If all DeSean wants is a few highlight punt returns for TD’s and mediocre WR stats to show for his career at Cal then maybe he is not the player we thought he was. DeSean’s WR stats aren’t going to improve in the NFL and he’ll have even less opportunity to play on that level.

Riley will give DeSean plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a WR next year. The question DeSean answers tomorrow is will DeSean decide go out as a mediocre college WR to the NFL this year or stay at Cal and prove he is an elite college WR ready to dominate on the next level with a great QB like Riley throwing to him?

Maybe it is satisfying enough for DeSean to have a few highlight punt return run backs for TD’s and mediocre WR stats at Cal. But if Desean is really the elite WR he thinks he is then he has stay in school and prove that here at Cal. DeSean wasn’t even the top WR for Cal in terms of stats; Hawkins was the #1 WR in 2007. And Hawkins may not even get drafted this year.

As for the analogy to my own career, the difference in draft spot can go well beyond only 10%. Moreover, again, there is a value to getting that degree, to beating USC, to going to the Rose Bowl. The question is how much value does Desean place on those things? If it is indeed all about money for Desean then I suppose he won’t value those things that much. However, as far as NPV and “show me the money” at worst the same money will be available next year and staying an extra year is unlikely to change the lifespan of his NFL career. The difference he would get from going next year as opposed to this year, with regard to lifetime earnings would likewise be nill. Lastly, who is to say his market value wouldn’t increase with respect to endorsements if he made a real run at the Heisman or Cal bounced back to the national scene?