Poll: USC's Mark Sanchez turns pro -- right decision?

Voice tinged with emotion, Mark Sanchez announced that he will skip his senior season at USC and enter the NFL draft this year -- emphasizing that his choice was to forgo a fifth year of eligibility, and that he will be graduating this spring. He's projected to be a first-round pick, potentially making USC the only school this decade with three quarterbacks taken in the first round. ESPN commentators are suggesting he could be the top overall pick, though there's no guarantee he'll even make the first round.

Sanchez made it clear that he had actually made his decision a couple of days ago, and that he waited for Pete Carroll to return from vacation in Hawaii before announcing. The two spoke about Sanchez's choice late into last night.

Carroll was visibly unhappy, refusing to sit down for part of the news conference and saying that he disagreed with the decision based on a number of factors. "We don't see this decision the same," he said. "Mark is going against the grain on this decision. He knows that."

Nick Sanchez, Mark's dad, was supportive and joked with reporters that, as a parent, he wants to see his kid in college for 10 years. Sources close to the program indicate that his family wasn't happy with the choice either.

So if everybody close to Sanchez was telling him to stay, who told him to go? The redshirt junior has spoken with Matt Leinart, whose draft status dropped by staying for his final year -- though that decision now appears necessitated by a injury. Sanchez left after just a few questions, but also mentioned that he spoke to this season's NFL MVP, Peyton Manning, in making his decision, along with former Trojan NFL quarterbacks Matt Cassel, John David Booty, Carson Palmer and Leinart.

So we ask ...

-- Adam Rose

Comments

[dee]

As much as I want him to stay and think he could benefit from another season at the college level, I think it all came down to business. The crop of quarterbacks coming out next season provides a much greater competition for Mark-- plus, there is always the risk of injury next season. With only Stafford as his main competition this draft, leaving now makes most business sense for Sanchez and gives him a much higher projected pick.

I will certainly miss seeing his smiling face and infectious charisma wearing cardinal and gold on Saturdays, but I wish him the best of luck in the NFL.

[Marc]

A good pocketbook decision for Mark at least in the short term, but it sure hurts us alumni to see him go. Big break for Mitch Mustain, who has been on the verge of being a disappointment. Now it's his turn to shine. Let's hope Pete gets through to him.

[gerrrg]

If he didn't come out this year, he'd be facing the prospect of entering the draft next year with Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow.

Seems like this is the best situation for all involved, since USC will still have Corp, Mustain and Barkley.

And not being the best prospect this year means he won't end up going to the worst team, Detroit, and being ruined by a lousy franchise. C'mon, that's got to be the best news of all, about coming out this year.

Too bad that he's going to miss out on the opportunity to win a Heisman, though.

[Robert Mack]

Well you've got mamas boy often called Mitch Mustain and Arron Corp who has a lot more upside. The probem is: If Pete does not choose Mustain as his starter, his mama will be all over U.S.C.

If Pete said 1 thing....1 word... to Mustain when he was transferring from Arkansas about possibly starting.....and he doesn't....get ready for her lawyers. She will make Pete long for the N.F.L.

[T-Bone]

Everyone keeps bringing up Leinart staying for a fifth year, well Matt had a bad elbow and his draft status was in doubt. Sanchez is perfectly healthy and is projected to be a top 10 pick. Strike now while the iron is hot.

As for Pete Carroll, I can understand his frustration as a coach because he's built his teams to be balanced. Now, he has an inexperienced defense and a QB problem. He's a good coach, so he should be able to fix this but losing Sanchez was not what he had in mind. It would have been nice to see him not act so childish at the press conference, that was very surprising.

[Robert]

I think that Mark Sanchez' decision was shot-sighted and foolish. As a USC fan, I hope that his professional career bombs so that others will not be encouraged to do likewise.

