Spartan junior running back T.J. Duckett will be rushing out of Spartan Stadium for the 2002 NFL Draft, a person close to the MSU standout told The State News on Tuesday.
And, if Duckett announces that decision as he’s expected 4 p.m. Thursday at the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, analysts say he could go in the first round.
In a mock draft done last week for The Sporting News, Duckett was projected as the 18th pick going to the Cleveland Browns, which would make him the second running back selected in the first round, behind Boston College running back Willie Green.
Duckett could not be reached for comment. His brother, Tico Duckett, told The State News the running back has made up his mind about the draft, but declined to say what decision was.
ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook said Duckett’s draft stock probably played a role in his final decision.
“Well, if he’s a first-round pick - if he’s been told that - he’s going to come out,” he said. “And I don’t blame him either.”
Sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker said he can’t blame his backfield mate either for the decision.
“This is his dream, to get a chance to play in the NFL,” he said. “If he has that chance this year, I almost can’t blame him for taking it.”
Duckett leaves behind a talented Spartan offense and a potentially healthy defense.
NFL offices say no paperwork has been received by the league in regard to Duckett forgoing his senior season to enter the draft, which will be held April 20-21. He has until Friday to declare for the draft.
Duckett’s 29 touchdowns and 3,379 rushing yards place him fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Spartan football record books. In the last game of the season, Duckett scrambled for 184 yards and two touchdowns against Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 31.
Hazelwood East (St. Louis) senior running back David Richard, who signed a letter of intent to play Spartan football next fall, said Duckett’s New Year’s Eve performance is a nice way to go out.
“(Duckett) had an awesome game. That’s how you want to leave,” he said. “He was a complete man-child that game.
“Everyone could see it, and you could just tell by the body language of the Fresno State defense that they didn’t want to hit T.J. anymore.”
Cook said Duckett’s tools should translate well in the NFL. He compared him to NFL running backs Jerome Bettis, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and former Michigan standout and Chicago Bear Anthony Thomas.
“I think he’s going to make it in the pros. How big? I don’t know,” Cook said. “I think he’s faster than Bettis, and I’d like to think he’s on the par with Thomas.
“And Thomas had a heck of a rookie year. In college, he’s on that level.”
Smoker said other people often plant the idea of giving up athletic eligibility in turn for a shot at the professionals.
“I think a lot of times people put (thoughts about the NFL) into your head - people tell you, ‘Hey, you can do this or you can do that,’” he said. “I think a lot of people have been telling T.J. he’s got a lot of potential, a great chance in the NFL and a great chance to go in the first round.
“In a way, he also has to look out for himself and realize this is one of the reasons he came here.”
Dan Woike can be reached at woikedan@msu.edu.
