NFL Calling for Stanford Stars, Who May Delay Pro Status

Turning pro is not an automatic for elite college football players -- not from Stanford.

It's a question of when -- not if -- certain select Stanford students will receive a call for the National Football League.

But the answer appears to be not now -- but later. As in after the Rose Bowl, and perhaps even later than that.

The NFL will likely try to draft players like offensive lineman David Yankey, an All-American who is seen as a first-round draft selection.

That is, if he and others decide to turn pro and declare their eligibility for the draft -- which they have not yet done, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Defensive back Ed Reynolds deferred talk of NFL glory until after the Rose Bowl, when Stanford plays Michigan State.

Also considered draft-worthy is offensive lineman Cameron Fleming, defensive end Henry Anderson, and linebacker A.J. Tarpley.

If they leave Stanford, they may not leave empty-handed -- most are on track to earn degrees this spring, but still have another year of NCAA eligibility remaining.

They might follow the example of Stanford alum Andrew Luck, who put a No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft on hold for a year in order to play another year in college.

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