ll go through with it,” Seau said, “but not if it’s a prolonged process.

Seau added that he had not signed with an agent.

Seau said that the proposed NFL salary cap on rookies in 1991 influenced his decision. Seau has been projected as being a top five pick by some publications.

“I’ve been reading up on things and it’s looking good, but I’m not believing any of it,” he said. “The draft is unpredictable. I could be a Barry Sanders--or a Rodney Peete.”

Sanders, the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma State, was drafted in the first round last year and became the NFC rookie of the year with the Detroit Lions. Peete, USC’s quarterback and a Heisman runner-up, was drafted by Detroit in the sixth round.

“There is so much uncertainty about the whole thing,” Smith said. “Junior is being told by the press that he should come out and that he’s going to be a top five pick.

“I’ve talked to the pro people and they haven’t told me that. To me the whole thing is a big mess.

“There are some real sorry things happening, and one of the sorriest is that the NFL has basically stuck its head in the sand on the whole deal. They say we don’t want juniors or seniors with eligibility to come out, but what do they do about it? They’re (still) signing and drafting them.

“I think there have to be some drastic changes made in the NCAA. I think the coaches have to address the problems that are causing this.

“I feel the NFL has to make some kind of stand, because so far we’ve had a great relationship. We’ve opened our doors. In the future I will never do anything to hurt my players’ chances going to professional football, but I do know there will be some pretty tight controls, not only on this campus but probably every campus across the country on use of tape, films and who views practice and that type of thing.

“I think it’s one of the major issues of college football.”

NCAA Executive Director Dick Schultz and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue have met on the draft, but nothing has been resolved.

Smith said he was hopeful that the NCAA would make a rule similar to that affecting college baseball, in which an underclassman can pursue the draft as long as he doesn’t hire an agent.

If he doesn’t like his draft position or money offered, he can return to school. Peete, also a baseball player, took that course to play his senior year at USC.

Smith said football coaches will make the NFL draft of college players a major issue at the next convention but couldn’t speak for the agenda for college presidents.

“As a football coach I’m going to be judged on college graduation rates. This (drafting underclassmen) most certainly affects it,” Smith said. “But it’s hypocritical if the other problems associated with graduation rates aren’t addressed as well. The door is now open for any (college) sophomore, freshman or high school senior to come out as well.”