Demps: Track yes, NFL no

[Mighty Favog]

http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=22110

University of Florida two-sport standout Jeff Demps is putting away any NFL aspirations to focus on his track career and a potential spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Demps has decided to run for the Gators this spring and then will seek a professional track career rather than one in football. Demps informed Gators head coach Mike Holloway of his plan in recent days after making a final decision after the football season ended.

[Fortis4Eva]

Now this is something to look forward to .... looking for great things from him.

[t_monk]

... Hmm... I think he makes the US team in the 100m. So it'll be Gay (if he is back in good form), Dix and Demps I think.

I thought he was wasting his time in football.

[ATK]

I hope this is true. Demps definately has the potential to be in Tyson Gay teritory in a few years. With him, mitchell, saalam and maybe a few others, the US sprint team looks to have a bright future.

[tafnut]

... Hmm... I think he makes the US team in the 100m. So it'll be Gay (if he is back in good form), Dix and Demps I think.

Here's who's ahead of him on the 2011 list. I think he can pass a lot of them, but asking him to beat all but Gay and Dix (whom I agree will be there) is a tough row to hoe.

9.79 Tyson Gay
9.85 Mike Rodgers
9.94 Walter Dix
9.94 Doc Patton
9.95 Justin Gatlin
9.97 Mookie Salaam
9.99 Travis Padgett
10.00 Maurice Mitchell
10.02 Ivory Williams

[Pego]

I said it before, I'll say it again. Demps is incomparably better T&Fer than a football player. The same goes for Goodwin. Oh yes. The same was true for Ted Ginn, but the football $$$$ won.

[JumboElliott]

Demps is awfully short. He might only be 5'7. Who was the last great sprinter who was that short?

[vip]

Demps didn't make this decision. The NFL scouts made this decision for him. At least that's what I suspect. If he were a first or even a second round prospect, trust me, he'd be going football. But he was hurt and when healthy, didn't have a great year for the Gators.

As for college track this year, I just hope for Florida's sake he can help the Gators win an outdoor title, after the debacles of the last few years.

Anyway, he can always try out for an NFL team down the road if he so chooses. This is an Olympic year, so everyone will choose track this year.

All that said, it's a boost for the sport, don't get me wrong. If he drops weight and works on a few things, he can be a factor in the 100 (although Walter Dix need not worry) and relay.

[guru]

I'm not sure I'd call him great, but Frater is also 5'7". But of course Frater is 40 lbs lighter

Demps probably made the right decision. At best he was projecting as a late round NFL draftee(Round 6-7), and rates between the 16-18th best RB prospect. It's unlikely he would make an active roster, and would almost certainly wind up as a practice squad player next year.

[guru]

If he drops weight...

Job One for sure

[JumboElliott]

He said that dropping 15 pounds is the first thing on his list.

[sprintdoc]

I am happy to see Demps turn his back on football dollars for now but wonder what will happen when he fails to make the team behind Gay, Dix, Bailey, Gatlin, Rodgers, etc. Demps will be lucky to make the final in Eugene and if thats the case he won't be making big money in the sport for very long. That said I wish him the best and will always cheer guy who chooses track over football.

[Marlow]

Demps didn't make this decision. The NFL scouts made this decision for him. At least that's what I suspect. If he were a first or even a second round prospect, trust me, he'd be going football. But he was hurt and when healthy, didn't have a great year for the Gators.

Al Davis woulda took him!!!

[guru]

I am happy to see Demps turn his back on football dollars for now but wonder what will happen when he fails to make the team behind Gay, Dix, Bailey, Gatlin, Rodgers, etc. Demps will be lucky to make the final in Eugene and if thats the case he won't be making big money in the sport for very long.

At an average practice squad salary of $91,200, he wouldn't be making big money in football. His first pro track contract will likely be for four years, in the $250-$500K/year range(a successful senior campaign at Florida would boost that considerably).

[t_monk]

... Hmm... I think he makes the US team in the 100m. So it'll be Gay (if he is back in good form), Dix and Demps I think.

Here's who's ahead of him on the 2011 list. I think he can pass a lot of them, but asking him to beat all but Gay and Dix (whom I agree will be there) is a tough row to hoe.

9.79 Tyson Gay
9.85 Mike Rodgers
9.94 Walter Dix
9.94 Doc Patton
9.95 Justin Gatlin
9.97 Mookie Salaam
9.99 Travis Padgett
10.00 Maurice Mitchell
10.02 Ivory Williams

I think the only persons he will have a problem deposing on that list is Gay, Rodgers and DIx.

Quick question... What happened to Curtis Mitchell?

