Lofton leaving early

By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

January 15, 2008 10:40 am

— Curtis Lofton went from special teams player to All-American linebacker in one season. Apparently, there won’t be an encore.
Monday, Oklahoma announced the middle linebacker has elected to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
Lofton made the decision Sunday, two days short of today’s deadline for third-year players to declare themselves eligible.
“I’ll definitely miss my coaches and teammates,” Lofton said. “I came in with my class three years ago and those guys are like brothers to me. And I’ll miss playing in front of those 85,000 fans.”
Lofton is the second member for the Sooners’ 2005 recruiting class to attempt an early jump to the NFL. Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly became the first last week.
Lofton made no secret he was contemplating making the jump, but he tempered any remarks by saying he would only leave if he was a projected as a first-round pick.
There aren’t any NFL draft boards that list Lofton as a first-round pick and inside linebacker isn’t usually a position that dominates the first round or the draft’s first day.
According to NFL.com, the league’s official Web site, only six inside linebackers have been drafted in the first round since 2000 and only 21 players from that position have been taken in the draft.
If Lofton would have returned for his senior season, he might have been the preseason favorite to win the Butkus Award.
He only made 35 tackles in his first two seasons at OU. Nonetheless, if the Kingfisher native is able to build off what he did this past season, he should have success playing on Sundays.
Lofton made 157 tackles to etch the sixth-best mark in school history. Getting at least 10 tackles in nine games established a program record. He also made three interceptions and forced four fumbles.
“Curtis made a lot of big plays during his time here,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “We wish him all the best in the NFL.”
Lofton’s departure could leave a gaping hole in the middle of the Sooner defense. Lamont Robinson, who will be junior next season, was Lofton’s primary backup. His playing time was limited, though. Robinson has only made four tackles in his career.
Mike Reed was brought in from junior college to compete for the starting job last spring. Reed showed signs of being an impact player. But he missed almost the whole season to family issues. He’s expected to be on the team next season, but will be a year behind in becoming accustomed to how the Sooners play defense.
The position should be under heavy scrutiny when spring practice begins in March.
Whether or not Lofton or Kelly remain the only Sooners to depart early should be known by the end of the day. It is the last day juniors or third-year sophomores can declare for the draft. Players still have a 72-hour window to pull themselves out of the draft provided they haven’t already signed with an agent.
The only Sooner believed to still be contemplating leaving early is cornerback Reggie Smith.
Since Bob Stoops became head coach prior to the 1999 season, 35 of his players have been drafted. But he’s never had more than two underclassmen from the same team leave for the draft before exhausting their eligibility.

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