| Sanchez's decision to skip his senior season wasn't expected and even went against the advice of his college coach. But coming off a record-setting Rose Bowl performance to cap his only season as a starter, there may be little left for Sanchez to prove on the college level. With 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow of Florida and Texas star Colt McCoy all choosing to return to school, Sanchez and Georgia's Matthew Stafford - another junior coming out early - are the top quarterback prospects in arguably a weak draft for signal-callers. Trojans coach Pete Carroll, a former NFL head coach with the New York Jets and New England, said another year of college experience would have greatly benefited Sanchez. He also coached Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, along with John David Booty, who all returned for their final year of eligibility with the Trojans. Palmer was the first overall pick by Cincinnati in the 2002 draft and Leinart was selected 10th by Arizona in 2005. Still, it was quite a run for Sanchez, a southern California native. He completed his college career with his finest outing, going 28-for-35 against Penn State and setting a Rose Bowl record by completing 80 percent of his passes. He threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for a score in the Trojans' 38-24 victory. For the season, Sanchez finished with 3,207 yards passing, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That helped the Trojans to a 12-1 record and No. 3 national ranking. Sanchez will almost assuredly be a first-round selection, possibly first overall to Detroit. |