[ATK]

Quick question... What happened to Curtis Mitchell?

Well after his 19.99 in 2010, then going pro that December, I think I have seen 2 results from him. One indoors where he ran 21.4 at the Tyson meet, then another one outdoor in Europe this past summer, but I don't remember the exact meet. I'm pretty sure he battled injuries most of last year though. He is definitely a great hope for US sprinting if he can get things together

[t_monk]

Quick question... What happened to Curtis Mitchell?

Well after his 19.99 in 2010, then going pro that December, I think I have seen 2 results from him. One indoors where he ran 21.4 at the Tyson meet, then another one outdoor in Europe this past summer, but I don't remember the exact meet. I'm pretty sure he battled injuries most of last year though. He is definitely a great hope for US sprinting if he can get things together

He could make a great 200/400m runner if you ask me.

[ATK]

Quick question... What happened to Curtis Mitchell?

Well after his 19.99 in 2010, then going pro that December, I think I have seen 2 results from him. One indoors where he ran 21.4 at the Tyson meet, then another one outdoor in Europe this past summer, but I don't remember the exact meet. I'm pretty sure he battled injuries most of last year though. He is definitely a great hope for US sprinting if he can get things together

He could make a great 200/400m runner if you ask me.

I agree, he put down some great runs on the A&M 4x4's

and the other meet was Luzern in July, he ran 20.98.

[JumboElliott]

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet: Ryan Bailey. He could very possibly make the Olympics in two events next year.

[GDAWG]

I said it before, I'll say it again. Demps is incomparably better T&Fer than a football player. The same goes for Goodwin. Oh yes. The same was true for Ted Ginn, but the football $$$$ won.

That and Ginn was a projected NFL First Rounder. No way would Ginn ever pass up an NFL opportunity because of his draft projection.

Demps made a smart move. He was going to likely go undrafted anyways and the uphill climb to make an NFL roster would be difficult. It's easy for someone like him and Marquise Goodwin who have no shots at the NFL.

However, it would be a difficult decision for someone who was an All American in both track and football and has been projected as a star in both sports. A spot on the Olympic team? Or first round money and a guaranteed roster spot for at least the next 4-5 years? I think most would easily take the latter.

Good for him. He made a smart move.

Has Goodwin made a decision yet?

[Avante]

He 's blowing it. With Wes Welker doing what he's doing and Darren Sproles setting all purpose records there are teams that would give Demps a good look. He has too much speed not to have NFL teams interested. Yep, special teams, situational player. Third down guy.

We don't know if he's a 9.90 to be, which is where he'd need to be if he plans on being a major player. We do know nobody (defenders) in the NFL can run with him.

He's not to small, for out in space duty. He's too small to bang the line.....obviously. That's not why you draft him.

[vip]

Avante, Wes Welker can catch a ball over the middle with the best of them, and Sproles is a very powerful runner both inside and out. Demps hasn't demonstrated either skill.

Don't underestimate how hard it is to make it in the NFL. If you're undersized, you'd better be supremely gifted, or you have no chance. Same in the NBA. Spud Webb, all 5-7 of him, had to possess an amazing vertical leap to survive.

Demps was pretty good at Florida but not great. Again, NFL scouts made this decision for him. Good for him for following his head. And he can always give the NFL a shot in a few years, if track doesn't work out.

[johnclevohio]

Hopefully Trindon Holliday reads the announcement and realizes he needs to return to the track. He was released this year, then resigned to the practice squad.

[sprintdoc]

At an average practice squad salary of $91,200, he wouldn't be making big money in football. His first pro track contract will likely be for four years, in the $250-$500K/year range(a successful senior campaign at Florida would boost that considerably).

lol, sadly those figures paid to Gay, Spearmon and Carter are no more. Best sprint money now tops at about $150-175k which is decent money for sure but everyone is assuming Demps will easily get this which he would with an injury free solid spring but more than likely it will be incentive based on production at the Trials and if he places out of the money in 6-8 in trials then the money will be much smaller.

[sprintdoc]

Jumbo Elliot posted:

"One name that hasn't been mentioned yet: Ryan Bailey. He could very possibly make the Olympics in two events next year."


He was mentioned above but as talented as he is, his biggest obstacle is not anyone in the US other than himself. Heard he was dominating Dix in workouts under John Smith but then suffered a serious injury. Do hope to see him at the top of his game this summer as he has the talent to run with Bolt and Blake if he can stay healty.

[guru]

lol, sadly those figures paid to Gay, Spearmon and Carter are no more. Best sprint money now tops at about $150-175k...

