Crimson Red Sports

i think TJ may return for Sr. Year. Look at the running backs ahead of him in the draft. No doubt he will be a good pro, but there may be better guys ahead of him. Thoughts?

If he chooses to enter the draft it will be against CNS recommendation. He will be a late round pick. I think he comes back.

Who will be the RBs in next year's (2016) draft?  Will the competition be any easier for TJY?  I don't know the answer to that.

I'll guess 50/50 he comes back.  Even a late 1st round pick still gets good $$$.  Just hard to pass that up.

IMO, TJ has performed less than expected this year.  I think he comes back for his senior year and we lose at least two quality backs after next season, TJ and Henry... >:(

I can't see Yeldon leaving unless he gets some mighty good reviews in the combines. He's been hurt all year which has slowed him down considerably.

I don't think he'll be a first round pick this year, but he might not be next year either.  RB seems to be the easiest position to fill in the NFL right now with lots of undrafted/late round guys getting playing time and producing.  Most teams aren't going to use a high draft pick on a RB.

I think TJ could leave early.  He has had some injuries this year; coming back he risks more injuries.  RBs have short shelf-lives, in college and the pros.  It's not a position the NFL typically drafts high these days because it is hard for a RB to last long enough to be a franchise player.  

I agree that TJ is unlikely to increase his draft stock by coming back.  He is more likely to get injured.  The NFL drafts on future potential.  Past performance is just one indicator of that.  TJ has shown enough to get their interest.  If he heals up over the holidays and plays lights out in the playoffs, like I expect him to do, he will be gone.

Marcus Lattimore at SC is a guy who had some injuries, then tried to come back, probably too early, to improve his draft stock, or to prove he was healthy.  And he ended up injured again in college.  Despite his injuries, and lack of playing time, he was drafted in the fourth round based on potential, but he ended up having to retire a year later due to his college injury.

That's the risk RBs take every time they step on the field. 

Can he perform at the combines without declaring for the draft and still come back to Bama next year?

Yes, the combines are only for evaluation and gives the players an idea of where they might get picked in the draft.

He has a lot of pluses.  He can run inside and outside and he can catch the ball.  Also he has gained almost 1000 yards this year with injuries and sharing time.

Hopefully this time off will let his injuries heal to where he can perform again at the level we have seen him perform before. I don't think Ohio State wants to see him running at full speed.

I was doing some reading yesterday on the NFL's current salary regulations for players entering the league.  The first contract is limited in value, the big  money is in the second contract.  So, many players are leaving early just to get a one year head start on the second contract.  There's not much benefit in staying in school for another year and trying to move up higher into the first round.  I think Yeldon will be gone after the playoff.

RBs have a limited number of carries throughout the entirety of their football life. It would be smart for him to go IMO. Would love for him to stay, but for him to realize money he has coming to him, he will go.

I agree if he's a lock for the first round. As Saban has stated, he recommends if a player can go in the first round, then it's best to go.

Think the jury is still out as to which round he would go.