Nicholas Staying - OFFICIAL

[E.T.]

USF LB Nicholas Decides Not To Go Pro

By BRETT McMURPHY

Published: Jan 14, 2006

TAMPA - None of the recruiting commitments the University of South Florida lands this year will compare with the one USF received from junior linebacker Stephen Nicholas on Saturday.

After contemplating leaving early for the NFL draft, Nicholas said he will return for his senior season at USF.

"I thought I was going to go pro," Nicholas said. "I must have changed my mind at least six times the past couple of weeks.

"I didn't think it would be this hard of a decision. It was like, 'Yeah, I'm going,' then 'No, I'm staying.' I feel good about this decision."

Nicholas petitioned the NFL's draft advisory council and was projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

"I want to work hard and get better," said Nicholas, who sought advice from his family and USF coaches. "Nobody pressured me either way. I made up my own mind.

Nicholas had a team-high 15 1/2 tackles for loss this season and also was a freshman All-American two years ago. He is nine hours shy of a communications degree.

"I think Stephen will be projected as one of the top [NFL] linebackers after next year," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

With Nicholas back, the Bulls return eight starters off the nation's No. 17 defense.

Brett McMurphy

[dausfbulls11]

this defense is gonna be bad ass.....especially if j. julmiste, buie, harry, clerbert play to their potential. Bring on the uwv hillbillies!!!!!

[___ Eats It]

Freaking FANTASTIC!

Wise choice, Stephen.

[lotsofbull99]

this defense is gonna be bad ass.....especially if j. julmiste, buie, harry, clerbert play to their potential. Bring on the uwv hillbillies!!!!!

Won't mean a **** thing if the offense doesn't get their act together! >

[Brad]

Won't mean a **** thing if the offense doesn't get their act together! >

Incorrect.  It means quite a bit - independent of what the offense does.  It means our defense will undoubtedly be stronger than it would have been without Nicholas.  In turn our defense will keep us close enough to have a chance to win.  It means Nicholas likely increases his draft value.  It means we get another year of watching one of the most heralded defensive players ever to play for the Bulls.  It means a lot of good things LOB, Let's leave negative offense-based posts on the negative offense-based or Leavitt and Smith bashing threads.  No need to taint good news too.

[Matt]

no reason why we cant be a top 10 defense next year.

[AgingBull]

anytime you can retain a player projected to go in the NFL draft it cant be all bad..good choice Stephen..and the Bulls will soon be one of the top 10 in defense no doubt

[beastiebull]

Why would this defense be any better than last year?  We're still losing our best players in both Jones's and Terrence Royal.  Defensive play will drop off from last year, essentially all of our senior leadership.  Nicholas will still be there to lead however it won't make up for the big losses.

[smazza]

big deal

it is too his benefit more than usf's

i was hoping he would leave and by some chance usf would recruit someone better

[Cubanbull]

LOL. i wont even comment on the last post