In year four of her deal with adidas, Bianca Knight is making 350K, and has yet to make an international team(individual event) in three tries. Demps is worth at least that right now.

[gh]

Demps didn't make this decision. The NFL scouts made this decision for him. .....

That makes lots of sense, but also factor in that there may be an eager track agent out there filling him with tales of how much he can make in pro track.

[Letlôtse]

Jumbo Elliot posted:

"One name that hasn't been mentioned yet: Ryan Bailey. He could very possibly make the Olympics in two events next year."


He was mentioned above but as talented as he is, his biggest obstacle is not anyone in the US other than himself. Heard he was dominating Dix in workouts under John Smith but then suffered a serious injury. Do hope to see him at the top of his game this summer as he has the talent to run with Bolt and Blake if he can stay healty.

What ! Again ?! So that's 2011 and now 2012 without a fully fit Ryan Bailey ?

[sprintdoc]

In year four of her deal with adidas, Bianca Knight is making 350K, and has yet to make an international team(individual event) in three tries. Demps is worth at least that right now.


guru, she signed just before the whole economy tanked. Since then the money is half what it used to be.

[ATK]

In year four of her deal with adidas, Bianca Knight is making 350K, and has yet to make an international team(individual event) in three tries. Demps is worth at least that right now.


guru, she signed just before the whole economy tanked. Since then the money is half what it used to be.

With guys like Curtis Mitchell, Mookie Saalam and a few others, giving up their NCAA eligibility for the pro ranks, I would imagine there is definately good money for Demps out there. Especially in an Olympic year.

[Avante]

Avante, Wes Welker can catch a ball over the middle with the best of them, and Sproles is a very powerful runner both inside and out. Demps hasn't demonstrated either skill.

Don't underestimate how hard it is to make it in the NFL. If you're undersized, you'd better be supremely gifted, or you have no chance. Same in the NBA. Spud Webb, all 5-7 of him, had to possess an amazing vertical leap to survive.

Demps was pretty good at Florida but not great. Again, NFL scouts made this decision for him. Good for him for following his head. And he can always give the NFL a shot in a few years, if track doesn't work out.

Well aware of all that I'm also aware of this....

There is nothing the NFL loves better than speed. When you have anyone with that kind of speed you give them a look. Jeff Demps can catch a flare pass, he can also return kick offs/cover kicks/block kicks. His kind of speed is very valuable. Obviously he's not another Wes Welker/Darren Sroles, but he doesn't have to be. You sign the guys for three years, see what he can do to help you win.Keep in mind he is not a track guy trying to play footbal, he is a football player with outstanding speed. Get him out in space, what backer can deal with him, what db can't he smoke?

[sprintdoc]

Avante you are exactly right. Had convo today with a NFL scout of a couple teams who were for sure interested in Demps. Bet is Demps sees where track goes next 6-7 months and then signs as free agent with a team that he has had a convo with that is best suited for him to make. Demps can easily be utilized in many NFL offenses and special teams and will be.

On related note did anyone else catch the espn show Around the Horn Friday having the topic of "Demps" in bottom scroll bar of upcoming story for talking heads to discuss his decision of track over football prior to final commercial break and then after commercial they had pulled Demps for a story on Fisher coaching the Rams. Ah well we can dream that such a story actually meritted discussion in national general sports media.

[Avante]

Avante you are exactly right. Had convo today with a NFL scout of a couple teams who were for sure interested in Demps. Bet is Demps sees where track goes next 6-7 months and then signs as free agent with a team that he has had a convo with that is best suited for him to make. Demps can easily be utilized in many NFL offenses and special teams and will be.

On related note did anyone else catch the espn show Around the Horn Friday having the topic of "Demps" in bottom scroll bar of upcoming story for talking heads to discuss his decision of track over football prior to final commercial break and then after commercial they had pulled Demps for a story on Fisher coaching the Rams. Ah well we can dream that such a story actually meritted discussion in national general sports media.

The first great speed back in the NFL was a tiny little guy named Buddy Young. He was 5-5ish around 170 pounds. Yes I know the opposition wasn't a big as they are today but far bigger than he was. Young was an NCAA/AAU 100 champ.

The list of sprinters who did make it in the league is a long one. None any faster than Jeff Demps. He's too fast to ignore.

[JumboElliott]

Jim Hines (failure) and Bob Hayes (hall of famer) were both faster than Jeff Demps.

[GDAWG]

Demps is 5-7 and there is a back in the NFL who is the same height as him who's having a lot of success in the NFL:

http://www.nfl.com/player/mauricejonesd ... 31/profile

Although weight-wise, Demps is smaller, although faster.