[flow]

I think he needed on more year in college, but he did it for the money and must not belive in himself to much or doesnt think he can imporve to be better then the big 10 qbs..good luck to him tho. =]

[Kirsten]

I really thought Sanchez might stay. If mean if Carol convinced him Matt to stay... I thought it could be done again. I guess the $$ look too good. So Mustain is QB1 now?

[pk-in-the-mesa]

I"m telling everyone that Barkley will make all of this better, he is even better than Marc!

[Mike Buck]

I bet the Buckeyes are smiling ear to ear. Pete needs to coach his guys up, he been blessed with talent for so long he may have to out coach or game plan an opponet this year. Lets see what happens! This a chance for Pete to shine.

[Colin]

It is sad to see him go and I agree that the $$$ and timing are legitimate reasons BUT.... I don't think he has a chance in the NFL... He will get picked up in the draft in 2009 might take some snaps on 2010-2011 and as the Tebows behind him enter the league he will wish he would have stayed one more year at SC to feel what winning and playing felt like... instead of picking splinters out of pants. Pete knows this but Mark is just blinded by his 08 high.

[Mal]

" 'I'm disappointed that's his decision, because I think there's a lot of information that says [leaving early] is not going to help him out as much as he thinks,' said USC Coach Pete Carroll, who coached two NFL teams before going to USC in 2001." LA Times, Feb 26, 2004, article on decision by Mike Williams to turn pro.

[fanofusc]

Mark has been a great Trojan. I believe Trojan Nation has embraced him like few others....and he deserved it all. So we are all a little disheartened to say good bye but look forward to cheering for him on Sundays and wish him much success and $.

With that said.............Next

Time to move on.

[Oscar]

I can understand pete carroll's frustration with loosing sarkisian and mark sanchez all in one shot but he needs to understand that he cannot get in the way of sanchez's dream. coach carroll made it sound like its the end of the world if he loses sanchez to the NFL ! I'm a huge USC fan and coach carroll will produce QB's just as good or even better than Mark Sanchez ...GO TROJANS ! !

[Michael Kennedy]

I think Sarkisian's leaving had a lot to do with the decision. I think it is a mistake but understandable. Carroll has a wealth of talent and the rule is, when the kid gets the big head, it's time to go. We did not miss MIke Williams. We did miss LenDale White but Carroll was good about that even though that hurt more than Sanchez leaving will do. This will make spring camp more interesting. After 50 years, I don't need them to win every game.

Did I say that ?

Yes, I do need them to win every game.

[J]

Hey this was a clear business decision> he had to face tebow, colt, sam and everybody is for getting texas tech QB Graham Harrell. know he is about to be stuck with the sorry detroit lions and his career will be over in 3 to five years. look at alex smith. he did not have faith in is ablity to compete with the other QBs coming out in 09. he looked at the money . bad move because you do not produce for lions that is if the pick you , they will cut you after three season. no team will want a failing quaterback. learn from tom brady. he waited and waited and his turn came look at him now. bad move buddy. i hope the money was worth it.

[Bill Baldwin, Jr.]

Michael Kennedy wrote:
"We did not miss MIke Williams. We did miss LenDale White but Carroll was good about that even though that hurt more than Sanchez leaving will do. This will make spring camp more interesting."

I think you've phrased it well, Michael. There have been two guys who went early I felt had a direct effect on our not winning it all again: Len Dale White would have been the rock Booty needed in his first year and Dwayne Jarrett I still believe would have been the difference in the debacle otherwise known as the Stanford game in Booty's second season.
White has done OK, not great in the pros, but Jarrett has been a bust and I wonder why. Such a clutch receiver while at USC, but not a factor at Carolina.

As to Sarkisian and Sanchez....who knows? I DO think Sarkisian was out of line in the way he went after assistant coaches and other key members of the staff. Probably the only guy Sarkisian didn't ask to join him in Seattle was Mike Garrett. Does anyone know what Pete Carroll thought of Nick Holt's move?

I wouldn't mind seeing us whack the Huskies pretty good next September in our Pac 10 opener at Washington..